Chetwynd

The Chainsaw Carving Capital of the World — a northern BC town with big personality and wild country all around.

Chetwynd is a small city in the Peace River region of northeastern BC, sitting at the junction of Highways 97 and 29 where the Rocky Mountain foothills give way to the Peace River plateau. It is best known as the Chainsaw Carving Capital of the World — a title earned through the town's extraordinary collection of chainsaw sculptures that line the streets, parks, and public spaces throughout the community. The annual International Chainsaw Carving Championship draws competitors and spectators from around the world every June. The surrounding landscape is dramatic and varied. To the west, the Rocky Mountains rise steeply from the foothills, and the Pine Pass on Highway 97 is one of the most scenic mountain crossings in northern BC. To the east, the Peace River country opens up into vast agricultural plains and boreal forest. The area is rich in wildlife — moose, elk, deer, black bear, and grizzly bear are all common, and the rivers and lakes offer excellent fishing for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, and Arctic grayling. Chetwynd is a working resource town with a strong forestry and energy sector presence, but it has invested significantly in its quality of life and outdoor recreation infrastructure. The Moberly Lake Provincial Park, just west of town, offers camping, swimming, and fishing on a beautiful mountain lake. The Gwillim Lake Provincial Park to the south provides wilderness camping and hiking in a remote setting. The community has a warm, unpretentious character typical of northern BC towns, with a genuine pride in its unique identity and a welcoming attitude toward visitors.