Explore the town of Prince George
The town of Prince George is an excellent basecamp for exploration, but don’t miss the chance to explore the town itself as you immerse yourself in the wilderness of Northern British Columbia. Located at the confluence of the Nechako and Fraser Rivers, the many shoreline parks provide an abundance of habitat for birds and wildlife.
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1Cottonwood Island Nature Park
Just north of downtown along the shoreline of the Nechako river, Cottonwood Island Nature Park features stunning trails that wind their way through towering Cottonwood Trees, across heritage bridges and through abundant wetlands. The park is a great place to search for woodpeckers year-round, with the Pileated and hairy being the most common, and during migration is host to a plethora of warblers.
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1Connaught Hill Park
A hilltop park offering panoramic views of the city amongst carefully maintained gardens, it can yield a surprising number of species especially during migration. The high vantage point offers an excellent opportunity to view soaring birds of prey and the varied foliage creates habitat for a number of warblers, kinglets, chickadees and nuthatches.
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2Hudson's Bay Wetland
A quiet wetland park just minutes away from the bustle of Prince George, this serene location is excellent for waterfowl such as buffleheads, mallard and scaup. You may be fortunate to encounter a muskrat as you explore the edges of the slough, and the wooded areas are home to warblers and chickadees during the spring and summer.
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1Ritual Coffeeworks
This spot offers freshly roasted single-origin coffee, delicious baked treats, and uncomplicated yet delightful breakfast options such as breakfast burritos and sandwiches.
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1Trench Brewing and Distillery
This trendy industrial establishment offers a selection of small-batch craft beers and seltzers, alongside a menu of top-notch comfort dishes such as brisket mac & cheese and elk carpaccio.
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2CrossRoads Brewing & Distillery
Visit CrossRoads Brewing & Distilling for a taste of BC craft beer. Also try their in-house made pizzas.
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1Ivy's Family Kitchen
Get a taste of authentic Vietnamese cuisine in downtown Prince George at this family-owned restaurant. With seafood, meat, vegetarian and gluten free options, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
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2Betulla Burning
Indulge in great pizza in Downtown Prince George. This pizzeria boasts an inventive menu featuring creative pizzas, pasta, salads, and entrees, all crafted with a commitment to using locally sourced ingredients whenever available.
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1Courtyard Marriott
Located just minutes from Downtown Prince George, and steps away from Connaught Hill Park, this hotel is the perfect home base. Enjoy their modern rooms and convenient amenities like an indoor pool and spa, gym and onsite restaurant.
Book Now: https://www.marriott.com/reservation/rateListMenu.mi
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1Books & Company
A favourite among local bookworms, Books and Company sell a wide variety of new and used books, games, toys, knick knacks and more!
Explore the wilds of the North
As you make your way further afield from Prince George, civilization quickly gives way to an expansive wilderness where people are an occasional presence rather than a permanent fixture. As you explore the parks in the area, make sure to watch for some of the iconic wildlife that calls this area home and immerse yourself in the rhythms of nature.
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1Forests for the World
An absolute gem of a park with a diversity of habitats that host a number of exciting species that can be challenging to spot in the area. With 15 kilometres of trails that circumnavigate Shane Lake, both woodland and wetland species flock to the area, and the wildlife is active year round. Be sure to keep your eye out for the Beavers living at the lake and Moose have occasionally been spotted throughout the park.
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1Moores Meadow Nature Park
Situated on a large glacial moraine kettle left by receding glaciers, interpretive signage around the park will take you on a journey from the ice age to present day.As you explore the 9.5 kilometres of trails that traverse this biologically diverse landscape, keep watch for Red Tail Hawks, Great horned Owls and woodpeckers along with the smaller passerines who pass through.
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2Ferguson Lake Nature Reserve
North of the city lies this wetland nature reserve popular for the gentle trail that loops along the shoreline of Ferguson Lake. A number of waterfowl frequent the lake, while the surrounding forest and seasonally abundant insect populations draw in nesting songbirds.
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1Eskers Provincial Park
Another landscape carved by the retreat of glaciers millenia ago, Eskers Provincial Park is a popular destination just outside of prince george. With a series of wetlands surrounded by coniferous forests, it is a birding hotspot with over 100 species observed here. Pine marsh is a particularly popular spot for birdwatching, with two platforms dedicated to wildlife viewing, with evening visitors occasionally encountering the resident beaver in the lake.
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1Locals by Farmhouse
Located at the Prince George International Airport, this restaurant was founded by the Farmhouse catering company. They serve up American and Italian-inspired cuisine in a laidback eatery.
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2Northern Lights Estate Winery
Savor a unique lunch or dinner experience amidst the stunning scenery of Northern Lights Estate Winery. Enjoy farm-fresh dishes and sample their acclaimed fruit wines.
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3Deadfall Brewing
Sustainable small batch brewery serving up a variety of hand-crafted beers in an intimate taproom. Often accompanied by local food trucks which you can enjoy in their taproom.
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1Grama's Inn
Unwind with a snug stay at Grama’s Inn. This charming, family-owned inn has been a beloved fixture in Prince George for more than 50 years. You can choose from a range of cozy and updated rooms, each with a delightful retro charm.
Book Now: https://www.gramasinn.com/reservations
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2Best Western Plus Prince George
Get a good night’s rest at the Best Western, conveniently located along Highway 16 for easy access to attractions in the Prince George area. This pet-friendly hotel offers a range of rooms, and amenities like an indoor pool, fitness center and complimentary breakfast.
Book Now: https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotels-in-prince-george/best-western-plus-prince-george/propertyCode.62136.html
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3Super 8
Enjoy a comfortable stay at this affordable hotel just a short drive from Downtown Prince George. They offer 1 and 2 bedrooms, and a complimentary breakfast.
Book Now: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-8
More Parks and Conservation Associations in Prince George
This park along the Fraser River offers a range of attractions, including a summer Spray Park, volleyball courts, a mini steam train railroad, and multi-use trails. It’s also home to The Exploration Place Museum & Science Centre. This park has a rich history as it was once the site of the Lheidli T’enneh village before its destruction for Fort George, with the Lheidli T’enneh Burial Grounds cemetery remaining there today.
With over 3km of trails and several elevated viewing points, LC Gunn Park is a great spot for some casual birding along the Fraser River.
The Cutbanks are a distinctive geographical landmark in the region, attracting hikers due to their unique terrain. This spot is well-known for offering excellent views of Downtown Prince George. You can park at McMillan Creek on Prince George Pulpmill Rd or access it from above via Hoferkamp Rd.
This majestic park is a must-see destination. The park protects the world’s only inland temperate rainforest. The park features massive old growth trees, a waterfall, and a 450-meter-long boardwalk to explore.
Spruce City Wildlife is a conservation club that was founded in 1970. Made up of hunters, anglers, trappers and various outdoor enthusiasts, these people provide a broad base of interests and willingness to get involved in putting something back into the wildlife resources, which we all admire and make use of.
Located 40 minutes from Prince George, the Nechako River Ecological Reserve was established to protect the most vigorous known tamarack stands west of the Rocky Mountains for genetic stock. This ecological reserve is open to the public for non-destructive use such as hiking, nature observation and photography.