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A person is perched overlooking the towering peaks and large glaciers of Mt. Robson.
If carrying your food and accommodation on your back is not for you, book a helicopter ride and see the park and the peaks from the air. This rarified view will have been shared by many of the nearly 200 bird species documented in the park. Image credit: Berg Lake and Mount Robson | Owen Perry
Berg Lake and Mt Robson

Vast, remote, and enchanting, the northernmost part of BC holds precious natural areas that connect us with timeless stories of land and people.

Welcome to The Great Wilderness

Roam through otherworldly landscapes, where nature reigns and animals outnumber humans.

This enormous area reaches from the Coast Mountains in the west to the Alberta border in the east, and from Highway 16 in the south to the Yukon in the north.

This is home to vast ecosystems and communities. First Nations and Indigenous Peoples uphold knowledge, governance, and stewardship that have been passed down through generations.

A map of British Columbia highlighting The Great Wilderness
A hiker surrounded by towering mountains and alpine lakes.
Weaver Peak, Monkman Provincial Park, Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark | Mike Seehagel

Grand Scale

Leave the day-to-day behind and journey into a world where giant mountains, glaciers, expansive parks, valleys, lava beds, pristine waterways, and larger-than-life wildlife remind you that you are a part of something bigger.

The Gitmaxmak'ay Nisga'a Dancers and the Wii Gisigwilgwelk (Big Northern Lights) Dancers at the Cassiar Cannery in Port Edward
Credit: Destination BC | Dave Silver

Voices of the North

Feel the pulse of a place where First Nations and Indigenous Peoples live in harmony with the lands, seeing them as a life source for sustenance, identity, and culture. You’ll meet people from many walks of life—each with a story to share and a connection to the northern spirit.

River flowing between mountains
Couple viewing the Salmon Glacier near Stewart with RV. | Northern BC Tourism/Andrew Strain

Bold Paths

Long stretches of open road set the tone, but not the pace. The Great Wilderness draws those who push boundaries, where sweeping skies and open spaces spark adventures that transform you. Going beyond the ordinary here means coming back with a new perspective.

An illuminated tent under the Northern Lights.
A tent under the Northern Lights at a trail near the Alaska Highway | Andrew Strain
Three friends enjoying their hike along the Flowering Springs Trail in Stone Mountain Provincial Park in the Northern Rockies.
Credit: Northern BC Tourism | Grant Harder
A herd of bison spotted along the Alaska Highway in Liard River.
Credit: Northern BC Tourism | Grant Harder
The Great Wilderness
4 min

Experience The Great Wilderness

Epic mountain roads, wild rivers, and living cultures invite you to forge your own path and reward those who embrace independence and a sense of curiosity.

Venture north
Hikers in The Great Wilderness in BC, Canada

For Those Willing to Go Further

Discover your own nature in landscapes that have shaped life for millennia.

The Great Wilderness
Unknown Mountains at Shoulder Mountain Alpine Camp in Stikine Region, BC
Shoulder Mountain Alpine Camp | Destination BC/Sherpas Cinema

Places to go

Travel the roads that link mountain towns and northern communities—where stories are shared wherever people meet, and adventure begins right out the door.

  • Two people look out at a frozen landscape in the Stewart-Cassiar region of northern BC. They stand on a rocky outcrop and are looking towards the mountain range.
    Stewart-Cassiar & Highway 16

    A scenic north-south route through some of British Columbia’s most isolated and beautiful areas.

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  • A mountain range at sunset in the Northern Rockies. A river system flows in the valley below.
    Northern Rockies & Alaska Highway

    From wildlife to natural wonders, a road trip along this incredible stretch of road is hard to beat.

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Practical Tips

  • The Great Wilderness is for those ready to venture far beyond the familiar, travelling with curiosity, preparation, and respect for the land. It calls to self-reliant explorers who thrive in vast landscapes, adapt to changing conditions, and seek experiences that both challenge and inspire. Here, days open to broad horizons, encounters with wildlife, and moments of quiet awe.
  • This area is unique for its sheer scale, where wide skies, beautiful waterways, geological wonders like dinosaur trackways, ancient mountain ranges, and abundant wildlife create a sense of space you can feel. Its stories are grounded in the enduring presence and stewardship of First Nations and Indigenous Peoples, and carried forward by those who have come since. This is a place that offers fresh perspectives and moments to carry long after you leave.
  • Late spring to early fall offers the best access, with long days, mostly snow-free roads, and wilderness experiences in full swing. Spring is quieter, with rushing rivers, waterfalls, and migrating birds. Summer brings peak wildlife viewing, while fall adds vivid colours, quieter hot springs and lakes, and the spectacle of salmon runs.
  • Scenic highways connect mountain passes, river valleys, and welcoming small towns, while VIA Rail’s Jasper–Prince Rupert train offers striking views of the landscapes between the coast and the Canadian Rockies. Some adventures begin with a floatplane or boat trip to a wilderness lodge. Whether travelling independently or with local guides, it’s easy to immerse yourself in the scale and character of the north.
Stone's Sheep cross the Alaska Highway in Muncho Lake Provincial Park, BC.
Credit: Northern BC Tourism | Andrew Strain