Population: Approximately 5,000.

Vanderhoof is located 60 miles west of Prince George on Yellowhead Highway 16. 

Visitor Information: The Visitor Centre is at 478 First St. West. Summer hours (May–August), Monday–Friday 9 a.m.to 5 p.m.; phone 1-800-752-4094. The Chamber of Commerce is open year round at 2750 Burrard St. and you may pick up hiking maps at this location.

Vanderhoof is the geographical centre of British Columbia on the Alaska Circle Route, and on your way to and from the northwest coast of B.C. The town was named for Chicago publisher Herbert Vanderhoof, who was associated with the Grand Trunk Railway. Today, Vanderhoof is the supply and distribution centre for area agriculture, forestry and mining and is a great stop for shopping, history, and beautiful scenery.

All visitor services are available in Vanderhoof, including food (Tim Hortons, Subway, A&W, etc.), WiFi, public library, pubs, gas/diesel and lodging.

Attractions:

  • Vanderhoof  Heritage Village Museum has relocated pioneer structures furnished with period artifacts.
  • Bird watching at the Migratory Bird Sanctuary on the Nechako River, a stopping place for thousands of migrating waterfowl.
  • Fort St. James National Historic Site, north of Vanderhoof, has a restored fur warehouse, fish cache, men’s house and trade store. Fort St. James was headquarters for the Hudson’s Bay Co.’s New Caledonia fur trade district.