Water Sports

Rivers wind and ribbon across the Northern Rockies creating a network of watery roads for those wanting to access the wilderness by watercraft. Jet boating is a popular pastime in this region as many of the areas that are accessible by boat are not accessible by any other means of recreational transport.
Rivers are our roads to the wilderness!

Boat launches are dispersed throughout the area:

Muskwa River Bridge - a very large launch area located just south of Fort Nelson when the Muskwa River is low enough (mid July onwards). Used to acces the Prophet River, Tuchodi River and upper Muskwa going up-river and the Fort Nelson River, Snake River and the Liard River going down-river.

Muskwa River (Kledo Boat Launch) - A steeper, shorter launch found up-river from the Muskwa River Bridge. It is accessed by travelling west on the Alaska Highway 66 kilometres from Fort Nelson. This launch will take hours off your river travel to access the Tuchodi and upper Muskwa rivers.

Fort Nelson River Bridge (Nelson Forks) - Found at kilometre 42.5 of the Liard Highway. It is a river edge launch which can be muddy in the summer - check before launching. This launch will take hours off your river travel to access the Liard River as compared to the Muskwa River Bridge launch.

Toad River - Found at Mile 405 (km 648) of the Alaska Highway - 194 kms north of Fort Nelson. An unmarked road leads off the Alaska Highway just past the community of Toad River. This launch is used to access the Racing and Liard Rivers downstream.

Toad River - Found at Mile 423 (km 677) of the Alaska Highway - 223 kms north of Fort Nelson. A very small launch that can only accommodate one boat and truck parking at a time. Used to access Moose Lake up-river.

Skook's Landing - Mile 522 (km 835) of the Alaska Highway - 381 kms north of Fort Nelson. Large gravel launch on the Liard River used to access the Kechika River and onto the Gataga, Turnagain, and Frog rivers.

Canoe/Kayak

If you are looking for a relaxing paddle or a white-water adventure the Northern Rockies has the lake or river for you.  For those looking for adventure these rivers offer a good trip for experienced paddlers:

Tetsa River - This river can only be done in higher water levels and is not ideal for hard shell canoes. The put-in point for this river is found at km 573 of the Alaska Highway just past Tetsa River Lodge. A few hundred metres downstream is a shute that can portaged or riden out by more advanced paddlers. The rest of the river has some tight corners but is mostly class 2. Take out can be found down a 4x4 road leading off the Alaska Highway at approximately km 350.

Toad River - several launching places on this river make it ideal for the novice up to intermediate. Launch at the Davis Keyes bridge (km 687) for a very slow flat paddle until you reach the point where it runs under the Alaska Highway (km 672). The river then becomes class 2 (standing waves, tight corners) for a bit until you reach Centennial Falls (km 668) where it fattens out a bit again. From this point on it is possible to miss the waves or stop and play here and there. Pull-out points are found at the Stone Mountain Safaris road (km 656) and at the Toad River boat launch (km 648).

Racing River - There are two points to enter this river. For a very short trip but with a good play area drive down the Racing River Motorized route found just over the Racing River bridge at km 641 of the Alaska Highway and follow this to its end, passing through some gates that should be closed after going through. There you will find a small creek that leads down to the Racing River and Black Rock Canyon - a good play spot. If you want to miss the canyon there is a road down to the Racing a little further back on the motorized route. It is only an hour back to the Alaska Highway from this point.
The second place to access the Racing River can be found at km 613. This is a backcountry 4x4 road that leads to the Wokkpash river which flows into the Racing. You will have to cross a fairly large creek to access the Wokkpash area. On the Wokkpash, you will have to pass through a canyon before reaching the Racing. It is spectacular but has some very sharp rock walls, tight corners, and undercut rock. It is possible to bypass and walk past some of it. Once on the Racing, the route is easier but long and you will have to pass through the aforementioned Black Rock Canyon as well. Give yourself almost 10 hours to get back to the highway.

Trout River - This river has two distinct portions. This is the outflow river from Muncho Lake found at km 713 of the Alaska Highway. At this point there is a small bay that acts as launch point to the upper portion of the river. This part is class 2 with small waves and some tight corners. It will take you almost 6 hours to reach the pull-out found at the Trout River bridge on the Alaska Highway at km 733.
The other option is to start at the Trout River bridge and go to where the Alaska Highway starts pulling away from the river (around km 465). Do not travel past this as the river does drop over a waterfall a little further on. Be aware of a very large rock and hole at Prochniak Creek not much past the start of your trip. This portion of the river could be classified at 3 or 3+ depending on water level.

More leisurely paddles include:         

Andy Bailey Lake - Nestled in the boreal forest this lake has a campground, day use area, and boat launch and is a good place for bird watching and seeing amazing beaver complexes on each end of the lake. 18 km access road is found at km 427 of the Alaska Highway - 27 kms south of Fort Nelson.

Muskwa River - Very slow class one river that can be accessed from the Muskwa Bridge in Fort Nelson and taken down to the P3 bridge below the Fort Nelson Airport.

Parker Lake - a smaller lake found just west of Fort Nelson accessed by a short gravel road off the Alaska Highway at km 468. A nice afternoon paddle for anyone into bird viewing.

Summit Lake - A small lake found at Summit Lake Campground at km 373 of the Alaska Highway. Lake and Rainbow Trout fishing.

Muncho Lake - a beautiful long glacial blue lake with several bays to explore. Good lake trout fishing. Launch areas can be found in both provincial parks on the lake edge or at any of the lodges/rv parks along its length.