Anahim Lake is located on Highway 20, a scenic four-hour drive west from Williams Lake.
The drive across the Interior Plateau from the east offers panoramic vistas of the grasslands and pine forests of the arid interior. Range cattle, a common sight along the way, graze on the lush roadside grass. Several hours into the drive, near Tatla Lake, the snow capped peaks of the Coastal Mountain Range rise into view.
Alternately, visitors can choose to arrive via BC Ferries Discovery Coast Passage, which docks at the westernmost terminus of Highway 20 in Bella Coola, a 1.5 to 2 hour drive west of Anahim Lake. Highway 20 is paved or hard surface finished except for the 65km/40mi west of Anahim Lake through Heckman Pass to the bottom of "The Hill." This section has a well-maintained gravel surface.
Commercial flights arrive at the paved airstrip in Anahim Lake. Visitors must make post-flight arrangements for pick up, as there is no car rental or bus service in the area.
Read More
Car Travel
Most visitors to Anahim Lake arrive by vehicle. Car rental are available at Williams Lake, as well as in Vancouver, Kelowna, Kamloops, and Prince George. RV rental are also found at these major centres. Great campgrounds are located along Highway 20.
Winter road conditions can be slippery. Vehicles must be equipped with good winter tires and possibly chains if a trip is planned through Heckman Pass down "The Hill." Anahim Lake is located in a remote region of the province and traffic on Highway 20 in winter can be sparse. A winter travel kit is important to have in case of vehicle breakdown.
Air Travel
Pacific Coastal Airlines offers regular scheduled flights to Anahim Lake Airport from Vancouver year-round. The airport also has a fueling station for private aircraft. Several air charter companies also service Anahim Lake Airport. Floatplanes land on Anahim Lake and nearby Nimpo Lake.
Read Less
Transportation Service Providers
Transportation & Maps
Anahim Lake