Prime Building Lot in a Family Friendly Neighborhood - Tumbler Ridge, BC

Welcome to 172 Murray Drive, a fantastic opportunity to build in one of Tumbler Ridge’s most welcoming and family-oriented neighborhoods. This R-2 zoned residential lot is ready for your vision—whether you're planning a forever home or looking for an excellent investment property.

Set close to the curb with homes in front and behind, this lot provides a perfect mix of privacy and connection. On either side, the neighboring lots remain vacant, offering added space and seclusion rarely found in town. The property features a couple of mature trees, while the rest of the vegetation is thin and easily cleared. Access is easy and reliable via a paved main road, with hydro and other essential services available nearby, helping simplify the building process.

Positioned to capture abundant natural light and beautiful mountain views, this location is ideal for anyone looking to enjoy the best of small-town living. The surrounding area is quiet and child-friendly, with a strong sense of community and mostly family households. Whether you're building to live, rent, or hold, this lot is a smart move in a growing mountain destination.

Situated in a community known for its friendly atmosphere and close proximity to outdoor adventure, 172 Murray Drive is just minutes from local amenities, the airport, and access to countless lakes, trails, and wilderness. Dease Lake is a hub for travelers heading north to the Yukon and Alaska, and it offers a strong sense of community for those who call it home.

172 Murray Drive - Tumbler Ridge, BC

To drive from Vancouver to 172 Murray Drive in Tumbler Ridge, start by heading east on Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway), then connect to Highway 97 North near Cache Creek. Continue north through Quesnel and Prince George until you reach Chetwynd. From there, take Highway 29 South briefly, then turn left onto Highway 52 East toward Tumbler Ridge. Once in town, follow the main road network to Murray Drive, located in a quiet residential area on the upper bench. The drive takes approximately 12 to 13 hours, covering about 1,100 kilometres through scenic and varied terrain.

The area around Tumbler Ridge is a rugged, remote, and breathtakingly beautiful part of northeastern British Columbia, known for its dramatic landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich geological history. Nestled in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, this region offers a unique blend of mountainous terrain, dense boreal forest, alpine meadows, rivers, and waterfalls.

Tumbler Ridge sits within the UNESCO Global Geopark, one of only a few in North America, recognized for its significant dinosaur fossil beds, ancient rock formations, and paleontological discoveries. The area is home to over 40 waterfalls—including the iconic Kinuseo Falls, taller than Niagara—and countless hiking trails, backcountry routes, and alpine lakes.

Outdoor recreation is a major draw here, with opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, ATVing, fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing. In winter, deep snow and wide-open terrain make it a destination for snow sports and backcountry adventure.

Though remote, the community is well-served with essential services, schools, and recreational facilities. The small-town atmosphere is welcoming, and the pace of life is quiet and relaxed. Tumbler Ridge is about two hours' drive from larger centers like Dawson Creek and Chetwynd, and approximately 12–13 hours from Vancouver by road.

The region is also rich in natural resources, with a history of coal mining and ongoing interest in forestry and clean energy. Despite its resource-based roots, Tumbler Ridge is increasingly known for its eco-tourism, paleontology, and outdoor lifestyle—making it both a peaceful retreat and a gateway to adventure.

The vegetation around Tumbler Ridge is characterized by a rich and diverse landscape shaped by the region's elevation, climate, and natural history. Situated in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, the area is part of the boreal forest zone, where dense stands of coniferous trees like white and black spruce, lodgepole pine, and subalpine fir dominate the landscape. Interspersed among these evergreens are pockets of deciduous trees—trembling aspen, birch, and balsam poplar—which add striking contrast, especially in the fall when the forest canopy turns brilliant shades of yellow and orange.

Beneath the trees, the forest floor is lush with mosses, lichens, and ferns, along with berry bushes such as huckleberry and wild blueberry. These undergrowth layers support a healthy ecosystem and provide important forage for wildlife. Along waterways and low-lying areas, wetland vegetation flourishes, with sedges, reeds, and other moisture-loving plants forming the foundation of vibrant riparian zones.

As the terrain rises into the mountains, the vegetation transitions into subalpine and alpine zones. Here, the trees become smaller and more scattered, eventually giving way to alpine meadows filled with hardy wildflowers, dwarf shrubs, and grasses. These higher elevation areas are particularly beautiful in summer, when the short growing season bursts into color with blooming plants adapted to cooler temperatures and high winds.

Tumbler Ridge, located in northeastern British Columbia, offers a wealth of recreation opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, families, and nature lovers alike. Nestled in a rugged, mountainous landscape rich with geological wonders, this UNESCO Global Geopark is a destination where adventure meets tranquility year-round.

