Hazelton

Where the Skeena and Bulkley rivers meet — the cultural heart of the Gitxsan and Wet'suwet'en peoples.

Hazelton sits at the confluence of the Skeena and Bulkley rivers in the Skeena Country of northern BC, a region of extraordinary natural beauty and profound cultural significance. The area encompasses the communities of Hazelton, New Hazelton, and South Hazelton, along with the historic village of 'Ksan, and together they form one of the most culturally rich destinations in BC. 'Ksan Historical Village and Museum is the centrepiece of any visit to the Hazelton area. The reconstructed Gitxsan village on the banks of the Skeena River preserves and celebrates the living culture of the Gitxsan people — one of the most artistically accomplished First Nations in BC. The totem poles, longhouses, and cultural objects at 'Ksan represent some of the finest examples of Northwest Coast Indigenous art in existence, and the museum's collection is outstanding. The 'Ksan Performing Arts Group presents traditional songs, dances, and stories during the summer season. The Skeena and Bulkley rivers are world-famous for their steelhead fishing. The Kispiox River, a tributary of the Skeena just north of Hazelton, is legendary among fly fishers for its enormous steelhead — fish of 20 pounds and more are not uncommon — and the river has produced some of the largest steelhead ever caught on a fly rod. The surrounding landscape is dramatic — the Skeena cuts through a valley flanked by the Hazelton Mountains and the Babine Range, and the scenery along Highway 16 through this section is among the finest in northern BC.