Looking for recommendations for a family road trip from Vancouver to Prince Rupert and back this summer. We are a family with two tweens that enjoy the outdoors. Would appreciate ideas on places of interest, hikes, camping, cheap accommodations and good food. Thanks!

Have you thought about doing it as a loop? Including the ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert? Or reverse? It's really quite beautiful and stops you from seeing the same route twice

Thanks for the suggestion!

It has become quite pricy but worth it

I know, over a $1,000 one way!

Yikes! I only did it as a single. Several times but they've really upped the price. But think of all the gas you'll save!

Camping at the Bowron Lakes is beautiful. A nicer place to stay if you're interested in seeing Barkerville, or just on its own

Michael probably more like 1350 to 1400 when you factor in the ferry from Vancouver to the Island as well as meals, hotels in Port Hardy (you leave really early in the morning) but it is a memorable day trip if you can do it especially if the weather is nice. It would then leave more time to do exploring in the places you want to stop at and you would not be retracing your steps.

Check out BC Ferries vacations https://www.bcferriesvacations.com/.../inside-passage... The have a tour that includes the ferry from Van to the Island, ferry from Port hardy to Prince Rupert and 5 nights hotel - you would have to phone them, give them your dates and family details and they will give you a price quote

BC ferries also has a full circle tour https://www.bcferriesvacations.com/.../inside-passage.../ - when I have booked with them in the past, the hotel stops are negotiable

Or a BnB in Hardy. Lots of great local options

Following

I was just there in December. The ferry is amazing if you can make it work. I would find the Patty wagon food truck in Prince Rupert! the burgers were delicious. And Cowpaccino's was a yummy coffee shop with reasonable lunches. I did a few walks but honestly can't remember the names...

Thank!!

I really loved it up there. The old houses are amazing! Also the little craft brewery makes amazing beer

When looking for accommodation, try Ramada. They often have rooms with 3 double beds and decent breakfast.

Thanks!!

Is renting a house in Barkerville worth it? Do you need two days? Barkerville Historic Town
https://goo.gl/maps/6cQTxuF5qcJ2

I haven't rented a house, just camped. But I personally think 1 day there is enough unless you're really into it. I spent about 6 hours there and got to see most things, except for the walking tour you can do...i cant remember where it goes to...but I remember it looking like it'd be interesting

Thx!

Agree. One day is probably enough. Stay in Quesnel if you can. We camped twice at Barkerville with small kids and it poured both times. Miserable.

Have fun

This provincial park is off the highway about 15 minutes from Terrace. Most amazing place. We ended up spending extra nights, we loved it so much.

Awesome thanks!!!

A definite do not miss place!!!

The highway from Prince George to Smithers wasn't very exciting but after Smithers the sights were amazing. We spent a week in Kitimat and loved it.

Another place is Moricetown just past Smithers. Small little place but so cool to watch the native pole fishing off the banks of the river.

Side trip from Terrace to the Nass ....youngest lava flow in North America ... The whole Nisgha area is worth several day, as is the Kitwanga, Hazleton area.

Don't forget the Nisga'a memorial lava bed park. Pretty unique landscape .

Thanks!

I would stop and do Barkerville...it's about a 45 minute detour off of the highway. You can either camp right outside of barkerville or you can drive a bit farther up to bowron lakes and I believe you can camp there too. Such a gorgeous area!

If you've really got time... detour north by Hazelton and head to Stewart and Hyder. So fun. Watching the bears fish right in front of you, amazing glaciers and getting "Hyderized" for the adults!

Barkerville, great for a trip in, camp overnight; Morice River - if your timing is good you will be able to watch the natives dip net fishing from the rocks https://youtu.be/TI3A1MFGMz0; Hudson Bay mountain Smithers is great for hiking; Lava beds west and north of Terrace; fishing on the Morice river outside of Houston; trip in to Granisle, lots of hiking trails and the lake to go canoeing or kayaking on; there use to be a hot springs between Terrace and Kitamat but I don't know if it still in operation; Port Edward just out of Prince Rupert is interesting - cannery town

Lakelse Lake and hot springs are still there

Geoff where are the hot springs?

On the highway to Kitimat about 15 minutes south of Terrace. Highway 37.

I HIGHLY recommend my plan
Do a circle route. Ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert. Rupert to Port Edward and Cannery museum http://www.northpacificcannery.ca On to Terrace and up to the Nisga'a lava Beds and to the Nisga'a museum http://nisgaamuseum.ca (Lakelse Lake is on the way) Morice River is en route to Soda Creek http://xatsullheritagevillage.com and then (Quesnel) Barkerville http://www.barkerville.ca and take the "back road" to Whistler and stop at Crown Lake (if it is warm enough your family can swim to the opposite side and back - great for a picnic ) http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/marble_can/ then to Pemberton/Whislter area for 2 excellent hikes http://whistlerhiatus.com/whistlerhikes/train-wreck.html and GO EARLY morning https://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/joffre-lakes/
These suggestions should be good for the ages of your kids and do as many of the other suggestions as you can fit in...
Have a great trip

Thanks!!

Wrong. I live in terrace. Lakelse lake is on hwy 37 to kitimat , not on the way up to or past the Nisga'a lava bed park.

Thx

Head in to Hazelton as well and check out ksan...or if you are in for a little hike blue lakes in Hazelton is amazing

hop on the Alaska marine highway ferry in Rupert and go to Ketchikan for a couple of days (former Richmond resident, now Ketchikan resident!). lots to see and do here in the summer

*