Fraser Valley » The Traveling

The Traveling

There are two main airports servicing the Lower Mainland. Abbotsford International Airport (604) 855-1135 and Vancouver International Airport General inquiries line: 604.207.7077

The West Coast Express offers passenger rail service from downtown Vancouver to Mission Monday through Friday. For 24 Hour Automated Information call 1-800-570-7245.

Rocky Mountaineer Vacations travel through the Canadian Rockies on their world acclaimed Rocky Mountaineer rail journey and offer 3 -4 day railtours from Whistler to Jasper with over-night stops in Kamloops and Quesnel. Toll Free: 1-877-460-3200.

The self-guided drive tours can be driven straight through, in a 5 hour circle tour following the Fraser River on either side, starting and ending in either Vancouver or Abbotsford. There is a 2 hour plus rush hour period each week day in Vancouver from 7:00 am to 9:00 am and again from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The smaller cities in the Fraser Valley have a rush hour as well, but you are not likely to be trapped in traffic for as long. Ideal traveling times are also on week-ends and dinner time.

From Vancouver head to Highway # 1 east and after 40 minutes of driving, take the 176th exit to visit Fort Langley where the Kwantlen First Nation host their annual Pow Wow in March. Travel back to Highway #1 east and in 20 minutes you are in Abbotsford for the First Nations Pavilion in August.

Back on Highway # 1 and another 30 minutes away is Soowahlie First Nation in Chilliwack where the War Canoe Races are held in June and the Chilliwack Pow Wow in April.

The town of Hope is 30 minutes away off of highway # 1, located at the beginning of the Fraser Canyon and the end of the Fraser Valley. The Chawathil Millennium Pole is an amazing representation of the story of Bill C-51 and the First Nations People that had their status returned as a result of this action. The pole is located at the Telte Yet Campsite, a 5 minute drive from downtown Hope. You can cross and follow the Fraser River back to Vancouver from here and drive along the other side of the Fraser Valley, back to downtown Vancouver following the Lougheed Highway.

From Hope head west to Agassiz passing through the reserves of Skawahlook and Seabird Island First Nations. Seabird Island is host to the Annual First Nations Sports Festival featuring the war canoe races.

Harrison Hot Springs is just 10 minutes from Agassiz and it takes only another 10 minutes to sample the Hot Springs water once you are there. The Hotel is located at the end of the Esplanade and inside the lobby, next to the fireplace is a fountain where you can sample the water. You can also walk to the left of the Hotel and follow a gravel trail along the lagoon to a cement cinder block building where the springs are pumped to the hotel pools and the public pool. There is a small pond on the side, where the hot spring water is piped in and often this is where the locals soak their feet and soak on the full moons.

Back on the Lougheed Highway heading west through Harrison Mills are the First Nations of Chehalis, Skowlitz and Leq:amel. Mission is a 30 minute drive away, with both Xa:ytem and the Medicine Wheel Ceremony just off the highway. From Mission it is possible to cross back over the Fraser River and be back in Abbotsford in 15 minutes to Highway # 1 to head west to Vancouver. You can also take the Lougheed Highway back to Vancouver and follow the Fraser River through Maple Ridge, Coquitlam and Port Moody. Here the highway turns into East Hastings Street in Burnaby and after driving for 30 minutes, will take you through colorful cultural neighborhoods, back to downtown Vancouver.

Abbotsford

Abbotsford is “The City in the Country” and has daily flights to and from the Abbotsford International Airport. It is one of BC’s fastest growing communities with a rich agricultural valley separating gigantic box store franchises and housing developments. It has seven convenient exits off the Trans Canada Highway and a diverse offering of vacation experiences. It is 10 minutes away from Sumas, Washington, the friendliest border crossing around.

The Abbotsford Tradex building is venue for the First Nation Pavilion, held the last week-end in August.
Address: 32470 Haida Drive Abbotsford

From Highway 1, heading East from Vancouver, take Exit # 87, Clearbrook Road, heading North. Turn right (East) off of Clearbrook Road onto North MacLure Road. Turn left (North) off of MacLure Road to Trethewey St. Use Gate 1 for Pedestrian General Entry or Gate 2 for Parking and General Entry.

Contact the Agrifair at:
Office: 604-852-6674
Email:agrifair@telus.net

Agassiz

Agassiz is a progressive and diversified rural community. Picturesque dairy farms, rolling corn fields and pristine wilderness areas offer a pleasant escape for rejuvenation. Visitors can still experience small town values and a caring attitude here.

Agassiz is fortunate enough to have only minutes away some of the best accommodations with cultural representation anywhere on the lower mainland. The Kwelaxtelatiya Longhouse Bed and Breakfast (page 23) the Harrison Hot Springs Resort (page 24) and Fenn Lodge (page 24) offer unforgettable get-aways while attending the Ceremonies and Events in the area.

