Sometimes the roads less travelled can take you to some pretty spectacular spots. If you’re into hiking, mountain biking, fishing, or fancy yourself any kind of outdoor enthusiast, chances are you’ve braced yourself while navigating a resource road of some kind.
What is a Resource Road
Resource roads (also known as logging, forest service, mineral exploration etc. roads) provide access to remote places beyond our highways. Resource roads are not built to highway standards. Like the name suggests, they were created for industrial purposes, but are often used by the public to reach recreational and backcountry areas. They also serve as crucial links for rural communities.
If you’re planning on driving a resource road, you should know about a handy little guide published by the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC). The Resource Road User Safety Guide explains what travellers should expect and offers tips on how to prepare for, drive, and communicate on resource roads. The council has also produced a 10-minute video: Resource Road Orientation Video – Work Here, Play Here, Stay Safe Here.
Driving Safely on a Resource Road
As a preview, here’s a list of five things you can do to make sure you return safely from venturing beyond the land of the marked highways.
- Gear up!: We often use resource roads to escape civilization for a time. Naturally, this means travelling beyond proximity of hospitals, gas stations, restaurants and cell coverage. It’s up to you to be prepared – and that means gearing up with supplies and emergency items outlined in the guide.
- Road rules still apply: We may be seeking a respite from civilization, but that doesn’t mean we should become uncivilized. Behave the same way you would on a highway – drive to road conditions at safe speeds, stop only in safe, visible locations, and keep your headlights and taillights on. These are just a few road rules to keep in mind. Read the guide for more.
- Watch for wildlife: Hey, you’re in the wild after all. Wildlife can pop out unexpectedly and sometimes act unpredictably. Just ask the police officer who tried to move a moose at a Prince George intersection.
- Monitor traffic, if possible: Resource roads can be narrow, potholed and rough, and overgrown roadside brush can limit visibility. Industrial drivers use two-way radios on specific channels to announce their approach and let others know to clear the way. If you have a two-way radio, it’s a good idea to tune in to the specific frequency, which is sometimes posted roadside.
- Yield to industrial traffic: These large vehicles have a job to do, and they can’t manoeuvre as swiftly as passenger vehicles. Give them some space.
Will a resource road connect you to your long weekend destination? If so, where are you headed?
How do I report a resource road that has been washed out and needs maintenance/repair?
Hi Neil. Resource roads are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources. Operations office: 1-800-663-7867
do i need a special license plate to drive on these roads to access my work
Hi Ken – thanks for your question. No, you don’t need a special license plate but you should always be aware of and on the look out for other resource work vehicles, such as logging trucks, which have priority. Hope this helps!
To be safe you need a special mindset of care and experience.
Read the guides, obey signage, …..
😮
Besides the response from government, note that some resource roads are closed to all but primary working vehicles, during working hours.
And many are one-way – you may not want to meet a wide overload logging truck coming downhill.
Be very cautious.
What time of the day to login trucks begin working on road to Cape Scott on Vancouver Island? Is it possible to drive the road in the early morning (before 9 am) and avoid all logging traffic? Also, are the the logging trucks active on that road on Saturday or Sundays?
Hi there mixhart – thanks for connecting with us here. Resource roads are not under our jurisdiction so we can’t say if or when there is a better time to travel. We encourage you to connect directly with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations for more information and details. Here’s their contact info and we have re-included the link to the resource roads safety guide below:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/natural-resource-law-enforcement/natural-resource-officers
http://www.bcforestsafe.org/files/tk_pdfs/gde_resrd.pdf
Rule of thumb… in the summer months, work starts early and ends earlier. Depending on where they are hauling from, size of cut block, you can expect to meet 2-3 trucks doing a double run to/from the log dump. In other words, travelling after 430pmis your safest bet when travelling without a licensed UHF radio.
Thankyou, I know they start early.
I suspect many take a break in the first part of the afternoon in the hottest weather, so run later in the day.
Besides official information, read signs at beginning of roads.
Note that logging trucks probably start before 9am,especially in summer daylight and heat, those people are not 9-4 bureaucrats.
Research carefully.
Thanks, Keith for sharing your tips here. Safe travels.
Do logging trucks have to let you pass if there speed is delaying your speed, and they realize your there but don’t allow safe passing because they say I’m safer behind them in a cloud of dust blind because they have radios? I have channel two radios but can’t get there channel.
dog walkers,cyclists, tree planters, wildlife, motorist, campers, these are just a few people who traverse our rural roads in Rossland Bc old cascade highway without radios, how is this safe? Should I just pull over and wait for them to get ahead that’s usually what I do but I’m tired of my children being late for school I’m 24km from Rossland and today I was 20mins late because on our 24km road I had to stay behind for 16km of following a logging truck that had lots of opportunities to pull over. What do I do?
