McBride’s Fraser River boat launch is located at Phil and Jennie Gaglardi Park, just 1km east of McBride on Highway 16. Turn onto Raven Road, which leads to the free boat launch.
Boating
Boating on the Fraser River
Whitewater Paddling
Experienced whitewater paddlers will run the Fraser River, Beaver/Holmes River, McKale Creek, the Dore River and others in the Robson Valley when conditions are right. Independent paddlers will find out more information about local conditions at Robson Valley Whitewater
Safe Boating
One immediate concern is the lower number of boaters currently on the water, which could mean reduced nearby assistance if you encounter problems. Additionally, any incidents may disproportionately strain rescue operations.
The CSBC has outlined the following key messages for this season’s Safe Boating Awareness Week:
- Wear Your Lifejacket – Sadly, over 80% of drowning victims in Canada were not wearing their lifejackets, or wore them incorrectly. The market now offers a wide variety of lifejackets and personal flotation devices, making it easier to find one that fits your boating style and is comfortable to wear throughout your time on the water.
- Boat Sober – Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or prescription drugs is not only dangerous but also illegal. In some provinces, a conviction for impaired boating can affect your car driving privileges.
- Take a Boating Course – Operators of powered recreational vessels are required to have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card or equivalent proof of competency. However, just obtaining the card is the beginning. We recommend pursuing further specialized training. For enthusiasts of paddle sports, now is an ideal time for on-water training. Beginners should consider starting with online resources to learn about responsible paddle craft boating, though these are not substitutes for practical training.
- Be Prepared, You and Your Vessel – Ensure both you and your vessel are ready for your planned activities. This includes being informed about your trip, ensuring your boat is equipped with necessary and additional recommended safety gear, checking that weather conditions are favorable, ensuring adequate fuel supplies, and filing a trip plan. Remember, staying out of trouble not only keeps you safe but also eases the load on rescue services.
- Be Cold Water Safe – Cold water can drastically reduce your ability to swim or stay afloat. Even experienced swimmers are vulnerable to the effects of sudden immersion in cold water. Wearing a lifejacket is your best defense against cold-water immersion risks.
These initiatives are designed to ensure a safer boating experience for everyone involved.
Responsible Boating
BE A GOOD BOATER!
We share our waterways with large boats and small, and not just pleasure craft, but commercial and industrial vessels, and even cruise ships, ferries and SeaBus. And while our waters are open to everyone, that doesn’t mean it’s open season to operate without consideration for others, and the environment.
Before you head out, familiarize yourself with the finer points of boating etiquette, as well as best practices for environmentally responsible ‘green boating’ as well as protecting our marine mammals by staying the minimum distance away from endangered whales and other species. And most of all, we believe that an informed, confident boater is a safe boater, so we recommend a range of training courses all year round.
More Summer Activities
Hiking
Explore the many hiking trails around McBride, where adventure meets natural beauty. Hike through ancient rain forests, discover alpine meadows, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Robson Valley and mountain peaks. Whether your seeking a peaceful stroll or a challenging trek, McBride offers something for everyone.
Be Prepared! Carry with you:
- Topographic map and magnetic compass – and learn how to use them.
- Flashlight (with extra batteries and bulb)
- Extra clothing (including mittens, hat, jacket and rain gear)
- Sunglasses
- Extra food and water
- Waterproof matches in waterproof container
- Candle/Fire starter
- Pocket knife
- First aid kit
- Space blanket or two large heavy-duty trash bags – These items can help provide shelter in an emergency situation and can be used as a raincoat or a windbreak.
Educate yourself about the particular hazards of the area, i.e. wildlife, steep terrain, sudden weather changes etc – and be prepared.
Plan your trip and let other know where you are going and when you are likely to be back. Know your limitations and stay safe!
Visit Hiking in BC
There is an excellent selection of nature, safety and map books as well stories and histories for reading in the tent available for sale at the McBride Visitor Centre. Also available is Rob Bryce’s comprehensive guide – Hiking North Central BC (with interactive CD) as well as a good selection of other hiking guides.
Most trails are fairly flat and level. Suitable for families with small children.
More strenuous. Trails may be uneven with steep sections.
Strenuous. Longer trails may be uneven and/or narrow, with steep or slippery sections. Suitable for more experienced hikers.
Mountain Biking
Located only 2km East of McBride, the McBride Mountain Trails network features 25km of volunteer-managed multi-use trails with a mountain biking focus. Built by mountain bikers; this non-motorized trail network on the lower flank of Teare Mountain is enjoyed year-round by mountain bikers, hikers, trail runners, horseback riders, snowshoers and Nordic skiers.
This small, but varied trail network has something for everyone to enjoy, whether you’re new to trail adventures or are a seasoned athlete. Heart-pumping ascents and thrilling downhill trails combined with stunning vistas everywhere you turn are just a few of the things that will keep you coming back again and again.
11 mountain bike focussed mutli-use trails 2km from McBride at McBride Peak
- Phone: 250-569-0046
- Email: ingridstengler@gmail.com
- Website: www.mcbridetrails.ca
Fishing
The Robson Valley provides varied fishing opportunities. Many beautiful streams and creeks feed the Fraser River from both the Cariboo and Rocky Mtn sides of the valley. There are many clear, deep pools, as well as numerous log jams that act as ideal homes for rainbow trout, Rocky Mtn whitefish and dolly varden. These fish are attracted to any number of lure or fly patterns, especially red and white.
Dolly varden are catch and release only – please be careful to revive and release them to their stream home. Salmon are off-limits in the Robson Valley. Be sure to consult the fishing regulations and get your license.
