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Natural Beauty Scenic Drive
Enjoy the stunning scenery of British Columbia beginning the moment you cross the provincial border, leaving Alberta’s Jasper National Park and entering B.C.’s Mount Robson Provincial Park. Visitors enjoy exploring the historic Robson Valley, home to the friendly mountain communities of McBride, Tête Jaune Cache and Valemount. The Texqakallt nation, the area’s earliest known inhabitants of the upper Fraser area, called Mount Robson ‘Yuh-hai-has-kun’ or ‘The Mountain of the Spiral Road,’ referring to the layered appearance of the huge mountain. Mount Robson is the second oldest park in British Columbia’s park system, and at 3,954 metres, Mount Robson is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies and arguably one of the finest views in the Rocky Mountains. Mount Robson Provincial Park comprises a portion of one of the world’s largest blocks of protected areas. Designated as a part of the Canadian Rocky Mountains World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1990, Mount Robson provides everything from developed, vehicle-accessible camping to remote valleys that seldom see a human footprint. Mount Robson Provincial Park also protects the headwaters of the Fraser River. The superb scenery in the park makes it an excellent site for hikers, climbers and backcountry enthusiasts. For fishing, Yellowhead and Moose Lakes supports dolly varden, lake char, kokanee and rainbow trout. To simply observe the fish, go to the west side of the park to the Rearguard Falls lookout, the furthest migration point possible on the Fraser for returning Pacific salmon. Several challenging hikes are possible in Mount Robson Provincial Park, as well as many easy walking trips. Maps are available at the visitor centre, open from May to October. Yellowhead Lake offers a sandy beach and concrete boat launches are located nearby, and at the east end of Yellowhead Lake. Excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing are available within the park, home to a wide range of mammals and birds. The moist, western slope of the Rocky Mountains is home to over 42 species of mammals, ranging from the valley bottom-loving moose to the mountain goats and golden eagles of the Alpine Tundra Zone. Grizzly and black bear, elk, deer and the elusive cougar also call this area home. From Mount Robson Provincial Park, travel south on Hwy # 5 to Valemount. Located just outside of Valemount is the Jackman Flats Ecological Reserve, designated as a Class A Provincial Park, the highest level of protection in the parks system due to its delicate eco-system featuring dry sand dunes, swamp areas and the unique plants that have adapted to the diverse environment. Another protected area is the nearby Robert W. Starratt Wildlife Sanctuary, a Ducks Unlimited project. Enjoy an interesting walk along dikes through a large marsh and into adjacent woodlands. A wildlife viewing platform is accessible at the start of the dike. By following signage on this trail, one can walk around the entire marsh and complete a seven km loop trail.
A great spot for viewing spawning Chinook salmon (generally in mid-August) is at George Hicks Park also located just outside Valemount. From Valemount, continue south on the Hwy # 5 to Clearwater. Here travel north into Wells Gray Park, offering unlimited wilderness, easily accessible waterfalls, wildflower trails, ski trails and lakes for canoeing. Wells Gray is famed as “the waterfall park.” Its many waterfalls include spectacular Helmcken Falls, the fourth highest falls in Canada. Wells Gray boasts fabulous canoeing opportunities, with five large wilderness lakes in a beautiful mountain setting. The canoeing here is among the best in western Canada, for day trips or multi-day expeditions. The alpine trails in the south of the park offer spectacular views and, in late summer, breathtakingly beautiful wildflower meadows. As well, the park has many short trails exploring old-growth forests, pioneer homesteads, old volcanoes, canyons and wildlife. From Wells Gray Park, continue south on Hwy # 5 to Kamloops. In Kamloops, enjoy free musical entertainment at the Riverside Park every night in July and August. Some of the area’s many attractions include Secwepemc Museum & Heritage Park, Kamloops Wildlife Park, Kamloops Art Gallery and the Kamloops Heritage Railway.
Mount Robson Provincial Park Valemount Clearwater Kamloops
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Points of Interest