The modern, busy Gitxsan Village of Kispiox is located where the Kispiox River and the Skeena River meet, northwest of Hazelton in the Bulkley Valley of Northwest British Columbia.
The Kispiox Valley, home of natural beauty and independent settlers, starts just north of the community of Hazelton, and continues over 100 kilometres north to the source of the Kispiox River, between the mountains of the Skeena River and the Kitwanga Valley.
Kispiox is well known for steelhead and salmon fishing, and is home to talented Gitxsan Artists, with many totem poles on display in the community.
Population: 651
Location: Kispiox is located off Yellowhead Highway 16 in the Bulkley Valley of Northwest BC, north of Hazelton and Smithers at the confluence of the Skeena and Kispiox Rivers.
Totem Poles: Drive through Gitxsan Village of Kispiox and view the old and new totem poles, carved by some of the world’s renowned master carvers.
Travel the short side road to the Kispiox Elementary School, and view the carved entrance doors depicting the house groups (clans) of the Gitxsan Village.
Escape to the Kispiox Valley at the end of July, for the annual Kispiox Valley Music Festival.
Fishing: Fish the Kispiox River, designated a trophy river by the province of British Columbia, and widely known for its world-class native steelhead trout. In addition to ‘the finest steelhead fishing in all of North America’, the Kispiox yields an abundance of coho salmon, rainbow, cutthroat and dolly varden. Within half an hour’s drive is excellent fishing in the Babine, Bear, Bulkley and Skeena Rivers.
Paddling: The wilderness Kispiox River provides a wonderfully natural setting for canoeing, kayaking, river rafting, or simply drifting down the river. More information on Canoeing & Kayaking in Northwest BC.
Swan Lake Kispiox River Provincial Park lies within the traditional territories of the Gitanyow and Gitxsan First Nations, protecting swamps, rivers, and a chain of lakes that provide an outstanding opportunity for water-related adventure.
Seeley Lake Provincial Park offers great cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing, a car-top-boat launch, and vehicle/tent campsites. You’ll also learn about a fascinating Native legend about a mythological monster associated with Seeley Lake.
‘Ksan Historical Village and Museum: A “must see” in the area is one of the finest native heritage sites in Canada, the world famous ‘Ksan Historical Village and Museum, situated within the Gitxsan community of Gitanmaax, which borders the neighbouring village of Hazelton. Seven decorated tribal houses fronted with several elaborately carved totems stand silently on the banks of the Skeena and Bulkley Rivers, telling the legends of the totem poles and portraying the lifestyles of generations that lived long ago. See Native carvers performing their craft and, when available, attend the ‘Ksan Dancers’ performance of local native dances. The troupe, which has toured both nationally and internationally, are most widely known for their performance of The Breath of Our Grandfathers, which interprets the highlights of the potlatch celebrations that were outlawed in 1884.
Highway 16, the Yellowhead Highway, carries travellers between Prince George in the interior of the province and Prince Rupert on the west coast.
South of Kispiox on Highway 16 is the community of New Hazelton, situated amidst a majestic landscape dominated by the 3000-foot walls of the rugged Rocher de Boule Mountain Range. New Hazelton is a wonderful stop on the for travellers on the highway.
Circle Tours: See the best of Northern BC on one of the Circle Tours that capture the wonders of the north. The Circle Tour of Northern British Columbia incorporates the Alaska Highway through the Rocky Mountain foothills to Watson Lake in the Yukon, linking with the Stewart/Cassiar Highway and Yellowhead Highway 16 in the south. The Inside Passage Circle Tour and the Native Heritage Circle Tour follow the same route, from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island north by ferry to Prince Rupert. Catch another ferry to the Queen Charlotte Islands, or venture east on the Yellowhead Highway to Prince George, and south through the peaceful Cariboo to Vancouver along the historic Cariboo Wagon Road.
Circle Tours in British Columbia.
