Cariboo Gold Rush Trail in Winter: Kamloops to Prince George

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The Cariboo Gold Rush Trail in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region is a route rich in history that winds through a hilly landscape once traveled by prospectors in search of fortune. While summer may be prime time to visit, winter has its charms. Think snow-covered forests, outdoor adventures galore, the chance of an up-close nature experience, and small-town charm.

Over a five-day winter road trip from Kamloops to Prince George, I explored the iconic Cariboo Gold Rush trail, stopping for ice fishing in Lone Butte, cross-country skiing near Williams Lake, historic experiences in Barkerville, and even a curling lesson in Quesnel. Along the way, I met passionate locals, sampled fantastic food and drinks, and witnessed the 33rd annual sled dog run deep in the Cariboo Mountains.

If you’re looking for a unique winter getaway in British Columbia, this itinerary will take you to some of the best stops along the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail. Collect sunsets—even when the thermometer plunges below -25°C. The cold may take your breath away, but the beauty in this region is worth it.

On the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail in British Columbia

Location map of stops on the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail

Kamloops to Lone Butte – our start on the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail

After a scenic flight from Vancouver to Kamloops, we drove toward Lone Butte, stopping for lunch at the Iron Horse Pub. With a menu full of favourites like burgers, pizza, and ribs, we all left satisfied and ready to kick off the first adventure on the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail – ice fishing.

The view flying into Kamloops – the start of my Cariboo Gold Rush Trail winter experience The Iron Horse Pub in Lone Butte is a great place for lunch

Ice fishing with Lone Butte Fishing Adventures

Sporting as many warm clothes as I could stuff into my carry-on bag, I joined two of my group Rachel and Jill, along with our guide Ken Kineshanko from Lone Butte Fishing Adventures in a roomy heated tent on Fawn Lake. The lake is one of about 100 crystal clear lakes on the Fishing Highway – a 97-kilometre stretch along Highway 24.

Our only goal while sitting on comfortable camp chairs on 12-inch-thick ice was to catch a rainbow trout, Kokanee or burbot. We didn’t have to do much—just move our rod up and down and watch the fish finder, a calming, almost meditative experience. Ken had taken care of the hard work, from baiting the hooks to spooling out enough line to give us all a fair shot.

Finally, I hear a whoop of joy as Rachel says she’s got something. Sure enough she’s got a good-sized tortoiseshell burbot on her line. She’s thrilled – her first fish ever. After another hour of fishing, I still come up empty. Some days the fishing Gods just aren’t on your side.

Look how green Fawn Lake appears inside the tent – no filter either Rachel caught her first fish ever – a tortoiseshell burbot

Overnight in 100 Mile House

We stayed at the Days Inn by Wyndham 100 Mile House – and found the staff to be incredibly friendly. It’s not fancy, but it’s clean and does the trick.

The drive between 100 Mile House and Williams Lake on the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail

It takes about an hour to drive Highway 97 between 100 Mile House and Williams Lake. The route takes you through quintessential Cariboo landscapes of rolling ranchlands and frozen lakes. The following are some of the sites and worthwhile stops along the way.

A scenic winter drive on the Gold Rush Trail on the way to Williams Lake

Lac la Hache on the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail

Lac la Hache known as the “Longest Town in the Cariboo,” stretches across 20 kilometres of shoreline dotted with ranches, resorts, restaurants, and homes. In winter, the frozen lake is often covered with ice fishing huts. Stop by Q Brew Coffee, located just half a kilometre north of Lac la Hache for a caffeine hit.

108 Mile Ranch and Heritage Site

In winter the 108 Mile Heritage Site is closed. However, you can still stop and admire the picturesque Gold Rush era-buildings. The Clydesdale Barn built to house 100 Clydesdale horses is the largest log building of its type in Canada.

If you’re looking for exercise and you’ve packed snowshoes, check out the easy 7-kilometre-long 108 Mile Lake hike. There is an option to add an additional three kilometres around Sepa Lake. Start by the 108 Mile Heritage Site.

Finish with a stop at Rusty Iron Coffee, a minute’s drive to the north.

Williams Lake highlights

Williams Lake is a vibrant community in the Cariboo Chiclotin Coast region known for its Indigenous culture, deep ranching history, and access to outdoor adventure. Surrounded by rolling hills, lakes, and forests, it’s a gateway to hiking, fishing, and winter sports.

