8 Storybook Towns In British Columbia
You know how live-action fairytale movies always start with a wide shot of an incredibly dramatic landscape? Flying over or driving across British Columbia feels like that. You pass along the unpredictable Pacific Ocean or drive beneath the shadow of snowy Rocky Mountain peaks before reaching some of the most storybook-worthy towns in the whole of Canada. These towns are gateways to ‘magical’ ancient forests and historic hot springs. You can explore history and modern amenities throughout, without losing that sense of being inside a real-life fairy tale. If this is something you want to experience for yourself, start with these eight storybook towns below.
Nelson
The tiny town of Nelson’s downtown area spans just seven blocks, but in these blocks, you will find more charm and fantastic views than you perhaps thought possible. Nelson sits within the Selkirk and Purcell Mountains, creating a storybook backdrop as you walk down Baker Street to see the historic architecture of old buildings converted into modern shops. Down Vernon Road, you will find a magnificent building that holds the Touchstone Museum of History and Art. There are rotating art exhibits here and historical pieces dating back many decades.
If you want to stretch your legs a bit further than just going around the downtown blocks, take a hike up to Pulpit Rock to enjoy views of Kootenay Lake and the town far below. When you get back down, you can visit Ainsworth Hot Springs, which sits on the lake and is less than an hour away from town. If you prefer to stay in town throughout your visit, you can go canoeing or paddleboarding on the lake as you watch the sun go down.
Fort Langley
Fort Langley is located on the south bank of the Fraser River in the Township of Langley in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. It is around 48 kilometers away from Vancouver, making it the perfect weekend getaway. This pretty village is as historic as it is storybookish, so your first stop should be Fort Langley National Historic Site. You can watch historic reenactments here or join a history workshop. You can even camp inside an oTENTik, a replica of a 19th-century Canadian fort.
At the BC Farm Museum on King Street, you can see pioneer artifacts, including a WWI cavalry saddle and steam engines. And, at the striking CN Station, you can take a couple of incredible selfies. This station was built in 1915 for the Canadian Northern Railway, allowing people to take the train to and settle in Fort Langley. You can also visit the Fort Langley Historical Museum, where you can hike the 8-kilometer trail all the way to the site of the original fort near Derby Reach Regional Park.
Revelstoke
Revelstoke is another mountain town that seems to have been plucked from the pages of a fairytale. The town is situated between the Selkirk and Monashee mountain ranges along the Columbia River. It is a must-stop if you are traveling between Vancouver and Calgary, especially since it is home to the Meadows in the Sky Parkway, something everyone should experience at least once. The parkway is a 26-kilometer paved route that stretches from Highway 1 through thick forests into Mount Revelstoke’s alpine slopes. Also, you can stop at viewing platforms or hike short trails. At the end of the parkway is a summit hiking area with a trail to a historic fire tower.
For something a little bit different and highly exhilarating, book your seat on the Pipe Mountain Coaster, which takes you down the slopes at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. The best part of this coaster is that you can go as fast as you like, since each car has controllable brakes. If you are after an even more intense adrenaline rush, you can go paragliding for a bird's-eye view of the breathtaking landscape below.
Gibsons
If you prefer sea, sand, and sunshine in your fairytales, Gibsons is the place to be. For most visitors, Gibsons is their first glimpse of Canada’s Sunshine Coast, and it is located only 40 minutes from West Vancouver by ferry. You can write your own fantastical story at the Gibsons Landing waterfront as you watch the boats bobbing on the water and have lunch while enjoying the views of Howe Sound.
If you prefer to be in the water and not on the sidelines, you can paddle or kayak to Keats Island or Gambier Island for a scenic adventure. Or you can stay where you are and enjoy an incredibly delicious burger at the famous Molly’s Reach, which was used as a filming location for The Beachcombers. Afterwards, you can explore the clear water of Armours Beach or check out the historic exhibits at the Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives.
Tofino
Tofino is one of those extraordinary places you have to see in person to appreciate fully. This beautiful town sits on Vancouver Island’s west coast and forms part of the territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. It is also within the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, where wolves and bears roam, and whales and sea otters frolic in the sea.
If you are a surfer, you will not want to miss out on the waves in Tofino. During the summer, you can catch some of the best surfing waves in the world here. If you do not surf, you can kayak along the tidal areas and in the bay, or go fishing from a boat. Between June and September, you might also spot orca pods or grey whales in the water. You can also wake up to the sound of crashing waves when you camp at Green Point in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. The park features the Rainforest Trail and Lighthouse Loop, as well as the South Beach Trail, which may seem very familiar if you have seen New Moon.
Kaslo
Kaslo lies along Kootenay Lake’s western shore and overlooks the Purcell Mountains. Here, you can take the Riverside Trail, which crosses a covered bridge (built with donations received from around the world) and passes several sculptures and statues in the forest. There is a protected swimming area by the lake where you can cool off after your hike, or you can head to Fletcher Falls just outside of town. You can pitch a tent for free next to the lake if you want to spend the night.
Kaslo goes full fairytale every February with the Winter in the Forest Festival at the local airstrip. This family-friendly event includes woodsman sports, cross-country skiing, snow painting, and maple taffy on the snow. While you are in town, remember to stop by the S.S. Moyie Historical Site, where you will find the oldest intact passenger sternwheeler in the world.
Fernie
You will find the small mountain town of Fernie in the Lizard Range of the Canadian Rockies in the Elk Valley. As you drive into Fernie from the Crowsnest Highway, you will see the Visitor Information Center. There is a short hike here that ends at a stunning waterfall that would not be out of place in an old storybook. This might inspire you to drive ten minutes south of town before entering the town to experience the ancient Cottonwood Trail in a forest of 400-year-old black cottonwood trees.
When you get into Fernie, you can book a room at the rustic Island Lake Lodge with the Lizard Range towering over it. You might also spot a moose or two in the area, so be sure to keep your distance. And, if Fernie is not fairytale-like enough for you, you might change your mind when you take the Goldilocks Trail, which leads to the saddle between the Baby Bear and Papa Bear peaks. Keep in mind that this trail is meant for experienced hikers.
Smithers
Smithers is a storybook town for all seasons. In the summer, you can hike the Ganokwa Falls Trail in the Babine Mountains Provincial Park. Be careful as you reach the end of the trail, as it walks along the edge of a cliff. There is also a waterfall here that drops down a couple of hundred feet. If you choose to hike the trail in winter, take extra care because it can become very icy and slippery. Harvey Mountain is also in the park and takes you through a stunning forested area. A couple of minutes away from town, you can swim and paddleboard at Tyhee Lake or take a boat out on the water.
At Witset Campground and Museum, you can explore the town’s history and see the breathtaking Witset Falls. Fishermen tie themselves to the rocks here while dipnetting for salmon, which makes for quite the sight. During the fall, you can try your own hand at fishing for steelhead in the Bulkley River. Stick around for the Bulkley Valley Exhibition and Fall Fair held at the Smithers Fall Fair Ground. The fair includes a rodeo, rodeo dance, midway rides, a parade, and live music.
The Lasting Appeal Of Storybook Towns
Your trip through British Columbia will stay with you for many years. There is so much to see and explore that you will also likely be compelled to return sooner rather than later. You do not need a storybook or movie screen to find a little magic on your BC trip. All you need to do is travel with your eyes and mind wide open, and you will find more magic than you expect. From the rugged shores to snow-dusted peaks, this part of Canada offers you heaps of small-town charm and wild nature with a little of the fantastical sprinkled in between. So hit the road and go see for yourself the West Coast adventures that await.
