Ancient Forest Park (Chun T’oh Whudujut) near Prince George, B.C., may be the province’s newest park, but its trees are far from it. Protecting one of the world’s last stands of inland temperate rainforest on the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, the park is a magical place to explore and preserve.
2,000-year-old trees
As you wander the boardwalk path past ancient western redcedars, you’ll feel the immense power and history of this remarkable rainforest. According to Northeast BC Tourism, some of the park’s oldest trees have been around a whopping 2,000 years!
As such, B.C. Parks has installed universally accessible boardwalks that meander between the ancient giants, leading visitors to ones that are both breathtaking in age and height.
These include what B.C. Parks calls “Big” Tree, Tree Beard, and Radies Tree.
Visitors can also spot a biodiverse array of other plants, mosses, lichens, and fungi.
Universally accessible boardwalk
The 450-metre-long boardwalk provides ample opportunity for visitors of all abilities to get up close and personal with these magnificent trees.
Note that the boardwalks may be slippery this time of year due to wet conditions, so prepare with proper footwear and proceed with caution.
Finally, experienced hikers can embark on the Driscoll Ridge Trail, a 15.5 km long loop that brings visitors to the ridge line on the south side of the park, described as “strenuous” by B.C. Parks.
So there you have it, big tree lovers. Spring is a great time to visit these towering trees and chase a couple of waterfalls in between. Get ready to explore, and don’t forget to bring your own drinking water for this adventure.
How to get there: Drive 8 hours and 50 minutes from Vancouver via BC-5 North.
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