Photo by Alison Karlene Hodgins

Although I was born and raised in northern Alberta, I’m a BC girl at heart. I officially traded in my license for a BC ID card over eight years ago, but even before my address legally changed to a postal code starting with V, I felt at home in the mountains, valleys, on the coastline and in the deserts of British Columbia.

Since I first started studying in Kelowna a dozen years ago to now purchasing my own condo in Coquitlam, I’ve been growing roots and extending branches as I explore this stunning province, from the borders of the Yukon and Alberta to the Pacific Ocean and the USA. I’m amazed by the plethora of outdoor adventures to be found around every new, breathtaking corner.

Here are 10 lesser-known but must-do bucket list adventures in BC.

Golden

I dare you to find a ski bum town that’s more welcoming, quintessential, cozy and absolutely smack in the middle of jaw-dropping national parks than Golden. I’ll wait. Although I’ve visited several times, to snowboard at Kicking Horse Mountain in the winter and relax in the autumn, a core memory from my college days was whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River in summer. Jumping into the giant, bright yellow inflatable raft, our group paddling down rushing water, bumping over rapids and cresting up waves. My adrenalin spiked, especially when we decided to plunge into the icy water near the end of the adventure. To cap it off, one of the contestants from the Amazing Race Canada was our guide.

Yoho National Park

Photo by Alison Karlene Hodgins

Although Yoho National Park has been on my bucket list for years, I only recently visited Emerald Lake*. *The little sister of Banff, Yoho is wilder, just as beautiful and significantly less crowded than other Rocky Mountain parks. My partner and I cozied up in Emerald Lake Lodge to celebrate our five-year anniversary as the first fluffy snowflakes of the season softly fell and the turquoise, clear lake calmed to a mirror. We hiked the trail around the lake, admiring the frost clinging to yellow leaves and icy pine needles. In the summer, you can rent a canoe and paddle out; in winter, snuggle up around your fire as thick layers of snow blanket the frozen lake.

Quadra Island

Photo by Alison Karlene Hodgins

While completing my journalism degree many years ago, I visited a friend who was born on Quadra Island. I was struck by the beauty, isolation, quaintness and quietness of this remote area surrounded by nature. Only a 10-minute ferry ride from Campbell River on Vancouver Island, the artistic, adventurous communities of the Discovery Islands are bursting with colour: deep blue ocean hues, vibrant green flora. We hiked the Spit Trail, walking a thin stretch of land with the salty sea on either side in Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park.

Kamloops

I lived in Kamloops for two years while I completed my Journalism Degree at Thompson Rivers University. The hilly, desert-like city is often compared to Kelowna—just dryer and colder—so some people don’t always see the value in staying awhile. They’re missing out. In my experience, the warm, welcoming, community sets it apart—as does the mountain biking scene. From the pump track at the Bike Ranch to narrow trails bursting through thick trees, there are plenty of options for all levels to keep you racing on two wheels.

Liard River Hot Springs

Photo by Alison Karlene Hodgins

This summer, I road tripped from Whitehorse to northern BC with one clear goal in mind: to soak in the second largest hot springs in Canada. I’d dreamed of visiting Liard River Hot Springs for years, but the 1,900-kilometre (roughly 21 hour) drive from Vancouver is quite the undertaking. From Teslin, Yukon, it was a five-hour drive to the provincial park. We stayed at the forested campground to visit the hot springs at opening and closing (7 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.). We melted in the gently moving soft springs, smooth stones beneath our feet. The 42 C water temperature was luxurious. Admission to the hot springs is included for campers; the natural springs are open year-round and look stunning with a snow-clad backdrop in winter.