We spent two nights at the Best Western Williams Lake. They do have a heated pool and hot tub indoors. I also recommend a stay at Juniper Trails Bed & Breakfast from a previous visit to Williams Lake.

One of the murals in downtown Williams Lake

Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin

Williams Lake is the gateway to British Columbia’s rich gold rush history and ranching heritage. One of the standout attractions is the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin, a must-visit for those interested in the area’s past.

The region’s deep ties to ranching, rodeo culture, and Indigenous history are showcased at the museum. Our group benefited from a tour with two locals who have both lived and breathed ranching and horses all their lives: octogenarian and rancher Gordon Armes and Patti Gerhardi, the Destination Experience Manager for the region.

As we wander the museum and the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame, we learn why saddles are made a certain way, what ranching life used to look like before there were trailers and trucks, and how you relieve a tooth abscess when you’re a week’s walk away from a dentist. Hint: heat up a red-hot poker, take a swig of something powerful, burn the nerve – and pass out.

I come away with respect for the difficulty of a ranching life, but also how much the community is there for each other. The museum is a fascinating place to spend a few hours.

A 700-7ear-old western red cedar anchors the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin Our hosts Gordon Armes and Patti Gerhardi

Lunch at Bean Counter Bistro

Our group enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the Bean Counter Bistro in Williams Lake. Many of us ordered Reubens – a corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese combo – that had me in a state of bliss.

A great lunch and excellent lattes at the Bean Counter Bistro & Coffee in Williams Lake

Williams Lake Cross-country Ski Club

The Williams Lake Cross-Country Ski Club, in collaboration with the Bull Mountain cross-country ski and snowshoe area, maintains 28 km of trails for both skate and double classic skiing, along with 11 km of snowshoe trails. There’s something for everyone, including a 3.5 km lit trail for nighttime adventures.

I took off by myself on cross-country skis for a couple of hours exploring a large loop that passed a warming hut and required some climbing. But the payoff was delightful downhill on perfectly groomed tracks. I did see fresh wolf poop, and some pine siskins, but nothing else other than blue skies and bright sunshine.

Back at the lodge with a fire roaring, I caught up with my friends who had taken a ski lesson. As we sipped hot chocolate, everyone looked very happy basking in the glow of trying something new and finding success.

Rentals are available onsite. Trail passes are $20/adult for skiing. Lights stay on outside till 10 PM. Lodge hours vary, so check before you go.

Scenes from cross-country skiing at Bull Mountain

Dinner at Osprey Nest Social House & Eatery

Dinner at the upscale Osprey Nest Social House & Eatery in Williams Lake is a treat, especially with stunning views over Williams Lake paired with a perfectly cooked piece of salmon. and a glass of BC’s Gehringer Brothers white wine.

Outside the sculptural osprey nest is a delight, especially with the sun going down. Don’t pass up a meal here.

The stunning Osprey Nest at the entrance to the Osprey Nest Eatery

EcoTours BC – A full day of outdoor adventure

Early mornings aren’t usually my thing, but with a two-hour drive ahead to EcoTours BC near Lively, BC, a 4 AM wake-up was unavoidable. The plan? A full day outdoors—despite the biting -25°C temperatures—searching for moose, wolves, lynx, and winter birds, primarily on snowshoes, set against a stunning winter backdrop.

Fueled by endless cups of coffee and a fantastic breakfast made by owner Peggy Zorn, I climbed into the truck with Field Operations guide Ryan Simmons. As the first light painted the sky in soft pink hues, we left the main road behind, venturing onto snow-covered logging roads in search of fresh animal tracks.

While animal tracks were in abundance, animals were not. We switched course driving to an area of open fields where we set off on snowshoes. This time we wear camouflage coats over our own. Before we left, Ryan gave us stern orders to follow him and keep quiet, speaking only in whispers when necessary.

The landscape we tromped through was beautiful – stands of aspens interspersed with conifers along with some old, weathered buildings. After some time, Ryan motioned us to sit quietly and observe – which we did for some 45 minutes. Flocks of pine siskins hung around, but even with numerus fresh tracks no animals appeared.

We pressed on, navigating back roads and scanning the wilderness, channeling a moose or lynx to step into view. Our final stop, Winkley Creek on Quesnel Lake, was breathtaking. The lake, plunging to depths of 600 metres, is the deepest fjord lake in the world. When we arrived its surface was covered with a vast expanse of hoar frost. As the sun dipped behind the mountains, we turned toward home—though not before a ruffed grouse caught our attention, offering a small, unexpected moment of wildlife magic.

