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.

 Birding
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    Cottonwood Island Nature Park
    Cottonwood Island Nature Park, River Road, Prince George, BC, Canada

    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.

 Birding
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    Connaught Hill Park
    Connaught Hill Park, Connaught Drive, Prince George, BC, Canada

    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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    Hudson's Bay Wetland
    Hudsons Bay Slough, Prince George, BC, Canada

    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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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.

 Birding
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    Forests for the World
    Forests for the World, Prince George, BC, Canada

    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.

 Birding
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    Moores Meadow Nature Park
    Moore's Meadow Nature Park, 1st Avenue, Prince George, BC, Canada

    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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    Ferguson Lake Nature Reserve
    Ferguson Lake, Prince George, BC, Canada

    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.

 Birding
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    Eskers Provincial Park
    Eskers Provincial Park, Fraser-Fort George A, BC, Canada

    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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More Parks and Conservation Associations in Prince George

Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park

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.

LC Gunn Park

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

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.

Ancient Forest/Chun T'oh Whudujut Provincial Park

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 Association

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.

Nechako River Ecological Reserve

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.