Discovering Kitselas Canyon National Historic Site

On a recent BC road trip, we camped at Kleanza Creek Provincial Park near Terrace and made a surprise discovery: the Kitselas Canyon National Historic Site. What we thought would be a quiet drive to our next destination turned into one of the most meaningful cultural stops on our route—a walking tour through the history of the Gitselasu people of the Tsimshian Nation.

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Pin image for TimeTravelTrek.com post with collage of 4 images of native carvings and viewing platform. Text reads: Canada Travel. Kitselas National Historic Site. Northern BC Road Trip.

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We almost missed it.

If Gear Guru hadn’t spotted a small sign just as we were leaving Kleanza Creek Provincial Park, we might’ve continued west to Prince Rupert without ever realizing what was tucked just beyond the trees.

Curious, we turned off the highway and followed a short road into the Kitselas Canyon National Historic Site, where a lone school bus sat quietly beside four longhouses. Small carved totems stood at the entrance. It was quiet, unassuming, and full of presence.

Designated a National Historic Site in 1972, Kitselas Canyon shares the stories of a people who have lived along the Skeena River for more than 6,000 years. And somehow, despite passing it on trips to Haida Gwaii, we’d never stopped before.

P.S. Don’t miss our round-up post outlining the entire BC road trip!

Four red and black painted totem poles — The clan totems at Kitselas Canyon included the Killer-Whale, Eagle, Wolf and Raven. (Photo Credit: Megan Kopp)

What does Kitselas mean?
“Kitselas” is derived from the name “Gitselasu,” meaning “People of the Canyon.”

What Makes This a National Historic Site?

There are over 1,000 National Historic Sites in Canada, but only 171 are managed by Parks Canada. Kitselas Canyon National Historic Site is run by the Gitselasu Stewardship Society, a community-led organization that preserves and shares the cultural heritage of the region.

Side channel on large, brown river. — Located along the Skeena River, the site was once home to up to six Gitselasu villages, occupied until the 1870s. The canyon itself was both a trade route and a spiritual place, rich in food, ceremony, and meaning. (Photo Credit: Megan Kopp)

Learning About the Gitselasu

We paid our entrance fee (note: Parks Canada passes don’t apply here) and walked toward the longhouses, each marked by its own totem pole.

The Gitselasu are one of seven Tsimshian villages and maintain a ruling-class social system built on four clans: Eagle, Wolf, Raven, and Killer Whale.

Interior of building with First Nations carvings and art. — Inside the longhouses, exhibits tell the story of migration, village life, and the impact of colonization. While displays were still being set up after winter storage during our visit, the atmosphere and artifacts gave us a real sense of place—and time. (Photo Credit: Megan Kopp)

According to oral tradition, the Killer Whale clan migrated down the Skeena River, building new villages as they moved. One of the oldest—the Paul Mason Site—dates back more than 5,000 years.

Walking into the Past at Kitselas Canyon

From the longhouses, a trail leads down toward the canyon.

Interpretive sign in front of thick forest. — Along the way, interpretive signs highlight the natural resources that supported life here: cedar, hemlock, skunk cabbage, devil’s club, salmonberries, blueberries, and more. (Photo Credit: Megan Kopp)

You’ll also learn about Ringbolt Island and Dry Island, which contain ancient petroglyphs, and about the paddlewheelers that once navigated the Skeena River before the railway arrived in 1912.

Replica white-painted three-storey boat named Hazelton. — Steamboats – like this model found in one of the longhouses – used metal rings drilled into the rock on a midstream island to pull themselves through the dangerous currents in the canyon. (Photo Credit: Megan Kopp)

Gitlaxdzawk: The Fortress Village

One stop along the trail highlights Gitlaxdzawk, a fortified Gitselasu village. Its name means “People of the Fortress.”

This settlement was permanently established roughly 250 years before European contact and became part of a sophisticated toll system—anyone passing through the canyon had to pay tribute to Gitselasu chiefs. Payments came in the form of salmon, seaweed, canoes, furs, slaves, and more.

Wooden carving in a wooden box. — Although Gitlaxdzawk was abandoned by the 1870s, archaeological remains help keep the past alive. (Photo Credit: Megan Kopp)

If you appreciate learning about Indigenous cultures in Northern BC, check out these posts:
Exploring Northern BC: ‘Ksan Historical Village
Exploring Northern BC: Kispiox, Kitwanga and Kitwancool

Viewing the Canyon Today

Man standing on wooden viewing platform above a river. — Little remains of the original villages, but the viewing platform near the clan totems offers a powerful look at the Skeena River and Kitselas Canyon. (Photo Credit: Megan Kopp)

We followed a short boardwalk to the left for panoramic views of the river. Following our steps back up to the 4 totems, we took the other path leading down to the water’s edge, pausing near a small eddy where canoes once pulled ashore on Pebble Beach.

Man standing on rocky beach by water's edge. — Imagine canoes powering down the Skeena before pulling out in this small eddy near the fortified village of Gitlaxdzawk. (Photo Credit: Megan Kopp)

Construction is underway on a longer trail that will lead deeper into the site. We’re already planning to return once it is finished.

Camping Near Terrace, BC and Kitselas Canyon

There are a few provincial parks near Terrace, but for us, Kleanza Creek Provincial Park was just right. The park is located in the Hazelton Mountain Range. It’s less than a 10-minute drive from Terrace and only 5 minutes from Kitselas Canyon. Kleanza Creek also has a canyon of its own to explore.

Man stand on waterworn rock beside creek running through small canyon. — Did you know? “Kleanza” means “gold” in the Tsimshian language? (Photo Credit: Megan Kopp)

We arrived just before dusk, set up camp, and explored in the morning. A short 1 km (0.6 mi) trail leads to a lookout over Kleanza Creek Canyon. Expect plenty of photo ops and a peaceful forest walk.

Learn more about Kleanza Creek Provincial Park

Why Kitselas Canyon Should Be on Your BC Road Trip List

The Kitselas Canyon National Historic Site offers something rare. It’s a cultural experience led by the people whose ancestors lived there, on land they’ve never left.

It’s not polished or packaged, and that’s what makes it powerful.

If you’re driving the Skeena River route between Terrace and Prince Rupert, plan to stop. Walk the canyon trail. Read the signs. Talk to the guides. You’ll leave with more than photos—you’ll carry a deeper understanding of BC’s past and present.

📌 Previous post in this BC Road Trip series: 108 Mile Heritage Site.
📌 Next up: Northern Pacific Cannery National Historic Site.

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