British Columbia Backroad Mapbooks
Ranked #7,924 in Travel & Places, #210,171 overall
The Thrill of the Backroad
I discovered the Backroad Mapbooks several years ago and on a whim bought one from the local bookstore. I figured that I didn't know enough about what was in my backyard and boy was I right. That whim lead me on a 15000 KM road trip for the entire month of September back in 2009, and now I can proudly say there isn't a highway in BC that I haven't traveled on, (Okay there still is one but I'll get to that one day). These books detailed every back road, campsite, and lake that I came across. They led me to hot springs, unique geographic features like the lava beds in northern BC and stunning panoramic views.
There are six books that cover all of British Columbia and each book is structured the same. Read on to see what features they contain and a recomendation on what I consider to be must see locations for each region.
This Lens is part of a growing collection documenting my backyard, I hope you stay tuned for more as I write about specific locations and head off to discover more!
There are six books that cover all of British Columbia and each book is structured the same. Read on to see what features they contain and a recomendation on what I consider to be must see locations for each region.
This Lens is part of a growing collection documenting my backyard, I hope you stay tuned for more as I write about specific locations and head off to discover more!
BC Backroad Mapbooks
Features
-Complete area topographic map coverage at better scales-Extensive logging, industry and bush road coverage detailing road systems not found on most other maps
-Labeled backcountry roads and recreational features
-Trail systems, including defined ATV, snowmobile & multi-use trails
-Paddling routes with access points and portages marked
-Parks, protected and natural areas clearly labeled with symbols showcasing the main activities or amenities
-Recreation sites, conservation areas and regional park systems labeled and symbolized
-Wildlife Management Unit boundaries for anglers and hunters
-Elevation relief shading with labeled contours to highlight mountains and river valleys
-UTM Grids along with latitude and longitude bearings
-Descriptions or write-ups on Backroad Attractions, Fishing (lakes, streams & ocean), Hunting, Paddling (lake, river & ocean), Parks and Recreation Sites, Trails (hiking, biking, ATV & multi-use), Wildlife Viewing, Winter Recreation (cross-country ski, downhill ski, snowshoe & snowmobile), hotsprings, and more
The book opens with a map of the region and is numbered into sections, each section has a zoomed in map that has been labeled and symbolized. Everything is labeled on the maps, from tiny little back roads that logging trucks don't even use, to backroad attractions.
The next sections of the book detail the backroad attractions. In the BC version of backroad mapbooks, hot springs are a big attraction along with hiking routes, mountain biking locations, and other unique features.
The last sections of the book cover recreational sites, (meaning camping sites),lakes, and parks. Not all recreational sites are free, and not all lakes are public, the book will tell you what you need to know, such as whether a campsite has showers or if it is a user maintained site.
These books are updated through the user, if you come across something that is not in the book, or has been changed due to humans or the environment, let the company know so the book can be updated!
GPS and Digital Versions
Dead Batteries!
What is more interesting are the digital versions which come in multiple formats and can be used with main GPS compatible software programs such as
-OziExplorer
-Memory Map
-Google Earth
-iStuff (Backroad Digital Maps Version 3 Only).
You can buy the entire digital package or specify a particular file format and prices adjust accordingly.
Simple PDF versions are also available but these can not be Geo-referenced and are basically the books in digital form.
All these versions contain the same features and data, they are merely available in different formats for easy use depending on what you need and want.
Vote! GPS vs Hardcopy
For being a product of the internet era, I still prefer having a physical map in my hands, so much can go wrong with cellphones like having dead batteries, inability to connect to cell towers, or even satellites in some parts of the country. How about you?
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Mt. Begbies Lookout!
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast BC
Recommended attraction: Mount Begbie Lookout
Who said BC was only mountains? They must have never gone to Begbies lookout in the heart of the Cariboo. The tallest hill around for miles has an old fire watchtower on it and on a clear day you can see for over 100 miles in any direction!
Who said BC was only mountains? They must have never gone to Begbies lookout in the heart of the Cariboo. The tallest hill around for miles has an old fire watchtower on it and on a clear day you can see for over 100 miles in any direction!
Liard River Hotsprings
Northern BC
Northern BC has a lot to offer such as the Bear Glacier, the Alaska Highway museum, the Nisga'a Lava Beds, and much more; However, if your in that neck of the woods you have to see
Recommendation: Liard River Hot springs
These hot springs are the second largest in Canada and is right off the Alaska highway. They are located in a provincial park and depending on what time of year you are there, you may have to pay a small user fee. There aren't to many places to camp in this area so unless you arrive early you'll probably find yourself spending the night at the campground.
Recommendation: Liard River Hot springs
These hot springs are the second largest in Canada and is right off the Alaska highway. They are located in a provincial park and depending on what time of year you are there, you may have to pay a small user fee. There aren't to many places to camp in this area so unless you arrive early you'll probably find yourself spending the night at the campground.
Lussier Hot Springs
The Kootenay Rockies BC
Recommendation: Lussier Hot Springs or Fort Steele
Yes there are two recommendations, some of you may not like hot springs... not sure why you wouldn't but still..
Lussier hot springs are a set of natural hot springs that are still free to use, people have built up three pools over time and a flight of stairs offers easy access from the road.
Fort Steele is an old historic fort that has basically remained intact since the 1800's. Visit during the summer time for maximum enjoyment as actors move in and reenactments of 1800's daily life occur over the summer.
Yes there are two recommendations, some of you may not like hot springs... not sure why you wouldn't but still..
Lussier hot springs are a set of natural hot springs that are still free to use, people have built up three pools over time and a flight of stairs offers easy access from the road.
Fort Steele is an old historic fort that has basically remained intact since the 1800's. Visit during the summer time for maximum enjoyment as actors move in and reenactments of 1800's daily life occur over the summer.
Okanagan Beach
Thompson Okanagan BC
The Thompson Okanagan is the summer playground for the province. Populations here triple during the summer months due to the long string of lakes in the region.
Recommendation: Beach bum, any lake. Seriously. Due to the influx of people every summer this region is very touristy, anything you want to do you can do, thus there is no real point in giving a recommendation. In the winter visit the local mountains, some of the best snow and vertical in the world exist in this area.
Recommendation: Beach bum, any lake. Seriously. Due to the influx of people every summer this region is very touristy, anything you want to do you can do, thus there is no real point in giving a recommendation. In the winter visit the local mountains, some of the best snow and vertical in the world exist in this area.
Vancouver!
Vancouver, Coast and Mountains
Recommendation: Visit Vancouver, there is lots of information on tourism in Vancouver available, pick what you like and go do it!
If your into extreme sports, visit Whistler. Home of mountain biking in the summer and skiing and snowboarding in the winter, this world class resort just hosted the Olympics and the infrastructure is second to none.
If your into extreme sports, visit Whistler. Home of mountain biking in the summer and skiing and snowboarding in the winter, this world class resort just hosted the Olympics and the infrastructure is second to none.
Tofino!
Vancouver Island, Victoria & Gulf Islands
Recommendation: There is a lot to do on this little island, so it really depends on your interests:
-Some of the best waves in the north can be found on the west side of the island, be prepared for cold though!
-Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia and is full of museums, history and architecture.
-Fishing Fishing and more .... just don't get pulled off the boat, these ocean fish are MASSIVE.
-Some of the best waves in the north can be found on the west side of the island, be prepared for cold though!
-Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia and is full of museums, history and architecture.
-Fishing Fishing and more .... just don't get pulled off the boat, these ocean fish are MASSIVE.
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