ALASKA
HIGHWAY:
British
Columbia
RV
PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS
Starting in the prairie town of Dawson Creek, the highway crosses several major rivers as it follows the plains boundary of the Rocky Mountains. Unlike other boundaries to the south, the northern segment slopes upwards to the west, then drops abruptly as a steep escarpment to the Prophet River Valley. This escarpment can be seen west of Fort Nelson, after the highway turns briefly southward, as the profile on Indian Head Mountain. When the highway was built in 1942 there was no bridge over the Peace River, so supplies and equipment were hauled across the ice and up a frozen winter track to Fort Nelson. This had to be accomplished before the spring thaw broke the ice, and it was a dramatic race against time. Once everything was staged at Fort Nelson, construction started, heading west to Whitehorse and south towards Dawson Creek.
West of Fort Nelson the highway climbs through the foothills and into the Rocky Mountains. Highest point on the highway is at Summit (4250'); lowest at the Muskwa River bridge in Fort Nelson (1000'). Since the Liard River cuts through the mountains on its way to the MacKenzie system, the continental divide is miles to the west, in the Yukon. In the mountains watch for wildlife on the road, especially stone sheep and, early and late in the season, caribou. There are many interesting viewpoints and info panels, and must-see attractions like Muncho Lake, Smith River Falls (right), Whirlpool Canyon, and, of course, the Hot Springs. The highway through the mountains is in good condition, but watch for construction areas. After Liard Hot Springs, the highway enters the Liard Plain and follows a succession of river valleys to Watson Lake. The Cassiar Mountains are visible far to the south.
IMPORTANT: This list uses "Historical Miles" that are also addresses of businesses. Kilometer posts are set along road, with an occasional Historical Mile marker. "Actual Miles" can derived by multiplying kilometers by .6, but there is a discrepancy due to years of rerouting that grows to about 30 miles by Beaver Creek.
Our advertisers are designated with BOLD CAPITALS. Please stay with them and tell them you saw their listing on the KARO web site. Links are underlined.
For campgrounds from Mile 0 to mile 72 see the Dawson Creek page.
Mile 72: THE SHEPHERD'S INN (250) 827-3676
"An
oasis on the Alaska Highway," located at mile 72. We specialize
in making folks feel at home, offering regular and breakfast
specials, complete lunch and dinner menu, low-fat buffalo burgers,
home made soups and rolls, breads, biscuits, muffins, pies, and
trapper's bannock. Cool drinks. Caravans and bus tours are welcome;
reserve your stop-break. There are 23 clean, modern rooms with TV.
Ideal for families. Full hookup pull-through sites, tent sites, and
in-house showers. Shop for local crafts and gifts.
HUSKY
GAS E-mail
Don
and Dorothy Rutherford, Box 6425, Ft. St. John, BC V1J 4H8
North of Shepherd's Inn you start to get a feel for the great expanse traversed by the Alaska Highway, but be sure to watch for wandering livestock and moose.
Mile 101: BLUEBERRY ESSO (250) 772-3363 During the war years, the U.S. Army operated Blueberry Control Gate at the community now known as Wonowon. This checkpoint was open 24 hours a day to serve highway traffic. Blueberry Esso continues this tradition of service with gas, diesel, a food store, 21 modern sleeping and housekeeping units, colour TV, family rooms and family rates. The store has a full line of groceries, souvenirs, ice, ice cream, fresh meat, and produce. RV parking is permitted. Mile 101, Alaska Hwy, Wonowon, BC V0C 2N0
Mile 102: NOMADIC CAMP (250) 772-3340 Nomadic Catering Ltd. serves the oil and resource industries with a fifty man camp. Cafe, home cooking, motel rooms, winter plug-ins. The campground has over 20 sites with water, sewer, electricity, and tent sites. Showers and laundry are also available. Write: Box 102, Wonowon, BC V0C 2N0
Mile
143: PINK MOUNTAIN CAMPSITE
AND RV PARK
(250)
772-5133 On your left heading north. Relax at one of the nicest
campgrounds on the highway. The coffee is always on! Unleaded gas,
diesel, metered propane. Fuel discount for guests. Full and partial
hookups, dry sites, pull-throughs, tents, showers, laundry, sanidump,
gas, store.
Box
73, Pink Mountain, BC V0C 2B0
Mile 143: PINK MOUNTAIN MOTOR INN (250) 772-3234 A peaceful, relaxing stop between Fort St. John and Fort Nelson. Stop and enjoy our beautiful view. Laundromat. Our 36 room motel is modern, clean, and affordable. The lounge and restaurant feature home made meals. Fill up with Esso products. Open 6 am to midnight. Jimmy Lee, manager. Write: Mile 143, Alaska Highway, Pink Mt., BC V0C 2B0
Mile 147: SASQUATCH CROSSING (250) 772-3220
Welcome
to Sasquatch Crossing, located on the right just four miles north of
Pink Mountain. We have RV sites, showers, laundry, a sanidump, rooms,
gas and diesel, and a great views of the Rocky Mountains and Pink
Mountain Valley. Link above for more information.
Box
573, Fort Nelson, BC V0C 1R0
Mile
162: SIKANNI
RIVER RV PARK (250) 772-5400 Stay at
our picturesque RV park and campground, featuring level sites, easy
access, pull throughs, full and partial hookups, 20 amp service,
sanidump, grassy shaded tent sites, picnic tables, fire rings and
landscaped grounds. Our cabins are clean and modern kitchenettes. Gas
up and shop for souvenirs, gifts, supplies, drinks, and munchies. We
have hot showers, modern washrooms, a laundromat, and public phone.
