Rafting below Toad River Canyon, Northern BC Photo: Main Current Expeditions

The Northeast gets short shrift when it comes to river rafting; rivers farther west such as the Stikine River and the Skeena River get all the glory. But being less popular means being less crowded.

Nine-day organized rafting excursions are run on the Liard River, launching in BC at Fireside on the Alaska Highway, 40 km south of the Yukon. The Grand Canyon on the Liard River contains sections of severe rapids (Class IV and higher). The take-out for the trip is on the Grayling River, from which rafters return by air to Watson Lake or Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory.

Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial Park encompasses 665,709 hectares of wilderness in northeastern BC. It is the largest of all the parks in the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area and the third largest provincial park in BC. The area borders Stone Mountain Park to the northwest and Kwadacha Wilderness Park and Recreation Area to the southwest. In combination, these areas protect a vast portion of the northeastern mountain landscape, creating an unparalleled contiguous wilderness.

Rafting trips out of Fort Nelson are organized on the Tuchodi River, which rises in Kwadacha Wilderness Park flowing through the Tuchodi Lakes to join the Muskwa River, and the Gataga River, rising in the northern peaks of the Rocky Mountains and joining the Liard River.

Tuchodi River - Multi-day trip starting from Tuchodi Lakes (air access only) down the Tuchodi River to the Muskwa River and on to Kledo Creek boat launch which is accessible from the Alaska Highway. Muskwa River - Multi-day trip starting just below the upper canyon on the Muskwa River (air access only) to the Kledo Creek boat launch, which is accessible from the Alaska Highway. Most of the main rivers and creeks have trails that were established by guide outfitters, but few are well maintained.

The Northern Rocky Mountains Park is located approximately 90 km southwest of Fort Nelson. The Alaska Highway (# 97) runs along a portion of the northern park. Access to the park is by riverboat, horse, aircraft and foot.

Ten-day rafting expeditions are offered on the Gataga River and the upper Kechika River systems. This wild and untamed area is very remote, and the river is seldom travelled. This newly protected area supports some of the largest concentrations of large mammals in North America, earning the title Serengeti of the North. This trip uses Fort Nelson as an arrival and departure point, with transportation to and from Muncho Lake provided.

Only a few companies make regular runs in this area, but as other whitewater rivers in British Columbia become too crowded, so this may change in the northeast in the future.