All County of Northern Lights in Peace River

GPS Coordinates: N56° 49.550’ W117° 15.550’
Sunny Valley boat launch is set amongst a beautiful valley and is very well maintained. This launch is used by many locals during nice weather days so don’t be surprised if you see a lot of people as you approach. On the right, across from the boat launch there are privately owned cottages and cabins. Sunny Valley offers a great ending or starting point for your boating trip and is an easy place to launch or load up your boat from.

GPS Coordinates: N56° 44.344’ W117° 14.703’
This large beach is beautiful, sandy, and just across from the UFO rocks. You can stop here and pretend you’re on a tropical beach or enjoy some downtime with your toes in the sand.

GPS Coordinates: N56° 44.620’ W117° 14.147’
Here you will find even more UFO rocks to admire. These massive, round boulders will pique your interest and leave you fascinated no matter how many times you’ve seen them.

GPS Coordinates: N56° 45.098’ W117° 12.307’
Definitely worth the stop, the UFO rocks are a sight to see. These unusual shaped rocks fell from the cliff due to erosion and are known as concretions – a spherical rock formed in a sedimentary host rock such as sandstone or siltstone. There are also many other large rocks in this boulder field, and the diversity in the area will wow you. Dock your boat along the rocky and sandy beach and spend a few minutes, or even hours, scoping out the natural curiosities and admiring the driftwood that is scattered throughout.

GPS Coordinates: N56° 44.583’ W117° 09.933’
On the right, you will pass by another creek known as Hutton Creek. This quiet area leads up to some great rockhounding spots just ahead.

GPS Coordinates: N56° 43.444’ W117° 10.804’
The mouth of the Cadotte River is an ideal spot to take a break and drop a line in the water. Stop and splash in the clear water, do some rock hunting, and enjoy the beautiful scenery all around you while you’re here. This is an excellent place to set up a picnic and relax.

GPS Coordinates: N56° 43.217’ W117° 13.050’
If you’re needing a break, there’s a nice camping spot available here that will keep you comfortable overnight. Use the trail that’s there to access the site and enjoy a night under the stars.

GPS Coordinates: N56° 41.150’ W117° 12.933’
This is a private lease that can be used as a reference point only, please do not stop here.

GPS Coordinates: N56° 39.749’ W117° 09.926’
Flowing into the Peace River from the left, the mouth of the Whitemud River was once the location of the Northwest Company’s earliest fur trading post. There is road access to this area, and you can launch or dock boats here. You will be able to witness some of the highest cliffs here, with many that are over 1,000 feet tall. This is an excellent place to do some sight seeing and take in the natural beauty around you.

GPS Coordinates: N56° 40.345’ W117° 11.082’
Whitemud Flats are located near the mouth of the Whitemud River. These flats are fairly large and can be fun to explore.

GPS Coordinates: N56° 38.733’ W117° 07.533’
The large island on the left bend is known as Peace Island and it is an amazing island resort that is family owned and operated. This 22- acre island has nine small cabins, with four available to rent, it has a cook house and dining hall, screened in rec room, a kitchen onsite that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner for guests, a snack bar that is licensed to sell alcohol, and all the amenities needed for a great stay on the river. They welcome pre-booked or drop in guests, so feel free to stop in and experience all that they have to offer.

GPS Coordinates: N56° 34.592’ W117° 08.131’
Thought to be remnants from a glacier or spring, here you will find a small waterfall that runs into the river. There are a lot of large trees at the top and sandy cliffs on either side of it. Depending on the season, it may be dried up, but you will be able to tell where the water once ran due to the erosion trail.

GPS Coordinates: N56° 34.552’ W117° 06.997’
Used as a reference point, the 30 Mile Well shows where a blow out happen at the well site which can be seen from the river.

GPS Coordinates: N56° 32.067’ W117° 05.900’
Home to some private cabins, Encampment Island used to be a historical location during the fur trade days. Located on the left side of the river, this large island is nestled among some of the most jaw dropping scenery. All along the river you will see high cliffs with sandstone and rocks – it’s worth getting your camera out for.

GPS Coordinates: N56° 28.250’ W117° 06.200’
Just after Graham’s Flats is Graham Creek. This small creek runs into the Peace River from the right and was named after Liza Graham. This area is absolutely gorgeous and has many large cliffs and interesting erosion patterns to gaze up at as you pass by.

GPS Coordinates: N56° 27.633’ W117° 06.567’
Right after Carmon Creek is Graham’s Flats. There’s a trail leading up to the flats, which can be difficult to see since it’s quite overgrown. Worth stopping at, there is an old gazebo still on site, and some remnants of old tables. This location offers a gorgeous view of the river and is a nice place to stop along your adventures.

GPS Coordinates: N56° 27.267’ W117° 06.800’
Carmon Creek runs into the Peace River on the right-hand side and this area is quite rocky. This area has some wonderful scenery and plenty of wildlife to see along the shores.

GPS Coordinates: N56° 25.733’ W117° 09.450’
This is a private cabin that you can see along the river and should only be used as a landmark.

GPS Coordinates: N56° 24.033’ W117° 09.900’
On the right is Tar Island, a nice spot for stopping if needed. This island is where tar was first found by geologist, R.G McConnell in 1893. The tar here was used by settlers in the early 1900’s on many roofs in Peace River. There is a private cabin across from the island which can be used as a landmark as you venture downstream.

GPS Coordinates: N56° 23.464’ W117° 09.953’
“Old Salty”, or “The Well from Hell”, was one of the most notorious wells drilled along the river. Drilled in 1916, it blew out as it was being drilled and for 87 years it burned a huge torch, belched sour gas, and salty-hydrogen water. In 2003 it was finally capped, but you can still see where it burned all those years. Look for a large clearing with dead trees on the left to see its destruction, and if you feel like exploring, you’ll be able to bushwack and follow deer trails up to it.