Population: 12,978

Dawson City is Milepost 0 of the Alaska Highway; 367 miles northwest of Edmonton, AB, and 250 miles northeast of Prince George, BC.

Visitor Information:
Dawson Creek Visitor Information Centre, 900 Alaska Ave., Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4T6; phone 250-782-9595; (email). Dawson Creek is unique in that it does NOT observe daylight savings time. Because they do not change their clocks, they are on Pacific Standard Time in the summer and Mountain Standard Time in the winter.

Dawson Creek (like Dawson City in Yukon) was named for George Mercer Dawson of the Geological Survey of Canada, whose geodetic surveys of this region in 1879 helped lead to its development as an agricultural settlement. The Northern Alberta Railway reached Dawson Creek in 1931. As a railhead, Dawson Creek was an important funnel for supplies and equipment during construction of the Alaska Highway in 1942. Today, significant industries in this area’s economy are oil and gas exploration and servicing, agriculture, forestry and tourism.

There are more than a dozen hotels/motels, several bed and breakfasts, and dozens of restaurants; department stores, banks, grocery stores, laundromat, drug and hardware stores, antique shops and other specialty shops. Shopping is downtown in the Dawson Creek Mall or Walmart Super Store.  There are 2 liquor stores close to the Visitor Centre and beer and wine in groceries around town. There are gas stations and RV service at United Spring and Brake Ltd. Camping at the Northern Lights RV Park, and Mile “O” Park adjacent Pioneer Village. The city has a hospital, a public library, a college, church and recreation facilities.

Attractions:

  • The Alaska Highway House at 10201 – 10th St. showcases the history of the Alaska Highway.
  • Mile 0 marker of the Alaska Highway is located in downtown Dawson Creek and a popular photo subject.
  • Dawson Creek Station Museum, at Northern Alberta Railways (NAR) Park, displays pioneer artifacts and wildlife collections.
  • Dawson Creek Art Gallery, housed in a huge wooden grain elevator, features local and regional artists’ work.
  • Walter Wright Pioneer Village contains an impressive collection of local pioneer buildings and recently built replicas.
  • Stretch your legs on the scenic Dawson Creek Walking Path.
  • Tour Dawson Creek’s murals, which portray aspects of Alaska Highway construction.
  • There is an Artisan Marketat 1444 102 Ave. on Saturdays, May to October, 8:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M., in summer and a Farmers Market located at 10300–8 St. in the big orange building, 9 A.M. to 2 P.M. year-round. Flowers and produce (seasonally), baked goods, eggs, honey and crafts are for sale.