Things To Do
Aspen Recreation Site is just one of the many places out there. It's a bit confusing when you hear that this is Telkwa because it's on the outskirts of the town of Houston. The site is 23 minutes (22.5 km) from the town.
Highway 16 from Witset, the drive will take you 1 hour and 25 minutes (111.4 km). From Smithers, the drive takes 1 hour and two minutes (77.7 km).
You turn off the highway where you see Monster Industries across from the Bulkley River and go down past the sawmills and industrial area. Aspen Recreation Park is located at 17.5 km on the Morice FSR.
The Morice Forest Service Road is a secondary road and is heavily used by logging trucks, mining trucks, crew trucks and heavy equipment hauling trucks. These vehicles have priority. The road is wide enough for traffic both ways however, it can get pretty dusty at times and rocks can go flying. So drive with caution.
The other thing to watch for while on the road is wildlife. There are moose, deer, black bear and grizzlies out here. The Morice River runs nearby and these animals will be traveling to and from the water source. You wouldn't want to run in to any one of them.
People will be traveling to and from as there are many lakes up this way. Cars, pickups and pickups hauling trailers and boats, and RV's. The river attracts fishermen too. There are a number of places a person can pullover to fish along this route. You will loose cell service up this road. Chances are good that if you broke down and needed assistance, someone would come along and be able to help you.
The site has 8 campsites with picnic tables, firepits and outhouses. There is a large open area fit for larger groups. Perfect for trailers. Watch for bears as they are around. Just don't leave anything out to entice them in.
This spot draws fishermen, as well as canoe trippers who have moving water experience.
The river is known for dry fly fishing and steelhead. It is believed to be the best dry fly fishery in the world.
You will also find Sockeye, Chinook, Coho and Pink salmon, whitefish, Redside shiner, Bull trout, Longnose sucker and White sucker in the Morice River Watershed.
This is a nice spot with a view of Morice Mountain.
Maximum stay on all recreation sites is 14 days. Make sure you are informed on fire bans and restrictions. Usually they will be posted at these sites. Please bring your garbage back out with you. Don't leave anything behind.
👉There have been some Bigfoot sightings across the river from Aspen Park Recreation Site over the years. I spent 5 years in the wilds of the Morice area researching this subject. This site was part of one of my project areas I called Eden Project. More interesting locations further up the Morice FSR. - Barb
Barb & Richard Cecil