| Hazelton
Village is divided into New and Old Hazelton and
is located 60 km (45 miles) west of Smithers, B.C., Canada. New
Hazelton is located right on Hwy 16 while Old Hazelton is located
7 km off the highway near the Hagwilget Canyon Bridge.
A visit to the Village of Old Hazelton is a trip
back in time when the Skeena River was the lifeblood of the area.
The village is a reconstructed pioneer town complete with a Trading
Post, Barber Shop, Cafe and City Hall buildings plus a sternwheeler
on display on the Skeena River with the Roche de Boule Mountain
Range looming in the background.
The region of Hazelton includes Kispiox Valley,
Two Mile and the First Nation Villages of Gitanmaax, Glen Vowel,
Kispiox and Hagwilget. The region is a mix of the past and present.
Each village has restored buildings and artfully designed new
buildings honoring the early pioneers and the First Nation people.
A long, long time ago the Wet’suwet’en
and Gitxsan First Nation people lived near where the Bulkley and
Skeena Rivers meet. The Skeena River has always been a spiritual
and food source for the First nation people. It was soon later,
the river became the transportation hub for the whole of Northern
BC and Hazelton was a destination terminal.
The Skeena River was the highway of the times with
sternwheelers delivering supplies and people, some not so nice
people, to the shores of Hazelton. Once in the pioneer village
some people fled into the wilderness to the mines, farms and to
the more remote, rugged settlements.
Today, the region is a great destination for remote
wilderness activities like off roading, hiking, wilderness camping,
snowmobiling, snowshoeing and fishing on the Kispiox, Babine,
Bear, Bulkley and Skeena Rivers. Many arrive at these rivers for
a chance to catch a prize steelhead trout, rainbow, coho, cutthroat
and dolly varden.
One of the destinations to visit by vehicle when
in the Hazelton region - and at your own pace
- is the Kasan Historic Villlage and the
Totem Pole tour visiting villages like Kispiox, Gitanyow, Gitwangak
and Kitseguecia where you can view over 52 traditional totem poles.
While you are in the area, check out the First Nation events for
a chance to see the carvers and local dances.
Contact information for
the local Smithers, BC accommodations, tours, guides, golf
courses, attractions, eco activities, artists, transportation
companies, realtors, etc. are posted under the links listed
to your right. =) |
How to
get to Hazelton
Village: . Travel on Highway 16 for about 60 km
(45 miles) west of Smithers until you reach New Hazelton. From
the highway take a right towards ‘Old Hazelton’ and
travel for about 7 km to the banks of the Skeena River and Old
Hazelton.
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