The Hazeltons, BC

Named after the hazel bushes covering the region's landscape, and set at the foot of the 1,000-meter (3,280-foot) cliffs of Mount Rocher DeBoule, the Hazeltons offer a distinct combination of Native art, pioneer history, and outdoor recreation. View bears, eagles, and other animals as you hike and camp in the area, or fish for salmon in the Skeena and Bulkley rivers, which also provide excellent rafting opportunities. Between April and October, celebrate the thousand-year presence of the Gitskan people with a trip to the world famous ‘Ksan Historical Village and Museum. Watch Ksan artists create totem poles, masks, jewelry, and wall panels, visit authentic longhouses, or enjoy a dance demonstration featuring traditional Gitskan music, costumes, and masks.

Strolling through the streets of "Old Town" Hazelton, be swept back to the early 1900s when Hazelton was the bustling riverboat terminus on the Skeena River, supplying provisions to the inland mines, farms, and settlements. A walking guide available from the Village Office takes you past old-fashioned storefronts, antique paddle wheelers, and 100-year-old St. Peter's Anglican Church. A stop at the Hazelton Pioneer Museum will fill you in on Hazelton's wild and colorful history.

The Hazeltons are located on Highway 16, 439 km (272 mi.) northwest of Prince George. Train and bus access are available, with commercial airports in Smithers, 68 km (42 mi.) southeast of Hazelton on Highway 16, and Terrace 142 km (88 miles) southwest of Hazelton on Highway 37. Ferries also sail from Alaska, Vancouver Island, and the Queen Charlotte Islands to Prince Rupert, 282 km (175 mi.) southwest of Hazelton on Highway 16. Population: 6,500 Elevation: 306 m (1,000 ft.)