Nestled in a scenic valley south of Fort St. John, the community of Taylor sits snugly on a broad plain beside the Peace River at Mile 36 on the Alaska Highway, where the highway crosses the mighty Peace River.
Hunt down the touching Church of the Good Shepherd, and before you leave town, go and see the World’s Largest Golfball. The surrounding forested hills are a perfect place for a short hike.
Enjoy a peaceful small town setting in Taylor, worthy of a stop as you travel the Alaska Highway through this scenic valley.
Population: 1,380
Location: Taylor is located in Northern British Columbia at Mile 36 on the Alaska Highway 97, between Dawson Creek and Fort St. John.
The World’s Largest Golf Ball resides at the Lone Wolf Golf Club at Taylor. Once an old fuel tank, the ball is 12.89 metres in diameter, and weighs 37 tonnes. Described as the Pride of the Peace, the 18 hole, par-72 championship course at the Lone Wolf Golf Club is situated on the banks of the Peace River, offering a link style of play that challenges golfers of all levels. Golf Vacations in British Columbia.
Corn: Be sure to stop by one of the market gardens in South Taylor during the summer months to sample the region’s specialty, sweet valley corn! Taylor claims to have the best corn in the valley!
Visit Peace Island Park, a popular family destination featuring well-serviced campsites on the banks of the Peace River. (Open late May to the end of September).
Check out the Rocky Mountain Historic Forts, also in Peace Island Park. A replica of forts used by the Rocky Mountain Rangers – and its excellent collection of local hunting, trapping and gold-panning artifacts.
Big Bam Ski Hill is a volunteer-run community ski hill located on the south side of the community of Taylor. Volunteers worked vigorously throughout the summer of 2009 to re-open part of the hill. A new tow-lift is being installed that is capable of moving over 400 people per hour up the 750-ft tow line to an elevation of 180 feet.
Kiskatinaw Provincial Park, located four kilometres off the Alaska Highway on Road 64, near the halfway point between Dawson’s Creek and Taylor, provides vehicle/tent sites for camping. The Kiskatinaw River flows along the east side of Dawson Creek, then bends north around the town toward the park. Situated right beside the historic bridge on Highway 97, the park provides river access and good fishing for pike, and possibly bull and rainbow trout. Even better fishing is found on the Peace River, near its confluence with the Kiskatinaw River.
Charlie Lake Provincial Park occupies the west side of Charlie Lake, at the junction of Highways 97 and 29. Secluded campsites are set in an aspen forest, with a playground, boat launch, picnic tables, and a sani-station.
Fossils: Dig for dinosaur and clam fossils along the banks of the Peace River.
Fishing: Fish for Walleye, northern pike and yellow perch in Charlie Lake, 6 km north of Fort St, John, at the junction of Highways 29 and 97. The lake also offers canoeing, camping and hiking, just off the Alaska Highway.
Experience the thrill of Gold Rush fever at the World’s Invitational Gold Panning Championships, which provide fun for the whole family in August, during the B.C. Day weekend. Festivities are held at Peace Island Park, and include prospector’s games, claim-staking contests and bannok baking.
Walking Tour: Pick up a free historical walking tour brochure from the Visitor Centre and visit the community’s historical sites.
North of Taylor on the Alaska Highway is the city of Fort St. John, the oldest non-native settlement in British Columbia. Archaeological discoveries show evidence of Paleo Indian occupation of the area around Charlie Lake dating back 10,500 years. The town’s history dates back to Alexander Mackenzie’s arrival in 1793, followed by fur traders, explorers and homesteaders.
The Alaska Highway 97 was constructed during World War II and runs from Dawson Creek in British Columbia to Delta Junction in Alaska, via Whitehorse, Yukon. Completed in 1943, the Alaska Highway is unofficially considered part of the Pan-American Highway, which extends south to Argentina.
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.
