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Dawson
Creek
Dawson Creek is located 406 km (252 miles) north-east of Prince
George at the convergence of Highways 2, 49 and 97, in the Peace
River Region. Dawson Creek has the notoriety of being the 'Mile
0' point of Hwy 97, the world-famous Alaska Highway.
Alaska
Highway
Built during the 1940's during the WW II by a joint venture between
the Canadian and US governments, the Alaska Highway was one of the
most amazing engineering feats in road building. Make sure you stop
by the 'Mile 0' post and see the most-photographed icon of the Peace
Region.
Prairie
Farmland
Dawson Creek is situated on the east side of the Rocky Mountains
with the geography of being fairly flat, some rolling hills and
prairie farmland. The area is typically containing large fields
in the cultivation of wheat and other grain products plus other
kinds of farming and ranching.
Oil
and Natural Gas
The other main industries in Dawson Creek include a high percentage
of business and workers involved in the nearby oil and natural gas
fields near Taylor and Fort
St. John. Lately north-eastern British Columbia and neighbouring
Alberta have become boom towns with a great influx of young workers
from across Canada.
Dawson
Creek Station Museum
If you get a chance, visit the Dawson Creek Museum housed in a 1913
refurbished building of the old Northern Alberta Railway Station.
This museum showcases artifacts and pictures depicting the building
of the Alaska Highway, local Dawson Creek memorabilia and an excellent
wildlife display. It is open full time from May until the end of
August with restricted hours the remainder of the year.
Walter
Wright Pioneer Village
This four-hectare (ten-acre) sized property will give you a chance
to view the past farming history in the previous Dawson Creek era.
Set in a beautiful garden setting called 'Gardens North,' the Walter
Wright Pioneer Village is often used to help celebrate special events
in Dawson Creek.
Dawson
Creek Art Gallery
Showcasing the natural wonders of the Peace River Region, the Dawson
Creek Art Gallery is another place you'll want to visit. The art
gallery is housed in an original wood structure that once served
as an Alberta Wheat Pool elevator. You'll find the Dawson Creek
Art gallery situated in Heritage Park.
Alaska
Hotel
If you do visit Dawson Creek and are looking for the famous Alaska
Hotel unfortunately it is now gone because of a fire on September
14, 2012. For more information the Alaska Hotel website is full
of information concerning the devastating fire.
Alaska
Highway House
One place that is well worth the visit is the Alaska Highway
House which is located near 'Mile 0' monument. The artifacts and
historic pictures found here describe the complete story behind
the building and construction of the monumental Alaska Highway,
especially If you are travelling north on the Alaska Highway.
Weather
The weather system in Dawson Creek is usually one of long dry summer
nights with a short spring and fall with a generally cold, longer
winter with a wind coming off the prairie. You'll find Dawson Creek
and the other communities of the Peace Region experience some of
BC's colder temperatures during the winter.
Bear
Mountain
For wintertime recreational opportunities, the big area for play
in the Dawson Creek area is on Bear Mountain. Here you can find
23 km (14 miles) of cross-country ski trails for all levels of experience
through a demonstration forest. Also on Bear Mountain are a number
of snowmobile routes if you prefer this sport.
Kin
Park Walking Path (Dawson Trail)
A good walk is the Dawson Trail through Kin Park. One end of the
Dawson Trail starts near Dawson Creek Golf and Country Club and
makes its way through Rotary Park, past Michaels and Chamberlain
Heritage Nature Parks, through Chamberlain, Barbaree and Peace Parks,
eventually ending in Kin Park.
Radar
Lake
Bear Mountain also offers horseback riding, mountain biking and
hiking in the summer. Nearby Radar Lake on Bear Mountain Road there
is a nature park for people who enjoy bird and wildlife watching
or just enjoy being out in the bush.
South
Peace Community Multiplex
Walking around Dawson Creek you'll notice the new South Peace Community
Multiplex has become the focal point for events in Dawson Creek
and Peace Region. Complete with the Lakota Agri-Centre, Kenn Borek
Aquatic Leisure Centre and the EnCana Centre, the new multiplex
will be able to accommodate up to 6,500 people for equestrian, livestock
and rodeo activities.
Dawson
Creek Exhibition Association
For those of you who enjoy a good rodeo compared to the Calgary
Stampede, you'll have to visit Dawson Creek in August for the Dawson
Creek Exhibition. Complete with a chuckwagon race, fair, exhibits,
parade, entertainment and special events, the exhibition will surely
please you.
Peace
River Regional District
Other Peace River Regional District communities close by to Dawson
Creek worth visiting include: Fort St. John north-west on Hwy 97,
the Alaska Highway; Chetwynd to the south-west
Tumbler Ridge to the south; and
Pouce Coupe just to the south-east
on Hwy 2 near the Alberta border.
Be
'Bear Aware'
Please remember if you do happen to be in the bush or along trails
that there could be bears in the immediate area. Please take the
usual precautions such as carrying a high-quality pepper spray,
travel in groups and watch and control your dog along the trails.
Information
on Dawson Creek
RV
Campgrounds
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