BC's Cariboo Chilcotin Coast stretches from the Cariboo Mountains in the east to the Coast Mountains in the west, with a vast plateau area in between. The region draws canoeists from around the world with hundreds of tranquil lakes.
Learn more about Canoeing in:
Bowron Lake Provincial Park
Nazko Lake Provincial Park
Moose Valley Provincial Park
Turner Lake Canoe Chain
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Canoeing in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast
The most celebrated British Columbia canoe routes is the world-renowned Bowron Lake Circuit, located north of Wells. This journey of a lifetime will have you paddling along a 116-km (72-mi) chain of lakes, waterways, connecting portages and wilderness campsites.
A couple of hours' drive west of Williams Lake, Nazko Lake Provincial Park's six-lake chain makes an ideal 2-4-day canoe trip, with easy portages and wonderful wildlife viewing.
Moose Valley Provincial Park – situated near 100 Mile House – rewards paddlers with clear, shallow lakes and abundant aquatic flowers. The Moose Valley Canoe Route is a chain of 11 small lakes that span approximately six km (3.7 mi) one way.
Near Bella Coola, Tweedsmuir Provincial Park is renowned for its Turner Lake Canoe Chain, an extraordinary 3-5-day trip set against an alpine backdrop of the spectacular Coast Mountains.
Guided Canoe Tours and Rentals
Fully-catered guided tours put many of the region's canoe routes within the reach of inexperienced, but reasonably fit, paddlers. The Bowron Lake Circuit is well-travelled by both guided and self-guided paddlers. Canoes or sea kayaks can be rented from lodges near the park entrance.
Generally, canoe and kayak rentals are widely available throughout the region at lodges, guest ranches and most towns. Some rental businesses provide car-top kits for transporting canoes, as well as shuttle services. Be sure to get a canoe cart if you are paddling a route that requires portaging.
Getting to Cariboo Chilcotin Coast's Lakes
Unless you are on a guided tour, most lakes and rivers can only be accessed by having your own vehicle. Many are located along logging roads. These are open to the public unless otherwise posted. Logging trucks and other working vehicles have right-of-way on industrial roads; obey any restrictions that may apply on these roads as well. Check with local community Visitor Centres and Forest Service offices for updates.
Greyhound provides coach service from Vancouver or Prince George to communities along Highway 97, including Clinton, 70 Mile House, 100 Mile House, Lac la Hache, Williams Lake and Quesnel.
Some taxi operators in Quesnel offer special rates for travellers heading to the Bowron Lake Circuit.
When to Paddle in Cariboo Chilcotin Coast
Generally, lakes in the region are ice-free from May through November. From May through June, the water is high, fast and travel is easy. Mountains are usually still snowcapped, making for beautiful photo opportunities. Daylight hours are long. This is a great time to view young animals, from large flocks of mergansers to lakeside moose calves.
July can be the wettest month of the paddling season and is usually the buggiest. In August, the bugs are usually gone and the water is low, revealing lakeside beaches and good swimming opportunities. Daytime temperatures remain warm, but evenings are cooler.
By September, most canoe routes (including Bowron Lake) are quiet. There is less traffic, no bugs, and the fall colours are a spectacular sight.
Practical Points and Water Safety
- Test your competency before embarking on a self-guided canoe journey.
- All paddlers should be able to launch the canoe from shore, paddle it in a straight line, turn it in both directions and steer to avoid obstacles.
- Take head winds into consideration - they can significantly increase the duration of your trip
- Proper planning, preparation, and clothing appropriate to the conditions, and an adequate food supply are essential.
- Be sure to dress in layers. Bring quick dry clothing, such as wool and polyester; avoid cotton clothing, as takes longer to dry and does not keep in heat. Food, clothing and other personal items should be packed in watertight containers. Specially designed portage packs and dry bags work well.
- Canoes must have a Canadian approved lifejacket or PFD of the appropriate size for each person on board.
- Fishing is permitted on many lakes and rivers in compliance with the BC Non-Tidal Sports Fishing Regulations. A BC fishing licence is required and may be purchased at resorts and sporting goods stores.
- Please leave the area you visit undisturbed and be sure to carry out your garbage.
