Cariboo F: Lakeside, Trails and History

If you’re looking for a holiday rental in Cariboo F, you can plan your trip around the outings you have in mind: Big Lake and the local history of Big Lake Ranch offer a different focus from the trails and historic sites in the wider Cariboo destination. Examples range from a guided paddling tour to forest, wetland and Gold Rush experiences. Consider which of these themes you’d like to shape your stay and what location would make a suitable base.

Big Lake Ranch: Lake and Local History

Big Lake Ranch lies on the shore of Big Lake. The community was once an important stop for miners, and some of the former ranch buildings still stand today. The lakeshore and preserved ranch buildings give the area’s history a tangible connection, while its mining heritage can also be seen in other parts of the Cariboo.

Big Lake Community Hall houses the community’s post office, fire and rescue services, the regional library, and a gymnasium. The Big Lake Community Hall Low Mobility Trail is 500 metres long. Since trail conditions can vary, check them before your visit. Nearby, MeadowView offers a guided three-hour paddle tour on Big Lake, exploring the shore and quiet bays. The duration is a useful guide for planning your day; tour availability may vary by season. Check whether it’s offered during your travel dates.

Trails and Landscapes in the Wider Cariboo

In the wider Cariboo destination, the Cariboo Regional District trail network includes 22 wheelchair-accessible trails spread across the region. The routes described here each have a different focus. The Quesnelle Forks Low Mobility Trail stretches for about 860 metres and leads to viewpoints overlooking a Gold Rush-era ghost town and the confluence of the Quesnel and Cariboo rivers. The Ninety-Nine Mile Low Mobility Trail is 1.7 kilometres long, runs through lush mountain forest and has four viewpoints, including one overlooking a wetland.

Water and habitats also shape trails in the Cariboo. The Horsefly Wheelchair Accessible Salmon Habitat Viewing Trail follows the Horsefly River and offers views of the salmon spawning channel. The Mountain Spruce Low Mobility Trail passes through a spruce and fir forest to a viewing platform overlooking Heron Lake and the surrounding wetlands. At Interlakes Pioneer Heritage Trail, a viewpoint looks out over a wetland, and an information kiosk introduces the birds and animals found there. These destinations differ not only in their landscapes but also in what you can observe along the way.

Walking and cycling are permitted in the 108 Mile Greenbelt. One of the two trailheads for the 108 Lake and Sepa Lake Accessible Trails is at the 108 Mile Heritage Site and is directly accessible from Highway 97. These details highlight different ways to explore the Cariboo, from a walk or bike ride to trails with viewpoints overlooking lakes and wetlands.

Gold Rush History and Historic Sites in the Cariboo

In the wider Cariboo destination, nature trails also lead to evidence of the region’s history. The Bullion Pit Low Mobility Trail offers a view of a man-made canyon dating back to the Gold Rush. Barkerville is considered the best-preserved example of the types of communities and buildings established during the Cariboo Gold Rush. From the Bull Canyon Provincial Park Low Mobility Trail, the views are of the glacier-shaped blue Chilcotin River; the trail also passes Indigenous pit houses.

The Telegraph Trail is the approximately 275-kilometre section of the Collins Overland Telegraph Trail and its successor, the Yukon Telegraph Trail, located in the Cariboo Regional District. Its remaining sections are used as recreational trails by hikers and people interested in the province’s history. Here, historic routes and present-day exploration go hand in hand. Felker Homestead is currently used as a community gathering place and event venue; this does not refer to a specific event date.

When choosing your holiday rental, you can first decide what matters most to you: the lake and local history of Big Lake Ranch, or the trails, landscapes and historic sites in the wider Cariboo. This way, your choice of location reflects your actual outing plans without treating distinct places and regions as if they were the same.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Quesnel, 108 Mile Ranch, Forest Grove, Lac La Hache, 100 Mile House, Tatlayoko Lake, Nimpo Lake, Puntzi Lake.

Back to the main travel guide: Cariboo.