Northeast
BC Ale Trail
Prepare to be awed by Northeast BC’s vast geography. Explore the communities of Williams Lake, Quesnel, Dawson Creek, and Fort St John.
Experience rugged mountains, majestic rivers, pristine lakes, rolling prairies, and rich agricultural lands. And then celebrate with a locally brewed craft beer.
Taste the local terroir in the Peace Country communities of Fort St. John and Dawson Creek. Then head south to visit the Gold Rush Trail in Quesnel. Travel on to Williams Lake, home to a popular brewery that works hard to slake the thirst of local residents and visitors alike.
Post & Row Taphouse in Dawson Creek, BC
Downtown Quesnel, BC
Mighty Peace Brewing Co in Fort St John, BC
View over Williams Lake, BC
Mighty Peace Brewing Co in Fort St John, BC
Beards Brewing Co in Fort St John, BC
Rocky Mountains, BC
Beards Brewing Co in Fort St John, BC
Fox Mountain Brewing in Williams Lake, BC
Beards Brewing Co in Fort St John, BC
Barkerville Brewing in Quesnel, BC
Barkerville Brewing in Quesnel, BC
Fall vista in the Rocky Mountains, BC
Fox Mountain Brewing in Williams Lake, BC
Barkerville Brewing in Quesnel, BC
Fraser River Footbridge in Quesnel, BC
Mighty Peace Brewing Co in Fort St John, BC
Snowmobiling in Quesnel. (photo: Make Traxx)
Post & Row Taphouse in Dawson Creek, BC
Fox Mountain Brewing in Williams Lake, BC
Mile 0 for the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek, BC
Day 1
Fort St. John
Travel Info
Start your Northeast BC adventure in Fort St. John, an approx 5 hour drive from Prince George, and a 14 hour drive from Vancouver.
You can also fly into Fort St John, as the North Peace Airport (YXJ) is serviced by both Westjet and Air Canada.
A west coast style café that serves specialty coffees, hot breakfast, baked goods, featuring healthy and delicious food choices made from scratch with the freshest ingredients.
Tse’K’wa, or the Charlie Lake Cave archaeological site and property, is one of the few known archaeological sites in northern British Columbia that date before 11,000 years ago, and one of the even fewer with a well preserved stratigraphic record of human activities. Located on private property, visits must be arranged in advance.
Comfort, fresh, kicked-up pub food in the Pub at Charlie Lake
Founded by a full-time firefighter, Beard’s Brewing Co. has great food and a prime location right on the historic Alaska Highway.
Learn about the hard-working pioneers who built Fort St. John into what it is today. Start off at the south end of 100 Street, across from the beautiful formal gardens beside Centennial Park, and wind your way through the downtown core to view the historic panels and discover the many interesting characters that helped shape the town starting back in the 1930’s!
Mighty Peace Brewing was founded by four local friends who were inspired by the array of craft breweries opening across British Columbia and wanted to share their love of beer with the local community.
A sleek, modern design with ample amenities including kitchenette rooms, and a free full hot breakfast make this your best option for accoms in Fort St. John.
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Discover Fort St. John’s winter activities and festivals. Head outside the city and look to the skies during clear winter nights for a chance to see the bright dancing lights of the Northern Lights. Check out some of the best snow in Canada at one of the many ski resorts in the area. Attend the High on Ice Winter Festival, which features a variety of winter-themed events including professional ice carving and ice slides in Centennial Park.
No matter the season, Fort St. John has an abundance of nature and outdoor recreational opportunities. From birding to golfing, to exploring the local area through finding hidden geocaches, there’s plenty to do.
Day 2
Dawson Creek
Travel Info
Drive to Dawson Creek, an approximately 1 hour drive.
Stop in for breakfast at this cozy hidden gem serving up specialty coffee, homemade baked goods, and more.
Located in the Northern Alberta Railway Park, the Dawson Creek Art Gallery is as unique as they come! Year round exhibitions feature both local artists, traveling collections from major provincial and national galleries and an impressive photo exhibit of the building of the Alaska Highway.
Family owned and operated. Locally sourced, quality food & beverages.
Take a break from your journey, stretch your legs for an hour and experience Dawson Creek’s Pioneer and World War II history. Grab a copy of the walking tour brochure from the Dawson Creek Visitor Centre and stroll around the city’s downtown core where you will discover Dawson Creek’s historical, vibrant and rather quirky past.
Adventure up to Bear Mountain Wind Park in South Dawson to take in the 34 towering windmills and great hiking trails. Along the way, embrace the stunning views, incredible Rim Rocks and beauty of Northern BC.
Dawson Creek's local spot for good food, craft beer, and conversation.
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Experience birding in McQueen Slough, a bird lover’s paradise located in B.C.’s best waterfowl breeding habitat, just east of Dawson Creek. Learn more about all the birding opportunities in Dawson Creek.
For outdoor enthusiasts, spend a day on the snowy slopes at Bear Mountain Ski Hill, just southwest of the town centre.
Other food options: Le’s Family Restaurant for friendly service and a variety of delicious home-cooked meals using locally sourced meats and fresh ingredients. Stop in for breakfast, brunch, or dinner.
Discover more ways to experience Dawson Creek, from golfing to snowmobiling, to indoor fun at the aquatic centre or climbing wall, there’s lots to explore!
Day 3
Quesnel
Travel Info
Drive to Quesnel – it’s a 6 hour drive, so plan a pit stop as you drive through Prince George!
Comfortable eatery where home-style Greek dishes like souvlaki, calamari, mousaka, greek ribs, lamb and more are served in a elegant setting.
