Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut: what to know

About an hour and a half east of Prince George, Highway 16 runs through a valley where the forest changes character completely. The spruce and pine give way to enormous western redcedars, moss hangs from every branch and devil’s club crowds the creeks. This is Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut, one of the most memorable places in northern British Columbia, and one of the easiest to visit.

What makes it special

The park protects part of the inland temperate rainforest, a rare ecosystem that grows hundreds of kilometres from the ocean. Moist air rising over the Rocky and Cariboo mountains drops plenty of rain and snow here, and in sheltered valley bottoms that have escaped major fires for a very long time, cedars grow to extraordinary size and age.

According to BC Parks:

• Some western redcedars are up to 5 metres in diameter and around 2,000 years old.
• More than 400 plant species have been recorded, along with abundant mosses, lichens and fungi.
• It is home to rare and at-risk plants.

A park with a story

The stand was once flagged for logging. A UNBC graduate student studying lichens recognized how unusual it was, and hiking groups, the university, the Lheidli T’enneh and the province worked together to build trails and protect it. It became a Class A provincial park on May 19, 2016, and was given its Carrier name, Chun T’oh Whudujut, at the same time.

The park is in Lheidli T’enneh traditional territory. In 2018 the Nation and the province signed an agreement to plan and manage it together, and governments have funded an $8.7 million development project, including a planned interpretive centre to share Lheidli T’enneh culture with visitors. Learn more about the Nation in our Lheidli T’enneh guide.

Getting there

• Distance: about 115 km east of Prince George on Highway 16, roughly halfway to McBride (about 103 km west of McBride).
• Drive time: about 1.5 hours each way.
• Parking: a signed parking area right off the highway. Overnight camping in the lot is not allowed.
• Services: none. There is no potable water, no fuel and usually no reliable cell service. Fill up and bring what you need from Prince George.

Check DriveBC before you go. Highway 16 east has long stretches with wildlife on the road, especially at dawn and dusk.

The trails

The 450 m universal-access boardwalk is one of the best examples in BC of making an old-growth forest open to people of all abilities. For most visitors, the combination of the two boardwalks takes about one to two hours at a relaxed pace. The Driscoll Ridge loop is a full day and requires proper hiking gear and fitness.

When to go

• Late spring to fall is the main season. June brings lush green growth and bugs; September brings cooler air, fewer mosquitoes and the first yellow leaves.
• Winter covers the area in deep snow. Check BC Parks for current access before a winter visit.
• Rain is part of the experience. The forest is at its most atmospheric on a misty day, so bring a rain jacket rather than cancelling.

Rules and etiquette

• Stay on the boardwalk and trails. The forest floor and root systems are fragile, and devil’s club spines are painful.
• Pets must be leashed.
• No campfires, no smoking on trails and no overnight camping at the parking areas.
• Hunting is permitted in season with required setbacks, so be aware in the fall.
• Leave no trace. Pack out everything, including food scraps.
• Respect the place. This is part of Lheidli T’enneh territory, and the trees are older than any building in the province.

What to bring

• Rain jacket and sturdy shoes, even for the boardwalks
• Bug repellent in June and July
• Water and snacks
• Bear spray if you are hiking beyond the boardwalks; black and grizzly bears live in the area
• A camera that handles low light; it is dim under the canopy

Make a day of it

• Purden Lake Provincial Park, 64 km east of Prince George, is an ideal swim or picnic stop on the way home.
• Continue east to McBride and the Robson Valley if you are making a longer trip.
• See all our day trips from Prince George.

Before heading out, glance at the weather dashboard, and in summer, the wildfire dashboard.