12 Off-The-Grid British Columbia Towns To Visit In 2025
British Columbia is not just Canada’s westernmost province, but also the province with Canada’s Pacific coast, the largest island of the Americas, and some of Canada’s tallest mountains. British Columbia (or BC) may be best known for the vibrant and diverse city of Vancouver, but there’s even more to discover beyond the Lower Mainland. Not only does BC have glorious mountain towns for skiing and hiking, but it also has some of Canada’s best surfing beaches, a growing wine country region, and a surprising hot springs oasis.
Though BC has some world-class and world-famous destinations worth visiting, this province also abounds in delightful hidden gems. With this in mind, let’s check out 12 off-the-grid British Columbia towns to visit in 2025.
Smithers
Located in Northern BC’s Bulkley Valley, Smithers is a highly underrated alpine playground. Thanks to Smithers’ northern latitude, the Hudson Bay Mountain ski area tends to enjoy a long ski season. Even when the snow is all melted, Hudson Bay Mountain opens up for summertime hiking, biking, and trail running. For more mighty mountain trails to hike, go east to Babine Mountains Provincial Park and enjoy wondrous views of jagged peaks, glacier-fed lakes, and wildlife like mountain goats, moose, and marmots.
Closer to town, hit The Bluffs trail for some of the area’s best mountain biking terrain, and head to the Bulkley River to do some river fishing for salmon, rainbow trout, and other fish. If you prefer some more laid-back recreation, Smithers even has a golf club available to book for tee times. Once you’re finally ready to call it a day, kick back for the evening at the family-owned and operated Stork Nest Inn that provides cozy digs in the heart of town.
Fraser Lake
Fraser Lake may be located on the Yellowhead Highway that runs from Central BC all the way east to Winnipeg (Manitoba), but we promise this town is definitely worth the stop. Start at this town’s namesake lake, which has nearly 20 kilometres (or 12 miles) of shoreline and three sandy beaches for swimming, paddling, and windsurfing. At the east end of the lake, Beaumont Provincial Park has a prime beach for swimming and sunbathing, and it’s where you can catch the Fraser Mountain Trail for challenging hikes up the mountain.
If you crave even more quality time at the lake, just head south to Francois Lake Provincial Park for another beautiful mountain lake that’s great for boating, fishing, and wildlife watching (especially moose). And if you’re visiting during the summer season, you can also book a stay at the classic cabin-style Nithi on the Lake resort.
Telegraph Creek
Sitting at the confluence of Telegraph Creek and the Stikine River in Northern British Columbia, the town of Telegraph Creek (also known as Tlēgōhīn) lets visitors step back in time and wander into wonderful wilderness. Long part of a Tāłtān First Nation settlement, Telegraph Creek experienced an influx of prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush. The Stikine Museum is a good place to begin exploring the region’s history, and the town has a handful of other historic structures that have withstood the many tests of time since the 19th century.
To get a better sense of what Telegraph Creek is about, head out to experience the Tahltan Highlands’ greatest outdoors. At Mount Edziza Provincial Park, hike one or multiple mountain trails and try some backcountry camping. A little farther north, Atlin/Áa Tlein Téix̱’i Provincial Park has plenty of incredible alpine wilderness worth exploring, especially during the summer season when the days are incredibly long. Back in town, the Old Hudson’s Bay Trading Post is now the River Song Cafe & Lodge, a very warm and welcoming place to rest, refresh, and refuel between all those Northern BC adventures.
Charlie Lake
The famed Alaska Highway runs through the town of Charlie Lake, yet this is another roadside town that can provide far more than just a brief rest stop. Of course, this town sits on the southern shores of Charlie Lake, and Charlie Lake Provincial Park is picture-perfect for a fun day full of canoeing and kayaking, swimming, fishing, disc golf, and even horseshoe tossing (with designated horseshoe pits at the park). In addition, Beatton Provincial Park on the east side of the lake is great for all sorts of watersports, including paddling, waterskiing, and windsurfing.
Even beyond the actual lake, there’s more to discover around Charlie Lake. On the south end of town, Tse'K'wa National Historic Site of Canada is a rare archaeological site containing remnants of a First Nations indigenous settlement that existed as far back as 12,000 years ago. Meanwhile, to the north of town sits Lake Point Golf & Country Club, an expansive course offering up to 18 holes of golf. And just a short drive away is the Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Centre Fort St. John, a convenient and comfortable spot to unwind after a busy day at the lake.
