Parks & Recreation
Parks & Recreation
Information from District of Fort St. James
Fort St. James’ unique setting on the south shore of beautiful Stuart Lake opens up a world of outdoor recreation. Our forests provide a vast expanse of wilderness for you to discover. Winters offer a million opportunities for fun and the summers are beautiful in our area.
Murray Ridge Ski Area
With 30 trails totaling 22 kms and a vertical drop of 518 metres, Murray Ridge is a fantastic hill for skiers and boarders of all abilities. Open December through March. Full rental shop, cafe and lounge located in the lodge.
Stuart Lake Golf Club
A challenging nine-hole course located on the shores of beautiful Stuart Lake. Book your own golf event, party, or wedding. The Stuart Lake Golf Course invites you to golf the links of New Caledonia.
Silver Springs Country Recreation & Wellness
There’s nothing better than a day spent at the Ranch! Silver Springs offers trail rides, wagon rides and ranch tours. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, Silver Springs has the adventure for you! Horseback riding activities include guided trail rides, from one hour to a full day, and cattle herding can also be added! There are also sleigh/wagon rides available for those with small families.
Stuart Lake
Stuart Lake is one of the largest natural fresh water lakes in BC, providing over 275 kilometres of shoreline to explore. The lake is a popular recreation destination for many locals and visitors but what makes Stuart Lake even more special is that it is part of a chain of lakes extending over 300 kilometres long connecting Stuart with the Trembleur and Takla Lakes. Stuart lake is the main starting point for many.
Together the lakes provide some of the best rugged wilderness scenery in the north of BC via lakes and rivers . The remote, untouched country is a transportation route explored by mostly boaters and canoe enthusiasts. The Stuart-Trembleur-Takla Lake System is BC’s longest migration route for Salmon.
Throughout the chain of lakes are many coves, points and islands to moor a boat. There are a few ideal spots to moor your vessel and take out the binoculars to view some of the wildlife in the area… and there is plenty to see including grizzly bear, wolf, mule and white-tail deer, lynx, fox, beaver, marten, otter, and wolverine.
Cottonwood Marina
Located at 1995 Lakeshore Drive in Fort St. James, Cottonwood Marina offers sheltered mooring and boat launch for your recreational watercraft. We offer reasonable monthly rates, and a 10% discount if you prepay for the full season. Open mid-May through mid-September.
Paarens Beach Provincial Park
Situated on the south-west shore of beautiful Stuart Lake, Paarens Beach is a delightful small provincial park with an uncrowded campground, large beach and boat launch, it is an ideal base from which to explore the rich history and enjoy the multitude of recreational opportunities around Stuart Lake and the nearby community of Fort St. James.
Sow'chea Bay Provincial Park
This campsite was once a Forest Service recreation site. Site layout is not BC Parks standard; larger RVs may have difficulty maneuvering. This is a busy destination for boaters and anglers, with a single lane concrete boat launch available with limited parking.
