Babine Mountains Provincial Park — Cronin Creek Trailhead

Babine Mountains Provincial Park sits directly above Smithers and the Bulkley Valley, and the Cronin Creek trailhead is how you get into it with a rig. The road climbs through second-growth then opens into subalpine meadows that are genuinely spectacular in July and August when the wildflowers are running. There’s a small parking area at the trailhead with a pit toilet and an info kiosk — nothing fancy but it’s maintained. This is BC Parks backcountry, so no fires above the treeline. The alpine here rewards the drive hard.

Access is via Cronin Creek FSR off Highway 16 east of Smithers — the road is rough in spots, washboard on the lower sections, and some ruts on the upper climb. High-clearance recommended, 4WD helps after wet weather. Snow can linger into late June at elevation. Smithers is 20 minutes down the hill for fuel and resupply.

High alpine meadows above the Bulkley Valley.