Hi there Dyllan – thanks for connecting with us here. Because resource roads were created for industrial use and logging trucks and other vehicles can be very large and hard to maneuver, you are required to yield to industrial traffic on resource roads. You might want to identify yourself via radio or otherwise to the company logging in the area to let them know you regularly use the road to take your children to school. They might provide you with information or radio information, so that you can hear what’s coming down the road. Here is a link to the Resource Roads Safety Guide for more information. https://www2.bcforestsafe.org/files/tk_pdfs/gde_resrd.pdf
We hope this is helpful.
Sounds very risky.
You might complain to the forestry company about trucks that do not pull over when they easily can. Keep in mind they do not have acceleration and braking of your car.
On many logging roads radios on assigned frequencies (‘channels’) are mandatory.
And where not mandatory a wise idea, highlighted on the Bamfield Main Line after the bus crash though big truck not involved.
Do you have to back up for bigger vehicles even if there’s enough room for them to get by
Hi Jamie – thanks for connecting with us here. The decision to back up might need to be made on a case by case basis. The resource guide link in this blog outlines some protocols to follow, when driving resource roads. If you would like further information or clarification, we encourage you to follow up directly with the Forest Safety Council of BC. https://www2.bcforestsafe.org/files/tk_pdfs/gde_resrd.pdf
Yield to industrial traffic. Large industrial vehicles can’t manoeuvre as quickly as passenger vehicles – give these vehicles room so workers can safely do their job. As a cautionary approach, follow industrial vehicles at a safe distance – watch them, slow down and pull over if they do.
Great info here but I’d like to understand road naming conventions? R16473 3920 00 0 ?
There must be some relationship to Kms?
Thanks
Great question Rob! Unfortunately, we aren’t sure on that either. We suggest you connect with Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations on that one. Thanks!
One thing that must be said in this forum that hasn’t been mentioned other than the line “Behave the same way you would on a highway…”.
Cracking a beer at the first sound of gravel hitting the wheel wells is a Neanderthal ritual that has no place out there today.
It’s amazing how many hunters seem to think that they can drink till they’re legless just because they’re idling along an old trail looking for Bambi.
The biggest danger on RRs is not from a lumbering loaded logging truck. It’s the service trucks, the contractor trucks and crews either heading into work or home from it. They drive the roads everyday and know every curve, pothole and hollow. They’re doing a million miles an hour with their hair on fire, eyes on the road and ears on the radio. Pulling out onto the road from the bush, pickled in Pilsner goes on waaaay too much and does nobody any good.
Save the brewskis for camp.
Good points.
Booze is bad.
Vote for more police feet on the street.
If you make a habit of driving Resource Roads, do everyone a favour and buy a VHF radio with the 35 Resource Road frequencies and 5 LAD channels programmed in.
In the bad old days, every logging company and every backroad had a posted frequency. Technically, only licenced technician could legally program a radio. Many of us who work out there knew how to program our radios if the frequency was not already in it. The “new” RR system is waaaaay better.
A handheld VHF can cost as low as $250. A vehicle mounted model with antenna is about $700. Any radio shop can program it for about $40. Not only can you communicate with the industrial traffic, it is another source of communication in places without cell coverage. Those who work in the bush can be your instant best friend if you suffer a breakdown. LAD1 is used by highway truckers and is as informative as it is entertaining on the highway at times. Say Hi to Jamie Davis.
Radios are licenced through Industry Canada for about $40/year. No training or other certification is needed for VHF…but it ain’t the 10-4 Good Buddy CB you might be thinking of. You state your kilometres from the posted sign, direction (Up/Down), road name and often type of vehicle (Ex: 23 Up Jackpine, pickup…pickup is a generic term for “not a big vehicle coming”). There is no chatter on RR frequencies.
If you don’t have a radio. Stick to the right as much as possible. Don’t worry too much. The first radio equipped truck will call you position and direction with a “pickup, no radio” comment. We’ll know roughly where you are. Getting spotted first is the tricky part.
I would like to start travelling on our resource roads. From what I have read, I am aware that many are radio assist roads. However, as a private citizen is it a requirement for us to have a radio.? Assuming it is not required but suggested, where do I find out more about licencing and or other requirements. ?
