Explore a World of Wonder

Click photo for more info about motorcycle touring Route 16

Magically, even though Skeena Cabin is on the edge of pristine wilderness, it is still only a short drive away from stunning attractions, hiking and fishing.

Within easy reach are the Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Park, the Salmon Glacier, and Seven Sisters Provincial Park, as well as the small towns of Terrace, Smithers, Hazelton, Prince Rupert and Kitimat.

Nisga’a Memorial
Lava Bed Park

This hauntingly beautiful landscape could be the highlight of your trip to British Columbia.

Explore the lower section of the Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Park as a leisurely day trip by driving along the Nisga'a Highway north of Terrace.

Or, plan a full day journey via Highway 37, and really immerse yourself in lava bed geology and Nisga’a culture.

Click image for Nisga'a Nation Auto-Tour

Auto-tour sign

The Drowned Forest

Vetter Falls

Day Trip - Nisga’a Highway

Travel north of Terrace up the Nisga’a Highway and follow the first half of the Nisga’a Nation’s auto-tour. You can pick up a copy of the complete auto-tour brochure at the Terrace Visitor Centre, but the route is well-marked.

This eerily enchanting landscape is the result of the last volcanic eruption in Canada, over 260 years ago. Each stop on the auto-tour leads you into a hidden natural treasure.

There are great picnic sites along the route - make sure to bring water and pack a lunch.

The Full Day Journey

Plan an early start and spend a full day to really get the most out of visiting the lava beds and learn more about the Nisga’a people.

Book a guided tour to see the volcano (a “lava cone”) that gave rise to this captivating setting, soak in the Aiyansh hot springs, and peruse the Ancestor’s Collection at the Nisga’a Museum.

To follow this itinerary, consider accessing the park from the north via Highway 37. At Cranberry Junction, turn west onto the Nisga’a Highway. At the end of the day, return to Skeena Cabin via Terrace and Highway 16.

Take a step off the beaten path and be captivated by this little-known and surreal landscape. It could be the most fascinating side-trip you ever do.

Aiyansh hot springs

Auto-tour road sign

Nisga'a Museum

Nisga'a Museum display

Spectacular Glacier Viewing

Salmon Glacier (click photo for a traveller's experience)

Bear Glacier, Highway 37A

Black bear at Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site

Stewart (click photo for 8 reasons to visit)

Day trip to Salmon & Bear Glaciers near
Stewart and Hyder

A three-and-a-half-hour scenic drive from Skeena Cabin brings you to the quaint communities of Stewart, British Columbia and Hyder, Alaska. View the Bear Glacier on the way to Stewart, and drive another hour past Hyder to reach the stunning Salmon Glacier. Make sure to pick up your Self-Guided Auto Tour (4.4MB pdf) at the Stewart Visitor Centre.

In Hyder, you can also watch bears and wolves feeding on salmon runs at the Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site.

Seven Sisters Provincial Park

"The chain of peaks that constitutes the Seven Sisters is without equal in the whole of West Central British Columbia. On all counts, it can only be described by superlatives. It is more beautiful, more impressive, more inspiring and in a sense more aloof than any of the other mountains and ranges."

Einar Blix and Andrew Blix, Trails to Timberline in West Central British Columbia

Whether you’re looking for a short, easy stroll with access to fishing, or a full-day trek that takes you to the alpine, there’s a hike for everyone in this spectacular sanctuary. Mountaineers who scale the rugged peaks (some over 8,000 feet) meet with true majesty.

The forests of the lower elevations are often cloaked in the mists of the Skeena River - which makes for delightful fungi habitat. Black and grizzly bears, marten, moose, mule deer and wolves also make their homes here, and you may even spot a mountain goat herd in the alpine.

The trail heads are only a 30-40 minute drive from Skeena Cabin. Or, for a spectacular view of the mountain peaks, hike the Kitwanga Mountain Park trail, just an 11 minute drive from the cabin.

World Famous Fishing

Click on photo for Best Times to fish salmon and steelhead in the Skeena watershed.

Whether you're after world class salmon fishing on the Skeena, or you want to throw a line in one of the river's tributaries or in a local lake, Skeena Cabin makes a great base for anglers.

For guided salmon and steelhead fishing, contact Skeena Wilderness Fishing Charters (based in Terrace) and ask about day trips.

Closer to home, you can fish steelhead trout in the Kitwanga River (15 minutes drive east of the cabin), and both steelhead and dolly varden at Insect Creek (about a 20-minute drive west). Opportunities abound to fish at various lakes – among the most accessible are Kitwancool (rainbow and bull trout), Seeley (cutthroat and rainbow trout) and Ross Lakes (rainbow and eastern brook trout), all within an hour’s drive or less from Skeena Cabin.

Helpful links:
For Skeena Region fresh water fishing regulations, click here (1.6MB pdf).
To purchase a British Columbia fresh water fishing license on-line, click here.
For Skeena Region salmon fishing regulations, click here.
To purchase a salmon fishing license on-line, click here.

Kitwanga

Friendly services close by

At Skeena Cabin, you’re only a 20-minute drive from the little town of Kitwanga. Here you’ll find the Kitwanga General Store (groceries, fishing tackle) and a Petro-Canada gas station (restaurant, ATM and small convenience store). If you need to do laundry, follow the signs to the quaint and well-kept Cassiar RV Park.

Historically, Kitwanga has been both a trade centre for the indigenous northwest coastal peoples, and the homesteaders and pioneers that settled in the Kitwanga valley. The totem poles in the Gitxsan area of town are thought to be, of all the totem poles in British Columbia, the oldest ones still standing where they were originally erected.

Gitxsan totem poles in Kitwanga

Day Trips to Larger Communities

Centrally located between a number of friendly small towns, Skeena Cabin is a great base for exploring the unique character and attractions of several Northern communities.

Terrace, Hazelton, Smithers, Prince Rupert, and Kitimat are all possibilities for day trips. Check out the highlights below.

Click map to enlarge

Inland Outings

Terrace

Click photo to read about Terrace Farmer's Market

Terrace lies about 105km/65 miles southwest of Skeena Cabin. Renowned for its Farmer’s Market, it also has a fine selection of restaurants. And don't miss out on the hiking and biking trails, and fishing on the Skeena River.

Hazelton

Click photo to read reviews about Hazelton's 'Ksan Historical Village

Hazelton is 75km/50 miles to the northeast. This cozy little community features the 'Ksan Heritage Village and the artisinal Skeena Bakery & Coffee Shop.

Smithers

Click photo to read reviews about the Smithers Golf & Country Club

Smithers is 125km/80 miles southeast of Skeena Cabin. Here you can enjoy yet more trails, restaurants, shopping on Main Street, and the Smithers Golf & Country Club.

Go Coastal

Prince Rupert & Kitimat

Prince Rupert (255km/160 miles drive southwest of Skeena Cabin) is known for fresh seafood and wildlife viewing. Best of all, the local BC Ferries port gives you access to BC's famed Inside Passage!

Kitimat (170km/105 miles drive southwest of Skeena Cabin) has great fishing on the Kitimat River and in the Douglas Channel. Charter a boat for fishing or eco-tours, and visit the Kitimat Fish Hatchery.