Valemount
Just west of Jasper National Park (and the Alberta provincial line) lies another gorgeous expanse of the Canadian Rockies, and the BC town of Valemount is at the center of it all. Not only is Valemount the closest BC town to Jasper National Park, but it’s also right at the foot of Mount Robson Provincial Park. This park is UNESCO-recognized for its exceptional natural beauty, and it just so happens to include the Canadian Rockies’ highest summit (at 3,954 metres, or 12,972 feet, above sea level) at Mount Robson. At this park, you can hike the Berg Lake Trail all the way to Jasper National Park, plus horseback riding is allowed on other designated trails, and Yellowhead Lake is open for swimming, paddling, and fishing.
Heading into town, Valemount has even more to explore. Go to Valemount Bike Park for exceptional trails specially designed for mountain biking. Check out George Hicks Regional Park to find a prime viewing area for spawning chinook salmon every summer. Oh, and make sure to check into the Dreamcatcher Inn for lodge suites and private chalets with all the creature comforts you need.
Lillooet
Along the western bank of the Fraser River, Lillooet is a former mining town that now abounds in multicultural heritage and contemporary creativity. To better understand Lillooet’s backstory, stop at the Lillooet Museum to tour a former Anglican church full of First Nations historic artifacts and vintage mining materials. Also check out the Miyazaki House, a late 19th-century Victorian house where Dr. Masajiro Miyazaki embarked on a new life in town following his and other Japanese Canadians’ forced internment during World War II.
To experience some of what’s happening in Lillooet today, visit the Community Connect Innovation HUB to find a store showcasing local artisan goods and a calendar full of community art shows and workshops. For even more locally made goods, see the variety of natural and organic foods, First Nations-made artisan goods, and other locally made clothing and jewelry at K.C. Health & Gifts. When you’re up for some more adventures outside, head over to Seton Lake for hiking, paddling, and fishing. Once it’s time to call it a day, do stay at the conveniently cozy Reynolds Hotel in town.
Pemberton
About 155 kilometres (or 97 miles) north of Vancouver, Pemberton is an incredible mountain town with all sorts of year-round recreational opportunities. For starters, Pemberton has a great selection of hiking trails, including Lumpy’s Epic Trail to Signal Hill Mountain, the wheelchair-accessible One Mile Lake Loop, and the beautiful waterfall views at Nairn Falls. Lumpy’s Epic Trail is also great for mountain biking, and Pemberton is quickly becoming a top destination for mountain bikers with a much more extensive network of trails (including the recently opened NIMBY and Stimulus Package trail systems) worth riding.
There’s even more to experience around Pemberton off the trails, including the Big Sky Golf Course and Sunstone Golf Club at the base of Mount Currie. For fun times at the water, try the relaxing sandy beaches at One Mile Lake, or go fishing at Nairn Falls Provincial Park. And for a great mountain chalet-style bed-and-breakfast in Pemberton, check into the lovely Greenwood Country Inn.
Revelstoke
Whistler may be BC’s most famous ski town, but don’t skip the high-quality, high-altitude amenities and attractions at Revelstoke. Though Revelstoke Mountain Resort is closed for skiing during the summer season, it is open for mountain biking, hiking at the Mountain Highline Trail, and riding the Pipe Mountain Coaster. Just to the east of town is Mount Revelstoke National Park, which includes a variety of hiking trails through rare inland temperate rainforests and high up the Selkirk Mountains. And at Lake Revelstoke, enjoy a lovely alpine lake for boating, paddling, and fishing.
In town, Revelstoke has even more to offer visitors, including tee times at Revelstoke Golf Club and rock climbing at Big Eddy Recreation Site by the Columbia River. After a long day exploring the mountains and the wilderness, feel free to settle down for a restful night at the Courthouse Inn at the heart of town.
Kimberley
Nestled between the Purcell Mountains and the Canadian Rockies in southeastern British Columbia, Kimberley is a historic mining town that doesn’t shy away from its hardscrabble roots, even as it’s now emerging as a year-round outdoor playground. If you’d like to step back into Kimberley’s past, stop at the Kimberley Heritage Museum for a robust assortment of historic artifacts and records. Also, make sure to visit the Kimberley Underground Mining Railway to ride an old-school mine train into the historic Sullivan Mine.
