Fort Nelson is a major Alaska Highway stopover destination and is a comfortable  drive from either `Mile 0' at Dawson Creek or Watson Lake in the Yukon. Situated in the northeast corner of British Columbia, Fort Nelson marks Mile 300 on the Alaska Highway.

Fort Nelson is a thriving community with an economy historically based on forestry, oil & gas, and an emerging tourism sector. The oil and gas industry is clearly the driver during the present time with a downturn in demand for forest products. North America’s largest gas processing plant and one of North America’s largest deposits of shale gas are both in close proximity to Fort Nelson. Regular scheduled air service, the northern railhead of CN Rail, and the world famous Alaska Highway doubling as Fort Nelson’s main street make Fort Nelson a major transportation hub for the area.

Fort Nelson was established first as a Hudson Bay Trading Post in 1805 and named after Admiral Nelson of the British Navy. Fort Nelson remained a small outpost until the US Army arrived in early 1942. They named Fort Nelson, “Zero”, because on their maps Fort Nelson was the beginning of two very important roads: the Alcan leading to Delta Junction, Alaska and the other to Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories (now called the Liard Highway, part of the Deh Cho Route). The Fort Simpson, Mackenzie River Route was an alternate in the event of Japanese attack on the Alcan Highway.

When the troops heading south met the troops heading north, at Contact Creek on September 24, 1942, it marked the completion of the southern section of the Highway. It was only after the opening of the Alaska Highway that Dawson Creek was officially named Mile 0, as it was the Highway’s southern most point.
Fort Nelson offers a variety of accommodations, campgrounds, restaurants, and other amenities, and prides itself on being the gateway to the Northern Rocky Mountains, and the Muskwa-Kechika wilderness area.

Fort Nelson sits at the centre of the Northern Rockies wilderness area, and  is becoming known as an eco-adventure destination. The region is home to several  provincial parks including Stone Mountain Provincial Park, Muncho Lake Provincial Park, and Liard River Provincial Park, where the Liard Hot Springs provides year-round swimming and nurtures one of the world's unique ecosystems. The area is a world-class destination for cross-country skiing, wildlife viewing,  photography, backpacking, wilderness canoeing and kayaking, trail riding,  river boating and a myriad of other outdoor activities. In addition, the Fort Nelson region is famous for speciality tourism markets such as fly-in fishing  and big game hunting.

Ribboned with thousands of kilometres of rivers, dotted by hundreds of lakes, and crowned Rocky Mountains, this regions offers some of the most spectacular scenery and abundance of wildlife in North America.

Fort Nelson offers a wide range of visitor services including: quality accom-modation options (hotel/motel, bed & breakfast, camping and RV sites); full assortment  of stores and businesses; recreation facilities (golf course, indoor aquatic centre, bowling alley, racquetball and tennis courts, arena and curling rink); cultural and event facilities (museum, per-forming arts/movie theatre, library  and a convention centre).

Fort Nelson epitomizes the small town community spirit and legendary hospitality  of the North, both through its everyday welcome to you, and its "Welcome Visitor" program. Let Fort Nelson's citizens entertain you in their own  unique way, introducing you to the community and its heritage with a series  of volunteer speakers several evenings a week during the summer.

History

A Hudson Bay Trading Post was established here in the early 1800's but no real growth was experienced until the U.S. Army arrived in early 1942. They named Fort Nelson, Zero, because on their maps Fort Nelson was the beginning  of two very important roads, the Alcan leading to Delta Junction, Alaska and the other to Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories. The Fort Simpson Mackenzie River Route was an alternate in the event of Japanese attack on the Alcan Highway. There was no private enterprise in town and all supplies came from Dawson Creek. Private citizens needed special pass to drive north of Fort St. John.

The Americans left in 1946 and there came a period of about 10 years of relative quiet, until gas and oil was discovered in the area. Fort Nelson boomed. Hotels,  restaurants, and other service related stores grew up everywhere. The growth continues today with tourism, transportation and agriculture playing a more important role, but the town still has that northern friendliness for which  it has been famous.

Information/Emergency

Visitor Info Center in the recreation center at the north end of town on the Alaska Highway. 250-774-6400

Internet Access: the Visitor Center provides this service and it is also available at the Library.

Emergency: Ambulance 774-2344; Hospital 774-8100; Police 774-2777; Fire 774-2222.

Propane/Water/Dump
Triple 'G' Hideway 250-774-2340, has fresh water and dump station.

There is also a public dump station beside the Museum at the north end of town.

Services

Beverley K’s Beauty Boutique, 4904-50th Ave., 250-774-7144. Gift ware, collectibles, tanning, hair & body care.

Dalex Auto Services, 4440-50th Ave. N. 250-774-6804, centrally located on the Alaska Hwy. Your automotive specialists including: alignments, brakes,  tune-ups, oil changes, electrical.

Fort Nelson Husky 5331 50th Ave South. Gas, Deisel, Propane. Self serve or full serve. Convenience store.

Dining

Northern Deli 4448 50th Ave. N, 250-774-3311. Tags Convenience Store. Smash Hit Subs and Hot Stuff Pizza.

Triple "G" Hideaway has a western theme restaurant and old time saloon that has great food and all your favorite beverages.

Subway located next to ESSO. 250-774-7827. Just like at home Subway offers the finest in fresh sandwiches & wraps.

Laundromat

W.C Enterprises 250-774-2911. Open 7 days/week, Maytag washers, drop off laundry service, clean, hot showers. Next to the IGA Grocery Store on Main Street. Large parking lot for RV's.

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Accommodations

Fort Nelson Motor Hotel on the highway, 250-774-6971 or 1-800-6635-225. New deluxe rooms, some with kitchenettes, coffee shop, dining room, indoor pool.

Kacees Northern Suites downtown Fort Nelson, 866-769-6606. One of the newest motels in Fort Nelson, Kacee's is locally owned and operated. Kitchenette suites, very clean, high-speed Internet.

Camping

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Transportation
Greyhound Bus Lines provides bus service north to Whitehorse and south to Dawson Creek with links to the rest of the Greyhound system.

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Things To Do

Poplar Hills Golf Club, 4 miles west of town 250-774-3862.

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