Lillooet

“Guaranteed Rugged”

Encapsulated by breathtaking mountains and situated on the banks of the Fraser River, Lillooet is home to wild adventures, idyllic escapes and thousands of years of rich cultural history.  Take in a music festival, scale a frozen waterfall, tour a winery or enjoy a round of golf on a working sheep farm; Lillooet has something for everyone to discover.

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History

Home to the St’át’imc Nation for over 8,000 years, this valley was an ideal location for First Nations people to hunt, fish and gather with other nearby communities.  Overnight, the history of this ancient nation was rewritten as thousands of miners and prospectors travelled north in search of gold.

As one of the most important supply locations along the Gold Rush Trail (“Mile 0” on the original Cariboo Wagon Road), Lillooet grew quickly.  By 1860, Lillooet’s burgeoning population was nearing 15,000.  The city teemed with lively saloons and ‘licensed premises’, shops and dwellings.  It wasn’t just gold that attracted newcomers - the town also became the largest exporter of nephrite jade in the world.

Things To Do

Lillooet Museum & Visitor Centre

790 Main Street.  Phone: (250) 256-4308.

The building was formerly an Anglican church named St. Mary the Virgin.  Rebuilt in 1960, the original St. Mary’s was carried to Lillooet by miners a century earlier.  The museum hosts a floor depicting the life and times of the irrepressible co-founder and editor of the local newspaper, ‘Ma’ Murray.  It also houses First Nations artefacts, some thousands of years old.  The museum and Visitor Centre are open from May to October.

‘The Golden Mile of History’ Walking Tour.

This enjoyable walking tour includes intriguing historical sites such as the Chinese Rocks, the Bridge of 23 Camels, the Miyazaki Heritage House and the Hangman’s Tree – each with its own fascinating tale.  The Lillooet BC & Area Visitor Information Guide includes a map of the walking tour, and is available to download or pick up at the Visitor Centre.

Lillooet Jade Walk.

Thirty pieces of jade line the town in a project that took six years to complete.  The stones have been cut, polished and mounted to reflect the different qualities each face displays.  The Jade Walk is a tribute to B.C.’s Official Gemstone, and Lillooet’s jade mining history.

Miyazaki Heritage House

643 Russell Lane.  Phone: (250) 256-7527.

Built in the 1880s for the family of gold commissioner Caspar Phair, the house was modelled on the Irish ancestral home of Caspar’s wife, Cerise.  In the 1940s, it became the home and working office of Dr. Masajiro Miyazaki.  Dr. Miyazaki had worked at a nearby POW camp during World War Two, and became a prominent member of the community, later donating the property to the Village of Lillooet.

Xwísten Experience Tours.

Visitors are invited to discover aspects of the St’át’imc Nation’s vibrant culture and history at Xwísten Experience Tours.  The tour includes opportunities to view a replica s7istken (pit house), view the traditional fishing grounds of the St’át’imc people, watch a demonstration of the preservation of salmon through wind drying, and partake in a wonderful BBQ salmon feast.

Kaoham Shuttle.

If you’re visiting Lillooet on a Friday, take the Kaoham Shuttle along Seton Lake – considered one of the most stunning rail journeys in the world.

Lillooet Spa & Wellness Centre.

Find balance in your mind, body and soul at the Lillooet Spa & Wellness Centre.  With a range of therapies and spa treatments on offer, including massage, facials and an infrared sauna, this is the ultimate place to unwind.

Fort Berens Estate Winery.

Named after a fort that the Hudson’s Bay Company began constructing in 1859, the Fort Berens Estate Winery is the first vineyard in Lillooet.  Take in the fertile land and mountain backdrop of this young winery, which will harvest its first crop in 2011.  The shop currently sells wines carefully composed from Okanagan grapes.  Tours are available on request.

Bitterbine Hop Farm Tours.

