Northern British Columbia Provincial Parks
Great Northern Circle Tour’s Best Provincial Campgrounds and Parks
Sep 13, 2009
Heading north, whether to experience the Great Northern Circle Tour, or to visit Alaska, travelers must follow either the Alaska Highway or the Stewart-Cassiar Highway.
Northbound travelers will soon find themselves amidst nearly untouched wilderness that continues for much of this driving tour. Hotel accommodation is both limited and basic, but BC Provincial Parks line both routes offering excellent camping opportunities for either tents or RVs.
Services Found in BC Provincial Parks
All BC Parks provide quiet and clean camping areas. Services are often limited to fresh water, pit toilets and scenic locations. Electric and sewage hookups are non-existent for RVers, but sani-stations are found in nearly all parks.
Whether pitching a tent or parking an RV, campers will find the sites to be spacious and flat. A fire pit and picnic table are found on each site, and dry firewood is often available from the park staff.
The true highlight of all parks is their scenic locations. Mountain views, lakeside sites and starry nights are simply part of the northern experience and these provincial parks offer all three in spades.
BC Provincial Parks Along the Alaska Highway
Heading north from Dawson Creek, the Alaska Highway provides some of the best roadside wildlife viewing in the world. After passing the industrial towns of Fort St John and Fort Nelson, the road climbs steadily into the northern Rocky Mountains and delivers campers to Stone Mountain Provincial Park.
Located on the eastern edge of the mountains, this small campground offers lakeside campsites with panoramic views into the heart of the mountains. Recreation activities include a five-hour hike to the summit of Stone Mountain, and a six-hour trek to an alpine lake. Wildlife sightings often include big horn sheep, mountain goats and grizzly bears.
Continuing north, Muncho Lake Provincial park welcomes travelers to the edge of the jade green lake reminiscent of Lake Louise without the crowds or development. The large park has two camping areas, but Strawberry Fields is easily the better of the two. Several short hikes into wildlife viewing areas and boat tours keep campers entertained throughout their stay.
Just 60km north of Muncho Lake, visitors will find Liard River Hot Springs Park. This small park is little more than a camping area but is a required stop for weary travelers because of the natural hot springs located a short five-minute boardwalk from the camping area. Set in a natural location, these hot springs are the perfect place to relax after several days driving north.
BC Provincial Parks Along the Stewart-Cassiar Highway
After reaching Watson Lake, Yukon, travelers returning south along the Stewart-Cassiar highway will continue to find scenic lakeside parks.
Boya Lake Provincial Park offers camping along an aquamarine colored lake that is warm enough for swimming during the summer months. Several short hiking trails take visitors along the shores of the lake where moose are often seen.
Further south is Kinaskan Lake Provincial Park, providing another lakeside camping opportunity. A boat launch allows access to excellent fishing, while a short lakeside walk offers scenic views of both the lake and mountains.
Meziadin Lake Provincial Park is located at the junction of highway 37. The park is located on the edge of the salmon-filled lake, offering excellent fishing opportunities. Travelers departing Meziadin Junction can follow the road west to Stewart, BC, and Hyder, Alaska, or continue south to Terrace and Hazelton.
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