Cradled in the Pouce Coupe River Valley and surrounded by rolling hills and lush green fields, is the small village of Pouce Coupe, southeast of Dawson Creek.
Established as a trading post in 1909 and incorporated as a village in 1932, the derivation of the town’s name remains under dispute, and depends on which version you prefer! Some believe it got its name from a French trapper who cut his thumb, while others say Pouce Coupe means an abandoned Chief’s cabin by a deserted beaver dam in the Beaver Indian language. The most likely origin of the town name is Chief Pooscapee of the Beaver Tribe. Colourful origin either way!
The town calls itself the Pioneer Capital of Peace River Country, and was the ‘end of steel’ for the Northern Alberta Railway, which operated to Pouce Coupe between 1931 and 1974.
Throughout the serene little village, which overlooks the Pouce Coupe River, the streets are lined with colourful baskets maintained by local residents.
Population: 739
Location: Pouce Coupe is located 6 miles (10 km) southeast of Dawson Creek on Highway 2, and approximately 22 miles (35 km) from the Alberta border.
Learn the history of Pouce Coupe at the Pouce Coupe Museum, housed in the old Northern Alberta Railway Station. The station was built in 1931, and has since been moved into the centre of town.
Heritage Buildings: Other heritage buildings gracing the village are the town hall, library, post office, the Hart Hotel and the historic Anglican Church. The wooden train trestle is also worth seeing.
The natural setting of Pouce Coupe Park, located south of the village on the banks of the Pouce Coupe River and Bissette Creek, offering overnight camping and much more.
Swan Lake Provincial Park is located 20 km south of Pouce Coupe, in the flat prairies along Highway 2 near the Alberta border.
The small 5-hectare Sudeten Provincial Park offers vehicle/tent sites and a picnic area on the west side of Highway 2, near Swan Lake Park.
Winter activities include downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, skating, and snowmobiling.
Golf: Golfers can head to nearby Dawson Creek to play one of the premier courses in the Peace River area. Dawson Creek Golf and Country Club is an 18-hole golf course in the beautiful Peace River Valley. Golf Vacations in British Columbia.
Canada Day: Don’t miss the highlight of the summer season in Pouce Coupe; The July 1 Canada Day parade, barbecue, live entertainment, kids games and craft fair. The festivities at Pouce Coupe Park culminate with a spectacular fireworks display.
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.