To the west of the historic town centre is Kimberley Nature Park, BC’s largest municipal park (at 840 hectares) and a large expanse of public lands with extensive hiking trails, mountain bike paths, and pristine habitats that are great for wildlife viewing. (Black bears, red squirrels, woodpeckers, and mallards are just a few of the animal species that call this park home.) To the east of town, Hahas Lake is a lovely hidden gem for camping and boating. And back in town, The Larix is a chic boutique hotel that provides easy access to all the amenities of Kimberley’s town centre, along with some of the town’s great hiking trails.
Lake Country
About 23 kilometres (or 14 miles) north of Kelowna, Lake Country really lives up to its name with its beautiful shores along Okanagan Lake and its delectable wine country charm. Starting with the lake, Pebble Beach is an ideal spot for an easy-breezy beach day and great for swimming, kayaking, and picnics. In addition, Lake Country provides public lake access at Coral Beach, Gable Beach, Fourth Street Beach, and Okanagan Centre Safe Harbour Regional Park. If you prefer staying dry, Lake Country also has the Okanagan Centre Beach Trail for walking and running by the lake, along with plenty more hiking trails a few blocks inland at Jack Seaton Park.
Thanks to the area’s sunny, mild, and semi-dry climate, Lake Country is part of one of BC’s most fruitful wine country regions. For a taste of the local bounty, go with a designated driver to try the pioneering Pinot Gris at Gray Monk Estate Winery, the unique selection of sparkling wines at Arrowleaf Cellars, and the fascinating variety of Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Malbec, and other varietals at Ex Nihilo. And for a curiously woodsy wine country getaway, check into the Oyama Lake Eco Lodge, get a private cabin, and take advantage of their own expansive shores at Oyama Lake.
Harrison Hot Springs
Take the Trans-Canada Highway and go for about 133 kilometres (or 83 miles) east of Vancouver, and you should land at the wonderfully refreshing village of Harrison Hot Springs. As the name suggests, the local Sts’ailes First Nations people have enjoyed the local hot springs for thousands of years, and white settlers began to find out about them in the 19th century. In town, Harrison Hot Springs Resort has five spring-fed thermal pools to soak in.
Just outside town, the Harrison River Valley allows for even more aquatic adventures. Go to Sasquatch Provincial Park for prime fishing, paddling, and boating conditions at Harrison Lake. If you really want something off the grid, drive a 4x4 vehicle to Hale Creek for one of the Lower Mainland’s cleanest and most pristine freshwater beaches. Back in town, Harrison Hot Springs Resort not only has all those hot springs pools to dip into, but also a nice selection of rooms and suites to stay in.
Tofino
Located on the lush, verdant Pacific Coast of Vancouver Island, Tofino may be very rainy, but there’s no need to rain on the parade of incredible activities available at sea. Let’s start with the beaches in town: Tonquin Beach is the closest to the centre of town, and it’s nice for tidepooling and easy strolls on the sand. Further south is Mackenzie Beach, a sheltered beach with perfectly calm water for swimming and paddling. (Keep in mind that Pacific Ocean currents tend to stay cool year-round at the BC Coast.) At the south end of town, Cox Bay is a gorgeous white sand beach with larger waves suitable for surfing.
A little farther south, you will find Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, a great expanse of coastal temperate rainforests with the world-renowned, 75-kilometre (or about 47-mile) long West Coast Trail open for hiking. In addition, you can learn more about the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations people and culture at the Kwisitis Visitor Centre, and you can paddle your way to the Broken Group Islands for some exceptional backcountry camping. Of course, Pacific Rim National Park may have Canada’s best surfing beaches at Long Beach and Florencia Bay. Heading back towards town, the Long Beach Lodge Resort is Tofino’s premier boutique luxury hotel with a prime location at Cox Bay, an in-house Surf Club school, and a relaxing full-service Rainforest Spa.
Go Off The Grid And Catch Onto British Columbia’s Finest Towns To Visit
British Columbia certainly has wonderful cities like Vancouver, Victoria, and Kelowna that have plenty to offer visitors, but there’s even more to explore off the grid in BC’s smaller towns. All across the province, you will find spots like Fraser Lake and Charlie Lake that abound in freshwater fun. In addition, mountain towns like Valemount and Revelstoke are perfect for exhilarating hiking and biking expeditions. And at Tofino, discover a temperate rainforest oasis with several of Canada’s top surfing beaches. With so many great towns worth visiting, BC really does prove that there are hidden gems awaiting your discovery once you start to venture off the beaten path.