Fish in the Sikinni River, hike, do some rock-hounding, and ask for
directions to the scenic falls. Halfway between Ft. St. John and Ft. Nelson.
New
hosts in 2005: Jackie Allen and Wayne Gillis,
Box
4, Pink Mountain, BC V0C 2B0
Mile 171: Road to Sikanni Chief Falls. Drive in 10.5 miles. Bear left at the Y. Gravel road in fair condition. Marked as an oil co. road on highway. Mile-long trail is steep at start, then level. Watch for bears.
Mile 175: Buckinghorse River Provincial Park
Mile 175: BUCKINGHORSE RIVER LODGE (250) 773-6468
Located
at mile 175, exactly half way between Fort St. John and Fort Nelson.
There are large parking sites and free camping. Modern motel rooms,
cafe, ice, ice cream, gas, propane and diesel, showers, phone, picnic
area, and great scenery. Hike, fish, and relax in the friendly
atmosphere. Trail rides. Bus tours welcome by reservation. Free
Hi-Speed Internet. Lodge personnel care for the nearby Provincial
Park Campground.
"Get
your buck's worth at the Buck."
Write:
Box 21, Pink Mountain, BC, V0C 2B0 E-mail
Mile 219: Prophet River Campground. Picnic tables have been removed.
Mile
233: LUM ‘N' ABNER'S
(250) 773-6366 (Formerly Prophet River Services) This roadhouse has
served highway travelers since 1942. We have camping, full and
partial hookups, dry RV sites, showers and laundry. Restaurant,
snacks and gifts, gas, diesel, propane, greyhound depot, post office,
and helicopter pad. Tours and caravans welcome.
Mile
233, Alaska Highway, BC V0C 2V0 New owners in 2005.
Also
operate Neighbor's Inn across highway. Both
were closed in 2007
Mile 233: Neighbor's Inn (250) 773-6473 Snacks, gas.
Mile 292: Fort Nelson Fifth Wheel RV Park and Truck Stop (250) 774-7071. Full hookups, pull-throughs, lodging, restaurant, showers, laundry, gas, propane, diesel, repairs, groceries. Gear-Jammer RV Park 536-3030 Partial hookups.
Mile 300: BLUE BELL INN (250) 774-6961
Located on your left as you enter Fort Nelson. BLUE BELL INN is a modern motel with 46 air-conditioned rooms. Full hookup RV facilities, plug ins, showers, laundry, convenience store, ice. We have gas and diesel. Store open 5am to midnight, all year. Phone (250) 774-6961. Write to Box 931, Fort Nelson, B.C. V0C 1R0 E-mail
PIONEER MOTEL (250) 774-5800. FOR SALE
Centrally
located in Fort Nelson. Walk to shopping and attractions. Twelve
moel units, some with kitchenettes. Cozy cabins. Full hookup stalls,
dry sites, pull-through, showers, laundry, dump station. Pets welcome.
John
& Estrella Godfrey Box 1643, Ft. Nelson, BC V0C 1R0
Click
name for more info. E-mail
us
Mile 300: WESTEND RV CAMPGROUND (250) 774-2340
Drive through Fort Nelson, past the Tourist Information Centre and Museum, look for WESTEND on the left, two blocks from downtown. There are 170 RV sites, most with full or partial hookups. Pull- throughs, grassy tent sites, cable TV, picnic tables, BBQ pits, laundromat, ice, dump station, hot showers, pay phones, hi-speed Internet, confectionery items, pressure car/RV wash, RV supplies, gifts, and souvenirs. Check out the wildlife display and shop for furs and local native crafts. New "old west" restaurant and saloon now open. Box 398, Fort Nelson, BC V0C 1R0 E-mail us
Mile
351: STEAMBOAT MOUNTAIN
CAFE & CAMPGROUND (250)
774-3388 Level RV pull-throughs with a spectacular view of the Tetsa
and Muskwa River Valleys. Located at 2714 feet, between the highest
and lowest points on the highway. Roomy picnic area , ice, souvenirs,
groceries, handicrafts, HUSKY gas, diesel, baked goods, cafe, nature trails.
Randy
and Karen Zaumseil Box 1240, Fort Nelson, BC V0C 1R0
Steamboat
was closed when we passed in 07. 2008 status unknown. Check gas
before leaving Fort Nelson.
Mile 364: Tetsa River Provincial Park
At Tetsa River Services we were privileged to meet and visit with Troy Hise, author of the poem that starts "Winding in and winding out." Troy and his wife cruise the highway promoting products that display the poem.
Mile 375: TETSA RIVER SERVICES (250) 774-1005)
Cliff
and Loryne Andrews invite you to visit their ranch in the foothills
of the Canadian Rockies, where the sky, air, and streams are still
clean, clear, and beautiful. Comfortable frontier style log cabins.
Partial hookups, pull-throughs, tents, rooms, meals, showers, dump
station, gas, bakery, trail rides. Click on name above for more info.
E-mail
Mile 392: SUMMIT LODGE Summit Lodge still closed in 2007 and it is doubtfull it will reopen
Mile 392: Summit Lake Provincial Campground
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