The Wild Outdoors

The diversity of Gold Country’s landscapes, from semi-arid desert areas to thick forests, grasslands, meadows, canyons and mountains create awesome outdoor experiences.  Bird watching, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, river rafting, windsurfing, hiking, rock climbing, biking, ATVing, hang gliding and simply enjoying our nature are all excellent ways to spend your time in Gold Country.

Wildlife

Birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts have great reasons to venture into our provincial parks and onto our backcountry roads.  Patient observers may be rewarded with sightings of Stellar’s Jays, Bald Eagles, grouse, bluebirds and owls, to name a few.  Gold Country is also home to whitetail and mule deer, elk, moose, black bears, cougars, bobcats, coyotes, and bighorn sheep.

Fishing

With so many abundant lakes and powerful rivers, Gold Country is an angler’s paradise.  Trout, salmon, steelhead, char, sturgeon, burbot, kokanee, perch and whitefish are just a few of the many varieties that populate our water sources.  Nicola Lake alone is said to provide a habitat for twenty-six species of fish.  Loon Lake, Logan Lake, Green Lake, Mammette Lake (near Merritt) and Tunkwa Lake (between Logan Lake and Savona) are all popular spots to dangle a line.

Hiking

Wherever you are in Gold Country, an incredible hiking experience, over ancient volcanic rock or up alpine covered mountains, is never far away.  Explore the lush grasslands of Lundbom Commonage (near Aspen Grove), the mountain treks of Swakum Mountain (Nicola Valley) Thynne Mountain, Promontory Mountain and Mount Savona, the waterfalls at Murray Creek (Spences Bridge) or Deadman Falls (Copper Desert Country), or visit one of the many provincial parks in the region.  Ask at local businesses for the ‘Ashcroft & Area Recreational Trails Guide’, the ‘Canyon to Alpine Hiking Guide’ (Lillooet), or explore the ‘North Clinton Trail’ and ‘South Clinton Trail’.

Gold Country Adventures

For rugged land based sports, Gold Country’s terrain has much to offer.  Rock climbers can test their skills traversing the bluffs of Kamloops Lake at Six Mile Hill Protected Area, or the incredible limestone at Marble Canyon Provincial Park. Popular ATV trails can be found at Lac Du Bois (south of the provincial park) and Tunkwa Lake.  Mountain bikers can head to the Lundbom trails (near Aspen Grove), or Iron Mountain.  Greenstone Mountain is one of the best places in Gold Country for mountain biking and dirt biking. 

Geocaching with the Gold Country GeoTourism Program is an excellent way to learn about the historical and geological wonders of Gold Country.  Guides are available online or at local Visitor Information Centres.  Visit twenty-four caches and win a prize!

Get airborne and try heli-hiking or heli-biking, with Lillooet-based company, CC Helicopters Ltd. Hang gliders frequent locations including Mount Savona and Cornwall Hills Provincial Park (near Ashcroft).  If you’d prefer to fly a model airplane, contact the High Country Flyers near Logan Lake, who can train you in the sport.

Water sports enthusiasts should venture into Gold Country’s rivers and lakes.  Funnelled winds blasting through the Stump and Nicola lakes make both attractive locations for windsurfing and sailing.  The situation of Lytton at the confluence of two powerful rivers, the Fraser and its tributary the Thompson, make this town a major centre for river rafting. 

Recreation Sites & Trails

These are just a handful of the many popular recreation sites and trails that exist throughout Gold Country.  For more information on the following recreation sites and trails, visit Recreation Sites and Trails BC.

Barnes Lake (near Ashcroft)
Duffy Lake (Copper Desert Country)
Glimpse Lake (Douglas Plateau)
Grasslands Interpretive Area (near Aspen Grove)
HBC Brigade Trail
Helmer Lake (near Merritt)
Iron Mountain (near Merritt)
Loon Lake (near Clinton)
Kane Valley Trails (near Merritt)
Paska Lake (Douglas Plateau)
Stump Lake (near Merritt)
Vidette Lake (Copper Desert Country)

Spectacular Provincial Parks

This is not an exhaustive list, but includes some Gold Country favourites.  For more inspiration and information, visit the BC Parks website. 

Arrowstone Provincial Park (near Cache Creek)
Bedard Aspen Provincial Park (near Cache Creek)
Big Bar Lake Provincial Park
Chasm Provincial Park (near Clinton and 70 Mile House)
Elephant Hill Provincial Park (between Ashcroft and Cache Creek)
Green Lake Provincial Park (70 Mile House/Green Lake)
Greenstone Mountain Provincial Park (Copper Desert Country)
Harry Lake Aspen Provincial Park (near Cache Creek)
Juniper Beach Provincial Park (near Walhachin)
Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park (near Aspen Grove)
Lac Du Bois Grasslands Protected Area (Copper Desert Country)
Marble Range Provincial Park (Big Bar)
Marble Canyon Provincial Park (near Lillooet)
Oregon Jack Provincial Park (near Ashcroft)
Skihist Provincial Park (near Lytton)
Stein Valley Nlaka'pamux Heritage Park (near Lytton)
Tsintsunko Lakes Provincial Park (Copper Desert Country)