See Bears & More At Great Bear Rainforest, Here’s How To Get There
Along the north and central coast of British Columbia is a stretch of land nearly the size of Ireland that lacks roads and other forms of modern development. This place is the Great Bear Rainforest, and its inaccessibility is part of its charm, which keeps its waters clear, its air fresh, and its scenery stunning.
Travelers seeking access to the Great Bear Rainforest will encounter some challenges, but it’s an accessible region for those with the right planning. Driving into this protected area is really only possible to a limited extent. Once travelers reach peripheral cities, it’s over for their car. However, there are many ways to explore this park.
About the Great Bear Rainforest
Many travelers are probably unaware of the extent of the Great Bear Rainforest. Dominating the coast of British Columbia, the Great Bear Rainforest covers 6.4 million hectares, almost the size of Ireland. Protecting this area has become incredibly important to the local community and governing bodies.
The historic agreement to protect the Great Bear Rainforest ensures the protection of both old growth and regrowing forests in British Columbia while ensuring there are opportunities for First Nations to benefit from jobs and economic development in the region.
In 2016, the Great Bear Rainforest Land Use and Great Bear Rainforest Act decision was made to conserve 85% of forest and 70% of old growth over time. The aim of this decision was to ensure a high level of ecological integrity.
How to reach the Great Bear Rainforest
The Great Bear Rainforest has long been a popular destination for nature-loving travelers. Here they can enjoy breathtaking landscapes, waterways and a variety of wildlife. However, reaching the Great Bear Rainforest is not always easy. The vast majority of the Great Bear Rainforest has no roads, as roads only reach the surrounding towns of Port Hardy to the south and Bella Bella, Bella Coola, and Prince Rupert to the north. However, transportation to and from the Great Bear Rainforest is limited.
In the street
The beautiful town of Bella Coola generally serves as a threshold for those driving into the Great Bear Rainforest. Drivers will use Highway 20 to complete the six and a half hour drive from Williams Lake. However, driving this road is definitely part of the adventure. It was built in 1953 and currently features a 15-kilometer climb from the valley floor to the Chilcotin Plateau. In total, travelers gain 1,600 meters as they negotiate Heckman Pass and its steep inclines and switchbacks.
Other drive-in options include Prince Rupert, Kitimat, and Terrace. They all offer roads that reach the interior of British Columbia and as long as it is in the warm months of the year conditions on these roads should be good.
By train
For some, accessing the Great Bear Rainforest by rail is the best method. Available three times a week from Prince George Terrace and with regular services between Prince George and Prince Rupert, travelers have the opportunity to experience the Great Bear Rainforest scenically and from the comfort of a train. There are also special offers that take travelers through Canada’s Rockies and Pacific Coast, with an overnight stay in Prince George and along the mighty Skeena River.
By sea
Using BC Ferries is another method travelers can use to get into the Great Bear Rainforest. From mid-June to mid-September, BC Ferries offers travelers the opportunity to sail between several port cities in this region. The ferries can also take travelers from Vancouver Island to the Great Bear Rainforest, with ferries running regularly between Port Hardy and Bella Coola.
Another ferry option is to use the Discovery Coast Passage, which only includes opiates in the summer but operates between Port Hardy on the northern tip of Vancouver Island and Bella Bella, Shearwater, Klemtu, Ocean Falls, and Bella Coola. Regardless of which ferry option travelers choose, they can access the Great Bear Rainforest by sea.
Accessible airports
For travelers trying to get close to the Great Bear Rainforest before switching modes of transport, here are all the airports in the area.
- BellaBella
- Bella Coola
- Hartley Bay
- Kitimat
- ocean falls
- Prince Rupert
- Port Hardy
- Vancouver
What to do and see in the Great Bear Rainforest
The Great Bear Rainforest welcomes visitors with a variety of activities and experiences. Travelers can just be here to relax and enjoy nature. With clean air, miles of coastline to explore and the Northwest’s dense temperate rainforests, there’s just so much to explore here. For a more challenging adventure, there are hikes to explore, mountains to climb and waterways to explore. It may not be an easily accessible park, but that’s half of its charm, as so much of this beautiful place has been left untouched and is perfect for travelers to discover, regardless of which method they use to do so.