Parks & Trails

Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Park is a great place to stop after a day of travel to stretch your legs. Located on Raven Road off of Highway 16 only 1km east of McBride, the park is home to McBride’s Fraser River boat launch (with plenty of parking for boat trailers), picnic tables, short trails and outhouses.

An easy walk from downtown McBride, this birdwatching area is located on an old oxbow of the Fraser River. An observation platform provides excellent views of the lake which is a popular stopping point for migrating birds. Locals will cross country ski or ice skate on the oxbow when weather permits.

Operated by the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, this park, less than 2km east of McBride and adjacent to the Fraser River, is steeped in local history. The park boasts a superbly crafted log house. This authentic structure was built in the late 1930s by Fred Koeneman to enable his children to attend school locally. The park, for day use only, provides picnic tables, toilets, fire rings and a modern log picnic shelter.

BC’s second oldest provincial park and home to the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson Park bookends the Robson Valley and is a must-see day trip from McBride. Only 76 km east of McBride, along Highway 16, Mount Robson Park boasts some of the most spectacular and popular hiking trails in the Province including the famous Berg Lake Trail.

The Park offers seasonal camping, an incredible visitor centre, essential services like fuel and the famous Café Mt. Robson, which has been welcoming visitors from around the world for over 100 years! More information about this year-round park can be found online at Mount Robson Park

On your way to Mount Robson Park, stop at Rearguard Falls Provincial Park for a quick walk to view spectacular Fraser River Rapids. Consider a quick pit-stop at the Terry Fox Rest Area, where you can view Terry’s namesake mountain peak while charging your EV and stretching your legs. The rest stop is open year round.

At the opposite end of the Robson Valley you will find BC’s newest park! Nestled in the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh, the park protects a portion of the only inland temperate rainforest in the world. Hiking the Ancient Forest trail will bring you past thousand year old western redcedars and a rich biodiversity of plants, mosses, lichens and fungi.

The 450 metre long universal access boardwalk provides the opportunity for people with all abilities to experience this majestic area. Another 2.3 km of boardwalk provides access to magnificent “Big” Tree, Tree Beard, Radies Tree and a beautiful cascading waterfall.

Located 100 west of McBride, the Ancient Forest Park is an easy day trip from McBride. Hearty souls will snowshoe in the park in winter! ! More information can be found online at Ancient Forest Park

Kakwa is remote park and provides visitors with true wilderness experience. Located 70 km north of McBride off of the Walker Creek Forest Service Road, Kakwa, together with Alberta’s Willmore Wilderness Park, makes up the first interprovincial park for BC and Alberta. Kakwa Park showcases ice-clad mountains, extensive alpine meadows and a section of the Continental Divide.

The main physical features include Kakwa Lake as well as Mount Sir Alexander and Mount Ida, both of which reach over 3000 meters in elevation. Summer activities available at this park include camping, hiking, fishing, and horseback trips. Winter activities include snowmobiling and wilderness ski tours.

The wide range of species diversity gives excellent opportunity for wildlife viewing. Visitors interested in photography will appreciate the incredible beauty of the remote area. Winter visitors should note limited access routes apply. Know before you go – be sure to do your research before venturing to Kakwa