Welcome to Fort Nelson, the gateway to the breathtaking Rocky Mountains! This northeastern community was named in honour of British Naval Officer Horatio Nelson and due to fires, floods and feuds Fort Nelson is in its FIFTH location!
Aerial View – Fort Nelson
You can see an abundance of wildlife in this town including, moose, black and grizzly bears, caribou, deer, bison, mountain goat and wolves. It is also home to a variety of bird species such as golden eagles, bald eagles and great-horned owls to name a few.
With the world-famous Alaska Highway as the main street and thousands of square miles of mountain wilderness as its backyard, Fort Nelson is the regional business and service centre of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality.
No matter what time of year you are visiting you are bound to experience some extraordinary weather, in the winter Fort Nelson is the coldest location in BC; however during the summer months it is warmer than coastal areas even as far south as Victoria – comparable to a summer in Vancouver!
Liard Hot Springs
Attractions include the Fort Nelson Heritage Museum, Poplar Hills Golf Course, and the Northern Lights Festival. You can also visit many stunning nature spots nearby including the Liard Hot Springs, Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial Park and Muncho Lake!
Liard Hot Springs: This year-round hot spring is a must see! For only $5 you get to enjoy Canada’s largest hot spring.
This hidden gem located in a boreal forest and is also known as the “Tropical Valley” due to its wildlife and lush flora. Did you know there are 14 species of orchids found here!
You can enjoy activities such as cycling, hiking, swimming and wildlife viewing, you may even be able to spot a moose feeding in the warm water swamps!
Rocky Mountains
Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial Park: Take a trip into the Rocky Mountains to explore the many established trails, access to this provincial park is primarily by boat, aircraft, hiking or horseback riding – so be sure to bring along your animal friends!
This Provincial Park is the 3rd largest in BC and is home to many black bears, grizzly bears, elk, caribou, goats, Stone sheep, wolf and deer. You will be able to find many rivers, streams, waterfalls and even small glaciers!
You will be able to take part in canoeing, climbing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and hunting all while on this adventure!
Muncho Lake: Visiting this aqua-green glacier fed lake will be the highlight of your northern adventure. You will feel the seclusion and serenity with the Rocky Mountains as your backdrop!
If you like fishing there are many species to catch in this gorgeous lake such as trout, arctic grayling, bull trout and whitefish!
You can also partake in other activities such as canoeing, cycling, hiking, hunting, swimming, camping and scuba diving – YES scuba diving!
Mountain River
FUN FACTS!
- During WW2 Fort Nelson served as a base for the United States Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force.
- Contrary to popular belief Fort Nelson was the original Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway – now Mile 300
- On June 18, 2005 people in Fort Nelson held a water balloon fight with OVER 40,000 water balloons thrown in under 3 minutes! This was a world record at the time.
