Facilities and services

Visitor centre

Fort St. James National Historic site maintains a modern Visitor Centre with an exhibit room, theatre, gift shop and fully accessible washroom facility. A baby-changing station is also available in the disabled washroom for use.

A nine minute introductory video, 'A Letter Home', is offered in the theatre. It is available in English, French and German as well as closed caption for the hearing impaired. Please check with site staff as required.

Self guiding media is available. The self guiding tour is scheduled to take approximately 45 minutes, depending on the listeners pace.

Remember to sign our Guest Book before you leave, and please feel free to include any comments about your experience at the site.

Camping

If you like spending your nights under the stars you need look no further than our tent sites right here at the fort. Pitch your tent in our café yard and watch the sun set on the shores of Stuart Lake while sitting around a campfire. You can be the first visitors on the site in the morning. Washrooms are available with a flush toilet, shower and a sink.

Wedding

May thru October the site can be booked for weddings. The months of May and October are perfect for private weddings. The site closes at 5:00 pm so evenings are also private during June, July and August. Call for more information 250-996-7191 ext. 25 or email stjames@pc.gc.ca.

Fire pits and picnic facilities

We have six fire rings in the historic site grounds, complete with barbecue grills and picnic tables adjacent to each fire pit. Visitors may use these facilities and firewood provided during our normal opening hours from 9 am to 5 pm, except on special event days when the picnic areas may be used for special event functions. Consult with our historic site staff in making your plans.

Group camping opportunities for non-profit custodial groups

Fort St. James National Historic Site accepts group camping on the historic site grounds during the summer months for special events like scout camps, overnight school programs and other similar activities. Interpretive programs can be customized and added to a group’s activities for an additional fee if occurring after normal operating hours (9 am to 5 pm). Groups will have access to washroom facilities and fire rings as required and fees are the normal day admission fee per participant per day of stay. If you are interested in making a booking, please email us at: stjames@pc.gc.ca.

Access for persons with disabilities

Fort St. James National Historic Site is largely accessible to all park visitors who visit the site. For visitors requiring extra assistance, a manual wheelchair is available upon entry to the visitor centre for free. For more information about our accessible facilities, click here: Learn more about accessibility at Fort St. James National Historic Site

The Home Stretch Diner

Fort St. James National Historic Site runs a full service cafe/restaurant for seating of up to 20-30 people.

We guarantee you will have a tremendous experience with us!

Fort St. James National Historic Site is one of 174 National Historic Sites across Canada. As part of the Parks Canada family of protected places across Canada, our employees take exceptional pride in their work and in ensuring visitors have the very best experience possible. We guarantee that your visit to Fort St. James will be an outstanding and memorable time, and we’re pleased to take whatever steps might be needed to ensure your enjoyable experience with us.

Feel free to also ask unexpected questions or ask for assistance in your next destination’s planning as well. Our staff participate in the Northern BC iShare program, a regional network of regional visitor information centres and their front-line staff sharing the latest information on what to do, see and enjoy here in Northern British Columbia. Chances are, if we can’t answer your question about the next stop on your journey, we’ll be able to take care of you and send you in the right direction.

We’re confident you will find our staff to be enthusiastic and vibrant, our site to be welcoming and enjoyable, your experiences to be memorable and your desire will be to make a return visit as soon as you are finished with this one.

We’re also very interested in your feedback about your time with us at Fort St. James, so please ensure to fill out a comment card, sign a guest book or speak to any Parks Canada staff members whom you might encounter out and about at the historic site. You can also provide comments or suggestions at any time after your visit either by emailing or calling us.

Please enjoy your time with us at Fort St. James National Historic Site!

Guidelines and rules to follow when visiting Fort St. James

Some general guidelines to follow while visiting our historic site.

• If you see something really interesting you want to see closer up, ask one of our park staff to assist you. Visitors should not handle or touch artefacts throughout the site without assistance
• Fort St. James National Historic Site is a smoke-free facility; please respect others and refrain from smoking during your visit.
• If you feel you would like to leave a gratuity, please do so in the form of a donation to the Friends of Fort St. James National Historic Site. Their donation box is located in the main Visitor Centre.
• Temperatures inside of the historic buildings can sometimes be several degrees cooler than the outside temperatures; consider carrying a jacket or a fleece during your visits in early summer or late fall.
• Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for the guided tours through five historic buildings.