Welcome to paddling in and around the Central Interior of British Columbia.
First and foremost, I want to say thank you to the contributing communities and individuals to this Cariboo, Robson Valley, and Central Interior Paddling Guide. The support and commitment to new people interested in whitewater from these small groups of paddlers has continued to keep the sport alive.
For each area we’ll cover where to find goods and services, local river runs, and how to contact and connect with the local community of paddlers. We’ll also touch on annual paddlefests and gatherings these communities have put together over the years.
Prince George BC is my hometown. Within 4 hours you can find friendly big bouncy Class 2 classics to the challenging adventures of Class 4 creeks and waterfalls. Thanks to industry there is access to a multitude of paddling opportunities all season long.
BC Paddling Guide: Cariboo, Robson Valley, Central Interior
ROBSON VALLEY WHITEWATER
Photo Credit Mountain Cat Images
The Location
Let’s start out East of Prince George: located on HWY 16 approximately 200 km away is the small town of Mcbride BC. As the central small community of the Robson Valley, McBride is where to purchase groceries, fuel, and basic essentials before beginning the adventure into this vast assortment of different whitewater. There are small forestry recreation campsites found throughout the valley and a couple campgrounds east of town.
Slightly southeast off HWY 16, down HWY 5, is a small community called Valemount. Nestled between three mountain ranges, it is known for its stunning views. Valemount has groceries, an assortment of lodging and camping, fuel access and a local Brewery: Three Ranges Brewery.
The Rivers
The diversity of paddling rivals that of any other whitewater paddling location. Kayakers may be familiar with the Fraser River runs, at the furthest eastern point of this area. Stretching west across the valley is a vast selection of shallow spring run off creeks to glacier fed crisp waters. The Robson Valley is fairly dependent on spring snow runoff to maintain its challenging runs, but it becomes friendlier as summer sets in.
The Holmes River
Photo credit Mountain Cat Images
Class 3+ , 4+ waterfall
Section: 14km to Holmes River Recreation Site
Special warnings: Beaver Falls -- scout for potential wood.
Photo Credit Mountain Cat Images
First SUP decent @declinization
The Morkill
Comes with epic valley scenery, and waterfall views.
Class: 3
Features: boulder gardens, portagable drops
Sections: 48 km to crushing creek (a MUST take out)
Special warnings : watch out for the “ ankle breaker”, a 4m stepped waterfall, all craft portage
Forget Me Not Creek
Class 3-5
Sections: most of the creek is scoutable and portagable as it is a roadside creek
Special warnings: contact local community
Honourable Mentions
The Dore Class 4
The Goat Class 3 Canyon Class 4-5
Renshaw Creek
The Community
A handful of individuals who paddle exist in the valley. The go-to well known name and adventurer is Danny Levitt. Contact can be made with these individuals and potential surrounding community members through Facebook on Robson Valley Whitewater.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/408444417164793
HIGHLIGHTS OF McBride from Danny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAdunKCQ-go
From Danny himself: “I moved to Mcbride for the Whitewater, a high concentration of amazing runs that rival anything in Whistler or the lower mainland and property prices that a dirtbag kayaker can afford.”
Paddle Festivals or Events
The Paddlefest happening in this area takes place from mid-late June, on the Holmes River. In years prior the community has come together around the Father’s Day weekend.
Check in with Robson Valley Whitewater on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/408444417164793
or on the NorthWest Brigade Paddlefest Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/NWBPCPaddlefest
PRINCE GEORGE DISTRICT
The Location
My home town offers fun spring run off rivers from floaty to technical. This bustling hub has all amenities available. The local businesses have blossomed in the downtown core, giving it a little bigger city feel. Find your coffee at local shops such as Ritual Coffee Bar and Zoe’s Java house.
Recommend restaurants:
(There are so many amazing local restaurants!) Nancy O’s , White Goose Bistro, Daddy O’s pizza and Black Clover. Prince George also features two sit in breweries: Cross Roads and Trench. Motels, hotels, inns of all sorts. Camping is available throughout BC parks. Some camping does exist around the local river runs.
Trail hike into "Boulder Run" on Bowron River
THE RIVERS
Bowron River
Class 2+ to 3
Sections: Boulder Run, and Bridge (HWY16) to Bridge (below box canyon)
Special warnings: The section of river above Box canyon is known as Cottonwood Island, is braided and littered with long jams.
