Off the Beaten Path: Exploring BC’s Hidden Destinations

Tumbler Ridge Global Geo Park

Tumbler Ridge Global Geo Park is the biggest UNESCO global geopark in Canada, with the smallest population. 75 geosites are located in the park (half being available to guests), and the area is truly a backcountry destination like no other in BC. If you explore this area there is a very good chance of discovering a paleontological artifact. For some folks, nerding out on that possibility is reason alone to visit.

Boundary Country

Boundary Country hugs the Eastern side of the Thompson Okanagan and is well worth exploring. With its deep history and stunning landscape, it’s easy to feel completely immersed in mother nature’s glory. Clear lakes, like Christina Lake, rivers, plus green valleys and mountains offer adventure in the most outdoorsy and relaxing of ways. A friendly community with a small-town country vibe reminds us that travel to lesser-known places in BC has much to offer on so many levels.

Bella Coola Grizzly Tours

Bella Coola Grizzly Tours combines wildlife watching (from a safe, respectful distance of course) with a bracing glacial-fed waterfall and hot spring soak for an experience you’ll never forget. Book the Glacial Fjord & Hot Springs Tour for some uniquely BC something-to-write-home-about fun.

Campbell River

Campbell River may well be Vancouver Island’s best-kept secret. Situated in between the natural beauty of the Discovery Passage and the peaks of Strathcona Provincial Park, there’s much to see and do. A whole world lives under the Salish Sea (the Giant Pacific Octopus is a resident there) and is so worth spending time there. Day trips are on offer, like the Indigenous-owned Homalco Tours who’ll bring you to see grizzlies of the Great Bear Rainforest. A lazy beach stroll on Saratoga Beach is BC-chill, or mountain biking on any of the trails in the five, yes five, provincial parks in the area.

The Harrison River Valley

How ‘bout Harrison? The Harrison River Valley includes Harrison Hot Springs, Harrison Mills, the town of Agassiz and the District of Kent. Harrison Hot Springs is actually a village (not just a hotel) located at the southern end of Harrison Lake north of BC’s Fraser Valley. Quieter, off the beaten path and off Trans Canada Hwy 1. Don’t rule out visiting in off-season, like November during Season of the Wild, where you can witness thousands of wintering bald eagles flock to the shores of the Harrison and Chehalis Rivers to feast on spawning salmon. 

Chilliwack

Chilliwack is often skipped by enroute travellers anxious to just get back home to Vancouver, and that is a shame. The area is growing and gaining popularity for good reason – there’s so much to see and do. Paths geared to walking and cycling along the Fraser River offer the experience with less crowds. Rock climbing or river rafting with Ascent Fraser Valley Guiding Service offers backcountry adventures for all skill levels, so what’s stopping you?

Within the next five years, Surrey will become BC’s largest city and for some a great alternative to living in busy Vancouver. A network of greenspaces, parks, trails and gardens spans over 6,000 acres, making it as outdoorsy as it gets. Since Surrey is located on the Pacific Flyway, a north-south migratory bird route that stretches from Alaska to South America, that results in over 200 unique bird species visiting and a bird watchers paradise. Be sure and book a guided bird walk with pro photographer and birding expert Kris Cu .

Always wanted to enjoy a relaxing, restorative soak in a natural hot spring? Liard River Hot Springs Park is just off the Alaska Highway near the BC/Yukon border. Walk down the boardwalk to a rustic pool where tropical, exotic plants grow here (hello 14 types of orchids), and the occasional moose may stroll through to say hello.