Tourism Northern Rockies, Fort Nelson, British Columbia
Boating
Rivers wind and ribbon across the Northern Rockies creating a network of watery roads for those wanting to access the wilderness by watercraft. Jet boating is a popular pastime in this region as many of the areas that are accessible by boat are not accessible by any other means of recreational transport. Rivers are our roads to the wilderness!
For detailed maps of lakes, Tourism Northern Rockies recommends the Angler's Atlas. At the Angler's Atlas wesite, you can register for free and download fishing maps of various lakes in the Northern Rockies. You can also make notes for other fishermen using GoogleMap Markers. Markers can be GPS points, boat launches, and warnings.
Motorized
Muskwa River (Fort Nelson Bridge): M=281, KM=452
A very large launch area located just south of Fort Nelson when the Muskwa River is low enough (mid July onwards). Used to access the Prophet River, Tuchodi River and upper Muskwa going up-river, and the Fort Nelson River, Snake River and the Liard River going down-river. For a leisurely paddle, the Muskwa is a very slow class one river that can be accessed from the Muskwa Bridge in Fort Nelson and taken down to the P3 bridge below the Fort Nelson Airport.
Muskwa River (Kledo Boat Launch): M=321, KM=520
A steeper, shorter launch found up-river from the Muskwa River Bridge. It is accessed by travelling west on the Alaska Highway 66 kilometres from Fort Nelson. This launch will take hours off your river travel to access the Tuchodi and upper Muskwa rivers.
Fort Nelson River Bridge (Nelson Forks): KM=42.5 of Liard Highway
It is a river edge launch which can be muddy in the summer - check before launching. This launch will take hours off your river travel to access the Liard River as compared to the Muskwa River Bridge launch.
Toad River: M=406, KM=654
An unmarked road leads off the Alaska Highway just past the community of Toad River. This launch is used to access the Racing and Liard Rivers downstream.
Toad River : M=423, KM=677
A very small launch that can only accommodate one boat and truck parking at a time. Used to access Moose Lake up-river.
Skook's Landing: M=522, KM=835
Large gravel launch on the Liard River used to access the Kechika River and onto the Gataga, Turnagain, and Frog rivers.
Non-Motorized
If you are looking for a relaxing paddle or a white-water adventure the Northern Rockies has the lake or river for you. For those looking for adventure these rivers offer a good trip for experienced paddlers:
Tetsa River: M=360, KM=576 (Just past Tetsa River Outfitters)
This river can only be done in higher water levels and is not ideal for hard shell canoes. A few hundred metres downstream is a chute that can portaged or riden out by more advanced paddlers. The rest of the river has some tight corners but is mostly class 2. Take out can be found down a 4x4 road leading off the Alaska Highway at approximately km 350.
Toad River: M=427, KM=687
Several launching places on this river make it ideal for the novice up to intermediate. Launch at the Davis Keyes bridge (M=427, KM=687) for a very slow flat paddle until you reach the point where it runs under the Alaska Highway (M=418, KM=672). The river then becomes class 2 (standing waves, tight corners) for a bit until you reach Centennial Falls (M=415, KM=668) where it flattens out a bit again. From this point on it is possible to miss the waves or stop and play here and there. Pull-out points are found at the Stone Mountain Safaris road (M=408, KM=656) and at the Toad River boat launch (M=403, KM=648).
Racing River: (A) M=398, KM=641, or (B) M=381, KM=613
There are two points to enter this river. For a very short trip but with a good play area drive down the Racing River Motorized route found just over the Racing River bridge (A). Follow this to its end, passing through some gates that should be closed after going through. There you will find a small creek that leads down to the Racing River and Black Rock Canyon - a good play spot. If you want to miss the canyon there is a road down to the Racing a little further back on the motorized route, only an hour back to the Alaska Highway from this point.
The second place (B) to access the Racing River is a backcountry 4x4 road that leads to the Wokkpash river which flows into the Racing. You will have to cross a fairly large creek to access the Wokkpash area. On the Wokkpash, you will have to pass through a canyon before reaching the Racing. It is spectacular but has some very sharp rock walls, tight corners, and undercut rock. It is possible to bypass and walk past some of it. Once on the Racing, the route is easier but long and you will have to pass through the aforementioned Black Rock Canyon as well. Give yourself almost 10 hours to get back to the highway.
Trout River: M=443, KM=713
TThe first portion of this river is the outflow from Muncho Lake. At this point there is a small bay that acts as launch point to the upper portion of the river. This part is class 2 with small waves and some tight corners. It will take you almost 6 hours to reach the pull-out found at the Trout River Bridge on the Alaska Highway at M=455, KM=733.
The other option is to start at the Trout River Bridge (M=455, KM=733) and go to where the Alaska Highway starts pulling away from the river. Do not travel past this as the river does drop over a waterfall a little further on. Be aware of a very large rock and hole at Prochniak Creek not much past the start of your trip. This portion of the river could be classified at 3 or 3+ depending on water level.
More Leisurely Paddles
Andy Bailey Lake:
M=265, KM=427
Nestled in the boreal forest this lake has a campground, day use area, and boat launch and is a good place for bird watching and seeing amazing beaver complexes on each end of the lake. This campground has 12 un-serviced lots plus 8 sites for tenting along the waterfront. Access lake and campground by following 18 kms of gravel road off of the Alaska Highway. Long gravel boat launch for non-motorized boats only. Map of Andy Bailey Regional Campground [862 KB]
Loon Lake: M=269, KM=433
A small lake found just south of the Spectra Energy Gas Processing Plant, with a gravel launch and parking lot. Motorized watercraft permitted.
Muskwa River Bridge: M=281, KM=452
A very large launch area located just south of Fort Nelson when the Muskwa River is low enough (mid July onwards). Used to access the Prophet River, Tuchodi River and upper Muskwa going up-river, and the Fort Nelson River, Snake River and the Liard River going down-river. For a leisurely paddle, the Muskwa is a very slow class one river that can be accessed from the Muskwa Bridge in Fort Nelson and taken down to the P3 bridge below the Fort Nelson Airport.
Parker Lake: M=293, KM=471
A smaller lake found just west of Fort Nelson accessed by a short gravel road off the Alaska Highway. A nice afternoon paddle with good bird watching opportunities.
Summit Lake: M=373 KM=601
A small lake found at Summit Lake Campground at km 373 of the Alaska Highway. Lake and Rainbow Trout fishing.
Muncho Lake: M=436 KM=700
A beautiful long glacial blue lake with several bays to explore. Good lake trout fishing. Launch areas can be found in both provincial parks on the lake edge or at any of the lodges/rv parks along its length.
Guided Jet Boat trips
- RiverJet Adventures Ltd.
- Web: RiverJet Adventures Ltd.
- Email: riverjetadventures@yahoo.com
- Phone: (604) 463-7224
- Note: Seasonally located in Fort Nelson, RiverJet Adventures offer jet boat trips on the remote Muskwa, Tuchodi and Kechika Rivers.
- Folding Mountain Outfitters - Toad River
- Phone: (250) 232-5451
- Note: Offers jet boat trips in addition to fishing, wildlife viewing or photo safari trips.
- Double G Services/Muncho Lake Boat Tours
- Email: ndreams@aol.com
- Phone: (250) 776-3411
- Note: Guided boat tours of beautiful Muncho Lake. Learn about the history, geography, flora, fauna and aquatic wildlife with your host "Captain Jack".