Cariboo F: Hotels, Ranch History and Trails

Big Lake Ranch is located on the shore of Big Lake. The settlement was once an important stop for miners; some buildings from the former ranch still stand today. Two stories come together here: the settlement’s former importance to mining travelers and the ranch buildings that have been preserved.

Local History and Getting Around Big Lake Ranch

Big Lake Community Hall houses the settlement’s post office, fire and rescue services, the regional library and a gymnasium. These different functions give the building a clear place in local daily life. Visitors interested in Big Lake Ranch will find several public and community facilities under one roof here.

The Big Lake Community Hall Low Mobility Trail is 500 m long. Current trail conditions may vary; check them before your visit. Nearby, MeadowView offers a guided three-hour paddling tour on Big Lake. It explores the shoreline and quiet bays, but is available seasonally. The information for planning your day differs: the trail’s length is specified, while a three-hour time frame is given for the paddling tour. Before making plans, check whether the tour is offered during your preferred dates.

Trails and History in the Wider Cariboo Destination

In the wider Cariboo destination, the Cariboo Regional District trail network includes 22 wheelchair-accessible trails distributed across the region. The regional trails vary in their landscapes and viewpoints. For example, the 1.7-kilometre Ninety-Nine Mile Low Mobility Trail passes through lush mountain forest and has four viewpoints, including one overlooking a wetland. The Mountain Spruce Low Mobility Trail leads through spruce and fir forest to a viewing platform overlooking Heron Lake and the surrounding wetlands. At the Interlakes Pioneer Heritage Trail, a viewpoint is located beside a wetland; an information kiosk introduces visitors to the birds and animals found there.

River landscapes also shape some of the regional trails. The Horsefly Wheelchair Accessible Salmon Habitat Viewing Trail runs along the Horsefly River and offers views of the salmon spawning channel. The Bull Canyon Provincial Park Low Mobility Trail passes Indigenous pit houses and offers views of the glacier-carved, blue Chilcotin River. These trails connect visitors with different features: the salmon spawning channel on the Horsefly River, and the river and pit houses at Bull Canyon.

Gold Rush History and Historic Routes in the Cariboo

The Telegraph Trail is the approximately 275-kilometre section of the Collins Overland Telegraph Trail and its successor, the Yukon Telegraph Trail, that lies within the Cariboo Regional District. The remaining sections are used as recreational trails by hikers and people interested in the province’s history. History is also visible elsewhere in the Cariboo: Barkerville is considered the best-preserved example of the types of communities and buildings established during the Cariboo Gold Rush. The Bullion Pit Low Mobility Trail offers a view of a human-made canyon dating from the Gold Rush.

The Quesnelle Forks Low Mobility Trail network covers about 860 metres. Viewpoints look out over a ghost town from the Gold Rush era and the confluence of the Quesnel River and the Cariboo River. The wider regional history therefore focuses both on Gold Rush-era settlements and the historic telegraph route.

More Ways to Get Around the Region

One of the two trailheads for the 108 Lake and Sepa Lake Accessible Trails is at the 108 Mile Heritage Site and is directly accessible from Highway 97. Walking and cycling are permitted on the 108 Mile Greenbelt trail network. Felker Homestead is currently used as a community gathering place and a venue for celebrations. These examples are in the wider Cariboo destination and complement Big Lake Ranch’s local history with other regional attractions and themes.

Discover more destinations: Forest Grove, Anahim Lake, Redstone, Williams Lake, Tatlayoko Lake, Quesnel, Puntzi Lake, Riske Creek.

Back to the regional travel overview: Cariboo.