The wildlife in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast is as varied and diverse as the landscape. From lush coastal forests to the interior grasslands and mountain ranges, a wide variety of wildlife viewing opportunites can be experienced in this region.
Take a wildlife tour with Spirit Bear Adventures into the Great Bear Rainforest, the only area in the world where the rare white Kermode (Spirit) bear is found. Marine life thrives here – a BC Ferries Discovery Coast ferry trip or one of many cruising adventures can provide memorable wildlife sightings.
The interior grasslands, plains and mountain ranges provide ideal habitat for bears, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats and bird life. A guided tour from Whitegold Adventures in Wells is an excellent introduction to the wildlife, history and scenery for which the area is famous. It’s even possible to snorkel with salmon with Kynoch Adventure Tours near Bella Coola.
Wildlife Viewing in Parks
Bighorn sheep, moose, black and grizzly bears, mule deer, mountain goats and cougars are some of the many animals that can be found in the area’s parks. Keep a close watch while driving through this region – wildlife are often seen along the roads.
Bowron Lakes Provincial Park
Moose, bear and other wildlife are plentiful in this park. Nature lovers are drawn here for spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife and the world-famous Bowron Lakes canoe circuit.
Moose Valley Provincial Park and Flat Lake Provincial Park
Located near 100 Mile House, both parks offer prime wildlife habitat in their many small lakes, marshes and wetlands. The shallow water and abundant plant and aquatic life provide excellent feeding grounds for moose, deer, beaver, and muskrat; many species of birds thrive in the area as well.
Junction Sheep Range Provincial Park
More than 500 California bighorn sheep live in the rolling grasslands and gullies of this protected park. The park is a one-hour drive from Williams Lake.
Nazko Lake Provincial Park
This small chain of lakes features extensive wetlands providing ideal habitat for moose, beaver, river otter, mule deer and black bear. Birds thrive here, including the endangered American white pelican. Ideal for wildlife viewing on single or multi-day canoe trips, this park is accessed from Hwy 20, which runs between Williams Lake and Bella Coola.
Ten Mile Lake Provincial Park
A wildlife highlight here is the Beaver Pond trail, where a beaver lodge and series of dams can be seen as well as extensive waterfowl nesting boxes. This popular outdoor recreation area is located near Quesnel.
Wildlife Viewing From Highways and Wilderness Areas
Wildlife can often be seen along the regions roads and backcountry parks. Prime viewing areas include:
Highway 26
This road between Quesnel and Barkerville is famous for wildlife. Moose, bear and deer are frequently sighted, often multiple times.
Highway 24 (The Fishing Highway)
The many lakes along this corridor provide excellent habitat for birds and other lake and river wildlife, as well as excellent fishing opportunities.
Remote wilderness settings, including Tweedsmuir, Ts’il?os, Cariboo Mountain and Itcha Ilgachuz provincial parks, offer great wildlife viewing opportunities for the more adventurous hiker or backcountry enthusiast.
Salmon Viewing
Kynoch Adventures, based in Hagensborg, offers a unique BC experience on the Atnarko River near Bella Coola. Don a wetsuit, mask and fins and watch for chinook and pink salmon as you drift down this slow-moving river.
Horsefly Spawning Channel
The Horsefly River is one home to one of BC's largest spawning channels. Walk along the Salmon Habitat Trail to view the salmon as they struggle upstream. The spawning channels are located near the community of Horsefly, a 45-minute drive northeast from Williams Lake, on Horsefly Road off Highway 97.
Coastal Wildlife Tours and Marine Life
The Bella Coola Valley thrives with wildlife. In late summer and fall, pink and chum salmon can be seen in the many streams between Bella Coola and Hagensborg. Bears are drawn to the salmon and can often be seen along the roads and streambeds.
Guided tours will take you around the river estuary and harbour, where seals, otters and eagles glide among the decaying pilings of abandonded fish canneries.
Discovery Coast Passage
BC's Central Coast has exceptional wildlife viewing and sightseeing that can be experienced on the Discovery Coast Passage tours from BC Ferries. Cruising is another excellent way to discover the coast – sail on vessels such as a heritage schooner or luxury yacht to discover coastal towns, aboriginal culture and whale and bear watching.
Take the Coast Cariboo Circle Route to experience the remote inlets and fjords of the mid-coast on a ferry that links the communities of Port Hardy, Bella Coola, Shearwater, Ocean Falls, and Klemtu. Take a guided wildlife tour from Tweedsmuir Lodge or a trip to Princess Royal Island to look for the rare Kermode bear.
Hakai Luxvbalis Conservation Area
This area is famous for fishing, kayaking and incredible wildlife and scenery. Eagles and bears can be seen along the shoreline and the waters teem with orca and humpback whales, seals, dolphins and porpoises, fish and seabirds. The Hakai Luxvbalis Conservation Area is only accessible by floatplane or boat.
For information on wildlife safety, practical points and viewing tips visit the BC Wildlife Tours page.
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