Archaeological remains confirm that Indigenous peoples have lived in the Bella Coola Valley for at least 10 000 years. The unbroken oral histories of the Nuxalk first peoples (“Nuxalk” means “becoming one”) confirm archaeological findings. There is evidence of Indigenous villages throughout the valley, as well as on the coast. The community of Firvale is located in the traditional territories of the Nuxalk Nation.

Settler arrival
In 1912, Seventh Day Adventist settlers established a farming and logging community in the town formerly known as “Sloan.” The majority of community members abandoned the area after WW I.

Firvale is a thirty-six minute drive (41 km; 25 mi) from Bella Coola. Vehicle rental services are available in Bella Coola.

Plane

Pacific Coastal Airlines runs flights from Vancouver to Bella Coola. From Bella Coola, the drive to Firvale is approximately 36 minutes.

Automobile

Firvale is located in the Bella Coola Valley. Travel west on the Chilcotin-Bella Coola Highway 20. Firvale is 412 km (256 miles) from Williams Lake, approximately six and a half hours by car.

Boat

BC Ferries offers ferry service from Port Hardy to Bella Coola, from June to the second week in September. The direct sailing from Port Hardy to Bella Coola takes 13 hours.

Indirect sailings to Bella Coola may also stop at McLoughlin Bay, Shearwater, Klemtu and Ocean Falls, resulting in either a 24- or 36-hour trip to Bella Coola.

Firvale Wilderness Camp
https://www.firvalewildernesscamp.com

Bella Coola Valley Museum
https://www.bellacoolamuseum.ca

Firvale (Land Without Limits)
https://landwithoutlimits.com/places/great-bear-rainforest/firvale/