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This small town of under 3000 is a plethora of opportunity to get back into nature, and explore the great outdoors. Here are 10 activities that we think everyone visiting should experience.

1) Hiking- Tumbler Ridge is an outdoor haven for individuals looking to experience the great outdoors. With a variety of trails to choose from, varying from beginner to expert, there will always be an adventure awaiting. Most of these trails are open year round, so you can trade in your hiking boots for snowshoes, and keep up with the activity no matter the weather.  

2) Fishing – Another fantastic year round activity, there are various fishing spots which are accessible by vehicle, ATV, snowmobile, and hiking, so you can easily combine it with other fun activities. Expect to find Dolly Varden and Rainbow Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Arctic Grayling and Northern Pike. Just be sure to bring your fishing license!  

3) Geopark – The Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark is not to be missed, and is a hidden gem for this small community. Visitors can learn about geography, dinosaurs, and walk alongside real life dinosaur footprints! Fantastic for kids, and dinosaur enthusiasts!  

4) Snowmobiling – Northern BC is a great place for this popular winter activity, ideal for the daring adventurer and families alike. From rugged terrain for expert riders, or the well established, easy going tails for beginners and families, you can ensure your winter will be packed with adventure.   

5)  Mountain biking – This sport is well loved by the locals, and for good reason. Tumbler Ridge has some of the best biking trails around, ideal for the more extreme outdoor enthusiasts looking to tear down treacherous alpine terrain. If that doesn’t sound appealing, then don’t worry, as there are a number of family friendly trails near town!    

6) Backcountry Skiing – Tumbler Ridge has amazing backcountry trails both discovered and waiting to be forged. Pack your winter gear, slip into some skis and get ready to brave the winter landscapes of Northern BC!

7) Canoeing and Kayaking – Crystal clear lakes and rivers are waiting for you! Whether you’re looking for a gentle ride or the perfect spot to fish, floating on these open waters will surely be a delightful experience.  

8)  Backpacking – For those more experienced outdoor-types, backpacking can be an excellent and eventful way to spend your summer vacation. There are lots of full day treks to take advantage of, so pack a lunch and get ready to take to the trails!      

9)  Swimming – There are a variety of locations for outdoor swimming in the Tumbler Ridge area. The Flatbed Swimming Hole is great for the whole family, with a number of swimming holes that vary in depth. There are also several lakes in the area which are perfect for you to take a dip in and cool off during the summer.

10) ATVing – Tumbler Ridge is an excellent place to ATV, with over 300 kilometres of ATV trails to ride. This is a well loved sport among locals thanks to the breathtaking landscapes filled with lush valleys, high peaks, and opportunity to witness wildlife.

When you think of Northern BC, do you think of breathtaking natural scenery with vast green forests and sky high mountains, or do you think of dinosaurs? Did you know that Tumbler Ridge is home to hundreds of dinosaur fossils? In fact, we have a UNESCO Global Geopark right in our backyard (one of only two in Canada!). According to the Canadian Geopark Network these sites are “…unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.”  

Many remnants of dinosaurs have been discovered in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia including bones, teeth and skin impressions, but by far the most incredible discoveries have been the dinosaur footprints, which visitors can see first hand when they visit the Geopark! These footprints, though incredibly cool to look at, actually have a significant amount of meaning behind them. Did you know that they have found nine of the fourteen known Tyrannosaur tracks in the world?    

The park offers year round activities for visitors including hiking, fishing, skiing, and a Dinosaur Discovery Gallery. This is a must see for anyone stopping for a visit, and has a lot of different activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Find out what other opportunities and activities are awaiting you for your next adventure by visiting the Tumbler Ridge Geopark Website.   

If you’ve stopped in for a visit at Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, then we recommend you lace up your hiking boots and take a day trip to some of the beautiful sights the area has to offer. Here is a list of the top 10 hikes in the Tumbler Ridge area:

  1. Quality Falls – This 2.5km hike is close to town and leads to an attractive waterfall. Good for beginner hikers.  
  2. Mt. Spieker Trailhead –  For intermediate hikers, this beautiful hike is 6km and will take about 3-4 hours to complete. Located 58 minutes away from accommodations at Trend Mountain.
  3. Flatbed Valley – Ever want to walk the same path as a dinosaur? This moderate 1-2 (3km) long hike is perfect for anyone wanting to step into nature, and walk beside real life dinosaur footprints!
  4. Monkman Cascades Hiking Trail –  This challenging trail will take 3 to 4 days and is 50km return. Well worth the effort, this popular trail is for the experienced adventurer only.
  5. Boulder Gardens – Only 4km long, this 2 hour hike will surely bring a lot of joy to any geology loving hiker. With cool rock slabs, to gigantic boulders this moderate level hike is packed full of things to see.
  6. The Terminator –  A steep and strenuous climb, this hike is perfect for those individuals looking to test their limits on this 6km, round trip, vertical hike. Oh, and don’t forget to keep a lookout for mountain goats!
  7. Babcock Falls –   This beginner trail is lead by wooden boardwalks which offers sites of fossilized logs and beautiful wetlands. It’s 2km long and will take 1-2 hours to complete!
  8. Bergeron Cliffs – Allow 3-4 hours for this exerting 6km hike, and breathe in an accomplishing sigh when you see the beautiful aerial view of the Murray River Valley!
  9. Bald Spot – This short hike is perfect for anyone looking to capture a picture of the town from above. It’s a little strenuous climbing up, but the 3km round trip should take about 1.5 hours to complete!
  10. Bootski Lake – Anyone who is enthusiastic enough to take this 10km hike will surely not regret it. With phenomenal panoramic views, breathtaking mountains, and beautiful forestry this path is perfect for any advanced hiker (and for mountain goats)!  

For more great hiking information, visit https://www.visittumblerridge.ca/