A Day in Vanderhoof

As the geographical centre of BC, Vanderhoof is also at the centre of outdoor recreation and the ideal BC lifestyle. You’ll find everything from fields and forests, mountains and valleys, forts and dams, to shopping boutiques, new development, industry, and ecosystem preservation. Situated along the banks of the Nechako River, with Sinkut Mountain overlooking the valley, Vanderhoof offers numerous opportunities for both business and pleasure and is a great place to explore or to call home.

Itinerary #1

FAMILY FUN

Begin your Vanderhoof experience by visiting the Vanderhoof Tourism & Cultural Centre and the Vanderhoof Community Museum – both located at 478 1st Street West. This historic site features beautifully restored buildings, thought provoking displays and a wooded Nature Trail pointing out historical and ecological facts along the 1 km route. There is plenty of space for children to run and play and you may want to enjoy a treat from the locally owned business operating out of the OK Café. The heritage buildings are open from the May long weekend until mid-September and the Vanderhoof Tourism and Cultural Centre, which is open year-round, features a wall-sized carving as well as indigenous artifacts. When it’s time for a change of scene, head on over to Ferland Park where you will find picnic tables, plenty of shade, washrooms, a playground, and a spray park. Continue your family fun over at the Nechako White Surgeon Conservation Centre. This breeding facility has been designed to revitalize the sturgeon population in the Nechako River. Did you know that the Nechako White Sturgeon is the largest freshwater fish in Canada and has survived millions of years (since the age of the dinosaurs) relatively unchanged? Learn about the hatchlings, their changing environment and how they will be reintroduced into the wild on a family-friendly guided tour. More details can be found on the Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative’s website.

Itinerary #2

ADVENTURER

Ready to rip it up? Whether you prefer an uphill pump, a purpose-built pump track, or a downhill run, Vanderhoof delivers. Just minutes from downtown, the new Vanderhoof Pump Track is perfect for warming up, dialing in skills, or letting riders of all ages find their rhythm. From there, head up the hill to Rip’n the North Bike Park, where a mix of flow, jump, and technical trails offers plenty to challenge and excite both beginner and advanced riders. Official maps are available on trailforks.com or at the Vanderhoof Tourism & Cultural Centre.

After an energetic ride, take a drive (just over 100 km) down the Kenney Dam Forest Service Road to check out the Dam, built in the 1950s and, at the time, the largest in the world. A few more kilometres brings you to the Cheslatta River Recreational Site and the trailhead for the 1.2 km hike to Cheslatta Falls. The trail winds through forested ridges to a small viewpoint atop a cliff-like hill, then continues to the base of the waterfall where you can snap photos and enjoy the refreshing mist. Be sure to save some energy for the steep climb back to the campsite.

Itinerary #3

WILDLIFE ENTHUSIAST

Before you set out, stop at the Vanderhoof Public Library to use your BC One card to borrow a bird watching kit complete with binoculars, a geocaching kit, an iPad or a GoPro. Grab a lunch-to-go and take a road less traveled for the opportunity to see local wildlife in their natural habitat. Cruise around the 20 minute Loop Road/Northside highway for a chance to see merlins (small falcons) or catch a glimpse of the Northern harriers (small owls) hunting. Depending on the time of the year, pull over beside a grain field to observe large flocks of Canadian geese and White Trumpeter swans close up. A trip down one of the local logging roads may provide an opportunity to see a grizzly or a black bear, some deer or a moose. Stop by the Visitor Centre to pick up a Nature Guide Book before you go. End your day in Vanderhoof admiring waterfowl, birds of prey, song birds and more from the covered viewing platform at Riverside Park overlooking the Migratory Bird Sanctuary. This 180-hectare protected sanctuary provides a resting stop for migrating birds, and serves as a point of interest for birders and wildlife photographers alike. A full-service campground is located on-site if you decide to stay the night where you may encounter chipmunks, grouse or rabbits. The walking path is lit and features a number of interpretive signs describing local wildlife and how these animals were traditionally used by local First Nations.

Side Trips From

VANDERHOOF

Vanderhoof by itself could satisfy your arts, sports, nature and recreational interests, but if you drive an hour in any direction, the side-trips are an astonishing combination of history, culture, ecology, and fun. Fort St. James is only a 45-minute drive away and offers a exciting visitor experiences at their Historic Park — one of the oldest settlements in BC.

Other sites include Greer Creek Falls, Hogsback Lake Recreational Site, Water Lily Lake Trails, Berman Lake (great for kayaking) or you might choose to visit one of the Provincial Parks nearby such as Sowchea Bay on Stuart Lake or Beaumont with its sandy beach on Fraser Lake. A hike up Sinkut offers panoramic views of the valley or you could explore the gulch known as the Nechako Canyon at the base of the mountain where the Nechako River used to flow before the Kenney Dam was built.

Make Vanderhoof your next home base as you plan your local and regional excursions in and around the geographical centre of BC.