The Bitterbine Hop Farm is an organic hop farm, one of only a handful across Canada. Established in 2009, the farm is expanding to serve the growing microbrewery industry across British Columbia.  Book a tour of the farm for a fun and informative experience that will include breathtaking views of the Fraser Canyon (call Sam Quinlan, phone: (604) 992-4145).  Book your tour in advance: available on weekends between May and September.

GeoTourism.

Use a GPS or treasure hunt style clues to locate hidden “caches” in some of Lillooet’s most fascinating locations.  A spawning channel and a historic bridge are just a couple of the cache sites waiting to be discovered as part of the Gold Country GeoTourism Program.

Recreation

Lillooet Golf Course

Texas Creek Road.  Phone: (250) 256-0550.

Where else can you enjoy nine holes of golf in the company of sheep and the occasional bear? Lillooet Golf Course is a unique experience, set on a working farm, and is one of only two sheep meadow golf courses in the world.  The course is open from May to mid-October.

Marble Canyon Provincial Park.

A great location for hiking, rock climbing, swimming, fishing, bird watching and camping, the scenery in Marble Canyon Provincial Park is breathtaking.  

For more hiking opportunities in the Lillooet area, look for the Canyon to Alpine Hiking Guide in local shops.

Fishing.

The rivers and lakes around Lillooet are popular with anglers.  Contact Fraser River Sturgeon Charters (Phone: (250) 256-7978) or Fraser Canyon Fishing Charters to book an action-packed fishing safari.  

The rugged terrain around Lillooet gives thrill seekers a run for their money.  For heli-hiking and heli-biking experiences, contact CC Helicopters Ltd.

Recreational facilities include a BMX track, indoor swimming pool, racquetball and squash courts, weight room and gymnasium.

Winter Fun

Ice Climbing.  For extreme sports enthusiasts, navigating the surface of a frozen waterfall is an unforgettable experience.  The Joffre Glacier Group and the Marble Canyon boast some incredible winter climbs.  Beginners can book lessons with the Canada West Mountain School.

For a once in a lifetime experience, book a heli-skiing adventure with CC Helicopters Ltd. For skiing and snowmobiling, consider a trip to the South Chilcotin Mountains for some of the region’s best snow.  The many lakes in the area are ideal spots for ice fishing.

With a curling rink and popular ice arena (phone: (250) 256-7527) that offers public skating in the winter months, you don’t even have to leave the town centre to enjoy some excellent seasonal activities.

Dining & Accommodation

Lillooet has some excellent, reasonably priced restaurants serving a range of cuisines.  Hotels, motels and B&Bs in Lillooet offer great value for money and a home-away-from-home feel to your vacation.  There are also campgrounds and RV parks in the area for those who really want to embrace the outdoors.

Events

The annual Apricot Tsaqwem Festival will be held July 22-24, 2011.  This is a fantastic opportunity to experience Lillooet’s arts and culture.  The tsaqwem (Saskatoon berry) and apricots are both abundant in this area, and celebrated in this event along with farm produce, crafters’ goods and drumming from local St’át’imc bands.  The festival even includes camel races – watch participants don their costumes and win the coveted prize – or have a go yourself!

The Music at the Miyazaki Summer Concert Series celebrates the best of Canadian music.  The concerts are free, and held every Friday night at 7p.m., starting July 8 and continuing through August at the Miyazaki Heritage House.

If you're in town on the second weekend in July, don't miss Lillooet Days, a colourful annual event celebrating this community's rich culture.

See the Events Calendar for more event listings.

Key Facts

Population: 2,814

Elevation: 799

Average daytime summer temperatures highs 38 lows 25

Average daytime winter temperature highs 0 to 10, lows -10

Amenities include:

•    Accommodations
•    Grocery Stores
•    Restaurants and Pubs
•    Service stations
•    REC Centre
•    Municipal Park
•    Museum
•    Shopping

More Info

District of Lillooet
Lillooet News
Radio Lillooet