Tumbler Ridge is BC’s youngest town. Built as an “instant town” in 1981, Tumbler Ridge was carved out of the wilderness in order to accommodate metallurgical (steel-making) coal mining activity in the area. Fascinating geology, an abundance of waterfalls and amazing dinosaur discoveries all played a part in Tumbler Ridge being designated a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2014.
Tumbler Ridge is a picturesque community, which is home of the Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark. Discover year-round recreation opportunities to explore hiking trails, alpine vistas, sparkling waterfalls, and dinosaur trackways. In 2000, dinosaur tracks were discovered and that lead to a number of internationally significant prehistoric discoveries that date back 74-135 million years.
In 2017, British Columbia’s first dinosaur skull was discovered nearby and the area also boasts the only known tyrannosaur trackways in the world. Tumbler Ridge is also home to British Columbia’s first dinosaur bone beds, comprised of dozens of specimens, and countless other dinosaur tracks. The Dinosaur Discovery Gallery displays examples of these rare finds.
One of the area’s most famous attractions is Kinuseo Falls in Monkman Provincial Park. The falls are spectacular, and at 70 metres/230 ft. they are taller than Niagara Falls. They are located 60 km south of Tumbler Ridge, 48 km of which is on a gravel forest service road. Monkman Provincial Park has 20 dry campsites and a day-use area, just 3 km from Kinuseo Falls.
How to get to Tumbler Ridge
From Chetwynd: Take Highway 29 to accesses the town of Tumbler Ridge, 90 km south from the Hart Highway.
45 km south of the junction with the Hart Highway you will find Gwillim Lake Provincial Park with 50 campsites, water, picnic tables and firepits. There is excellent fishing, a boat launch and day use area.
From Dawson Creek: Take the Hart Highway west for 13 km. Turn south on Highway 52 N and drive 96 km to reach Tumbler Ridge.
