Great Bear Rainforest, Temperate rainforest on Pacific coast in British Columbia, Canada
Great Bear Rainforest is a temperate rainforest along the central and northern Pacific coast in British Columbia, Canada, stretching across 400 kilometers. The forest covers more than 6 million hectares with old trees, deep fjords, river valleys and coastal islands.
Conservation groups began documenting and publicizing the ecological importance of this coastal region in the 1990s. The campaigns that followed led to protection agreements that preserved large portions of the forest from industrial logging.
The region has been home to Coast Salish and Heiltsuk communities for thousands of years, who continue to live here and maintain their traditional relationships with the forest. Visitors can join guided tours led by local guides who share knowledge about plants, animals and historical connections to the land.
Access is through Bella Coola along Highway 20 from Williams Lake or by scheduled flights from Vancouver, with additional entry through Bella Bella and Prince Rupert. Visits often require boat trips or floatplanes, as many areas are reachable only by water.
Kermode bears live here, a black bear subspecies in which about 10 percent of individuals carry white fur due to a recessive gene. These white-coated bears are called Spirit Bears by local communities and are considered important cultural symbols.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