Head up to Wonderland for a ride on their mountain biking trails. There’s a gorgeous view of Dragon Lake waiting for you on Angry Beaver.
Stop at the Quesnel & District Museum and Archives for a little history or pick up a gold pan and map next door at the Quesnel Visitor Centre and pan for gold on the Quesnel or Fraser rivers to experience it firsthand.
If you didn’t strike it rich on the river, you can get your fill of liquid gold from this award-winning gold rush-themed brewery. They serve pizza from a local pizzeria, Red Tomato Pies, to satisfy your taste buds and fill your hunger after a busy morning.
Test your trivia and problem solving skills and try to escape one of the themed game rooms at Cariboo Escape. This is a group activity and advanced booking is required.
If there’s still enough daylight, a pleasant 1 km hike along a well-maintained trail to the viewpoint of the 12 million year old Hoodoos and other rock formations.
Enjoy the character and charm of this unique hotel, decorated in a historic style with friendly staff to boot.
Quesnel has a number of comfortable and affordable places to stay while you are visiting. We have great full service hotels with great food options and pools, as well as plenty of bed and breakfasts and affordable motels to fit anyone's budget.
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Stay another day and visit Barkerville Historic Town & Park
If you have another day (and you’ll want a whole day), take the scenic 1-hour drive to Barkerville. With over 100 preserved historic buildings, this village is a representative of the Victorian gold rush era. Actors in period costumes bring the memory of the town to life. Be sure to check in before arriving as their programming is seasonal and changes throughout the year.
Shop local: The Quesnel Farmers’ Market runs every Saturday, from May to October. Still supported by the founding farmers, market mornings start with locals hurrying to collect fresh vegetables and meat for the week, and continue after lunch as families snack and dance to live music.
Visiting Quesnel in winter? Here you’ll find a variety of activities like cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, snowmobiling and more! With endless parks and trails throughout the city and surrounding area and four lakes within 20kms, you won’t have to go far from town for a daily dose of sunshine and exercise. Full details here.
Day 4
Williams Lake
Travel Info
Stop by the Gecko Tree on Mackenzie Ave and try our their famous Hungry Hippie Breakfast plate.
Known for the over 360KM of Mountain Bike Trails, Williams Lake is quickly becoming a premier destination for all levels of Mountain Bike enthusiasts.
Enjoy a great selection of healthy options! All smoothies, soups, salads, wraps and granola are created on-site daily from scratch using fresh ingredients.
With 20 murals and counting, Williams Lake's “gallery in the streets” is a unique way to explore the city.
Drop in for a beer and a meal and stay for the sunset and friendly people. The patio offers beautiful views of Williams Lake.
Hotels, motels and B&B's, there are plenty of options in Williams Lake.
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Williams Lake is a must see stop on your adventure through the Northeast Ale Trail, and is the most southernly point to start you off on your adventure to see the splendour of BC’s untouched North East. Download the Downtown Williams Lake App, which will also help you in choosing your place to dine, and highlight the great merchants of their bustling city centre. Mornings are for bird-watching, and Scout Island Nature Reserve delivers with an incredible variety of birds and wildlife to be seen, including the beaver dams found on the walking trails. If camping is your travelling choice, book into the Williams Lake Stampede Grounds Campsite and spend the night next to sounds of horses in the near by stables. An afternoon at Williams Lake’s expansive 18 Hole Golf Course will give you some of the best views of this city that played a prominent part of establishing the historical Gold Rush Trail.
Expand your adventure by heading south to 100 Mile House and visit Cask and Cleaver Brewing. Serving up quality brews and delicious bites, the tasting room brings a rustic Cariboo vibe with a hint of an old-world feel and a splash of Norse flair.
Produced In Collaboration With
Welcome to Fort St. John! We are an energetic city, one built on hard work
and a pioneering spirit.
We also love having fun! Whether it is outdoor recreation, sports, music, the arts, history and more, if you can imagine it, chances are a local entrepreneur or organization has made it happen. Looking for the ideal restaurant for your evening out? The best places to enjoy live music? Or maybe the best hiking, fishing and camping in the region? For all these resources and more, tap into everything Fort St. John! We invite you to explore our vibrant hometown.
Welcome to the frontier between culture and wilderness, city comforts and country life. Embrace our northern hospitality and hardy pioneer spirit as you discover the many treasures in and around Dawson Creek. Explore museums, galleries, historical sites, hidden works of art, and breathtaking scenery. Our community is nestled in a rich agricultural landscape, surrounded by creeks, rivers, and small lakes. Dawson Creek offers a full range of locally owned restaurants, boutique shopping and big box stores, fine quality accommodations and famously friendly locals. We’re proud of our monumental history and love to share it with visitors through historical and cultural experiences that define the Peace River region. It all begins here in Dawson Creek, BC, Mile 0 of the world-famous Alaska Highway.
Located in the central interior of B.C., Quesnel is where nature isn’t just a part of life, it’s our way of life. With tall trees, expansive landscapes, and all-season adventure, Quesnel is a place where you can stretch your legs and your lungs and one that welcomes you with open arms.
Williams Lake is a must see stop on your adventure through the Northeast Ale Trail, and is the most southernly point to start you off on your adventure to see the splendor of BC’s untouched North East. With a plentiful selection of activities such as fishing any of the 4500 lakes, hiking to a mountain top, skiing downhill or cross-country, snowmobiling through untouched powder and canoeing or kayaking one of the canoe circuits, Williams Lake can offer everyone in the family a splendid time!