# Fraser Canyon, grazing hills and a gold-rush town – by camper along the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail to Barkerville

> From Hope through the Fraser Canyon via Lillooet and the Cariboo Plateau to Barkerville: around 700 kilometres in the footsteps of the 1862 gold seekers…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-057-cariboo-gold-rush-trail/

**At a glance:** 5-day road trip of about 651 km (405 mi) with 13 stops, from Hope to Barkerville. About 7 h 14 min of driving in total. From Hope through the Fraser Canyon via Lillooet and the Cariboo Plateau to Barkerville: around 700 kilometres in the footsteps of the 1862 gold seekers, with cowboy country, lakes and a preserved Western town as the destination.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 651 km (405 mi) |
| Driving | 7 h 14 min |
| Suggested days | 5 |
| Stops | 13 |
| Route | Hope → Barkerville |
| Provinces | BC |
| Updated | September 1, 2026 |

*From Hope through the Fraser Canyon via Lillooet and the Cariboo Plateau to Barkerville: around 700 kilometres in the footsteps of the 1862 gold seekers, with cowboy country, lakes and a preserved Western town as the destination.*

## The spirit of the route

Driving north from Hope, you follow the Fraser as it cuts into a canyon. Highway 1 clings to rock walls, tunnels and bridges alternate, and Hell’s Gate roars beneath the airtram. Beyond Lytton the land opens up: dry hills, sagebrush, poplars in the river valley, the colours of Lillooet in late summer. On the Cariboo Plateau distances grow large, and pasture and lakes such as Lac la Hache line Highway 97, while old roadhouses recall the Cariboo Wagon Road. At the end the road climbs into the Cariboo Mountains, until in Barkerville the wooden houses of the gold-rush era stand, and in summer costumed amateur actors bring the street to life. The route is varied, with moderate driving times and many camps at lakes; if you drive it slowly, you learn more about the province’s history than in any museum.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Hope to Lillooet (approx. 190 km)

- **The drive:** From Hope north on Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon to Yale, Boston Bar and Lytton, then on Highway 12 along the Fraser to Lillooet. The route is twisty, with rock walls, tunnels and narrow bridges; mind your vehicle height and the tunnel heights, speeds in places 60–90 km/h. Driving time about 3 hours, a full day with stops. Fuel stations in Hope, Boston Bar, Lytton and Lillooet; little traffic between Lytton and Lillooet.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Yale: a former transhipment point at the end of steamboat navigation; the Historic Yale Museum recalls the gold rush and the Cariboo Wagon Road.
  - Hell’s Gate Airtram: The cable car over the Fraser Canyon at the narrowest point of the river is a paid attraction; as of 1 September 2026 the operator reports a temporary closure due to a power outage, so check status, opening times and prices at hellsgateairtram.com beforehand. Parking for motorhomes is available, ask the size in advance.
  - Lytton: the confluence of the Fraser and Thompson, being rebuilt after the 2021 fire. Then Lillooet with the “Mile 0” cairn of the Cariboo Wagon Road on the Fraser.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Skihist Provincial Park east of Lytton on Highway 1: campground above the Thompson Valley, simple sites, toilets and a water point, no hook-ups. Emory Creek Provincial Park, about 18 km north of Hope (south of Yale), as an alternative on the river, beside the railway line. In Lillooet there is a municipal campground (Cayoosh Creek Campground, with electric sites, showers and a sani-dump, reservation in advance) and private sites; check status beforehand. Reservations with BC Parks around four months in advance.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** On Crown land, camping in BC is allowed for up to 14 days in the same place, outside parks, private land and reserves. In the Fraser Canyon there are hardly any suitable spots; in the Lillooet area check Recreation Sites at lakes such as Seton Lake. Wildfire season: heed fire bans.
- **Insider tip for campers:** On Highway 1 through the canyon there are several narrow tunnels; know your vehicle’s height and width beforehand (maximum permitted height in BC 4.15 m, heed the signs). If you do not want to drive through the canyon, take the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) to Kamloops, but then you miss Yale and Hell’s Gate. In heat, stock up on water; the slopes are dry and hot.

