Daily adventures

Celebrate a time when the fur trade ruled and Fort St. James was the king of commerce in the Northern BC region, once known as New Caledonia. Enter the year 1896 immersed in the stories of the people who traded here, equally thriving and struggling in the rugged landscape.

Hear the sounds of goat bleating in the pasture and roosters greeting the morning just as they would have done more than a century ago. Watch skilled Indigenous craftspeople tan moose hides. Build a new fur warehouse and dress up as a fur trade pioneer in the Visitor Centre.

Follow the lakefront path to the Hudson’s Bay Company flag, walk up the stairs and travel through time into a past made new again.

The Fort’s restored buildings and well-versed interpretive guides bring the compelling stories of the fur trade era back into present-day full colour.

Build a fur trade building

Right next to the Home Stretch Diner is our model of the Fur Warehouse. Once you put this building together you will know exactly how the fur traders built their Red River frame buildings.

At the Fish Cache

See and learn about the Fish of the Fur Trade, hanging from the rafters. See first hand how important salmon, sturgeon and other fish were. Learn about Stuart Lake species of today and what’s being done to look after them (check out the fish tank in the visitor centre also!).

Historic games for you

A number of activities and traditional games including tug of war, game of graces, badminton, stilts, horseshoes and croquet are available for your use near the Officer’s House: suitable for all ages!

Walk the Ripples of the Past

Continue your historical adventures by walking the Ripples of the Past interpretive walk. 2km one way past a number of historical locations in the community of Fort St. James. Views are spectacular. Sturdy shoes, a backpack with food, water, bug repellant and your camera are highly recommended.

Your phone is your personal storyteller

Take a self-guided audio tour through the beautiful grounds of Fort St. James National Historic Site. Be immersed in the rich history as you use present day technology. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available to download the audio tour.