Marc Smith

Exploring Prince George, British Columbia

Mani Samani
Team Member

pus George offers the unique
opportunity to enjoy the amenities of
a city, while finding a variety of wilderness
opportunities just minutes away. Outdoor
activities in BC range from high-energy
adventure to pleasant rambles through
nature. A number of competitions and events
are held in and around Prince George each
year. Students can find entertainment and
attractions in Prince George at any time
of year. Depending on whether you live in
residence or in town, you may be able to
wander through gardens, poke around in
museums, see movies, or watch a sporting
event and above all, have fun and explore.
Some attractions are provided below.

Prince George has two main indoor aquatic
centres for swimming. Both are free with a
student card! Prince George also caters to
mountain biking enthusiasts at all levels.
The terrain and trails around the city and
region range from easy single-lane trails
to tough and tumble trails with jumps and
technical aspects. Some key mountain
biking areas near Prince George include
Dirtland, Forests for the World, LC Gunn,
Otway, Pidherny and Tabor Mt. Bike Park.

Prince George has plenty for campers,
with camping opportunities that range
from roadside and lakeside to wilderness

escapes. It is normal to see moose, deer,
bears or other large animals on these

trips. Hiking opportunities are abound

in and around Prince George. Beginners
can find easy trails for enjoyable walks,
while experienced hikers will find more
challenging prospects an hour or two away.

The 15 km Forests for the World Trail at
Cranbrook Hill and Kueng Road next to UNBC
offers an enjoyable walk and educational
experience. Trail sites include Shane Lake
and a city lookout point. Fort George Park is
Prince George's main urban park. Many of the
city's festivals & events are held at the Fort
George Park Bandshell including Canada Day!

Find a wilderness getaway without leaving
the city at the Cottonwood Island Nature
Park, located at the confluence of the
Nechako and Fraser Rivers. Cottonwood
Island Park is made up of ancient gravel
bars that have formed into forested islands,
including towering cottonwood trees.

There are many excellent hiking
opportunities in provincial parks near
Prince George including Bobtail Mountain,
Crooked River, Dahl Lake, Eskers,

Evanoff, Sugarbowl-Grizzly Den, Three
Sisters, and West Lake provincial parks.
Trails vary in lengths and difficulty.

The Ancient Forest, 113 km east of Prince
George on Highway 16, is a truly unique

interior BC ecosystem. This temperate
rainforest is found 800 km inland, with
towering ancient western red cedars
as old as 2,000 years. People of all ages
and experiences can hike the trail.

Depending on the location, there may be
beaches and swimming spots, or quiet
lakes for fishing and paddling. The Prince
George area has a number of lakes and
some rivers that offer abundant freshwater
fishing opportunities near town.

The Nechako River is by far the best

river for fishing near Prince George, with
clear water and one of the best salmon
runs in British Columbia. One location
where anglers can try their hand at
catching salmon is the boat launch at
Cottonwood Island Park in Prince George.

Fresh powder falls on British Columbia
mountains and trails each winter. Depending
on the location, there are opportunities
for skiing, snowboarding, cross-country
skiing, backcountry skiing, snowmobiling,
snowshoeing, dogsledding, or even making
snowman! Beginner and advanced skiers
can enjoy skiing along groomed trails

near town. More experienced, competitive
skiers can take advantage of wilderness
trails developed outside of the city.

Prince George’s museums provide a truly
authentic sense of Prince George's history

and the importance of forestry to the
community. The museums are interesting
during any season; there are authentically
decorated buildings, a number of different
train displays, and other machines. A
gallery showcasing local heritage, First
Nations, natural history, science, and
paleontological exhibits is also in town.

If you're looking for gifts for that special
someone or stopping in to stock up the
camper, you'll find some of the best
shopping outside the lower mainland in
Prince George. Featuring specialty stores,
modern malls, and big box establishments,
Prince George has it all. A variety of locally
owned stores are found in downtown

Prince George, especially along 3rd and 4th
Avenue, also known as "Specialty Avenue."
Within just a few blocks, there are art stores,
consignment stores, pawnshops, second hand
stores, boutiques, kitchen and bath shops,
import furniture, hardware, and more.

Enjoy farm direct produce, homemade
goodies, and artisan crafts from vendors year
round! If you are fan of secondhand stuff,
there are some second hand stores located
downtown. There are also some charity
stores that offer tons of inexpensive second
hand merchandise. While downtown offers
specialty shopping, students will find just
about anything they need in Prince George.

We all hope you enjoy Prince George!