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In the heart of the Lakes District, Burns Lake is home to hundreds of freshwater lakes. The area even claims two of BC’s largest natural lakes – Babine Lake and Francois Lake. This is serious fishing country. This is serious outdoors country, too, with camping, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, birding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling all easily within reach.
Rockhounding in the Eagle Creek area is still another popular pursuit. In town, the Lakes District Museum tells the story of the region’s pioneer days.
There are unique hiking, walking and mountain-biking opportunities throughout the Burns Lake region. They include the Eagle Creek area west of the town, which is home to one of BC's only opal deposits. Just follow the Opal Bed Trail (3.8 km/2.4 mi roundtrip). Nourse/Allin Creek Trail, near the shores of Francois Lake, is both an appealing and convenient day-use trail for hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers. In the summertime, mountain bikers enjoy full use of the Omineca Ski Club's 25-km (15 mi) of easy-to-moderate cross-country trails. Camping opportunities abound in the area, with vehicle-access camping at several provincial parks and Forest Service recreation sites.
Burns Lake boasts a colourful history. The Heritage Centre houses both the Visitor Info Centre and the Lakes District Museum, which tells the story of the area's pioneer days. Check out the Bucket of Blood, an old log building that once served as a fur-trading post and gambling den. There is also a First Nations gallery housed in Burns Lake's original hospital building that provides visitors with a history of the area's First Nations. There are a number of other heritage buildings of note in the town as well.
There's plenty to do in the Burns Lake region. The Lakes District Museum tells the story of the area's pioneer days. Check out the Bucket of Blood, an old log building that once served as a fur-trading post and gambling den. The museum also houses a pre-1930s operating room. Tintagel Herb Gardens proves an aromatic respite, thanks to its many fresh and dried herbs and plants, including lavender.
This is salmon country, and at the Fulton Creek Spawning Channel near the community of Granisle, visitors can witness hundreds of thousands of spawning sockeye from mid-to-late September. Visitors are also welcome at the Pinkut Creek Hatchery north of Burns Lake.
Calling all rockhounds: the Eagle Creek area west of Burns Lake has one of BC's only opal deposits. Just follow the Opal Bed Trail (3.8 km/2.4 mi roundtrip) to the ridge overlooking the valley. Hoodoos (striking rock columns created by erosion) can also be viewed near the end of the trail.
Burns Lake offers plenty of cheering opportunities, be it for the local hockey team, the Burns Lake Braves; at a curling bonspeil; or in the summer at the Eagle Creek Stampede. Throughout the year, the town hosts a fair share of bazaars and craft fairs, a perfect complement to the many, locally-run specialty shops.
Burns Lake makes a great base for visiting the region's provincial parks. One of the most remote, North Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, is accessible by boat or floatplane only. If you visit, be prepared to be completely self-sufficient or to employ a professional guide. Within the park there are a number of wilderness lodges from which to set up camp, most centred around Eutsuk Lake.
Uncha Mountain Red Hill Provincial Park, located on the south side of François Lake, offers wilderness camping in addition to hiking, canoeing, fishing and horseback riding. Ethel F. Wilson Memorial Provincial Park, a 30-minute drive north from Burns Lake is extremely accessible. Picnicking, swimming, canoeing and fishing are all popular activities there.
Wildlife sightings include deer, moose and black bears, whose habitats are protected in the region.
This is the Lakes District, so take advantage of it: there are about 300 freshwater lakes of varying sizes to choose from, including two of BC's largest natural lakes - Babine Lake and Francois Lake. While fishing is the main water activity, canoeing, kayaking and boating are prevalent as well. There are resorts and rustic lodges at some of the larger lakes, and countless camping opportunities. Babine Lake alone is lined by three provincial campgrounds.
Fish found in the Lakes District include rainbow and cutthroat trout, kokanee, ling cod, char and salmon. The profusion of lakes in close proximity to each other make it easy to fish a smaller lake like Takysie for pan-size trout one day, then troll Francois Lake the next for 9-kg (20-lb) char. The prime fishing season lasts from June to mid-August.
Canoeing is another revered sport in the region. The Nanika-Kidprice Canoe Route, just a two-hour drive west from Burns Lake, is one of Northern BC's premier wilderness canoe routes. The trip takes at least three days, linking four lakes flowing southwest from the Nechako Plateau. All four have numerous wilderness campsites along their shorelines.
Winter in Burns Lake means cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and for diehard fishers - ice-fishing. The Omineca Ski Club, founded in 1927 is an integral part of the community. The club offers 25 km (15 mi) of groomed trails located a 10-minute drive south from Burns Lake.
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