Take exit #135 (the Bridal Falls exit), from highway #1, crossing the Fraser River to Agassiz. In Agassiz, follow highway #9 north to Harrison Hot Springs, just 10 minutes away or to Seabird Island 10 minutes away on the Lougheed Highway.

Seabird Island
Chowat Road (604) 796-9836

Seabird Island is just a ninety minute drive east of Vancouver, British Columbia The Seabird Island Band Members host one of the largest number of Traditional Ceremonies and Celebrations that are open to the public. There is a First Nation café, gas bar and tobacco shop where the friendly locals gather and will share places to visit, and community events that are happening. Visit the Seabird Nation’s Office behind the Café and get directions to the environmentally friendly housing project, where people come from all over the world to see the technology.

Heading east, take Harrison Hot Springs exit 135 off Hwy.1 – Cross over the bridge past Agassiz and you are now on the Lougheed Highway. The Seabird Island exit is approx. 4 km. past the Agassiz entrance. Take the first left over the bridge. The First Nation Offices are directly behind the Community Hall on the left (past the soccer fields)

Chilliwack

The City of Chilliwack, British Columbia is a community of approximately 70,000 people, located 100 kilometers east of the City of Vancouver. After only a short drive visitors have access to hiking, cycling, snowmobiling, ,hang gliding & backpacking areas and can enjoy the natural splendor of Mount Cheam, Bridal Falls and the scenic Fraser Valley.

There are a number of First Nation owned campsites around Chilliwack. The Sweltzer Creek Campsite is located in Cultus Lake and Earl’s by the River Campsite is located on Chilliwack Lake. Visit the Tourism Information Centre for information on other accommodations close by.

The convenient location of Chilliwack on the Trans Canada Highway #1, only three hours from the Interior of the province provides Chilliwack visitors with major highway access to this city.

Washington State residents and visitors from elsewhere in the United States have ready access to this Canadian playground. Seattle area residents are a two and half hour drive and only twenty minutes from the Sumas, Washington, border-crossing. This border crossing between the U.S. and Canada is considered one of the friendliest in the world and both the Canadian and the United States are housed in the same building.

The Sto:lo Nation
The Sto:lo Nation 7201 Vedder Road
(604) 858-3366 or 858-0113

The Sto:lo Nation Office Buildings are located behind the Cotton wood Mall in a large complex on Coqualeetza property that has a history as a tuberculosis hospital and a residential school. The Nations business, education, archeology, publishing, lands management, social services and language departments employ over two hundred aboriginal people with roughly one quarter being non-aboriginal. There is an interpretive longhouse and medicinal garden on site where visitors can arrange a tour. Often there are fund-raisers, lunches and people available to let you know what is happening while visiting

From Vancouver take exit 119 South off Hwy.1 (see Cottonwood Mall on right) Go through 2-street lights. Shortly after the 2nd light, past the 7-11 store on the right approximately 250 meters from there is Sto:lo Nation road sign on the right. The longhouse is at the end of the property next to a field.

Cultus Lake

Cultus lake is located 90 kilometers (55 miles) from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The area boasts many year round outdoor activities and has First Nations campgrounds located on the lake and alongside the Vedder River, well known for its sport fishery.

A 640 acre designated provincial park provides habitat for a variety of wildlife including coyote, blacktail deer, beaver, shrew mole, and 100 species of birds. Cultus Lake contains rainbow, Dolly Varden, steelhead and cutthroat trout and all five varieties of salmon. The Cultus Lake Sockey are currently endangered.

The Cultus Lake area offers gift shops, restaurants, boat rental facilities and many hiking trails The estimated number of year-round residents is about 930. About a million visitors visit the park each year.

If you are coming from Vancouver Heading East take Exit 104 which takes you through Yarrow to Cultus Lake. Traveling towards Vancouver your exit is 119B at Sardis.

Cultus Lake is located approximately 15 minutes from the Trans Canada Highway on Columbia Valley Highway. Take any of the picturesque streets that lead to the water and explore the beaches and parks.

Fort Langley

Fort Langley is located in the Township of Langley, about a 45 min drive from Vancouver as well as the USA border crossing. It is conveniently located near the #1 Hwy and the Albion Ferry crossing.

Nestled in an agricultural setting, bordered by waterways this jewel of a village offers historical tourism at its finest. The Village boasts the Fort Langley National Historic Site framed with mountain views. The tree-lined streets welcome visitors to spend a relaxing day nestled in a historic setting. With over eighty specialty gift and antique stores, services and restaurants to browse, one day may not be enough.

Two vehicle ferries offer free, frequent service from Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows on the north side of the Fraser River to Langley and Surrey on the south side.

The Kwantlen First Nation hosts their Annual Pow Wow in Fort Langley at the Langley Fine Arts School at 9096 Trattle Street.

