Wildlife Watching

Explore the wild wonders of Valemount and the Robson Valley, BC where watching the wildlife is a super, natural BC pastime.

Watch nature come alive

You’ll hear the birdcalls on the wind and see Golden Eagles soaring high above the tree line. The Robson Valley is rich with life, from the mule and whitetail deer that roam through the campsites, to moose foraging in the marshes and through the many grasslands. These animals have called this land home far longer than its human inhabitants. In Valemount, the wildlife are the residents and we are the guests, so come in, tread lightly and watch as the wilderness unfolds and its creatures come out to play.

Undisturbed wilderness and vast stretches of protected parkland make Valemount and the Robson Valley a haven for naturalists. Waterfowl course through our protected marshes, moose, elk and caribou raise their young in our forests, and birds of prey circle through the cerulean sky above. Whether you come to Valemount with the desire to view wildlife in its natural habitat, or you stumble upon it while hiking our numerous trails, you will find it, and we’d ask that you care for it and treat it with the same reverence and respect that we do.

Mount Robson Provincial Park

Where else can you travel between four different vegetation zones in a single day? Forget about looking at nature shows on television, just grab some binoculars and wait — you won’t wait long — and watch as the residents of the Mount Robson Provincial Park appear before you. More than 182 species of birds have been discovered in the park, from majestic golden eagles, to American Pipits, Hammond Flycatchers, Rufous Hummingbirds and Great Gray Owls.

To date, there have been 42 species of mammals found in the park, from the wetland-loving moose and valley-hugging deer, to the mountain goats in the alpine tundra. Both black and grizzly bear make a home in the park, as do elk, deer, wolf, coyote and caribou. All four climatic zones within the park provide habitat for various species. Arrive in June for the annual Mount Robson Bird Blitz, or show up in autumn and be there as the leaves turn and the aspen, poplar and low-growing willow vibrant shades of yellow, red and orange.

R.W. Starratt Wildlife Management Area

Stand still, be patient and before long the quiet calm of the R.W. Starratt Wildlife Sanctuary will dissolve as the numerous species of birds come to life, their calls carrying over Cranberry Marsh. Approximately two-thirds of the sanctuary’s 319ha was donated by Valemount’s Robert W. Starratt in 1971, and has since grown thanks to the addition of Crown land and Nature Trust of BC properties. The area provides exceptional nature viewing and is equipped with accessible, eco-friendly trails and viewing towers — a haven for birdwatchers. Ducks Unlimited is also active in the sanctuary, maintaining a wetland enhancement project. Located along a major migration route, more than 140 species of birds touch down at each year, including hawks, eagles, geese, ducks, swifts, woodpeckers, sandpipers, owls, finches, vireos, flycatchers, chickadees, bluebirds and warblers. To experience the true magic of the marsh, come at sunrise or at dusk in spring or in the fall.

Cheer for the Chinook

To get to this point they have survived against all odds. They’ve journeyed through to the Pacific Ocean and now they’re coming home, to spawn and to die. They have avoided predators and disease, they have navigated hundreds of kilometres upstream with that final drive to push through and to make it home. Stand on the banks of the Fraser River in late August and early September and applaud the effort the Chinook salmon have undertaken to get this far, and cheer as they valiantly leap over Rearguard Falls during their last, most triumphant push to the finish.

Spot the Sasquatch

Back in October of 1955, William Roe hiked the 4.5km (2.8 mi) trail to the old Mica Mine site. It was here in the late afternoon that he came out of a patch of low brush into a clearing and saw what he first thought was a grizzly bear. He stood about 65 m (213 ft) from the animal, aimed his rifle and stopped — it was not a bear. Roe would later sign an affidavit swearing that he saw a Sasquatch, and consequently putting his stamp on British Columbian folklore. Go for a hike, tread lightly and maybe you’ll spot this elusive creature. Oh, and bring a camera, just in case!