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Hazelton
The Hazelton area is comprised of three small communities called:
Village of Hazelton, referred to as Old Hazelton; District of New
Hazelton and the unincorporated settlement of South Hazelton. The
Hazeltons are located 290 km (180 miles) east of Prince
Rupert and 60 km (45 miles) west of Smithers
on Hwy 16.
Gitksan
and Wet'suwet'en First Nations
The region around New Hazelton is the traditional lands of Gitksan
and Wet'suwet'en First Nations. The abundant salmon, wildlife and
natural resources made the Hazelton area an excellent place for
habitation for thousands of years.
Collins
Overland Telegraph Line
The Hazelton area has played an important role in British Columbia's
historical past. The first Europeans arrived around 1866 in Hazelton
when the Collins Overland Telegraph Line went through.
Gold
Rush Era
Hazelton provided a terminus for materials and workers passing through
en-route into the Atlin
and Cassiar regions.
Later, during the gold rush era, people passed through Hazelton
en-route to the gold fields to the Omineca Region.
Roche
de Boule
Surrounding New and South Hazelton is the incredible Roche de Boule
mountain range. This Roche de Boule range forms just west of Smithers
near Trout Creek and extends past South Hazelton to Kitseguecla.
The view of 2,076 metre (6,811 feet) Hagwilget Peak from Hazelton
will take your breath away.
Visitor
Info Centre
When you're at New Hazelton look for the Visitor Centre on the west
side of town near the Chevron station. Look for the signs and directions
for the Kispiox Valley and Old Hazelton on the New Hazelton Hi-Level
Rd. You will find the Canyon Bridge approximately 3 km (2 miles)
from Hwy 16.
Bulkley
River Canyon Bridge
One of the best spots for you to get a view or camera shot is across
the Bulkley River from New Hazelton in Two Mile. This involves going
across the famous one-lane Bulkley River Canyon Bridge over the
Bulkley Canyon towards 'Ksan Centre and the Village of Hazelton.
The suspension bridge has a span length of 140 metres (459 feet)
and a height 80 metres (262 feet) over the Bulkley River
Excellent
Viewpoint
Once you're over the Canyon Bridge carefully watch the traffic and
pull over. There is an excellent viewpoint of the bridge, Bulkley
River to where it almost joins the Skeena River, Canyon Hagwilget
Peak and the rest of the Roche de Boule.
'Ksan
Historical Village and Museum
If you carry on past the Canyon Bridge, the 'Ksan Historical Village
and Museum is along the way by another 3 km (2 miles). It is located
very close to where the Skeena and Bulkley Rivers meet. Allow yourself
some time for 'Ksan especially if you are interested in First Nation
culture, art and tradition.
'Old
Town'
Just past 'Ksan by around 1.6 km (1 mile) is historic Old Hazelton
or affectionately called 'Old Town.' Old Hazelton maintains the
look and feel of a frontier town from the past. In the 1890s, riverboats
working the Skeena, delivered supplies to Hazelton for the various
merchants, expediters and pack train operators.
Village
of Hazelton
Today in the Village of Hazelton you'll find the services of restaurants,
grocery store, hospital, liquor store, pub, post office, library,
several government offices and a coffee shop called Mercedes Beans.
You can also find a pedestrian walkway featuring several viewpoints
situated next to the banks of the Skeena River.
Kispiox
River
The Hazelton area is also the site where the Kispiox River flows
into the Skeena River. If you like to fish, the Kispiox River will
offer you a great variety of fishing including excellent fly-fishing
opportunities. You'll find the trip up into the Kispiox Valley very
beautiful with mountain views and incredible wildlife.
Kispiox
The Kispiox Valley Road is located just off the New Hazelton Hi-Level
Road near the provincial government buildings just before 'Ksan
at the Gitanmaax Food & Fuel Esso Convenience Store. From here
you travel north along the Kispiox Valley Road to the First Nations
village of Kispiox.
Kispiox
Valley Road
For the more adventures after you leave Kispiox continue on the
Kispiox Valley Road all the way to Hwy 37. The gravel forestry road
will come out by Swan Lake-Kispiox River Provincial Park just north
of the Cranberry Junction on Hwy 37. Please remember there is active
logging going on the Kispiox Valley Road so be prepared.
Hazelton
Information
Accommodation
Kispiox
Valley
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