The unofficial BC Travel & Tourism Guide
The MacKenzie Region is located in the northeastern portion of the province. It is centered on the beautiful Northern Rocky Mountain Trench, a vast geologically defined area that divides the Northern Rockies to the east from the Columbia Mountains to the west. The main town is Mackenzie (pop. 4,500 /190 km north of city of Prince George), named for the famous explorer Alexander MacKenzie, who arrived in the area in the late 18c. MacKenzie sits at the foot of Williston Lake, the largest lake in British Columbia. This massive body of water, with features three ‘reaches’, was created by the W.A.C. Bennett Dam on the Peace River and covers 1,761 km2. The MacKenzie Region is well known for its rugged and spectacular wilderness, rich with possibilities for hiking, mountain biking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing, as well as great wintertime activities including dog sled racing, cross-country and downhill skiing, and snowmobiling. Besides Williston, there are numerous other lakes and many significant rivers in the area. The MacKenzie Region is rich in natural resources, including forestry and mining.