[1] The canyon is just upstream (north) from the tip of the Finlay Arm on Lake Williston, the reservoir created by the W. A. C. Bennett Dam.

In May 1824, Samuel Black of the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) made the first European exploration of the Finlay headwaters.

[2] While camping at the lower end of the canyon, Black observed what would become known as Deserters Peak, but grossly underestimated its height.

[4] Their decision was likely motivated by the anticipated toil of carrying the baggage and canoe over the steep hill to reach the upper canyon and the roar of the rapids, which suggested the more difficult parts of the expedition lay ahead.

[10] Indigenous desertions from the expedition were the interpreter and his wife in July,[9] and a week later, the guide in August, leaving only six of the original party.

[18][21] A canoe travelling upriver would access the portage via a wide sandbar, which lay just inside the lower canyon.

Six years later, a second victim was discovered beneath the floorboards after an individual allegedly confessed to his crimes, before committing suicide.

[36] By the mid-1920s, John H. Weisner operated a general store at Whitewater, a short distance upriver of Deserters Canyon.

After Strand obtained a writ, the sheriff seized the store and contents during fall 1928 (which largely included new merchandise bought by Overn) and sold the lot to the HBC.

[37] The HBC relocated the store to the junction of the Fox, Kwadacha and Finlay rivers, renaming the post Fort Ware in 1938.

[39] In 1960, Fletcher Challenge Canada built a bridge over the Finlay[40] and 4 kilometres (2 mi) of forestry service road for logging trucks.

[23] In 2001, the Ed Bird – Estella Lakes Provincial Park was established due west on the opposite side of the canyon.