Located in the heart of the majestic Peace River country, Fort St. John supports a trading area of more than 69,000 people in the City and outlying service region. The population is dynamic, young, and energetic. Fort St. John is British Columbia’s oldest non-aboriginal settlement and its pioneer spirit is alive and well today.

Fort St. John began in 1794 as a trading post, in 1928 it was established as a community and in 1942 the Alaska Highway was built. During the construction of the Alaska Highway, Fort St. John’s population swelled to 2,000. With the completion of the highway, only nine months later in October 1942, the American troops left and the population dropped to 700.

By 1951 high-grade oil had been discovered and in 1955 West Coast Transmission Company Ltd (now Enbridge) began construction of a pipeline to carry natural gas to the United States. Fort St. John became British Columbia’s oil and gas capital when TransCanada Pipelines built a Natural Gas pipeline in 1957. Their NOVA gas system started operations in 1961.

As Fort St. John continues to grow, so does the supply of retail and other businesses. This friendly, small town has lots of big city amenities, creating a fantastic atmosphere for many to call home. There are plenty of unique shops throughout the city as well as a number of large national chain stores.

Fort St. John is a wonderful place to visit on your trip north as it offers a rich concentration of cultural and outdoor activities. Fort St. John is known as “The Energetic City” and provides top-notch recreation facilities with hundreds of events taking place every year. Come experience Fort St. John’s vibrant spirit for yourself!

Visitor Info Centre whether it be camping, fishing, golfing, boating or hiking the energetic staff will help you discover all there is to do in and around the City. In the Pomeroy Sports Centre at 9324 – 96 St. Open 9am to 8pm Monday – Friday and 11am to 7pm Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays during the summer.

fortstjohn.ca/tourism

Located in the heart of the majestic Peace River and has a population of 21,000. It serves a trading area of over 60,000. Historically, Fort St. John traces its roots back to the end of the 18th century when Sir Alexander Mackenzie opened a series of forts along the Peace River to service the fur traders.

At the end of World War I many veterans moved westward to the fertile agricultural lands on both sides of the Peace River, and formed the population base for the then tiny hamlet of Fort St. John. In March 1942 the construction of the Alaska Highway began and in a few short years Fort St. John’s population swelled to 2,000. With the completion of the Alaska Highway, only nine months later in October 1942, the American troops left and the population dropped to 700. In 1952 gas and oil was discovered and by 1957 the refinery at Taylor and a pipeline to the south had been built. On July 1, 1975 incorporation as a city took place and Fort St. John hasn’t looked back. The city is rich in natural resources; mainly oil and gas, timber, hydroelectricity and agriculture. More grain, seed and honey is produced here than anywhere else in BC. Adventurers, recreational enthusiasts and wildlife share thousands of acres of pristine wilderness, making Fort St. John one of the recreation jewels of British Columbia.

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Best Places to Stay in Fort St John, BC

Quality Inn Northern

Enjoy the indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, fitness centre along with banquet & meeting rooms and free high speed internet. This is a completely smoke free hotel. Restaurant as well as Legends Lounge & Quality Liquor Store.

Lakeview Inn & Suites

Lakeview Inn & Suites complimentary breakfast, fitness center, free Wi-fi.

 

Camping in Fort St John, BC

Rotary RV Park

Rotary RV Park at km 81 of the Alaska Highway, on the shores of Charlie Lake. This is a nice, full service RV Park.

 

Best Things to Do in Fort St John, BC

Fort St. John North Peace Museum

Fort St. John North Peace Museum Journey through Fort St. John’s history from native settlement to the pioneer homesteads and the construction of the Alaska Highway in 1942. Interactive exhibits include a tepee, trapper’s cabin, blacksmith shop, police barracks and jail. An excellent selection of local history books is available at the museum gift shop. Open year round.

Pomeroy Sports Centre

Pomeroy Sports Centre is a complete recreation complex that features two NHL sized ice rinks, an indoor Olympic sized speed skating oval (1 of only 4 in North America) and a 340 metre walking track. The walking track is open year round and free to the public. All ice surfaces can be removed to make space for major indoor sport and cultural events and tradeshows. 9324 – 96 St.

Pioneer Pathway Walking Tour

Pioneer Pathway Walking Tour Start your tour one 100th Street across from Centennial Park. Discover the people and places that shaped Fort St. John’s history. Look for historic panels with photos and stories throughout downtown. The majority of the panels are on 100th St, however, you can pick up a map at the visitor centre.

Farmers Market

Farmers Market takes place every Saturday at Centennial Park from 9am – 3pm. It features local vendors selling gifts and fresh food.

Lone Wolf Golf Club

Lone Wolf Golf Club is an 18-hole championship course and a driving range in Taylor, about 15 minutes south of the city. A recently renovated restaurant is open to the public. 

 

Getting Around in Fort St John, BC

BC Bus North

BC Bus North is The province of BC’s Bus service. it will include two round-trips per week between Prince Rupert and Prince George; Prince George and Valemount; and Prince George and Dawson Creek-Fort St. John. It will also offer one round-trip per week from Fort Nelson to Dawson Creek-Fort St. John.

 

St John, BC FAQs

Where is Fort St. John British Columbia

Fort St John is located in the Peace River District of British Columbia, in the far North. It is closer to the Yukon border than the southern BC border with Washington State. It is also very near the Alberta border on the eastern side of BC. The Alaska Highway is the main road access to Forth St. John.

What is Fort St. John famous for?

Fort St. John is famous for being the largest town in the Peace River Regional District in Northeastern British Columbia.  Located at kilometre 75 of the Alaska Highway, it is one of the largest cities between Dawson Creek and Delta Junction.  Originally established by Sir Alexander Mackenzie as a trading post in 1794, it is the oldest European-established settlement in British Columbia.  It is in the First Nation Dane-zaa territory and has long been used as a trading post for furs, but the town also moved several times over the 19th and 20th century due to economic reasons.  The present-day location was established in 1928.

Can I see the northern lights in Fort St. John, BC?

You can see the northern lights from Fort St. John if the conditions are right.  The best time is when on dark clear nights, when there are solar flares or high solar activity, when there is a new moon, and during the spring and fall equinoxes. Try to get out of the city a bit to cut down on the light pollution.  Fort St. John as several trails and parks on Charlie Lake that provide for great aurora watching.

Map of Fort St. John British Columbia

This map of Fort St. John shows the downtown area. The Alaska Highway is the Main road that passes through the city. There are a number of hotels and restaurants located right new the Alaska Highway with large parking areas for large vehicles. Because Fort St. John is a Oil and Gas exporation hub, there are many large service vehicles in and around town, which may make parking more difficult. There is a large parking lot at the Pomeroy Sports Center, which is also where the Visitor Center is located.

Map of Fort St. John British Columbia
Map of Fort St. John British Columbia

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