Wave feature on the “Boulder Run”, Bowron River
The Willow
Surf City, local park and play spot on the `Lower Run`, Willow
Class: 2 to 4 depending on section
Sections: Upper run, Lower run, and Lower Lower run
"Duck Shit Shoot” on the Lower Lower, Willow River.
Special Warnings: the section of the Willow downstream of the HWY 16 bridge is known as Killer Canyon. Strainers, and undercuts took many lives in the mid 1970’s. This section of river is impassable.
Honorable mentions
Isle Pierre Rapids, Class 1 with 2+ avoidable rapids
Nechako River in Prince George Grade 1
Blackwater River Class 2-3
The Community
The community is small and diverse in Prince George, a mix of stand up paddlers and kayakers. Connection to the community can be found through Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/297571726611
Paddle Festivals or Events
Prince George’s go to river, the Willow, was one of the few first locations that a paddling rodeo was ever held in Western Canada. Sadly this event has dwindled to a few paddlers that like to gather for a weekend of camping and local play.
The community's main event is to travel east to run the Holmes, at the annual gathering there.
BULKLEY VALLEY
Continuing on a straight shot across the province West on Hwy 16, we will take a look at the Bulkley Valley Region.
The locals say “lots of paddling, not a lot of people.” This community has seen an increase in Stand Up Paddlers.
The Location
Bulkley Valley is an intermediate paddlers playground with multi-day trip access to the Babine and Bulkley Rivers.
The small community of Smithers BC is nestled under the site of Hudson Bay Mountain and Ski Resort. Here is an outdoor playground as it backs onto the edge of the coast mountain ranges.
The town itself has a multitude of local businesses and amenities that have continued to try to stay afloat during these Covid times. All types of paddling equipment are available a few kilometers West of Smithers at Aquabatics Smithers. Stop in and get connected to BC’s northern locally owned paddling shop. A definite stop is local business Bugwood Coffee on Main Street. In need of Beverages, Smithers Brewery offers local brews, while Bulkley Valley Brewery also has everything from tables to art work locally sourced. Restaurants of choice, the Roadhouse, and classic breakfasts at Riverhouse in the Aspen Inn. Local camping can be found throughout the area at BC rec sites, provincial campgrounds and private RV and camping locations.
Thanks to @danielhelm_kz and @rebekah.rd for photos
The Rivers
The Babine River
Group scouts Grizzly Drop on the Babine
This river is a classic multi-day trip. The Babine is known for its solid Class 3 rapids and classic Class 4, Grizzly Drop. Late fall this rapid is well known for having Grizzlies fishing the salmon run. Camp spots along the way range from tucked in beaches amongst boulders, to large cobble/sand bars. An amazing trip, definitely one for the bucket list. Connect to the local paddling community for more details.
Kimberley Kenyon Paddle Boarding a portion of the Babine
Photo Credit @declinization
Telkaw River
Class 2+ to 3
Kimberley Kenyon Surfing Telkaw Wave
Photo credit @danielhelm_kz and @rebekah.rd
Sections: Telkaw run and rare water level Telkaw wave.
Special warnings: log jams and cold water
Suskaw River
Class: 3 or 4 The class of this river depends heavily on level.
Photo credit @danielhelm_kz and @rebekah.rd
Special warnings: In 2021 there is a change in the entrance to the third canyon that does not match the guide books. Contact the local community for details.
Bulkley River
Class: 2+ to 4
Group Scouting “Feather Bed” on the Bulkley Canyon section of the Bulkley River Photo
Credit @borntoboard.ca
Sections: Culvert Creek, Bulkley Canyon and many more.
Features: Tatlow Falls (surf wave)
Local Stand Up Paddler and community member Nick Meyer Surfing “Tatlow” on the Bulkley River Photo credit @danielhelm_kz and @rebekah.rd
Special warnings: Please connect to the local community and abide by the rules of The Tatlow Falls site.
Honorable Mentions
East Boulder Creek an early season Class 4.
Photo credit @danielhelm_kz and @rebekah.rd
The Community
Bulkley Valley Kayak and Canoe Club is the local paddling club to the region. They can be contacted via Facebook or via email paddlebv@gmail.com . The club is based out of the town of Smithers.
Here is The Clubs Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/347583558661899
Paddle Festivals or Events
Tatlow fest was a well known paddling festival for many years. This festival was located at Tatlow Falls just outside of Smithers. This private land location is a blessing to the local community and an amazing place to gather, paddle and make memories.
