Itinerary 8: Rainforest to Rockies: North to Mount Robson
When to go: Spring to fall, with peak viewing experiences in autumn. Check Drive BC for road conditions.
Suitable for: Groups and FITs
Traverse the mountain ranges to explore the land of rainforest, deep canyons, and towering peaks! This road trip itinerary spans three mountain ranges: Coastal, Shuswap, and Cariboo. It's a journey of ever-changing scenery: massive mountain peaks, deep canyons, rushing rivers, thundering waterfalls, azure lakes - all interwoven with semi-arid rolling grasslands, lush forests, and meadows. Please always check Know Before You Go for a summary of important travel-related information.
Link to Itinerary
Itinerary Snapshot:
Day 1: Leave Lillooet and follow Highway #99 to Cache Creek. Just north of downtown Cache Creek Historic Hat Creek awaits, a Provincial Historic Site operated by the Bonaparte First Nation, part of the Secwépemc People. It welcomes visitors from May through September, with on-site accommodations. In Cache Creek, a must-stop is Horsting's Farm Market. Head east onto Highway 1 towards Kamloops. Kamloops offers an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities from hiking, mountain biking, golfing, and fishing to downhill skiing and snowboarding. For dinner, Kamloops offers a wide range of options, from brew pubs to fine dining. Notable options include The Noble Pig Brewhouse and Yew Street Food Hall. For accommodation suggestions, you can visit the Tourism Kamloops website.
Day 2: Spend the morning at the BC Wildlife Park, an interactive wildlife experience specializing in the rehabilitation of North American animal species. Next, visit Monte Creek Winery for a wine-tasting experience. Take Highway #5 along the North Thompson River towards Clearwater and Wells Gray Provincial Park. Consider making a worthwhile detour towards Sun Peaks Resort, the second-largest four-season mountain resort town in B.C. After, explore Barrière visitors come here for fishing, ice-fishing, and hiking. Next, stop at the Wells Gray Park Information Centre near the park entrance for maps and information. Spend the rest of the day exploring Wells Gray Park, try hiking trails such as Spahats Falls, Dawson Falls, and Helmcken Falls. For accommodation in the Clearwater area, refer to Tourism Wells Gray.
Day 3: Head north towards Clearwater Lake. It's a 70-km journey, so plan ample time for driving and sightseeing. Take a 2-hour boat tour by Clearwater Lake Tours Head back towards Clearwater Valley Road and make view stops at one of the 40 waterfalls within the park. Overnight in Clearwater or around Wells Gray Park.
Day 4: Continuing along Highway #5 between Wells Gray Park and the Rockies, heading to Blue River and Valemount – both offering great accommodation and outdoor activity options. Blue River serves as the gateway to Murtle Lake. Murtle Lake is the largest paddle-only lake in North America. In Blue River you can visit Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing, a renowned heli-skiing destination in winter. Upon arrival in Valemount, consider exploring Mount Robson Provincial Park the highest peak in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Range. For accommodation recommendations, you can check out the options listed on Tourism Valemount’s website. They provide a variety of suggestions that cater to different preferences and needs.