### Stage 2: Lillooet to 100 Mile House (approx. 175 km)

- **The drive:** From Lillooet on Highway 99 up onto the plateau to Cache Creek (steep, twisty sections with climbs; take care with heavy motorhomes and trailers), then on Highway 97 north via Clinton and 70 Mile House to 100 Mile House. Alternative for large vehicles: from Lytton via Highway 1 and Spences Bridge to Cache Creek. Speeds 80–100 km/h. Driving time about 3 hours. Fuel stations in Cache Creek, Clinton and 100 Mile House.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Hat Creek Heritage Ranch near Cache Creek: a restored roadhouse complex of the Cariboo Wagon Road, seasonal opening times; check beforehand.
  - Clinton and Highway 97: The small town is regarded as the gateway to the Cariboo; the Clinton Museum and old buildings are worth a short stop.
  - 108 Mile Heritage Site: an open-air museum with log cabins from the pioneer era, on Highway 97 north of 100 Mile House; check opening times.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Green Lake Provincial Park near 70 Mile House: campground on the lake, some of the sites close to the beach, toilets and water; no hook-ups. Check status and vehicle lengths with BC Parks. Alternatively private sites in 100 Mile House; clarify operator and opening in advance.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** On Crown land around 100 Mile House and along the lakes in the Cariboo there are many Recreation Sites; gravel access roads and washboard are common. Heed the bans on private land and reserves.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Highway 99 between Lillooet and Cache Creek has steep gradients; those towing a trailer are better off on Highway 1. Top up provisions in 100 Mile House (larger selection).

### Stage 3: 100 Mile House to Williams Lake (approx. 110 km)

- **The drive:** On Highway 97 north via Lac la Hache and 150 Mile House to Williams Lake. The road runs mostly straight through pasture and woodland, along the long Lac la Hache; speeds 90–100 km/h, in towns 50 km/h. Driving time about 1.5 hours. Fuel stations in Lac la Hache and Williams Lake.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Lac la Hache: the lake stretches for about 20 kilometres along the highway; anglers and swimmers use the spots on the shore.
  - Williams Lake: home of the Williams Lake Stampede, a well-known rodeo in the first week of July; the Stampede grounds are a starting point for town visits.
  - Scout Island Nature Centre: a municipal nature reserve on Williams Lake with bird watching and circular trails.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Lac La Hache Provincial Park: campground on the lake with beach and boat ramp, toilets and a water point, no hook-ups. In Williams Lake the Stampede organisation runs a campground on the grounds, plus private sites; clarify operation and booking conditions in advance.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Around Williams Lake there are Recreation Sites at lakes and in the forest; Crown land up to 14 days is permitted, outside parks and reserves. Access roads are often gravel.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Williams Lake is the last larger town before Quesnel with garages and supermarkets; take care of propane, water and waste disposal here. During the Stampede in July, sites are booked months in advance.

### Stage 4: Williams Lake to Quesnel (approx. 120 km)

- **The drive:** On Highway 97 north via Alexandria to Quesnel. The road leads through pasture and forest, with hills and sections along the Fraser; speeds 90–100 km/h. Driving time about 1.5 hours. Fuel stations in Williams Lake, Marguerite and Quesnel.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Pinnacles Provincial Park near Quesnel: a viewing platform over sandstone pillars (hoodoos), a short circular trail; day visit, no camping.
  - Cottonwood House Historic Site (east of Quesnel on Highway 26): a Cariboo Wagon Road roadhouse from the 1860s, with a museum and tours in season; check opening.
  - Quesnel: the confluence of the Fraser and the Quesnel River, an old town by the water, a museum and a riverside path; the town was the supply point for Barkerville.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Ten Mile Lake Provincial Park on Highway 97 north of Quesnel: campground on the lake with beach, toilets and a water point, no hook-ups; check reservations through BC Parks. In Quesnel there are also municipal and private sites; check operation.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Along Highway 97 there are Crown land and Recreation Sites; many access roads are forest roads. Ask locally about fire bans and the wildfire rating.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Before continuing to Barkerville, top up provisions, water and propane in Quesnel: Wells and Barkerville have smaller shops with limited selection.

