Small-Town Travel:
Dawson Creek

May 26, 2026

by Raistlin van Spronsen

Welcome to Dawson Creek

Dawson Creek is a small city nestled into the foothills of the Northern Rockies in Northeastern British Columbia. The city lies just about 15 km west of the BC/Alberta border (at the Bay Tree area) 

As a city of around 13.000 we are a diverse yet incredible place to live. We have the way of life of a small town, but a big city attitude. 

Come along with me as I showcase our history, our city and our lifestyle. This is one that I know very well as I’ve lived here for the last 20 years 

Our History: 1800's & Early 1900's

After France surrendered Canada to the British in 1763, it was many years before the Peace River region was explored by the Northwest Company. In 1793, Alexander Mackenzie and his companions journeyed up the Peace River on their historic overland trip to the Pacific. The journey of Mackenzie changed the economic picture of this vast hinterland. His report sent Simon Fraser in Mackenzie’s tracks to establish trading posts in the area in 1805.

In 1879, George Mercer Dawson, a geologist, was sent out to gain information as to physical features, possible economic importance and other advantages for passage of a railway line by the CPR. He wrote of grass up to the horses’ bellies, the hillside covered with wild asters, goldenrod, and Indian paintbrush; the deep valley soil and the native peoples. In appreciation, Dawson Creek was named for this eminent man

The Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia Railway (Northern Alberta Railway) reached Spirit River in 1916, approximately 70 miles from the Pouce Coupe Prairie. Dawson Creek was established to accommodate settlers about 1½ miles southwest from the centre of the present city. The late George Hart opened the first store on his homestead a short distance from the original hamlet. In 1919, Bill Bullen and Tom McRae opened a store. In 1920, Bullen built a hotel that burned down soon after it opened. He immediately rebuilt and it served travelers for a number of years. From 1919 to 1930 the old hamlet grew slowly, just enough to care for the needs of the sparse community.

The settlers during this time were mainly British war veterans who were filing claims on land in the Progress and Sunset Prairie districts, 20 to 30 miles west.

The Northern Alberta Railway (N.A.R.) built its terminus east of the old hamlet. The settlers moved their buildings, both domestic and commercial to the area near the railway. The winter of 1930-31 was mild and nearly all the buildings at the old site were moved 1½ miles northeast to the new townsite.

 

Source: City of Dawson Creek

The Alaska Highway Begins

Fearing a Japanese invasion of Alaska, the U.S. now saw an inland route, which would ease the flow of goods and personnel, as a matter of national security. In the spring of 1942, Canada agreed to the highway after the U.S. promised to cover construction costs, maintain the route and turn over control of its Canadian stretch after the war ended. In return, Canada secured the property needed to build the highway, waived duties and taxes related to its development and use, facilitated the immigration of American workers and allowed them to use nearby timber and other resources as necessary.

The gruelling work to build the ALCAN (Alaska-Canada Highway) began in March of 1942. Over the next eight months, more than 25,000 men — a mix of Canadian and American civilians and some 11,000 soldiers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — stubbornly punched a path from Dawson Creek in northeastern British Columbia through the Yukon to a small town in Alaska named Delta Junction. It was far from easy. 

After Japan invaded the Alaskan islands of Attu and Kiska in June 1942, the pressure to complete the ALCAN increased. The following month, crews laid down an astounding 643 kilometres of road. Construction of the 2,400-kilometre highway concluded ahead of schedule on Oct. 25, 1942. The final cost was tagged at $138 million USD, making it the most expensive infrastructure project built during World War II. 6 years after the highway was constructed it opened to the public. 

 

Source: Knowledge Network – British Columbia

Getting Here

There are two main ways to get to Dawson Creek, by bus or by road. There is an airport in nearby Fort St. John (about an hour away) but for the purpose of this guide we are focusing on ways that will get you into Dawson Creek directly. 

By Car

There are 4 major highways converging on Dawson Creek; Highway 97 S from Prince George and points south, Highway 97 N from Fort Nelson and beyond. Highway 49 from Alberta connecting Spirit River and Rycroft to points in Northern Alberta, finally Highway 2 to Grande Prairie and Edmonton

By Bus

BC Bus North in partnership with Tahltan NST (a division of Tahltan Nation Development Corporation/ Northern Spirit Transportation) with twice weekly buses to and from Dawson Creek. BC Bus North operates a fleet of Ford Starcraft mid-sized buses.  Book online or find our more information here

Getting Around

Dawson Creek is a bustling community with great views, activities and so much more

By Bus

The Dawson Creek Transit System operates Monday to Friday from 7am to 10:30am; the buses then stop service for lunch and resume at 1:20pm until 5:15pm. For someone who relies on public transportation unless you need the bus for a specific trip it’s not run with tourists in mind

Walking

The Dawson Creek trail network begins up at Rotary Park/Boe’s Trailer Sales and winds it’s way through the city. Some portions are along sidewalks and others are through greenspace, wooded areas and even a cemetery. The trail is part of the Trans Canada Trail system. Some portions branch off to connect other parts of the community 

Where to Stay

Our community has a wide range of accommodation options from small locally owned motels, to major hotel chains some of my personal recommendations include; 

Staybridge Inn & Suite

George Dawson Inn

Pomeroy Inn & Suites

Stonebrige Hotal

 

Where to Eat

This has to be my favorite part to write about! Our city has a wide range of restaurants, coffeeshops and quick service restaurants. While we have many of the major restaurant chains, I’m opting to share about my personal favorite locally owned restaurants and businesses

Breakfast – Le’s Family Restaurant; known for it’s homestyle breakfasts from a classic breakfast, omelets and lunch options. Open 7 days a week from 7am to 3pm. Closed all Stat Holidays

Lunch/Dinner – Post & Row; opened in 2019, this taphouse has a wide range of beers on tap, a smaller menu size and always has a upbeat atmosphere. 

Grab & Go (snacks/treats) – Legacy Village Market; a locally owned convience store located off the beaten path nestled in the Kitchen Park neighbourhood has a wide range of snacks, treats, quick grab and go meals and a range of both Coca-Cola and Pepsi products along with a few of the staple grocery items; bread, milk, soup etc. 

Drinks/Coffee – Beans and Barley; another locally owned coffeeshop. Once located in the former laundromat building it relocated downtown to it’s current location. It’s known for it’s simple light meals and coffee and it always a busy coffeeshop 

Sandwiches – Hug A Mug locally owned for many years, this small coffee shop also has a wide range of fresh made-to-order sandwich options (fully customizable) 

What to Do

Dawson Creek has many activities for every age group and skill level. 

For the younger children I recommend checking out one of the local parks around the city and playing on the playground or running in any of the greenspace as well. In winter the Kin Park bowl becomes a very popular sledding hill 

For teenagers looking for somewhere to hang out, The Ark Christian Youth Centre opens it’s doors every Friday from September to June for Friday Night Teen Drop In. For only $5 teens can hang out in the lounge playing board games, visiting with friends, play basketball or floor hockey in the gym or groove up on the disco floor. The concession has a wide range of snacks from nachos, hot dogs, candy chips and pop. 

 

Shopping Basket