It wasn’t the day we had hoped for, but that’s nature—unpredictable and untamed.

Mist over the Quesnel River near Lively, BC Scenes from a day with EcoTours BC Lynx are one of the animals you might see on a day out with EcoTours BC (Photo credit: EcoTours BC)

Stops on the Williams Lake to Quesnel Drive

If you have time add a few of the following stops to your Cariboo Gold Rush Tral itineray.

Pinnacles Provincial Park (7 km west of Quesnel)

Set in a pine forest, Pinnacles Provincial Park is just a 10-minute drive from Quesnel. It’s known for its unique hoodoo rock formations and scenic views of Quesnel and Baker Creek – accessed via a 1-kilometre-long trail.

The Fraser River Footbridge, built in 1929 is both the centerpiece of the River Front Trail system and Canada’s longest wooden truss footbridge. Come here for a walk and photo ops.

Quesnel Experiences

Until this trip along the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail, I’d always thought of Quesnel as an overnight stopping point for anyone planning to paddle the famous Bowron Lakes circuit. I’ve learned that’s not the case.

Roping demonstration

Before my winter visit to Quesnel, I had never even held a rope, let alone attempted to lasso a calf—wooden or otherwise. But after watching seasoned cowboys and cowgirls expertly rope a wooden calf while riding a moving horse (with the calf being dragged by a tractor), it was our turn to give it a shot.

I watched as my colleagues took their turns, finding a rhythm with some hip action before launching their ropes. The cowboys tried to level the playing field by giving us an extra-large loop, but even with that advantage, my attempts fell short—except for one lucky success.

It gave me a whole new appreciation for the skill required in a live event!

Lucky for me it was a wooden calf I was trying to rope

Barkerville Brewing Tasting & Lunch – a great stop on the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail

For craft beer lovers, Barkerville Brewing Co. in Quesnel is a must-visit, offering a lineup of small-batch brews with names like Big Strike IPA, 18 Carat Amber Ale and Claim Jumper Kettle Sour – all inspired by the region’s Gold Rush history.

Sample their signature beers as part of a tasting flight with lunch. Delicious options like pizza, nachos, spinach and artichoke dip, and soft pretzels make for a filling meal. For the non-beer drinkers, the brewery also offers inspired mocktails that are very refreshing.

A flight of beers with delicious pizza and nachos at Barkerville Brewing

Curling Lesson at Quesnel Curling Club

Curling looks easy on TV—smooth slides, precise throws, and plenty of sweeping. I always wondered how it became an Olympic sport.

The reality? Completely different. The moment I stepped on the ice, my balance vanished. And a few rock throws left me sprawled out on the ice one of my least graceful moments ever. Then came the sweeping, which I assumed was the easy part. Turns out, all the indoor rowing in the world doesn’t help when you’re frantically scrubbing the ice while trying to stay upright. By the end of the lesson, I understood exactly why it’s an Olympic sport.

If you’re in Quesnel, stop by to watch a game and enjoy a snack or meal.

I understand the appeal of curling after our lesson – more finesse and muscle power needed than I figured

Exploring Wells and Barkerville – two beautiful spots on the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail

Beautiful sunset while driving the Gold Rush Trail in BC on the way to Wells

A stay at the Wells Hotel

The Wells Hotel, built in 1934 has survived countless changes in ownership and many renovations. It’s a landmark in the town of 200, and as the present owners Jillan Kerrick and Kerry MacDonald say “their goal is to have strong ties to the community and elevate this historic Cariboo Gold Rush Trail icon to a world-class destination accommodation experience. “

The building oozes charm – and the bar area and dining room with a large picture by local painter Peter Corbett is a great place to hang out. The menu is terrific with all the owners’ favourite dishes. The rooms come in all sizes and are simply furnished. In winter, nothing beats the outdoor hot tub.

Book directly through their website.

Inside a common area at the Wells Hotel

Scotch tasting at the Wells Hotel on the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail

Who would ever guess that the largest Scotch whiskey collection in western Canada is at the Wells Hotel? It’s a must visit for whiskey enthusiasts especially given the fact that there are more bottles of scotch at the hotel than there are people in town.

