Northeastern British Columbia’s Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark is one of five of these sites in Canada. UNESCO works with 50 different countries to help manage and conserve over 200 different geoparks around the world. The main reason for protecting these other areas is their unique natural history, geology, and significance to the area or the world. From the UNESCO Global Geoparks, researchers and scientists have gathered seemingly endless amounts of information about the Earth’s history.
Credit: Destination BC/Jesaja Class
The Canadian Global Geoparks include Discovery (NL), Cliffs of Fundy (NS), Percé (QC), Stonehammer (NB), and Tumbler Ridge, making this BC Geopark the only one to visit west of Quebec!
At 8478 km2 (or ~2.1 million acres), Tumbler Ridge is, by far, the largest UNESCO Geopark in Canada. The town of Tumbler Ridge sits central to this expansive area with the park’s eastern edge at the Alberta border, and the western edge at the Hole in the Wall Provincial Park and Sukunka Valley. In the other direction, Tumbler Ridge Geopark spans from Wapiti Lake in the south to Gwillim Lake in the north.
The Significance of Tumbler Ridge
Each UNESCO Geopark is protected and designated due to various types of geological history revealed in the area’s rocks, riverbeds, waterfalls, canyons, cliffs, and coastlines. And the sites of significance around Tumbler Ridge reveal history from up to 60million years ago. Within the park, and visible to the public, are actual dinosaur tracks and a bed of bones, which have been locked in time since the Cretaceous period.
There are several, and much larger, pieces of evidence of the planet’s natural and geological history all over Tumbler Ridge. These include many of the peaks, like Shark’s Fin in Monkman Provincial Park, Pinnacle Peak, or Tunnel Mountain. Get all the close-up views with visits to Tumbler Ridge Geopark’s top geological sites that are made publicly accessible, including the local museum.
Tumbler Ridge’s Must-Visit Geological Sites
The Tumbler Ridge Museum, right in town, is a perfect starting place for any type of adventure around the Geopark. Browse the Museum’s Dinosaur Discovery Gallery or book a spot on one of the summer Dinosaur Trackway Tours. After the museum, consider visiting one, some, or all of Tumbler Ridge’s geological sites to learn even more about BC’s natural history.
Shipyard-Titanic Trail/Credit: Destination BC/Jesaja Class
- There are two incredible alpine hikes to some of Tumbler Ridge’s most scenic lakes: Bootski and Windfall Lakes. These are both day-hikes at 10-11km round-trip and provide some of the most peaceful hiking in all of BC.
- The 4km looping trail around The Stone Corral at Monkman Provincial Park offers up-close views of the towering limestone cliffs and walls, as well as the opportunity to climb above and look out over the rock formations.
- The Boulder Gardens are exactly as named, but are a bit more impressive than they sound from that name alone! The hike to the Gardens and back is a moderate 4km (out-and-back) trek with a few sections of steeper climbing. Also on the trail will be the Babcock Falls. The trail also reveals numerous rock and boulder formations in all sorts of sizes, including some as large as cars or trucks.
- Another option is the Shipyard-Titanic Trail, at Babcock Mountain’s base, which showcases unique rock towers, including the Titanic formation resembling a sinking ship. You can enjoy stunning views, with the shorter Tarn and Towers Trail offering tarns and a viewpoint beneath Armada Ridge’s towers.
- It is a lengthy full-day hike out to Bergeron Falls, but it is worth the effort! The 11km looping trail will lead past great views of the spectacular waterfall.
- In 2000, a couple of local boys happened upon a wild discovery on the outskirts of Tumbler Ridge: two separate sets of dinosaur tracks! This area is known as the Flatbed Valley Geosites with a 1km trail leading to Flatbed Falls, and another 2km leading to the Flatbed pools, where you see the dinosaur tracks.
- The Monkman Cascades and Lake, while accessible, do require a 50km out-and-back trek through the wilderness, and therefore, require backcountry hiking and camping experience. Despite the challenges of the trail, like rocky sections or its length, the Monkman Cascades trail is still quite popular in the warm months.
Waterfall Trails around Tumbler Ridge
These waterfalls around the large park are, for the most part, near the town of Tumbler Ridge. Plus, these may already be on your list of things to see as part of the views at those must-visit geosites.
Credit: Northern BC Tourism/Abby Cooper
- All within a short drive from the town of Tumbler Ridge, or right in town, are four different waterfalls to see! These include Bergeron Falls, the furthest as an 11km loop, as well as Quality Falls (2.5km out-and-back), Flatbed Falls (1km out-and-back), and the Mini Falls.
- Follow trails around the central part of Tumbler Ridge to find Kinuseo Falls (750m one-way), Babcock Falls (2km out-and-back), Barbour Falls and Nesbitt’s Knee Falls (on the same 3km out-and-back trail)
- Find Tepee Falls and Bullmoose Falls on the north end of the Geopark and off BC-52 north of Tumbler Ridge.
The Provincial Parks of Tumbler Ridge
There are five total BC Parks within the Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark, with something different to do at each park. The camping accommodations vary between front country, backcountry tent sites, and backcountry huts, while activities vary depending on the season. All parks are open from spring to fall, while one remains as a day-use-only park with no camping permitted.
- Monkman and Wapiti Lake Provincial Parks are both on the south end of Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark, with excellent and scenic hiking trails and several fishing opportunities. Both offer camping with backcountry campgrounds at Wapiti Lake and front country campgrounds at Monkman.
- Bearhole Lake Provincial Park in the northeast corner of Tumbler Ridge offers activities for every season, including summer camping or beach swimming, and winter trail recreation. In the opposite direction, and in the northwest corner of Tumbler Ridge, sits Gwillim Lake Provincial Park, which is open from spring to fall. The park offers a campground, beach and swimming area, trail activities, and an abundance of wildlife to watch out for during the trip.
- Travel to the far west end of Tumbler Ridge to find the day-use-only Hole-in-the-Wall Provincial Park. The park’s short trail leads to a unique view of a resurgence spring flowing from a hole in the limestone. The park also offers beautiful picnic areas with campfire rings.
Planning your trip – Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark
What: The eastern Rockies of northern BC contain the Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark, making it one of five in Canada, one of 229 in the world, and the largest of all five in Canada! The park spans thousands of square kilometres and was designated a Global Geopark due to its numerous significant geological sites of varying sizes.
Credit: Destination BC/Jesaja Class
Within these Rocky Mountains are alpine lakes, vast expanses of valley that show evidence of glaciation, dinosaur tracks, fossils, and thousands of other clues around BC, and the earth’s geological history. In addition to the educational opportunities around the park, there are dozens of recreational opportunities, including a few for every season.
The spring and fall seasons are the best times to catch sight of the hundreds of birds that migrate overhead, while summer is ideal for exploring the lakes, rivers, and hiking trails. Some areas are also open during the winter for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and hiking.
The town of Tumbler Ridge sits right in the middle of the massive park with services, amenities, shops, restaurants, and places to stay.
Location and how to get there: 265 Southgate St, Tumbler Ridge (Visitor Centre); 120km south of Dawson Creek via BC-52
210 km west (2 hr 30 min drive) of Grande Prairie, Alberta and 400 km North (4 hr 15 min drive) of Prince George, BC.
Best time to go: most attractions and parks open year-round
How much: costs vary depending on experience types and location; the general park entrance is free
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