Cassiar Highway

The Cassiar Highway (Highway 37) is a 450 mile long road that runs through northern British Columbia. It's one of only two routes from B.C. to the Yukon Territory and the State of Alaska. The highway is 2 lanes and rough in some sections, with very limited traffic and no cell service. There are a few 8 percent grades and 2 switchback turns, which are easily manageable. There are no passing lanes, beyond one in the first few miles of the highway. The centerline and edge line markings may be missing along some northern sections of the highway. Yes, please drive with your headlights on at all times.

STEWART-CASSIAR HIGHWAY 37 TRAVEL GUIDE

The scenic route along the Stewart-Cassiar Highway (Highway 37) lets you discover Northern British Columbia’s vast wilderness, First Nations culture, and pioneering history.

Roller coaster highway heading north. Well not really as the speed is 100 Km (60 mph). However in an our Rv 50 to 55 Mph is good.

The Stewart-Cassiar is a 724 km (449 m) long road and an excellent alternative to the much busier Alaska Highway to travel to or from the Yukon. The Cassiar is also known as Highway 37, the Dease Lake Highway, and the Stikine Highway as well as the Terrace-Kitimat Highway from Kitimat to Terrace. So, please be careful looking at a map, GPS or even Google maps. You will see all of the names.

We take every opportunity to get away from busy highway traffic and like the stretches of lonely roads and secluded places. So if you’re like us, Susan and I, we highly suggest that you drive the Stewart-Cassiar Highway one way on your journey north or south. Maybe it’s not for the faint-hearted, but you won’t regret it.

Originally, the Stewart Cassiar was a combination of logging and haul roads for mines. The highway has been improved, but be aware that some sections might be under construction. So, check the road conditions prior to leaving. Drive BC is a good source - ( Link Press ). Another good source is, I hate to say this is Facebook Groups. The road is suitable for campers and motorhomes.

Remember there is limited to no cell service on the Stewart-Cassiar highway, as it passes through remote areas of British Columbia.

Not all services are open all year round. Make sure you fill up your gasoline tank at each opportunity and you will be fine. Just remember how far you can travel on a tank of fuel. There are enough fuel stops during the summer months.

Watch out for wildlife at all times. 

Getting There

In the north, the Stewart-Cassiar Highway starts at Junction 37 at km 1002 on the Alaska Highway, which is just west of Watson Lake. Gas, restaurant, motel, and campground are available at Junction 37. In the south, the Cassiar ends at Kitimat, BC.

We started our journey at KM 0 (m) in the south at the junction of Highway 16 (Yellowhead Hwy) and Highway 37, where you find the Gitxsan village of Kitwanga. Just east of Kitwanga is the Hazelton area, (New Hazelton, Hazelton, and South Hazelton), the center of some interesting Aboriginal sites.

Meziadin Junction
You reach the Meziadin Junction about 155 km (96m) north of Kitwanga. Meziadin Junction is at the turnoff to Stewart and Hyder. This dramatic side trip through Highway 37A to Stewart, BC, and Hyder, Alaska is well worth the time. This year the bear sightings are up, including many in the town of Stewart itself.

Before heading west, you can camp at Meziadin Lake Provincial Park, an ideal place for boating and fishing, and just plain relaxing or getting caught up on your much needed sleep. They now take reservations, min 2 days in advance. Amenities now include some sites with 30amp, and instead of a hand water pump, an actual water faucet to take on water. We suggest the upper level sites 1 thru 20, as they get the most sun. Remember not all sites will fit a 40Ft MH like ours. Generator are allowed but only twice a day. 

And as I noted earlier:

Commercial Version of Starlink

The community of Bell II

Bell 2 is located 96 km (60m), north of Meziadin and was named because it’s the second bridge across the Bell Irving River. Bell II Lodge is a modern all-service lodge for travelers heading north or south. Here you find accommodations, restaurant, campsites for RV’s and tents, as well as a gas station with a coffee shop.

In the winter months, Bell II Lodge is home to Last Frontier Heliskiing. Just like the name implies. Helicopter Skiing. Heli-skiing is off-trail, downhill skiing or snowboarding where the skier reaches the top of the mountain by helicopter, instead of a ski lift.

Tatogga Lake and Iskut

A 148 km (92m) drive north of Bell II takes you to Tatogga Lake Resort. Visitor services here are fuel, a restaurant, accommodations, boat rentals, flight-seeing tours, and minor car repairs. Camping is also available at the nearby Kinaskan Lake. 

