Road trip the Stewart-Cassiar (Highway 37) for an RV adventure like no other. Discover Northern British Columbia’s vast wilderness, Indigenous culture, and pioneering history along this scenic 724-kilometre highway. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds north to Alaska, there’s no better route to explore.
Know Before You Go
The Stewart-Cassiar passes through some of British Columbia’s most remote wilderness. There’s limited traffic and cell service along this route, so make sure you’re well stocked with supplies and know current road and weather conditions; be sure to check Know Before You Go and DriveBC for up to date information.
Bring a spare tire (or two) and pay close attention to your gas—the longest distance between pumps is from Dease Lake to the Yukon border, a distance of 247 kilometres. RVs can fill up in Kitwanga, Meziadin Junction, Bell II, Tatogga, Iskut and Dease Lake. A gas station operates at the junction of Highway 37 and the Alaska Highway in summer only..
While mostly paved, there are some gravel sections and a narrow shoulder. Rest areas along the route provide basic facilities and have no potable water sources. Big game and other wildlife are common—keep watch while driving.
Stop in at Visitor Centres in Terrace, Stewart, and The Hazeltons for local insight, wayfinding and advice when tackling this epic RV route.
Terrace
Start your adventure in Terrace. Here you can experience the mighty Skeena by guided jet boat or on a salmon fishing excursion with Westcoast Fishing Adventure.
Keep an eye out for the colourful salmon murals that decorate downtown and pop into the Red Raven Gallery, Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art, and the Terrace Art Gallery to admire the work of talented local artists. Learn about the area’s rich history at the Heritage Park Museum and George Little House.
Stock up on supplies for lunch at the Skeena Valley Farmers Market (ample parking is available at the Terrace Sportsplex and Aquatic Centre, located one block over from the market), before making the short drive to Kleanza Creek, just east of town. The provincial park has space for RVs (including a few well-maintained campsites) and picnic tables with a great vantage point overlooking the river’s turquoise-hued waters.
Looking to stretch your legs? Stroll through lush forest along the Howe Creek Trail, or head to Ferry Island, a municipal campground located a few kilometres from downtown Terrace. This RV-friendly park is surrounded by 150-acres of woodland and includes a network of trails, a children’s playground, and unique tree carvings. The nearly two-kilometre interpretive loop that winds through the Red Sand Demonstration Forest is a great option for those with mobility challenges.
Side Trip: From Terrace, take Highway 113 up the Nass Valley to the Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Provincial Park. A self-guided auto tour through the area takes you to remnants of a volcanic eruption, numerous waterfalls, and natural hot springs. Don’t miss the Nisga’a Museum, a stunning glass and wood building designed in the shape of a traditional longhouse, which houses important Nisga’a cultural items.
Kitwanga Junction
Drive east along Highway 16 to Kitwanga, the junction to the Stewart-Cassiar Highway. Before heading north, make sure to fuel up, use the sani-station, stock up on supplies or attend to any repairs.
In Gitanyow, take a self-guided tour of the Gitwangak Battle Hill National Historic Site (there’s parking available for RVs on-site), before exploring the 50 incredible carved cedar poles—some more than a century old— found throughout the area.
Stay the night at Meziadin Lake Provincial Park and paddle the lake’s crystal clear waters at sunset. Serviced RV sites are available on a reservable and first-come, first-served basis. Just downstream from the lake is the Meziadin River Fish Ladder, a popular stop for fish and wildlife viewing.
Stewart
From Meziadin Junction, take Highway 37A west to Stewart.
More than 20 glaciers can be seen from this stretch of highway, including Bear Glacier, a popular roadside stop. Snap a photo from one of the RV-friendly pull-outs before continuing onto Stewart.
Stroll the accessible-friendly estuary boardwalk for spectacular views of the Portland Canal, or wander through town and take in the heritage buildings and charming storefronts. Visit the Stewart Museum to learn about the town’s colourful mining past. Stop by the Temptations Bakery for some delicious sandwiches and the often talked about cinnamon buns. Enjoy lunch or snacks at one of the picnic tables by the boardwalk.
From Stewart, cross the border into Hyder, Alaska where you can watch grizzly bears fishing for salmon from an elevated observation deck overlooking Fish Creek. Continue on to vehicle-accessible Salmon Glacier, one of the stops along Stewart’s self-guided auto tour (you can grab a hard copy at the Visitor Centre). Be warned: the road to the glacier is not paved and may not be suitable for larger RVs. There are no fuel services available in Hyder, so gas up first in Stewart before tackling this side trip.
Grab groceries and fuel in Stewart before continuing north. And don’t forget to grab a bite to eat at Silverado Café and Pizza Parlour.
Iskut
Follow Highway 37 north from Meziadin Junction to Bell II. The stunning backdrop of the Skeena Mountains makes this a great spot to rest and refuel. Explore the clear waters of Mehan Lake, or grab lunch at the lodge then wander the banks of the Bell Irving River post-meal. An on-site RV park offers serviced sites, access to facilities including a hot tub, and a gas station.
Further north, Kinaskan Lake Provincial Park offers good rainbow trout fishing. Adventurous paddlers can canoe or kayak down the Iskut River from Kiniskan and across Natadesleen Lake to the roaring Cascade Falls. While in Tatogga Lake, you can take a flightseeing tour with Alpine Lakes Air over the volcanic wilderness of Mount Edziza Provincial Park.
Near Iskut, situated in Tahltan Territory, keep watch for moose, bears, Stone sheep and mountain goats, which are frequently spotted from the road. Pause for the night at Red Goat Lodge and Campground, a quiet treed campground with serviced RV sites situated lakeside. A sani-dump is also located on-site.
Jade City & Boya Lake
Drive north to Dease Lake and admire the area’s epic scenery. This stretch of road is sandwiched between two of BC’s most spectacular wilderness areas: Mount Edziza Provincial Park and the Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Park. In Dease lake, stock up on supplies and fuel up for the next leg of your route.
Further north, stop in at Jade City to browse locally mined jade-based souvenirs. Detour to the ghost town of Cassiar where you can see remnants of the town’s mining past. At Tā Ch’ilā Provincial Park (Boya Lake), spend a few days relaxing by the shores of this vibrant aquamarine lake. The clarity and colour of the water is a result of light reflecting off silt and shell fragments which have settled on the lake’s bottom. Canoe, fish, swim, or walk one of the two easy interpretive trails, accessible from either end of the lake.
From Tā Ch’ilā Provincial Park (Boya Lake), it’s an hour drive to the Yukon border.