During the warmer months, hiking is one of the most popular activities, thanks to a vast network of trails that lead to breathtaking destinations like Kinuseo Falls, Bergeron Cliffs, and the many surrounding alpine lakes. The region is particularly renowned for its waterfalls—some easily accessible, others hidden deeper in the backcountry, offering everything from gentle walks to strenuous treks. Canoeing and kayaking are common on the Murray River and on the numerous lakes nearby, while anglers are drawn to the area's clean waters in pursuit of species like rainbow trout, Arctic grayling, and Dolly Varden.

In the colder months, Tumbler Ridge transforms into a snowy playground. The local golf course becomes a network of groomed Nordic ski trails, while the surrounding wilderness welcomes snowshoers and snowmobilers. Ice climbing on frozen waterfalls adds a unique thrill for more seasoned adventurers, and fat biking on packed snow trails is becoming increasingly popular.

Tumbler Ridge also caters to ATV and dirt bike riders with an extensive trail network stretching over 300 kilometres. These trails wind through forest, across creeks, and up to scenic alpine viewpoints, drawing riders from all over the province. Mountain biking is well-supported too, with a variety of downhill and cross-country trails maintained by the local biking association.

Beyond the natural setting, the town boasts an impressive indoor recreation facility: the Tumbler Ridge Community Centre. This hub features a swimming pool with slides and a hot tub, an ice arena, a curling rink, squash courts, a gym, a youth centre, and even a climbing wall. It serves as a year-round gathering place for families, youth programs, and recreational sports.

Caving is another unique activity in the region. The surrounding mountains are dotted with limestone formations and caves like Stone Corral and Porcupine Cave, which visitors can explore with appropriate guidance. Given its designation as a UNESCO Global Geopark, Tumbler Ridge is also a hotspot for geology and paleontology, with well-preserved dinosaur trackways and fossil beds that attract scientists and curious visitors alike.

Whether you're exploring dramatic landscapes on foot, paddling calm waters, skiing under snow-laden trees, or relaxing at the local pool, Tumbler Ridge offers a remarkably diverse range of recreation experiences in a setting that feels both wild and welcoming.

The history of Tumbler Ridge is shaped by geology, industry, and a resilient community spirit. Although the town itself is relatively young—founded in the early 1980s—its story is deeply rooted in both the ancient natural world and the modern challenges of resource-based development.

Long before the town was established, the region was home to Indigenous peoples, including the Dane-zaa (Beaver) and Saulteau First Nations, who lived and traveled through the area for generations. They relied on the land for hunting, fishing, and gathering, and maintained a spiritual connection to the landscape. Their knowledge of the territory, including natural routes and seasonal rhythms, laid the foundation for later exploration and settlement.

The area's geological history stretches back over 100 million years. Tumbler Ridge is part of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, rich in coal and fossil deposits. Over the past few decades, paleontologists have uncovered thousands of dinosaur tracks and fossils in the area—some of the most significant ever found in Canada. These discoveries eventually led to the region being designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2014, highlighting its global scientific value.

The modern town of Tumbler Ridge was built in response to a specific industrial need. In the late 1970s, with coal demand rising—particularly from Japan—plans were developed to open major metallurgical coal mines in the northeast Rockies. To support this, the British Columbia government approved the creation of a completely new community. Construction of Tumbler Ridge began in 1981, and it was carefully planned as a self-contained town with schools, recreation facilities, and services to accommodate thousands of workers and their families.

At its peak in the 1980s and early 1990s, Tumbler Ridge was a booming coal town, fueled by the Quintette and Bullmoose mines. However, the fortunes of the town have always been tied closely to the global coal market. When prices dropped in the late 1990s, the mines closed, causing a major economic downturn and population decline. Many residents left, and the community faced an uncertain future.

But Tumbler Ridge refused to disappear. The town reinvented itself by embracing its extraordinary natural environment. Tourism began to grow, driven by outdoor recreation, paleontological discoveries, and the stunning scenery of places like Monkman Provincial Park and Kinuseo Falls. Locals and volunteers played a critical role in establishing trails, preserving fossil sites, and promoting the area’s rich geological heritage.

Today, Tumbler Ridge continues to evolve. While coal mining still plays a role in the local economy—with periodic re-openings and closures of mines—there’s a growing emphasis on eco-tourism, education, and scientific research. The town’s history is a testament to adaptation: from ancient dinosaurs to boomtown industry, to a modern community forging a sustainable identity in one of British Columbia’s most remarkable landscapes.

55° 8'15.24"N and 120°59'26.51"W

Water, sewer, electricity, natural gas all available nearby.

None.

$363.19 (2025)

R-2

LOT 155 DISTRICT LOT 3164 PEACE RIVER DISTRICT PLAN 29398
PID 005-642-086