Follow in historic footsteps along Quesnel-area walking and hiking trails. In the community itself, walk the original Riverfront Trail System, stretching five km (3 mi) from Ceal Tingley Park. The trail's second phase includes scenic Baker Creek and the Fraser River. Outside of Quesnel, you can follow the path of gold miners on Wells-Barkerville area trails. This network of old mining and forestry trails and roads provide some of the most diverse hiking routes in BC.
For a challenge, trek the trading route of legendary explorer Alexander Mackenzie and his First Nations guides on the Alexander Mackenzie Trail/Nuxalk-Carrier Grease Trail. You'll also want to stake your claim to one of the fine campsites in Barkerville, Ten Mile Lake and Bowron Lake Provincial Parks.
Quesnel also boasts three golf courses.
In 1862, Billy Barker found gold on Williams Creek, leading a rush of fortune seekers to the area from all over the world. Today you can follow the path of pioneers and prospectors by driving the Gold Rush Trail along the Cariboo Waggon Road. Completed in 1865, the road was called "the eighth wonder of the world." Between 1862 and 1870, over 100,000 people travelled the Cariboo Waggon Road, converging on the goldfields and bustling boomtown of Barkerville. Today, Barkerville features a unique streetscape with over 125 heritage buildings, Theatre Royal shows, exhibits and unique shops filled with Victorian-era merchandise.
Don't miss a self-guided Historical Walking Tour of Quesnel. Pick up your informative guide at the Quesnel Museum and Archives or the Visitor Info Centre.
Completed in 1865, the Cariboo Waggon Road was called "the eighth wonder of the world." Today you can drive the Gold Rush Trail and visit historic Cottonwood House, a one-time rest stop for those en route to the goldfields at Barkerville.
The challenges of period farming, logging and mining life in BC are explored at the fascinating Quesnel Museum & Archives, which boasts one of North America's most significant collections of rare Chinese artifacts. Wells Museum has a mother lode of gold rush artifacts, while Barkerville, a historic gold rush town settled in 1862, features a streetscape of restored heritage buildings and live period theatre. Get a closer look at Nazko First Nations culture and history in the Nazko Valley. Near Williams Lake, see the Xats'ull Heritage Village and participate in the traditional Shuswap Nation way of life.
Experienced backpackers can hike the trading route of legendary explorer Alexander Mackenzie and his First Nations guides on the Alexander Mackenzie Trail/Nuxalk-Carrier Grease Trail.
Finally, see the work of local artists at the Quesnel Art Gallery and the Heartland Gallery, or take a self-guided Historical Walking Tour of Quesnel.
Experience the triumphs and trials of period farming, logging and mining life at the fascinating Quesnel Museum and Archives, home to over 30,000 artifacts and archival items, including Mandy the "haunted doll." Visit Cottonwood House where weary miners, travellers and stagecoach drivers heading to the Cariboo goldmines once enjoyed a hearty meal and a good night's rest. Take a side trip to Wells and learn about the second Cariboo Gold Rush, from 1930 to 1967, at Wells Museum, and visit the Wells Art Galleries. Spend a day at Barkerville Historic Town, one of BC's most popular attractions with over 125 restored heritage buildings and live period theatre.
Near Williams Lake, don't miss the Xats'ull Heritage Village to see ancient petroglyphs, visit a sweat lodge and get a taste of the traditional Shuswap Nation way of life.
Just east of Quesnel, visit Barkerville Historic Town for a return to the gold rush era. Barkerville's many historic buildings include a variety of shops filled with Victorian-era merchandise. The Theatre Royal offers live family entertainment featuring acts similar to those enjoyed by miners over 100 years ago. The Quesnel Secondhand Theatre Company stages one or two plays per season. Quesnel Live Arts brings in touring artists to perform at the Correlieu Theatre. Just south of Quesnel, in the community of Kersley, see the noted Kersley Players as well as the Kersley Musical Theatre.
Come cheer the Quesnel Millionaires in a BC Hockey League game at Quesnel Twin Ice Arena.
Famous for its world-renowned canoe circuit, Bowron Lake Provincial Park encompasses a dramatic 116-km (72-mi) chain of lakes, fast-flowing rivers, waterways and connecting portages. The park's diversity is stunning. You'll see the rounded hilltops of the Quesnel Highlands, forests of redcedar, spruce and hemlock as well as the imposing Cariboo Mountains. More than 20 species of waterfowl are spotted here seasonally as well as moose, deer, black and grizzly bears plus caribou.
Pinnacles Provincial Park encompasses 128 ha (316 ac) of pine forest overlooking Baker Creek. From the Pinnacles viewpoint, you can see a unique formation of hoodoos -ancient, pillar-like sandstone formations- and get a picturesque view of the city of Quesnel.
Escape the pace of big city life in the serene settings of Quesnel's two local spas. You can also immerse yourself in the refreshing waters of Ten Mile Lake Provincial Park, located just north of the community. Three sandy beaches make Ten Mile Lake a popular spot for both locals and visitors. Swim the lake's clear waters, enjoy the large picnic area, cast off from the boat launch or try your hand at fishing. After a long day, lie back beneath the stars at one of the park's attractive, treed campsites.
Cast a line for trophy-sized rainbow trout or try fly-fishing in one of the thousands of fishing spots in the Quesnel area, including Dragon Lake and Blackwater River. Ride the rapids on a guided river-rafting tour of the Quesnel and Fraser Rivers. For a more leisurely glide, spend a few days paddling the world-famous canoe circuit in Bowron Lake Provincial Park. Swimming and fishing are also popular at Ten Mile Provincial Park, which features treed campgrounds and three fine, sandy beaches.
Explore the scenic Quesnel countryside on cross-country skis. Glide along 2.5 km (1.5 mi) of lit trails at Hallis Lake, just southeast of Quesnel. Extensive trail networks are also found in the Wells-Barkerville area. If you enjoy the rush of downhill skiing, Troll Resort offers four T-bar lifts just east of Quesnel. Snowmobiling and dogsledding are popular on many area trails. Quesnel is the starting point of the annual 180-km (112-mi) Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Mail Run. Ice fishing on local lakes is popular from December until March.