A further 8 km takes you to the tiny Tahltan village of Iskut which has a post office, gas station, and grocery store. You can rent cabins or camp at the Mountain Shadow RV Park.

Both places are getaways to the spectacular wilderness parks of Mount Edziza and Spatsizi Plateau.

About 83 km (52m) north of Iskut you arrive at the community of Dease Lake (population 302). It is the center of services for Highway 37 communities. Here you find gas stations, motels, stores, a Post office, and a laundromat. Dease Lake is only 484 km (300m) north of Kitwanga. That is half the range of the Alfa SeYa.

Camping is available at Dease Lake RV, south of town at Dease Lake Lions Tanzilla River Campground, and north of town at Water’s Edge Campground.

At Dease Lake is the turnoff to Telegraph Creek Road, a scenic adventure, but not recommended for everyone.

Side Trip to Telegraph Creek. Many of us like to take side trips, which turn out be more of a lifetime, don’t miss it

The 113 km gravel road from Dease Lake to Telegraph Creek passes several First Nations fishing camps. The view of the lower Grand Canyon of the Stikine is sensational. Telegraph Creek at the end of the road has many turn-of-the-century buildings from the gold rush days.

Telegraph Creek Road is narrow and steep with sharp switchbacks. Drive carefully and carry a spare tire.

NOTE: This road is not recommended for trailers or large RVs. Allow a minimum of 2 hours of driving time in good conditions.
Check road conditions at the highway maintenance camp or RCMP office in Dease Lake before you start the trip to Telegraph Creek. Fill up with gasoline at Dease Lake.

Jade City with a population of 20 is an attraction you don’t want to miss, located 71 km (44m) north of Dease Lake. Named after large jade deposits in the area, it offers an insight into mining this beautiful stone. The owners of the Cassiar Mountain Jade Store are experts in the Jade mining business.

Jade City has overnight RV parking, accommodation, a restaurant, a jade gallery, mining exhibits, and a native art shop.

The little church across from the Cassiar Mountain Jade store opens during the summer months sometimes to offer Sunday service.

A 10 km drive west of the highway takes you to the ghost town of Cassiar. The asbestos mining town ended its mining operation in 1992. Today, abandoned cabins and equipment let you imagine the early times of miners and settlers in the area. The abandoned site is now closed to visitors. However this is not be missed, especially the Bras Road Gate.

Typical Cassiar Highway landscape, showing the result of forest fires
The next 120 km drive takes you to Good Hope Lake (population 75). The road gets narrow and windy. Once you leave the Cassiar Mountains, you are entering the Yukon Plateau, northbound. Some of these mountains are the oldest in northern British Columbia.

On this stretch of road, you can see the evidence of the 2010 burn. The forest fire started by lightning and burned more than 30,000 hectares and closed this section of the Cassiar Highway to traffic for several days. However the upside is the abundant Huckleberry in the area.  

Fill up your gas when you reach the junction at the Alaska Highway.
From here, Watson Lake 21 km southeast is the nearest major community. Nugget City (gas, lodging, restaurant, gift shop, mechanic, camping) is located just over a km west of here on the Alaska Highway.

Provincial Parks on the Stewart Cassiar Highway
Three provincial parks are located along Highway 37. They are open for camping during the summer and provide opportunities for hiking, fishing, and sightseeing. Just remember do your planning or not. We like to take our chances sometimes. Also there are many pull off's, but they are not marked very well or not at all. All we can say is keep a close look out. Not only for pull-offs but Small Square RED Signs on the side of the road.

NOTE: They are there to mark Frost Heaves.

Boya Lake Provincial Pak – 150 km north of Dease Lake
Kinaskan Lake Provincial Park – 364 km north of Kitwanga
Meziadin Lake Provincial Park -150 km north of Kitwanga
For More Check out the BC Parks website - ( Press Here )for details and dates of operation

By the way, you might be wondering what happened to Jeff and Linda. 

They decided they needed to get to Alaska. Bypassing Watson Lake for now and traveling onto Whitehorse, and then to Tok, Ak 2000 km (1,242 m). We wished them well and safe journeys.

Safe Journeys and Travels

Susan, Dakota, Tilly and me

DaGirls Rv AkA Gus

P.S. I left alot out, but will catch you up on it later