QUESNEL
The Location
The little town of Quesnel hasn’t been known for too much happening other than its industry jobs and quaint feeling. This old gold mining town is 120km south of Prince George and there lies a hidden gem, a river called the Cottonwood. The Cottonwood is an intermediate to advanced kayaker's must stop spot. It is class 3-4, depending on the section.
Class: 4
Special warning: constricted drops
“Tax Relief” on the Middle Cottonwood
Photo Credit Mountain Cat Images
Sections: The Middle Cottonwood is technical and tight, with unforgettable names Tax Relief, Honest Gamble, Take me Home Sweet Jesus, and Surprise.
“Kick off” Upper Cottonwood
Photo Credit Mountain Cat Images
The Upper Cottonwood run includes the rapids kick off and jimmy jack hole.
“Jimmy Jack Hole” Upper CottonWood
Photo Credit Mountain Cat Images
The Community
Look to Facebook to connect to Quesnel whitewater.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/456164321137211
Another connection is through Prince George’s Northwest Brigade Paddling Club via Facebook.
LIKELY
Watch a quick segment from the 2020 season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnqCXvyzFLQ
https://vimeo.com/398325026
Welcome to a place I would call home.
This tiny little town is at the end of Quesnel lake and at the start of the Quesnel River. This historical Gold Rush town has a classic log lodge with a pub, a simple general store, post office and motels. There is local camping at Cedars Point Provincial park. Don't come to this location looking to connect to the internet: cell service doesn’t exist in and around the Likely region.
I paddle here because of the inclusiveness of the community and the world class rivers.
The Rivers
The Cariboo River
Sections: The Upper Cariboo
Class: 3-4+
Special warnings: Waterfall Class 4+ depending on level
@declinization on the Upper Cariboo He is leading the way for SUP with his first descents of the Upper Quesnel and the Upper Cariboo. Please be advised this is complex, high grade water and not recommended for anyone paddling SUP that is not comfortable in continuous class 3 and 4
Photo Credit Mountain Cat Images
Photo Credit Mountain Cat Images
The Lower Cariboo
Class: 2-3
Special Warnings: the take out at the confluence of Quesnel and the Cariboo is a must make. The next river access is kilometers downstream.
Group of paddlers gather for the annual Unlikely Paddlefest’s Friday Lower Cariboo Run
QUESNEL RIVER
Sticking a 16 footer in the top of “Eyebrow”, heading for the “Notch” on the Quesnel Run in Likely
Photo Credit Mountain Cat Images
Class: 4
Sections: This section in Likely is sometimes referred to as the Upper Quesnel because there is still a “lower” canyon run just outside the town of Quesnel.
Kimberley Kenyon (@borntoboard.ca) paddling “Best Drop” on the Quesnel River
Photo Credit Mountain Cat Images
Honourable mentions:
The Horsefly River, Class 1,2 spring run-off.
The Community
The Community to this area is not located in Likely, they travel from Williams Lake to Likely to paddle these two amazing rivers from low spring levels right through till fall sets in. Again, it’s a few families that are holding the webbing together to keep introducing individuals to the rivers in this area.
“Unlikely PaddleFest” (prior to Covid)
Photo Credit Mountain Cat Images
The local paddlers to the area can be contacted through Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/380071755490155
Paddle Festivals or Events
Here’s a little introduction from local paddler Zack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D74GAFyonlo
Unlikely Paddlefest is an informal meeting of paddlers to celebrate the closing of the season. The third weekend in September usually brings the river levels down to a friendly level. All types of watercraft make it to the area for the celebration.
Further and Final Reference
Planning a trip into the central interior for paddling should always be referenced to the locals and guide books available. Luckily the paddling crews from throughout the interior still have their guide book available in Prince George’s local book shop, Books and Co. It is titled “Canoeing and Kayaking BC’s Central Interior a guidebook” by the Northwest Brigade Paddling Club.
BC’s central interior boating is not a bright beacon on the radar when paddlers look for a destination to get away. I hope with some of this information and insight this blog will inspire local community members to get involved, or motivate paddlers from far away to come find our little haven of friendly snow-fed water ways.
“Dreams don’t work unless you do”
Kimberley Kenyon
Badfish Team Athlete
AQ Outdoors Whitewater SUP and Splitboard Ambassador
Advanced and River 1 SUP Instructor Paddle Canada
@borntoboard.ca
AQ Outdoors Contact
Edmonton: (p) 780 463-4892 (e) info@aquabaticsedmonton.com
Calgary: (p) 403 288-9283 (e) info@aqoutdoors.com
