ALEXIS CREEK
Travelling west from Williams Lake on Highway
20 brings you to Alexis Creek and neighbouring Hanceville. These settlements
offer a full range of services. Nearby lakes offer fishing, boating
and swimming. 10 km. (6 mi.) west of Alexis Creek on the Chilcotin River,
is the Bull Canyon Provincial Park.
ANAHIM
LAKE
Travelling west on Hwy 20, Anahim Lake is the last community
before entering Tweedsmuir Provincial Park. Home of the "Old Fashioned
Wild West Rodeo" each July, the Anahim Lake area offers a number of
lodges and resorts that cater to outdoor adventurers.
BARKERVILLE
Barkerville is located at the end of the Gold Rush Trail, 89
km (55 mi.) east of Quesnel on Highway 26. Between 1862 and 1870,
over 10,000 people travelled the Cariboo Wagon Road, converging on
the gold fields, and the boom-town called Barkerville. Today, the
authentically reconstructed historic ciry of barkerville is a great
place for a day-trip.
BELLA COOLA
A sport fisherman's dream, this village is located where the
Bella Coola River joins with the Pacific. The western terminus of
Highway 20, Bella Coola serves as a major port between Vancouver and
Prince Rupert. At any time the port will be host to anything from
fishing boats to pleasure craft.
CLINTON
Clinton is located on Hwy 97, north of Cache Creek. Established
in 1867, and steeped in Cariboo history, this small town has a number
of popular historical sights to visit and offers a wide variety of
activities, sights and scenery, year round. A haven for artists and
craftpersons, local craft shops are well worth worth a visit.
FOREST
GROVE
The small community with the peaceful name of Forest Grove, is
about a 20 minute drive from 100 Mile House. This is the departure
point to beautiful Canim, Ruth and Gotchen lakes. A wide range of
accommodations, lodges and campsites are all within a short drive
of Forest Grove.
GOLD BRIDGE
Once a busy mining centre, Gold Bridge and area is now a resort community
with guest ranches and lodges. This community of approximately 100
residents enjoys the peace and quiet of the mountains, valleys, lakes,
and rivers that make up the region. Gold Bridge and area offer many
outdoor recreational activities including horseback riding, fishing,
rock hounding, gold panning, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Step back
in time and visit old mine sites and ghost towns when visiting Gold
Bridge.
HORSEFLY
This small community is situated on the banks of the Horsefly
River. An important salmon spawning stream, the Horsefly River empties
into Quesnel Lake at Horsefly Bay. Salmon spawning channels have been
constructed and visitors enjoy easy access for viewing the Horsefly's
spectacular salmon run in late August & September.
LAC LA HACHE
"The Longest Town in the Cariboo" is located about 20 km (12.4
mi) north of 100 Mile House on Hwy 97, and stretches along much of
the 18 km (11 mi) lakeshore of Lac La Hache. The lake is well known
for its kokanee fishing as well as it's trophy size lake trout. The
community offer a variety of services.
LIKELY
Likely is a small community situated where the west arm of Quesnel
Lake empties into the Quesnel River. Just over the hill from Likely
is the ghost town of Quesnel Forks. At one time, one of B.C.'s largest
communities, now a collection of historic buildings where the Cariboo
and Quesnel rivers meet.
LILLOOET
At one time Lillooet was the largest settlement in British Columbia.
It's importance is evident in that the Mile 0 Cairn that marks the
beginning of the famous Cariboo Wagon Road is placed in Lillooet.
The cairn was used as a base measure for all the mile posts to the
north; i.e. 83 Mile, 100 Mile House, and 150 Mile House. Lillooet
is situated on the banks of the Fraser River, and those who arrive
from the south either by rail or road will witness awe inspiring views
of roaring river canyons and majestic mountains.
LONE BUTTE
Gateway to the Interlakes area, Lone Butte is a small community
on Hwy 24 about 11 miles east of 93 Mile House. Lone Butte offers
a general store, cafe, neighbourhood pub, sporting goods store, craft
shop, service station and post office. Over 50 nearby lakes offer
resorts and accommodations.
NIMPO LAKE
Located on Hwy 20 east of Anahim Lake. Known as the float plane
capital of B.C., Nimpo Lake is a popular destination for families
and fishermen alike. This scenic 12 km (7 mi.) long lake, with Mt.
Kappan in the background, has many resorts and offers a variety of
summer and winter activities.
100 MILE HOUSE
Once an important roadhouse on the Cariboo Wagon Road, 100 Mile
House remains a welcome stop for travellers on the Cariboo Highway
97. Nestled in a valley overlooking Bridge Creek, this friendly community
has become a year round recreational playground.
QUESNEL
Originally known as Quesnel Mouth this settlement was built in
the 1860's at the junction of the Fraser and Quesnel rivers as a way
station on the route to the goldfields. Today this charming city continues
to attract adventurers on their way to the goldfields and the restored
gold rush town of Barkerville.
RISKE CREEK
This first small community is situated about 52 km (32 mi.) west
of Williams Lake. The village is the site of one of the earliest ranches
in the area. With gas, lodgings and general store available this is
the ideal spot to begin a Chilcotin adventure.
70 MILE HOUSE
Located on Hwy 97 north of Clinton, 70 Mile House was once a
historic roadhouse on the famous Cariboo Wagon Road. It is now the
turn off to the Green and Watch Lake recreation areas. Some of the
best outdoor family vacations in B.C. can be enjoyed within a few
miles of 70 Mile House.
WELLS
Established in the 1930's as a gold mining town, Wells is located
74 km (46 mi.) east of Quesnel on Highway 26 and 8 km (5 mi.) west
of Barkerville.
WILLIAMS
LAKE
Home to the famous Williams Lake Stampede, this vibrant city
offers a comfortable blend of urban living and easy going western
charm. Situated in the center of the Cariboo Chilcotin, Williams Lake
is the turnoff to Highway 20 that travels across the Chilcotin plateau
to Bella Coola on the coast.