I’m not a Scotch drinker but I still enjoyed the guided tasting that included a Glenkinchie, Aberlour, Bunnahanhain, Glen Scotia, and Tullibardine. With tasting notes provided, it’s fun to try to discern the flavour profiles described, though I still haven’t figured out what draff smells like.

The Wells Hotel has the largest collection of Scotch whiskey in western Canada Tasting notes while trying a flight of Scotch at the Wells Hotel on the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail

33rd Annual Sled Dog Run in Barkerville on the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail

Our trip along the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail was timed to coincide with the 33rd annual Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Run. In this event, local mushers are “temporarily sworn in as official mail carriers for the three day event .“

Mail sent from all over the world gets loaded on dog sleds and is carried from Quesnel through the Troll Ski Resort and Wells to ultimately be delivered at the Barkerville Post Office. From there it travels through the regular postal service and gets delivered around the world. You’ll notice on my letter a special stamp that says, “Carried by dog sled.”

We caught the final day of the fun family-friendly event. What a thrill to watch the chaos before the dog sleds take off. And then for everything to suddenly fall silent. On the way back the dogs are subdued but the mushers were all smiles.

One of the first sleds to come around to the finish line as part of the 33rd annual Gold Rush Trail sled dog mail run Fun to see the sleds being cheered onto the finishing line in Barkerville A young boy handing over the mail carried by the dog sleds to a post office employee My piece of mail carried by dog sled

Historic Barkerville tour on the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail

Billy Barker’s gold strike on Williams Creek was the spark that ignited an industrial revolution. It quite literally helped shape British Columbia. Billy’s discovery and the fallout from it were brought to life by Stewart Cawood – the public programming and media manager for Barkerville Historic Town & Park.

Over an hour we wander the length of the main street in Barkerville, learning the stories behind some of the 125 heritage buildings. As the largest living history museum in North America and a National Historic Site, there’s a lot more to see than we can possibly fit in. In summer there are restaurants that are open, live theatre, and accommodation you can book right in town.

What I found particularly fascinating was just how much gold came out of the area. Over a 2.5 mile stretch of the creek, 3.5 tons of gold was removed. Even today, there are lots of mom-and-pop operations making a living off gold claims in the general area.

Barkerville Historic Town & Park is a colourful place to visit

If you have an hour, explore the colourful town of Wells on foot. It was built as a company town for Fred Well’s Gold Quartz Mine in the 1930’s. In its heyday it boasted a population of 4,000, a golf course, two hockey teams and even a racetrack.

With a lots of historical buildings, along with big splashes of colour, you’ll find compelling scenes everywhere you walk. Don’t miss the Frog on the Bog Gifts in the bright green building. Be sure to check out the paintings by Peter Corbett in the old church.

Wells with a population of 200 is one colourful place on the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail

Lunch at Jack O’Clubs Pub on the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail

After a morning outside in frigid temperatures, our last stop on the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail was the Jack O’Clubs Pub in Wells. Fill up on wings, onion rings, fries, poutine and burgers along with a Barkerville Brewing beer before heading off to your next destination.

Drive to Prince George & fly home

From Wells, it’s about a 2.5-hour drive to the Prince George Airport via Quesnel. We were always on the lookout for lynx and moose – as we all felt like expert track spotters after our day with EcoTours BC. Unfortunately, no luck, but lots of pretty snowy forest scenery.

There are a couple of stops to make on the way to Prince George if you have the time. And if you’re hungry, visit the Whistle Stop Pub in Hixon, about 40 minutes before you reach the airport.

Watching the winter scenery on the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail speed by

Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut Protected Area (100 km detour off the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail)

A place I’ve always wanted to visit – especially in winter when the snow-covered trees make their own magic is the Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut Provincial Park. It’s in British Columbia’s only inland temperate rainforest – and as such is home to 1,000-year-old western red cedars along with a diverse array of plants, mosses, lichens and fungi.

A 450-metre-long accessible boardwalk is open in winter. In addition, there’s another 2.3 km of boardwalk that takes you to some notable trees – the magnificent “Big” Tree, Tree Beard, Radies Tree and a set of beautiful waterfalls.

Prince George Welcome Sign & Fraser River Viewpoint

Then it’s only a 40-minute drive to stop at the Your last stop on the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail trip is the “Welcome to Prince George” sign. After getting a picture, head to the Prince George Airport for your flight back to Vancouver or wherever else you might be heading.