British Columbia's Third-Largest Provincial Park In Canada Is A Secluded Gem With Mountain Views And Camping

Few places in the world offer complete solitude, even places that are supposed to be wild. With national park tourism reaching new highs each year, many once secluded areas no longer feel like natural escapes. For those who want to experience true aloneness in nature, Canada's British Columbia offers a secluded and underrated gem: Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial Park. Located in The Great Wilderness region of British Columbia, it's the third-largest provincial park in the province at about 1,644,967 acres (approximately 2,570 miles square). That alone is larger than the U.S. state of Delaware! In order to get here, visitors have to embark on a long trek. The nearest airport to the park is Northern Rockies Regional Airport in Fort Nelson about 50 to 80 miles away (depending on where you are in the park), into which planes fly from Prince George and Vancouver. Those who are road tripping to get to this remote location can follow the Alaska Highway to arrive here. This scenic highway offers visitors stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and boreal pine forests.

It's likely because of these factors — the park's massive size and its remote location — that the park is under visited. With only 68 reviews on Google Maps, this park is well and truly under the radar. Once visitors do get there, they'll find stunning views of the Eastern Muskwa Ranges, wildlife galore, rough hiking trails, and backcountry camping.

Situated amidst the Eastern Muskwa Ranges, a section of the Canadian Rockies, this provincial park is full of scenic mountain views at every turn. There are 71 named mountains in the park, including Mount Shawcross and Ortona Mountain, with the highest being the 2,936 meter Mount Sylvia. Because of this mountainous landscape, the park is also full of scenic alpine lakes, waterfalls, and winding canyon rivers. The water in these glacial lakes and rivers is bright blue, providing a wonderful contrast to the sky and high peaks.

In order to fully enjoy the scenic mountain views and rivers, visitors can participate in a variety of activities at Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial Park. Fishing is permitted at lakes and rivers here, provided the angler has a license, which can be purchased online. In this park's waters, expect to find trout, arctic grayling, and lake whitefish. Wildlife watching is also a must at this remote park. Herbivore species seen here include moose, elk, caribou, mountain goats, stone sheep, and deer. Some have even reported seeing bison here! There are also apex predators, like wolves and bears (both grizzly and black). Because there are bears here, always remember to brush up on the overlooked warning signs that a bear is near a hiking trail and what to do if you see a bear.

Those who really want to experience the solitude and scenic views of this park can spend a few days camping here. However, those who want to camp have to know ahead of time that there are no formally designated campsites. All camping in Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial Park is backcountry and primitive. There are no facilities or amenities, like bathrooms, showers, or electricity hookups, maintained by the park. It is expected that visitors abide by the Leave No Trace principles as they camp amid the towering Eastern Muskwa Ranges and boreal forests.

Campfires are allowed here, but before you go, first check British Columbia's Fire Prohibitions and Restrictions page for updates. Because of all the recent wildfires in Canada, fires may be temporarily restricted in some areas. Also note that the park does not allow visitors to gather firewood from the forest because the dead wood is an important part of the ecosystem. Finally, as there are both grizzly and black bears in the area, make sure you properly bear-proof your campsite.