- Bears, wolves and other wildlife inhabit the region. Do not get too close to or attempt to feed wild animals. Canoe routes in provincial parks usually have metal bear-proof caches to store odorous items that could attract bears.
Learn more about canoe safety.
Highlights
Bowron Lake Provincial Park
Bowron Lake Provincial Park is famous for its challenging canoe circuit, which encompasses a 116-km (72-mi) chain of lakes, waterways and connecting portages. Your trip begins with the hardest leg of the journey: a 2.4-km (1.5-mi) portage from the Registration Centre to Kibbee Lake. From there, you'll enjoy over 100 km (62 mi) of paddling - mostly on large lakes with some on fast-flowing rivers (Class I, high volume when in flood).
Some 11 km (6.8 mi) of portage trails will also test your endurance during this 6-10-day journey. Travel time varies depending on skill level and pace. A shorter trip on the west side of the circuit can be paddled in 2-4 days.
Reserving a departure time for the canoe circuit is highly recommended since the number of canoes per day is restricted. The circuit is open from approximately mid-May to early October, depending on ice and snow conditions.
Bowron Lakes Provincial Park is a 90-minute drive east from Quesnel, off Highway 26.
Attributes:
- Rated: moderate to difficult
- Approximate time required: 6-10 days or 2-4 days for a shorter trip
- Reservations strongly recommended. Call 1-800 HELLO BC.
> Bowron Lake Park website
Nazko Lake Provincial Park
Serene and filled with wildlife, Nazko Lake Park's small chain of six lakes makes an ideal 2-4-day canoe trip. The approximately 20-km (12.4-mi) route spans the lakes with 1.5 km (0.9 mi) of short portages.
Each lake in the chain has its own character. Tanilkul Lake offers abundant wildlife. As Nastachi Lake is shallow, paddling through the aquatic vegetation can be difficult, and may be impassable late in the summer.
The best paddling weather occurs from late spring to early summer. It is recommended that canoeists park at Deerpelt Lake to access the canoe chain.
Attributes:
- Nazko Lake Provincial Park is a 1.75-hr drive west from Williams Lake, off Highway 20
- Rated: easy to moderate
- Approximate time required: 2-4 days
> Nazko Lake Park website
Moose Valley Provincial Park
Moose Valley Provincial Park rewards paddlers with clear, shallow lakes and abundant aquatic plants and flowers. Follow the Moose Valley Canoe Route, a chain of 11 small lakes that span approximately six km (3.7 mi) one way.
Launch your canoe from the Marks Lake parking area. For a pleasant detour, paddle south along the west shore of the lake to the short portage into Maitland Lake, where you'll see a large loon population. To access the rest of the chain, you will need to return to Marks Lake.
Attributes:
- Moose Valley Provincial Park is a 45-min drive west from 100 Mile House, via Exeter Station Road.
- Rated: easy
- Approximate time required: 2 days
> Moose Valley Park website
Turner Lake Canoe Chain
Famous for its volcanic Rainbow Mountains, Tweedsmuir Provincial Park is also renowned for its spectacular Turner Lake Canoe Chain, with crystal-clear waters, white-sand beaches and mountain peaks. You can even stop for excellent cutthroat trout fishing.
The chain spans six lakes, with short, linking creeks and four portages between 300 m (984 ft) and one km (0.6 mi). Paddlers can also walk a short trail near the beginning of the chain to see where Hunlen Falls plunges 253 m (830 ft) into the Atnarko River.
The area is home to grizzly and black bears as well as moose. Waterfowl and birds of prey are often spotted around the lakes. Food caches at the campsites must be used in order to reduce the risk of a bear encounter.
The best paddling weather occurs from mid-June to mid-September.
Turner Lake Canoe Chain is located in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, a 4-5-hour drive west from Williams Lake. The lake chain is located south of Highway 20.
The chain is most easily accessed via float plane from Nimpo Lake. It can also be reached by Tote Road off Highway 20, then by a strenuous, 16-km (10-mi) hike along the Hunlen Falls Trail.
Attributes:
- Be aware that hazards arise from wind and waves on the lakes - it is recommended that you stay close to shore
- Rated: moderate
- Approximate time required: 3-5 days
Tweedsmuir Park website