On Sunday mornings from spring through fall, the parking lot outside the Hazeltons Visitor Center becomes a gathering place for farmers, bakers, artists, musicians and neighbours. The Hazelton Farmers’ Market draws people from across the area to shop for local produce, meat, preserves, prepared food and handmade goods. It is a small but telling example of life in the Hazeltons: locally rooted, closely connected and shaped by the people who call the region home.
For those considering a move to Northwest BC, the Hazeltons offer a more comfortable pace without losing access to essential services, recreation or a wider regional network.
The Hazeltons are not one town, but a collection of communities that include the Village of Hazelton, the District of New Hazelton, South Hazelton and Two Mile, along with nearby Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en communities, and for a more rural lifestyle, the Kispiox and Suskwa valleys. The Bulkley and Skeena Rivers run through the area, which is framed by forested valleys and the distinctive profile of Stegyawden, also known as Hagwilget Peak.
The landscape is not something residents need to save for a vacation. In Historic Hazelton, the riverfront boardwalk connects Bastion Park and Polly Sargent Park along the Bulkley River. The parks offer places to walk, picnic and watch for eagles, with the occasional bear also seen fishing across the river. Nearby, the meeting of the Bulkley and Skeena Rivers shows how closely the communities are connected to the water. New Hazelton is home to the Breakover Trail, Waterfall Trail, and for the very experienced hiker, there is a trail to Hagwilget Peak.
Provincial parks are also within easy reach. Ross Lake Provincial Park offers paddling, picnicking and mountain views, while Anderson Flats Provincial Park sits near the meeting of the two rivers. Seeley Lake Provincial Park is nestled under the Roche de Boule mountain range with a picturesque view, camping sites, and the opportunity to spot mountain goats. It is also a Birder’s paradise that is home to many different species. Farther east, Seven Sisters Provincial Park and Protected Area offers a more rugged setting for backcountry hiking. In winter, residents can trade hiking shoes for snowshoes or make use of indoor recreation closer to home.
The Upper Skeena Recreation Centre, aptly referred to as “The Heart of the Hazeltons” is one of the area’s main gathering places throughout the year. Its arena, gymnasium and fitness spaces support organized sports, community programs and everyday recreation. There are also schools, a library, health-care services and the Wrinch Memorial Hospital, along with grocery stores, local shops and places to eat.
Skeena Bakery in New Hazelton serves handmade breads, savoury items, sweet treats and locally roasted Mercedes Beans coffee. Places like the bakery and farmers’ market offer more than convenience. They are where people run into neighbours, learn what is happening locally and gradually become familiar faces.
The area’s cultural identity reaches much deeper than its municipal history. The Hazeltons are located on Gitxsan Lax̱yip and near Wet’suwet’en territories, where people have lived since time immemorial. Totem poles stand throughout the Upper Skeena, while ‘Ksan Historical Village and Museum, near the ancient village of Gitanmaax, shares Gitxsan history, art and culture beside the rivers. The nearby Hagwilget Canyon Bridge, a single-lane suspension bridge high above the Bulkley River, is another landmark woven into the experience of travelling through the area.
For newcomers, becoming part of the Hazeltons means taking time to understand this cultural context, learn about the distinct communities and participate respectfully. It also means recognizing that community life is spread across a wider area than the name “Hazeltons” might initially suggest.
New Hazelton and South Hazelton are located along Highway 16, with Smithers approximately 45 minutes away and Terrace about 90 minutes away. Regional transit connects the Hazeltons with surrounding communities, ensuring residents remain connected to larger service centres while living in a distinctly rural setting.
Employment in the area is connected to health care, education, public administration, forestry, construction, tourism and community services. Fibre optic internet also supports remote work, online learning and home-based businesses. For entrepreneurs and skilled professionals, the Hazeltons serve not only local residents but also neighbouring villages and rural communities throughout the Upper Skeena.
In the Hazeltons, a trip to the bakery, an evening walk beside the Bulkley River or an afternoon at Ross Lake can fit naturally into the week. With work, recreation and community closely connected, residents can build meaningful careers, enjoy a fulfilling personal life and plan for a promising future.
For those looking beyond a major urban centre, the Hazeltons offer more than an impressive landscape. They offer the opportunity to develop a career or business, become involved in a close-knit region and build a life shaped by the rivers, mountains and people of the Upper Skeena.
