Gold Rush Trail
Set in the heart of British Columbia’s stunningly diverse Interior, discover alpine mountains, wildflower meadows, sagebrush scented desert and vast ranchlands rich with stories of gold panners, cowboys and Indigenous Culture.
Notice to Reader: Please be patient as we build out the content of our new project through 2024 and into 2025. Feel free to browse our current content, and check back soon, more is being added all the time!
Spence Bridges
Explore the magnificent Thompson River, farm fresh cuisine and an impressive array of wildlife. Goldpan Provincial Park is a picturesque spot located 10 km south of Spences Bridge and has a campsite overlooking the Thompson River.
Ashcroft
Cut into the Thompson River Valley in the midst of sagebrush-speckled high desert hills, the historic village of Ashcroft is home to scenic adventures, wellness and relaxation. With a growing number of amenities to care for your mind, body and spirit, pamper yourself and reignite your sense of adventure while enjoying awe-inspiring scenery.
Walhachin
This ghost town is home to some of the area’s most scenic parks. At Juniper Beach Provincial Park, go swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing, or enjoy watching a variety of birds attracted to this oasis in the desert landscape.
Cache Creek
Renowned for its hospitality, Cache Creek is a popular stopover point for travellers. Choose from a variety of restaurants to recharge on your journey or stay and explore the area’s parks and trails.
Historic Hat Creek
Journey into Gold Rush stories, pioneering ambitions and First Nations culture. Historic Hat Creek Ranch is located on one of the few sections of the original Cariboo Wagon Roads still accessible to the public. The ranch includes almost 130 hectares (320 acres) of fields and hills in the sunny southern Interior of BC. Interpretive exhibits, activities, and guides are ready to bring these stories to life.
Lillooet
Lillooet is home to adventures, idyllic escapes and thousands of years of rich history. With its semi-desert climate, Lillooet has hot summers and mild autumns creating ideal conditions for outdoor recreation. From hiking and fishing to golfing and heli tours, the activities are plentiful here.
Savona
Be welcomed by mountains with multi-hued lava cliffs, blue lakes and sage filled desert. Visit the "Centre of the Universe," a site of pilgrimage for Tibetan monks, or explore Castle Rock Hoodoos Provincial Park's spectacular hoodoo formations. With numerous parks and trails, there’s no shortage of outdoor fun here.
Clinton
This friendly community has a unique charm, rich with Cariboo Gold Rush heritage. Venture into awesome provincial parks on warm summer days, or experience beautiful snow-capped forests in crisp winters. Clinton is where your Cariboo adventure begins, year round.
Big Bar
Enjoy a western ranching experience with a peaceful ride through majestic mountains, or spend a day in the dust with the ‘cowboys.’ For a more relaxed visit consider a spa experience as part of your world-class retreat!
Loon Lake
Nestled in a quiet valley in the sub-alpine forest of the Southern Cariboo, Loon Lake offers an outdoor experience for the entire family. Regularly featured among the top ten naturally stocked fishing lakes in North America, Loon Lake is an angler’s paradise.
70 Mile House & Green Lake
Experience western culture at a guest ranch, venture out on a fishing safari, take in a round of golf or hone your creative talents during your stay in the scenic 70 Mile House/Green Lake area.
100 Mile House
100 Mile House claims a couple of lofty titles, including ‘Handcrafted Log Home Capital of North America’ and is the self-proclaimed ‘International Nordic Ski Capital’, boasting the world’s tallest pair of cross-country skis at the Visitor Centre, and has one of B.C.’s most active Nordic clubs.
108 Mile Ranch
In Cariboo’s 108 Mile Ranch discover a close knit community complete with three lakes, beautiful valley, bird sanctuary, resorts and an extensive 1500 acre greenbelt in a former “recreational” ranch turned community.
Lac La Hache
The village of Lac La Hache is often referred to as the Longest Town in the Cariboo, reflecting how its resorts, ranches, restaurants and vacation homes are scattered along the lake’s 19 km (12 mile) long shoreline.
150 Mile House
150 Mile House is a quiet ranchland community known for its gold-rush and pioneer history and log homes. It is also home to the Little Red Schoolhouse, the oldest functional school building in the Cariboo Chilcotin.
Williams Lake
Named after Chief William, a Secwepemc (shi-huep-muh-k) chief from the area, the city is located at the junction of Highways 97 and 20, and has been one of the Cariboo Chilcotin’s major crossroads since the turn of the 20th century.
150 Mile House
150 Mile House is a quiet ranchland community known for its gold-rush and pioneer history and log homes. It is also home to the Little Red Schoolhouse, the oldest functional school building in the Cariboo Chilcotin.
Soda Creek
Soda Creek is a community at the mouth of Soda Creek and ten miles north of Williams Lake. Visitors can find ample opportunity to enjoy history, culture, and active pursuits, with Xatsull (hat’sull) Heritage Village nearby, offering a replica of a Shuswap (shoo-shwahp) Indian village that is open during the summer.
McLeese Lake
The small resort community of McLeese Lake, situated 30 minutes north of Williams Lake, offers water sports and fishing, along with hiking, camping, and off-roading. In winter, hiking trails become snowmobile and cross-country ski routes while the lake is transformed into an skating rink and idyllic ice-fishing hot spot.
Likely
Likely, originally known as Quesnelle (kwe-nel) Dam in 1898 when a dam was built to mine the Quesnel River, changed its name in 1923 to commemorate popular prospector, John “Plato” Likely.
McLeese Lake
The small resort community of McLeese Lake, situated 30 minutes north of Williams Lake, offers water sports and fishing, along with hiking, camping, and off-roading. In winter, hiking trails become snowmobile and cross-country ski routes while the lake is transformed into an skating rink and idyllic ice-fishing hot spot.
Kersley
Kersley is a rural community south of Quesnel. Enjoy a walk through Sisters Creek park, a recreational walking/equestrian trail that follows the Fraser River. With mild summers and cold winters, Kersley is an ideal place to visit year-round for outdoor enthusiasts looking to hike or bike, and enjoy winter activities.
Quesnel
Discover the city of Quesnel, located nearly equidistant between Williams Lake and Prince George. The vibrant community is popular for getaways – offering a variety of accessible and adventurous activities along with numerous accommodation options.
Wells
While there are now fewer than 300 year-round residents, many heritage buildings have been restored, including the Wells Hotel and the Sunset Theatre. Other architectural landmarks sport bright rainbow colours in a nod to the town’s vibrant arts scene.
Barkerville
Full of colour and vitality, with stagecoach rides, live theatre, saloons serving quaffs of sarsaparilla, a photo studio, cafe and bakery, a well-preserved 19th-century Chinatown and interesting cemetery tours, families love to visit Barkerville ..
Hixon
While there are now fewer than 300 year-round residents, many heritage buildings have been restored, including the Wells Hotel and the Sunset Theatre. Other architectural landmarks sport bright rainbow colours in a nod to the town’s vibrant arts scene.