Muncho Lake

Photo by Alison Karlene Hodgins

Just 56 kilometres south of Liard River Hot Springs, you’ll find Northern Rockies Lodge. The spacious, warm and welcoming lodge is a gorgeous log cabin on the shores of Muncho Lake, which has the prettiest waters we’ve seen on our northern BC road trip—and considering how beautiful the lakes are up here, that’s saying a lot. Canoeing on Muncho Lake was a Caribbean-esc dream. Our red canoe was the only one floating on the massive, 12-kilometre-long, teal-tinted turquoise surface; opal-sheen highlights of the lonely waves our paddles sliced through sparkled in the sunlight as we approached a tiny island speckled with bird’s eggs.

Kaslo

Snuggled on the shores of Kootenay Lake, Kaslo is a quintessential charming small town—without a Starbucks in sight. Soak in views of the valley, Selkirk and Purcell Mountains and the S.S. Moyie, the world’s oldest intact sternwheeler. The River Trail features spectacular sculptures and the snow-capped mountains are perfect for powder hounds dreaming of cat and Heli skiing or cross-country skiing adventures. When I was much younger, I attended the Jazz Festival with my family. Watching Colin James perform on a floating stage with my toes in the sand is a core childhood memory.

Kinuseo Falls

Photo by Alison Karlene Hodgins

On the plaque at the viewing platform of Kinuseo Falls in Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark, a 1914 quote reads, “[The falls] are fine enough if they were accessible, to be a sight such as tourists would travel a long distance to see.” For many tourists, Monkman Provincial Park is simply too off the beaten path—which makes it an uncrowded paradise for the few lucky who journey to see this stunning cacophony of water. Growing up in Grande Prairie, Alberta, it was a doable 244-kilometre (one-way) day trip. Nature’s power, beauty and prowess is on full display at this 70-metre-high waterfall—slightly taller than Niagara Falls.

Penticton

Photo by Alison Karlene Hodgins

One of my fondest childhood memories is cycling the Kettle Valley Railroad with my dad as part of a family summer camp in Naramata. Although the camp has long since closed, last autumn I visited Penticton with my partner and we went biking on the deconstructed railroads once again. We rented ebikes to breeze past vineyards and breweries, stopping for a quick cold beer and wine tasting—an adult version of my cherished juvenile escapades. The KVR stretches for 650 kilometres from Hope to Castlegar and is a multi-use recreational trail with less than a 2.2 per cent grade. We cycled 32 kilometres on the flat trail to Little Tunnel and back for an enjoyable day of sightseeing and adventure.

Sechelt

Photo by Alison Karlene Hodgins

I feel strange leaving Vancouver Island off this list, but it’s relatively well-known, and I must admit: I prefer a quick visit to the coast that’s “not an island.” The Sunshine Coast is a gorgeous, oceanfront community only a short ferry ride away from Horseshoe Bay. Stay in my favourite town Sechelt, hike the Pender Hill Trail for amazing views, then indulge in relaxation at the Painted Boat Spa. Explore the welcoming community, browsing Tailwinds Bookstore and eating a lip-smacking good cheeseburger at PKLS Burger, before taking the (free!) ferry back.

I hope you got something from this list. Maybe you learned the name of a new destination or discovered a unique activity to try. Maybe you’ve done all of this and more. Maybe it’s inspired you to explore your own backyard. There are plenty more British Columbia adventures I could have covered—I hope to keep experiencing more of this stunning province.

READ MORE: Adventure, British Columbia, British Columbia Trails

Alison Karlene Hodgins

Alison Karlene Hodgins is the Managing Editor, Content & Community for explore magazine. As a freelance writer, she has been published by The Globe and Mail, CBC, Paddling Magazine, HI Hostels, Insider, Fodor’s and The Huffington Post. She has a Writing and Publishing Diploma, a Bachelor of Journalism and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction. You can find her on the top of a mountain, reading travel literature on the beach or sipping a coffee in a quirky cafe, especially if there’s a band with a banjo playing. She is passionate about ethical tourism, outdoor adventure and learning to appreciate your own backyard. Follow her adventures on Instagram: @alisonkarlenehodgins

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