The Fraser River is 1375 km (854 miles) long fifth largest river in Canada, by volume and drains an area of 220,000 km2 (almost the area of Britain).
Horseback Riding
Free Equine Camping in and around McBride:
- McIntosh Equestrian Recreation Site – Buit and Maintained by Back Country Horsemen of BC Robson Valley Chapter. Free camping, 16 non-serviced sites, 28 corrals, piped non-potable water available for horses, kitchen shelter with wood stove and manure pits. Campers must arrive self sufficient with their own domestic/drinking water, horse feed, buckets etc. There is a Forty-two km equine trail network on Belle Mountain adjacent to the campground (see Day use trails below for details). This camp is Located at km 3 on Mcintosh Road – turn off highway 16 twelve km west of McBride if arriving from the East, or two km east of Clyde creek if arriving from the west – look for the green recreation highway signs.
- Koeneman Park staging area – Located 2km east of the Village of McBride -turn left at first road east of Fraser River Bridge. Staging area for the scenic McBride Mountain Multiuse trial Network (see Day rides section below). Also has 2 corrals and Room for up to two rigs to stay overnight at this site (ideal for people to overnight when travelling through). No piped horse water – must walk the horses to water at the Fraser River Bridge.
Day Rides within 40 minute drive from McBride
Contact Robson Valley Chapter of Back Country Horsemen for information robsonchapter1@gmail.com. We may also have members available who can show you some trails.
- Belle Mtn Equine trail network (options for all levels of riders). Multiple staging areas located at 1) the Dore River Staging area, 2) km 3 and km 4.5 on the Belle Mountain Forest Service road, and 3) from McIntosh Equestrian Recreation Site at 3km on McIntosh Road. Trail network Includes option for many loop trails at Lower (Dore River), Mid, and upper levels on the mountain including riding to Belle Mtn Alpine. www.hcbc.ca trails database to download maps and trail descriptions.
- McBride Mountain multi-use trails (uphill sections but suitable for all levels of riders –– Access from Koeneman Park staging area 2km east of the Village of McBride. Very scenic with option to ride to a half way lookout overlooking the Village of McBride and the Fraser River Valley.
- Renshaw sort yard trails: flat and scenic trails through open bush for all levels of riders. Turn onto Mountainview road 2km east of McBride. Trails located 18 km up Mountainview on the left up ½ km past the community pasture corals. No signage – park in meadow across the road from the gravel pit.
- Teare Mountain Trails – Options for all levels of riders. Access from Little Falls Parking Lot approx. 12 km East of McBride. Short loop trails around the falls and back or longer ride options to the upper mountain along a steep trail or the Teare Mountain Forest Service with scenic views along the way.
- Swift Current Creek Route – Scenic Mountain valley – No loop option (for experienced riders who must be comfortable with initial steep uphill section, route finding and assessing creek crossings. Water may be deep depending on the glacier snow melt and/or recent rainfalls. Not suitable for spring rides. Day ride from the staging area at the end of Howard Road approximately 13 km East of Tete Jeune at the western border of Mount Robson Park (see trail map and description on Horse Council BC trail database). Ride has variety with steep uphill climb, forested trail, long boardwalk over muskeg which maybe slippery in rain or frost, then travels along braided gravel bars on Swift Current Creek with trail options on the right-hand side further up the valley.
- Jackman Flats – Ride the ancient sand dune area located off highway 5 south 10 minutes of Tete Jeune – to access turn right off highway 5 at Blackman Road and park at a yellow gate on right-hand side 4.1km down Blackman Road. Room for two rigs. Suitable for all levels of rider, but good navigation skills are required. After a while riding, everything looks the same, so keep an eye on your route, remain on the trail to avoid trampling the delicate moss/lichen.
McBride is uniquely situated, with expansive and scenic backcountry routes along the Continental Divide at its doorstep. Local staging areas provide backdoor access into the backcountry of Jasper National Park, Mount Robson Provincial Park, the Wilmore Wilderness, and Kakwa Provincial Park. Back Country Horsemen of BC maintains staging areas to this vast wilderness at Blueberry Creek km42 on the Holmes River Forest Service Road North East of McBride and at the Moose River trailheadapproximately 2km East of Moose Lake in Mount Robson Provincial Park.
Contact The Robson Valley Chapter for details: robsonvalley1@gmail.com
This organization provides equestrians who are interested in trail riding and the back country with a safe and social learning atmosphere where people of all ages can enjoy trail riding and the wilderness experience. They strive to preserve and enhance the use of public lands for all equestrians.
The Robson Valley Chapter, founded in 2010, hosts trail rides, workshops, work bees, potluck get-togethers, including an annual poker ride in late September, which is always well attended by both locals and out-of-towners.
Email: robsonchapter1@gmail.com Website: Robson Valley Backcountry Horsemen
Guided Horseback Riding/Horse packing:
Cowgirl Up Adventures offers trail rides, pack trips, riding lessons and retreats near historic Tete Jaune Cache, only 40 minutes from McBride.
Phone: 250-566-5099 Email: info@cowgirlupadventures.com Website: Cowgirl Up Adventures
Salmon Spawning
There are several spots along the Fraser and its tributaries to watch the large Chinook salmon on their 1300 km journey from ocean to spawning grounds in August. Be alert for bears and keep well away from them.
Canoeing & Kayaking
The Fraser River and its numerous tributaries offer opportunities for novice to experienced paddlers. Care should be taken as these can be risky, especially in high water. Reading guides detailing your chosen sections of streams is recommended.
The Fraser offers flat water paddling, while side rivers such as the Beaver, Morkill and Raush have more challenging sections for the more experienced boater and kayaker. LaSalle Lake offers pleasant lake paddling (no motors) with access from the campsite.