Driving directions to the Pow Wow from the Fraser Highway in Langley; go north on Glover Road to Fort Langley, left on 88th Avenue, right on Trattle Road and the school is on the right hand side.

Going East on Highway No. 1, take the 200th Street exit, east on 88th Avenue and then turn left on Trattle Road. The school is on the right hand side.

Going West on Highway No. 1, take the 232nd Street exit, north on 232nd Street, west on Rawlison Crescent to Glover Road, then the same as the Langley driving directions to get to the school.

Harrison

Harrison is a 2 hour leisurely drive from Vancouver and a 3 hour drive from Seattle. With one of the most dramatic meetings of land and water in the world, Harrison Hot Springs borders the breathtaking snow capped mountains of South-western BC and the gorgeous Harrison Hot Springs Lake. Relatively undeveloped and pristine, the town is blessed to be home to the healing waters of the hot springs. Some of the finest restaurants anywhere are located here, with menus that offer the cuisine of many countries.

Directions to Harrison Hot Springs from Vancouver: From Vancouver take the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) east, past Chilliwack to the 135 Exit (Agassiz-Harrison turnoff). Drive along Highway 9 following the signs to Harrison Hot Springs.

From Vancouver follow Hwy 1 East to the Agassiz / Harrison Exit # 135. Follow Hwy 9 through the farm lands of Agassiz to Harrison Hot Springs. Most of the shops and restaurants are located off of the one-way waterfront Esplanade Street that has plenty of parking. You can walk around the lagoon path and town in about 30 minutes.

From Seattle, follow I-5 North to Bellingham. Take the Exit to Mt.Baker-Sunset Drive -Hwy 542 East and follow US-9 North to the Sumas / Abbotsford Border crossing.

Remain on Sumas way (Canada Side) to Hwy #1 heading East. Follow Hwy 1 East to the Agassiz / Harrison Exit #135 Follow Hwy 9 through Agassiz to Harrison Hot Springs.

Hope

Hope is located at the confluence of the mighty Fraser River and the smaller Coquihalla River and is nestled between the mountains of the Cascade and Coastal Mountain ranges. The views are stunning and the outdoor adventures are endless: hiking and biking trails for every fitness level plus river rafting, fishing, boating, golfing, rock hounding and gold panning. The Fraser Valley ends here and the Fraser Canyon starts.

There are first Nations camp grounds, arts and crafts and restaurants where the locals gather, all of the way back to Mission on scenic highway 7.

Mission

Mission is located approximately 70 kilometers (44 miles) east of the City of Vancouver and a 15 minutes drive north of the US border in the Fraser Valley in British Columbia. Nestled on a southern coastal mountain slope the town overlooks the lush valley of the mighty Fraser River. It is surrounded by the incredible beauty of mountainous vistas and natural forest settings. Ideally situated, Mission is only a 15 minutes drive north of the US border, and approximately 70 kilometers east of the City of Vancouver. Having a unique heritage, it is home to the oldest known First Nations' archeological site in British Columbia and the Medicine Wheel Ceremony.

There are several Bed & Breakfasts in close proximity to Mission that are available for visitors attending the ceremony. Both the Kwelaxtelatiya Longhouse and Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa are a 45 minute leisurely, country road drive; with breath-taking views of the Fraser River or for something completely different, sleep in a traditional Pit-House only 10 minutes away at a sacred site.

There are several ways to get to Mission. The two access highways to Mission are the Lougheed Highway #7 and Highway #11.

If driving west on Highway #1, take the Sumas exit (exit 92) in Abbotsford and head north on Highway #11. If driving east from Vancouver, take the Sumas exit (exit 92) in Abbotsford and head north on Highway #11. If driving west on Highway #97, take the Lougheed Highway which begins just east of Hope.

From Highway 1 take the Mission / Sumas exit off (exit 92) Stay in the right (middle) lane. At the 4th light, the road to Mission, Highway.11 veers to the right .At the bottom of Highway 11 turn right (north) Mission is approx. 10 km further.

To get to the Medicine Wheel Ceremony go over bridge – take 1st exit, go over railway overpass – turn right onto Lougheed Hwy (east) St.Mary’s is approx. 4 km further on left – up a steep driveway (watch for St.Mary’s signage). Take the last driveway to the right and follow to the end of the field to the kitchen. Ask for someone to assist you with where to set up camp or park for the day. There is protocol involved and certain areas are set aside for the spirit path, the moon lodge, sweat lodges and for the healing work taking place.

Both Xa:ytem and The Medicine Wheel Ceremony are located on the Scenic Lougheed Highway 7, on Mission's eastern border only ten minutes apart.

The sites can be accessed from south of the Fraser River via Highway 11, the Mission-Abbotsford Highway, and Highway 9, from Rosedale to Agassiz. Both highways connect to Highway 7.