Hi Dan,
My understanding from this information is that a radio is not a required: http://www.bcforestsafe.org/files/tk_pdfs/gde_resrd.pdf
I suggest you contact the BC Forest Safety Council at 1-877-741-1060 for further details.
thanks kindly. will do .
The important question is how safe will you be without one.
Hi, I am wondering if ORV’s have to yleid to larger vehicles (trucks and cars) on a single lane FSR road, and where I can access the specific legislation that outlines this?
Thanks, leigh herbert
Hi Leigh,
The Resource Road User Guide, produced by BC Forest Safety and the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Resource Operations — http://www.bcforestsafe.org/files/tk_pdfs/gde_resrd.pdf — says:
“Yield to industrial traffic. Large industrial vehicles can’t manoeuvre as quickly as passenger vehicles – give these vehicles room so workers can safely do their job. As a cautionary approach, follow industrial vehicles at a safe distance – watch them, slow down and pull over if they do.
Watch out for off road vehicles (ORV’s) ie. ATV’s, dirt bikes, etc. Be prepared for them to be around any corner. All ORV operators must follow the rules of the road including watching for and yielding to other traffic.”
Should you require further information, you could contact the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations office at 1-800-663-7867, or the BC Forest Safety Council at 1-877-741-1060.
Legalism doesn’t keep you alive.
It’s like small boats and BC Ferries big boats – stay out of their way!
Hi,
I am wondering if ORV’s are required to yield to larger vehicles (trucks, cars) on a single lane FSR road, and where I can find the specific legislation that outlines these rules?
Sincerely,
Leigh Herbert
Hi Leigh,
The Resource Road User Guide, produced by BC Forest Safety and the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Resource Operations — http://www.bcforestsafe.org/files/tk_pdfs/gde_resrd.pdf — says:
“Yield to industrial traffic. Large industrial vehicles can’t manoeuvre as quickly as passenger vehicles – give these vehicles room so workers can safely do their job. As a cautionary approach, follow industrial vehicles at a safe distance – watch them, slow down and pull over if they do.
Watch out for off road vehicles (ORV’s) ie. ATV’s, dirt bikes, etc. Be prepared for them to be around any corner. All ORV operators must follow the rules of the road including watching for and yielding to other traffic.”
Should you require further information, you could contact the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations office at 1-800-663-7867, or the BC Forest Safety Council at 1-877-741-1060.
Hey, I was wondering if going on the Lillooet FSR at this time of year is a good idea? I don’t have chains, only AWD. Also, is it still possible to get to the keyhole hot springs? If so, how long is the drive approximately? Thanks!
Hi Erik,
Forest Service Roads are operated by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. I suggest you ask them about conditions on the Lillooet FSR and whether you can reach Keyhole Hot Springs. Contact Cariboo-Chilcotin Natural Resource District office: ph 250 398-4345 or email FLNR.AdminServicesCariboo@gov.bc.ca It appears at this time there are no closures in the area: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/natural-resource-use/resource-roads/local-road-safety-information/cariboo-chilcotin-road-safety-information
So buy chains.
Unless you like being stuck far from help.
Sheesh!)
(City types should stay home, they do not have knowledge nor perspective.)
I am having difficulty finding online resource road maps. I know of various back country map books, but figure that given the quick nature of changes, that there would be an online resoruce. for this. So far, I’ve not found it.
Hi Sherwood,
Thanks for checking in with us about resource roads.
Those are mostly administered by other provincial government agencies– eg. Ministry of Energy, Mines & Petroleum Resources; and Ministry of Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. For the forest/recreation roads, you need to look at each area, to see a map: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/natural-resource-use/resource-roads/local-road-safety-information
For more about roads used for oil and gas activity, see: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/natural-resource-use/resource-roads/guidance-for-oil-gas-activities
Hi Sherwood,
Thanks for checking in with us about maps for resource roads.
For forestry roads (managed by the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development) you will need to look at each area listed, to see maps of the roads: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/natural-resource-use/resource-roads/local-road-safety-information
For more information about them, generally: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/natural-resource-use/resource-roads?keyword=forest&keyword=service&keyword=roads&keyword=map
A challenge, a popular book has been dumbed down to being a tourist guide near cities.
(For example, on VI it lists the aviation museum at the big airport but does not show the track from Youbou to the Bamfield Main Line.)
FSR maps may not be up to date, last I looked only updated every few years.
And of course washouts and slides occur – ask locals.