### Stage 5: Quesnel to Barkerville (approx. 85 km)

- **The drive:** On Highway 26 east via Cottonwood to Wells and on to Barkerville, about 80 kilometres. The road climbs into the Cariboo Mountains, with bends and climbs, speeds 80–90 km/h. Driving time about 1.5 hours. Check fuel stations in Quesnel and Wells; from 1 October to 30 April winter tyres or snow chains are required on designated sections.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Barkerville Historic Town & Park: The preserved gold-rush town has dozens of historic buildings, amateur actors and museum programmes; check opening times, admission and season beforehand.
  - Wells: a small artists’ town with galleries, cafés and hiking trails; the starting point for tours into the mountains.
  - Bowron Lake Provincial Park (optional): the starting point of the famous canoe circuit; the access road is gravel, and a day visit is worthwhile for the view of the lake.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Barkerville Provincial Park offers campgrounds near Barkerville (Lowhee Campground and Forest Rustic Campground); sites simple, toilets, water; check operation, reservations and vehicle lengths in advance at bcparks.ca. In Wells and at Bowron Lake there are further sites.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Around Wells and Barkerville there are simple sites on Crown land and Recreation Sites (for example at small lakes); access roads are gravel, heed fire bans. No overnighting near the historic park outside the campgrounds.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Be in Barkerville early in the afternoon: the daily programmes run until early evening, when most visitors leave. For the return south take Highway 97 as far as Cache Creek, then Highway 1 to Kamloops and on via the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) to Vancouver.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- In British Columbia, camping on Crown land is generally permitted without a permit for up to 14 days at the same place; excluded are private land, First Nations reserves, parks and protected areas. In the Cariboo there are many Recreation Sites at lakes, simple sites with fire rings and toilets.
- In towns, at beach car parks and at viewpoints overnighting is often prohibited; rest areas partly tolerate parking, but not as a campground. Apps such as iOverlander, Campendium, The Dyrt and Park4Night show spots and reviews.
- Wildfire season: heed fire bans and access restrictions from the BC Wildfire Service (bcwildfire.ca); the Fraser Canyon and the Cariboo are dry in late summer. Gas stoves are mostly allowed, open fires are not.
- Wildlife: Black bears and grizzlies occur in the Cariboo, as well as moose and deer. Bear spray is legal in Canada and belongs within reach in the camper; keep food and rubbish in the vehicle at night.
- Respect for First Nations land: Many sections pass through territories of the Nlaka’pamux, St’át’imc and Tsilhqot’in; heed signs at reserves and do not overnight there.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Dump stations: in Hope, Cache Creek, 100 Mile House, Williams Lake and Quesnel; BC park campgrounds mostly have none. Overview at sanidumps.com.
- Drinking water: tap water in the towns is drinkable; heed boil water advisories in small places. Filter river water.
- Propane in Hope, Lillooet, 100 Mile House, Williams Lake and Quesnel; European bottles need adapters.
- Fuel: fuel stations in Hope, Boston Bar, Lytton, Lillooet, Cache Creek, Clinton, 100 Mile House, Lac la Hache, Williams Lake and Quesnel; otherwise distances up to 100 km. Do not let the tank fall below a third.
- Power and rubbish: BC Parks campgrounds rarely have hook-ups, a leisure battery is enough; rubbish bins are partly secured bear-proof.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits: on Highways 97 and 1 mostly 90–100 km/h, in towns 50 km/h; in the Fraser Canyon in places 60–70 km/h. From 1 October to 30 April winter tyres or snow chains are required on designated routes; heed the signs.
- Vehicle dimensions in BC: height up to 4.15 m, width up to 2.6 m; check tunnel heights in the Fraser Canyon.
- Fees: Provincial parks charge camping fees and in some cases day-use fees; BC Parks takes reservations around four months in advance at camping.bcparks.ca. No toll is charged on the highways of this route.
- Wildlife: moose and wildlife collisions are common, especially at dusk; adjust your speed. In an accident call 911 or the RCMP.
- Traffic law: turning right on red after stopping is permitted where not prohibited; using a phone while driving is forbidden. A German driving licence is enough for tourists; child seat and seat belt rules apply in motorhomes.
- Emergency: 911; mobile reception is patchy in the Fraser Canyon and in the mountains. DriveBC (drivebc.ca) shows closures.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Sun protection and plenty of drinking water: the Thompson and Fraser valleys around Lytton and Lillooet are among the hottest regions of Canada in summer.
- Bear spray with a holster: bears are present in the Cariboo and at the lakes; legal in Canada, but cannot be carried on a plane.
- A winter reserve (fleece, hat, gloves): in the Cariboo Mountains around Barkerville it can be near freezing at night even in late summer.
- Offline maps: in the Fraser Canyon and around Wells mobile reception is patchy.
- Spare fuel can and water filter: on some sections of the route fuel stations and water points are rare.

_As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Hope** (BC)
2. **Yale** (BC)
3. **Boston Bar** (BC)
4. **Lytton** (BC)
5. **Lillooet** (BC)
6. **Cache Creek** (BC)
7. **Clinton** (BC)
8. **100 Mile House** (BC)
9. **Lac la Hache** (BC)
10. **Williams Lake** (BC)
11. **Quesnel** (BC)
12. **Wells** (BC)
13. **Barkerville** (BC)

## Best time to go

The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Fraser Canyon, grazing hills and a gold-rush town – by camper along the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail to Barkerville?**
5-day road trip of about 651 km (405 mi) with 13 stops, from Hope to Barkerville. About 7 h 14 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Fraser Canyon, grazing hills and a gold-rush town – by camper along the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail to Barkerville?**
We suggest 5 days: about 7 h 14 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Fraser Canyon, grazing hills and a gold-rush town – by camper along the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail to Barkerville start and end?**
It starts in Hope and ends in Barkerville.

**Which provinces does Fraser Canyon, grazing hills and a gold-rush town – by camper along the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail to Barkerville pass through?**
British Columbia.

**When is the best time for Fraser Canyon, grazing hills and a gold-rush town – by camper along the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail to Barkerville?**
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)