Things to Do in Taylor – NortheastBC Events

Taylor: Small Town Heart on the Banks of the Peace River

Taylor is a community of about 1,500 people perched on the north bank of the Peace River, connected to the Alaska Highway by the Peace River Suspension Bridge — one of the longest bridges on the entire highway route. Just fifteen minutes south of Fort St. John, Taylor maintains a distinct identity rooted in its riverside setting, its tight-knit neighbourhoods, and a handful of events and attractions that draw visitors from across the region and beyond.

Peace Island Park

Peace Island Park is Taylor’s crown jewel and one of the finest municipal campgrounds in northeastern British Columbia. Situated on an island in the Peace River connected by a short causeway, the park offers treed campsites, a boat launch, a sandy beach area, playgrounds, and walking trails along the riverbank. The campground fills quickly during summer weekends, drawing families who come for fishing, swimming, and the simple pleasure of sitting around a campfire with the river flowing past. The park also serves as the venue for Taylor’s signature events, taking advantage of its natural amphitheatre setting beside the water.

The World’s Invitational Gold Panning Championships

Every summer, Taylor hosts the World’s Invitational Gold Panning Championships — a competition that combines genuine skill with infectious community spirit. Participants race to pan gold flakes from buckets of seeded gravel, and the event attracts competitors from across North America and as far away as Europe and Australia. The championships are part of a larger weekend celebration that includes live music, food vendors, family activities, and a community atmosphere that welcomes newcomers as warmly as returning regulars. It is one of the most distinctive small-town events in British Columbia and a highlight of the regional summer calendar.

Recreation and the Outdoors

The Peace River dominates outdoor life in Taylor. Fishing for walleye, northern pike, and goldeye draws anglers to the riverbanks and boat launches through the open-water season. The surrounding farmland and forest provide habitat for moose, deer, and bears, and hunting is a deeply embedded tradition in the community. Taylor’s sports fields, community hall, and recreation facilities support local leagues and programs, while the proximity to Fort St. John gives residents and visitors access to larger amenities without sacrificing the quiet, unhurried pace that defines daily life here.

Community Spirit

Taylor operates on volunteer power. The fire department, the community association, the sports leagues, and the events that fill the calendar are all sustained by residents who show up and pitch in. Canada Day celebrations at Peace Island Park draw the whole community together, with fireworks over the river capping off a day of games, music, and food. The Taylor Curling Club provides a winter social hub, and community suppers and fundraisers appear regularly on the events calendar. For visitors, Taylor offers a genuine window into small-town Peace Region life — unpretentious, welcoming, and centred on the remarkable river that shaped its history.

Looking for things to do in Taylor, BC? Known as the Gold Panning Capital of British Columbia, this friendly community on the banks of the Peace River is famous for its world-class gold panning competitions, outdoor recreation, and welcoming small-town atmosphere. Just south of Fort St. John along the Alaska Highway, Taylor offers a relaxed pace of life with plenty of activities for outdoor enthusiasts and families.

Upcoming Events in Taylor

Stay connected with what is happening in Taylor. Community events, outdoor activities, sports, and more.

View the full Taylor events calendar →

Popular Activities and Attractions

The Peace Island Park is Taylor’s crown jewel — a beautiful riverside park on an island in the Peace River, accessible by bridge, featuring campgrounds, picnic areas, a swimming pool, sports fields, and the famous gold panning grounds. The park hosts numerous community events and is a popular gathering spot throughout the summer. Fishing on the Peace River is excellent, with walleye, northern pike, and grayling being common catches.

The Taylor Landing Golf Club offers a scenic nine-hole course with river valley views. Hiking and nature trails wind through the surrounding forests, and the community’s sports facilities include an arena, curling rink, and recreation complex. In winter, outdoor skating, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling are popular activities in the area.

Annual Events and Festivals

The World Invitational Gold Panning Championship, held every August, is Taylor’s most famous event, attracting gold panning enthusiasts from around the globe. Canada Day celebrations at Peace Island Park, community sports tournaments, the annual cleanup, and seasonal festivals keep the community vibrant year-round.

Taylor: Small Town Heart on the Banks of the Peace River

Peace Island Park

The World’s Invitational Gold Panning Championships

Recreation and the Outdoors

Community Spirit

Upcoming Events in Taylor

Popular Activities and Attractions

Annual Events and Festivals

Explore More Communities

Explore Events Across Northeast BC

Arras

Buick

Cecil Lake

Charlie Lake

Chetwynd

Dawson Creek

Farmington

Fort Nelson

Fort St. John

Goodlow

Hudson's Hope

Kelly Lake

Moberly Lake

Montney

North Peace

Pouce Coupe

Rolla

Rose Prairie

South Peace

Taylor

Tomslake

Tumbler Ridge