Tumbler Ridge & Monkman / Full trip pack
Murray Canyon Overlook
- Round trip
- 6.5 km
- Elevation gain
- Not established Cumulative ascent for this outing has not been established.
- Walking time
- Unconfirmed
- Difficulty
- Easy out-and-back
return inferred from 1.75 km approach plus 1.5 km rim walk each way
Forest approach reaches exposed slopes above the Murray River and follows the valley rim to a turnaround bench.
1. Getting there and parking
From Tumbler Ridge, follow Highway 52 north toward Dawson Creek for about 30 km. Park in the highway pullout on the left and locate the trail at its southern, Tumbler Ridge end. From Dawson Creek, use Highway 97 west to Highway 52, then continue about 70 km south to the pullout on the right.
Parking: The Highway 52 pullout is on the left about 30 km north of Tumbler Ridge. The trail starts at its south end.
2. Walking the route
Follow the forest path for approximately 250 m, then the old logging-road section until the trail leaves it again near kilometre 1. Around 1.75 km, reach the valley rim and a rustic staircase leading to the first bench. Continue along the open slope for roughly another 1.5 km to the natural turnaround bench, with the Murray River more than 300 m below. The return follows the same line. The open traverse gives views of river terraces, side canyons and the surrounding foothills, but it also leaves the shelter of the forest; stay on the improved trail rather than descending the steep valley slopes.
- Walk the original path for about 250 m, then join the old logging road.
- Near kilometre 1, leave the road for the forest path. Reach the first rim bench and staircase around kilometre 1.75.
- Continue about 1.5 km along the open valley rim to the final bench and viewpoint.
The return
Retrace the approach. The two outward stages total about 3.25 km, giving the published 6.5 km return; the river’s 300 m drop below the viewpoint is not hiking ascent.
3. Route map
Mapped named trail
© OpenStreetMap contributors. Route geometry is available under the Open Database License (ODbL) 1.0. · Line source · Open Database License (ODbL) 1.0 · Source-line database: https://hikingprincegeorge.com/data/osm-route-lines.geojson
Partial elevation profile
Partial elevation profile
This chart covers only part of the route. It does not establish the full hike or a return journey.
2.61 km along source section 1 of 1, in its mapped direction.
Approximate 90 m terrain model along this mapped section. Separate sections are not joined. This chart does not measure total trail ascent or establish current access; use the guide’s published outing measurements.
Copernicus GLO-90 terrain elevations via Open-Meteo (CC BY4.0); linework: Open Database License (ODbL) 1.0
Copernicus DEM 2021 GLO-90 via Open-Meteo. Linework source: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/293388565. Sampled and rounded for display.
Source: https://open-meteo.com/en/licence
Licence: CC BY4.0 elevation data; Open Database License (ODbL) 1.0 linework · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Profile source checked: 2026-10-18
Published locations
Numbered points match the map. Use the role beside each point. A summit or park reference point is not a parking location.
| Place and role | Coordinates | Source and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Murray Canyon Overlook trailhead | 55.290473 -120.895559 | WNMS publishes this exact coordinate pair in its Directions to Trailhead link. The RSTBC management point lies about 1 km west along the route and must not be presented as parking. https://www.wnms.ca/trail/murray-canyon-overlook |
5. Camping, facilities and seasons
Season and access
The south-facing slopes are warmer and drier than nearby forest but are exposed to strong winds. Summer wildflowers and spring/autumn raptor migration are seasonal features. Snow or ice can make the open traverse more difficult despite modest total climbing.
Practical details checked 2026-10-17.
More maps & trail files
Murray Canyon Overlook — publisher PDF (PDF)
Published alongside the named trail guide; check the file’s start, endpoint and branches against your selected outing.
http://assets.wnms.ca/brochures/murray-canyon-overlook-feb-2025.pdf
Wolverine Nordic & Mountain Society · Publisher’s source page · checked 2026-10-17.
Murray Canyon Overlook — publisher GPX (GPX)
Published alongside the named trail guide; check the file’s start, endpoint and branches against your selected outing.
http://assets.wnms.ca/gpx-files/murray-canyon-overlook.gpx
Wolverine Nordic & Mountain Society · Publisher’s source page · checked 2026-10-17.
These links open files and maps maintained by their publishers. They require an internet connection and are not included in this saved guide.
Additional source maps
Map 1: https://investtumblerridge.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/TR_Map_insert2018_web.pdf
Your trip notes
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