Adventures & Outdoors

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.

• 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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).

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

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.

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.

McBride boasts three amazing snowmobiling areas, including the largest managed riding area in BC, ensuring riders experience some of the best alpine and trail-riding snowmobiling in the country.

In 2018 McBride was crowned SledTown ShowDown Champion and McBride was voted SnoRiders Favourite British Columbia SledTown, in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022!

In cooperation with Rec, Sites and Trails BC, the McBride Big Country Snowmobile Association manages McBride’s three sanctioned snowmobiling areas including ensuring trail access grooming, coordinating trail pass sales and maintaining the warming cabins at each riding area.

• Avalanche Forecasts 
• Riding Areas
• Grooming Report
• Trail Passes
• Tour Operators, Snowmobile Rental and Repair, Equipment and more!
• Snowmobile Association

Everyone in your group needs to carry avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, shovel and probe), and know how to use it. An Avalanche Skills Training (AST) course is your place to start and is a must for everyone recreating in the backcountry.

McBride and the surrounding area boasts groomed and track set nordic ski trails as well as opportunities for “off-piste” cross-country skiing.

The Yellowhead Ski Club, in cooperation with Rec Sites and Trails BC maintains, grooms and track sets 17 km of cross country ski trails at Belle Mountain. These trails have a remote, wilderness feel to them and skiers will often come across tracks from moose, lynx, hares and weasels. Trails range from easy to moderate and feature a warming hut at the trail head and a day use/overnight cabin deeper in the trail system.

The Pine Lake Cabin must be booked for overnight stays by contacting yellowheadskiclub@hotmail.com.  Trails are groomed by volunteers and the club relies on membership fees to maintain the trails and the cabin. Trail and road conditions as well as membership forms are available on the club’s Facebook page at Yellow Head Ski Club

The Belle Mountain Ski Trails are located at 4.5km up the Bell Mountain Forest Service Road, accessed from Highway 16, 8.5km east of McBride. The trailhead parking area is shared with snowmobilers accessing the Belle Mountain Snowmobiling area, higher up the mountain. Watch for trucks and trailers on the way up and down the forest service road.

Trail Safety & Etiquette:

• Never ski alone.
• Wear appropriate clothing and take food & water.
• No dogs on trails when snow is soft, please, and no fat bikes on trails!
• Snowshoers, please stay off the groomed area and stick to the sides of trails.
• Use caution on hills, and fill in your sitzmarks.
• Ski on the right hand track.
• Yield to skiers coming downhill.
• Yield to faster skiers passing.

When the conditions are right, locals can be seen skiing on the Fraser River sandbar, on Horseshoe Lake in McBride, at the McBride Mountain Trails, and on the numerous Forest Service Roads surrounding the community. Check in at the McBride Visitor Centre in McBride’s Historic Railway Station for more information.

This local volunteer run, non-profit organization grooms and track sets 17 km of cross-country ski trails at the Belle Mountain Recreation Area, only a few minutes east of McBride.

The club also maintains a warming hut at the trail head and a day use/overnight cabin on the trail network. The club collects membership fees from skiers to cover the cost of trail and cabin maintenance and requests that skiers reserve the Pine Lake Cabin for overnight use by contacting the club at yellowheadskiclub@hotmail.com

The club will host family-friend ski events from time-to-time throughout the ski season.

Information about trail and road conditions, work-bees and events and to find downloadable membership forms, check out Yellowhead Ski Club Facebook

Yellowhead Ski Club is a member of Cross Country BC

Guests ski or snowboard untracked powder with a professional guide leading the way and a helicopter to whisk them to the top to do it all over again.

Enjoy access to over 3,800 square kilometers of incredible terrain in Canada’s Northern Rocky and Cariboo Mountains, and experience a heli-ski/snowboarding adventure you’ll never forget. The ranch-style lodge, accented by hand-hewn fir logs and natural local wood, provides guests with a friendly, down-to-earth environment where they can enjoy great meals and conversation, relaxing amenities and comfortable accommodations.

• Phone: (+1) 800-715-5532
• Website: Crescent Spur Heli-Skiing
• Address: 9114 Prospect Rd., Crescent Spur

Cat skiing now rivals heli-skiing in terms of both the quality and the quantity of skiing it provides to guests. These guided adventures take skiers and snowboarders into remote backcountry terrain where endless powder awaits. Book an adventure today.

Cariboo Snowcat Skiing is a powder skiing and snowboarding operation located at Mica Mountain in the Cariboos, near Tete Jaune Cache, only 40 minutes from McBride.

The Cariboo Mountains are world-renowned for incredible snow conditions. These guided tours can be catered to all skill levels. Guests will be treated to spectacular panoramic views of the Cariboos and the Canadian Rockies, including Mount Robson.

• Phone: (+1) 800-766-9228
• Website: Cariboo Cat Skiing

Backcountry skiers and snowboarders will find plenty of untouched powder terrain in local mountains. While most areas are accessed with a snowmobile, which may necessitate trail fees if at Belle, Lucille or the Renshaw –  see the Sled McBride website for more information, others areas can be accessed directly from your vehicle, particularly west of McBride at Driscoll Ridge, Viking Ridge and at the Sugarbowl.

Overnight ski trips are possible in the Dore River area, as there are a number of backcountry cabins available to book at ozalenkaalpineclub.ca/bookings

Ski touring, by nature, leads recreationists into avalanche terrain. Everyone in your group needs to carry avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, shovel and probe), and know how to use this gear. An Avalanche Skills Training (AST) course is your place to start and is a must for everyone recreating in the backcountry. Check the local Avalanche Forecast from Avalanche Canada before heading out.

Unlimited opportunities for snowshoe enthusiasts exist in the Valley, particularly when the snow reaches valley bottom. Easy trips to features such as waterfalls and valley viewpoints or more ambitious treks to backcountry cabins for an overnight stay are possible. Enthusiasts can check the Hiking, Nordic Skiing, and Horseback Riding sections of the website for trail suggestions and cabin rentals. Belle Mountain offers an extensive trail network for snowshoeing (see trail map) but remember to stay off to the side on groomed cross-country ski trails.

It is important to avoid avalance terrain while snowshoing unless you carry the necessary avalanche safety equipment, have recevied training, and travel with other, experienced trekkers. Avalanche Canada forecasts for our region can be found at avalanche.ca. For your own safety, avoid areas designated for snowmobiles.

For a unique experience, try mushing, either as a passenger or driver, in the Small River area. Spend the day, complete with picnic lunch.

• Phone: (+1) 877-295-8505
• Email: info@dogsleddinginjasper.com
• Website: Dog Sledding in Jasper
• Address: Located near Tete Jaune and Mt. Robson