When you arrive at Bella Coola Airport or BC Ferries Terminal, a lodge representative will be waiting to greet you. They will assist you with your bags before transferring you for 45 minutes to the lodge.

If you are arriving by car, we recommend arriving no earlier than 14:00. If you arrive early, enjoy a bite to eat in the main lodge or relax with a cocktail on the sun deck.

Check-in to your chalet is at 16:00. A three-course dinner is served at 19:00 each night. 

Upon arrival at the lodge, you will receive a detailed orientation of the lodge, its amenities, and the wildlife viewing stand. Below is an example of the activities you can experience while visiting Tweedsmuir Park Lodge. Activities must be selected before arrival and are based on season. Click here for a full list of activity options. 

Approx daily schedule: 
07:00 to 08:30 Breakfast service is available
07:30 The wildlife viewing stand is open
09:00 Guided morning half-day activities begin
12:00 to 15:00 Lunch service is available
14:00 Guided afternoon half-day activities begin
16:00 to 18:00 Happy hour service is available
19:00 Three-course dinner is served
 

Half-day Atnarko Scenic River Drift:

After breakfast, prepare for a thrilling adventure in the Atnarko River. Drifting down the meandering Atnarko River, you will see lush green forests and the majestic snow-capped peaks of the Coast Range Mountains towering overhead. Serenity reigns as they relax and soak in the breathtaking scenery while remaining vigilant for sightings of bald eagles, river otters, bears, and the five species of salmon that call these waters home. Serious photographers will find this activity especially rewarding, with ample opportunities to capture stunning images. The Atnarko River's Class One waters ensure a tranquil journey devoid of the adrenaline rush of rapids, allowing guests to immerse themselves fully in the pristine environment and create unforgettable memories through photography.

Duration: 2–3 Hours
Fitness Level: Easy

Half-day Guided Interpretive Nature Walks:

Take a guided interpretive nature walk in the Bella Colla Valley as an afternoon activity. To fully appreciate this magnificent part of the world, it is best to venture out with a local guide who will draw on their own experiences and knowledge of the area. They will share information about the various temperate climate zones and their ecology. The Bella Coola Valley is among the most fascinating and biodiverse tourist destinations in the world because of all these factors combined. They will also impart their expertise on the particular flora and fauna indigenous to the region. The stories shared will help provide context for the geography and history that gave rise to this incredible landscape.

Duration: 2–3 Hours
Fitness Level: Easy

Half-day Via Ferrata Climbing Adventure:

On this day, this assisted Via Ferrata climbing experience provides participants with a spectacular self-propelled mountain adventure, stunning scenery, and an exciting feeling of exposure with low risk.
 
The team of experienced guides will ensure guests' safety and enjoyment as they navigate short rock faces, traverse thin ledges, and follow ridge lines amidst the stunning natural landscape. Each guest progresses at their own pace, maximizing their experience while maintaining safety protocols.
 
There are two trekking options: a more challenging path with two aerial wire bridge sections with overhead support cables and a moderate vertical ladder route. Based on each guest's unique preferences and abilities, the guide chooses the best route after consulting with the guest. A lookout deck providing sweeping views of the Bella Coola Valley and surrounding peaks sits at the summit of both climbing routes. Here, visitors can celebrate their climb by choosing to have a $25 per person (minimum of two people) charcuterie board with sparkling water.

Duration: 2–3 Hours
Fitness Level: Easy

Half-day Guided Bella Coola Valley Hikes:

In the afternoon, discover extraordinary hikes with the support of a local guide. These hikes are a step above your ordinary walk in the park. The scenery is jaw-dropping, and the forests and rivers remain pristine. Options include an easy stroll along the Tote Road for a glimpse into Bella Coola’s pioneering past, a moderate loop trail that follows in the footsteps of Sir Alexander Mackenzie on his epic crossing of Canada in 1793, or a vigorous and exercising climb up to elevation points to enjoy views of the valley, waterfalls, and mountain views.

All tours are led by one of the experienced local guides. They will share their interests in wildlife, geography, forest ecosystems, and photography to ensure that the guest experience is truly memorable and well-spent.  These eco-tours involve approximately 2 hours of hiking on forest trails and tracks. The pace varies from moderate to vigorous walking based on the difficulty level of the trail and the fitness level of the group.

Duration: 2–3 Hours
Fitness Level: Medium / Moderate

Full-day Highlights of the Bella Coola Valley:

The Bella Coola Valley sits at the heart of an extraordinary area with the world’s most extensive interconnected fjord system, the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest, and a dramatic mountain landscape. Its stunning scenery, which includes granite cliffs, glaciers, tumbling creeks, and pure rivers, converges. Today, a significant amount of land is protected in the form of the Great Bear Rainforest and Tweedsmuir Provincial Park.
 
The guides will explain how the landscape was shaped by the forces of nature, particularly glaciation, and how these forces continue to shape its evolution. They will also provide an overview and point out examples of human history in the valley. From totem poles and culturally modified cedar trees to the logging and commercial fishing that supported the valley’s recent economy, humankind has left its mark on the landscape. Guides will also touch on the salmon lifecycle, Nuxalk First Nations history, and the spectacular environment from the glaciated peaks down to valley bottoms.

It is not possible to see all the valley has to offer in one day, so please advise your guide of your preferences and interests, whether it be the interface of the valley with the fjords or more on the inland aspects of the valley, and they will create the perfect outing.

Duration: 5–6 Hours
Fitness Level: Easy

Full-day Guided Hike in the Rainbow Range:

The Rainbow Range hike is a 14-kilometer round-trip hike offering panoramic views of an eight-million-year-old peralkaline shield volcano. This hike has the advantage of starting at approximately 1400 meters of elevation. This allows guests to access trails above the treeline in the open alpine without first exhausting themselves by climbing hundreds of feet/meters on a gnarly approach trail.
 
The day starts with a 45-minute drive up a switchback road affectionately referred to locally as simply “The Hill.”. The elevation gain is 1400 meters up an escarpment separating the Bella Coola Valley from the Chilcotin Plateau.

The hiking trail begins by meandering through a burnt forest, then enters subalpine forests and winds past a couple of lakes before topping out above tree line with views into the volcanic and multicolored peaks of the Rainbow Range. Highlights include the profusion of wildflowers, the opportunity to observe the ecology of forest fires, swimming in the lake, the possibility of seeing marmot tracks in addition to wolf and moose tracks, and the views from the summit.

Duration: 7-8 Hours
Fitness Level: Hard / Challenging
Elevation Gain: 1,400 Meters / 4,595 feet

If you are flying back to Vancouver with Pacific Coastal Airlines, take advantage of a leisurely morning in which you can enjoy the lodge property, make use of the spa and gym, play some lawn games, or just relax before taking the shuttle back to the Bella Coola Airport for the flight back to Vancouver or to the BC Ferries Terminal.

If you are driving home, the generous hospitality team will pack you a lunch, if you would like, before wishing you the best and helping you on your way.