Home
to the famous Williams Lake Stampede, this former "cowtown"has
grown into a vibrant city that offers a comfortable blend
of urban living and easy going western charm.
Situated
in the center of this vast region, Williams Lake has earned
it's nickname "The Hub of the Cariboo".
Bringing thousands of travellers north and south each year,
Highway 97 is interior BC's
major route for tourism and commerce.
Highway
20 travels three hundred miles west from Williams Lake,
through BC's 'last frontier', the sprawling ranch land and
forests of the Chilcotin, then makes a breathtaking descent
to the BellaCoola Valley and the
Pacific Ocean.
A
few miles south of Williams Lake is 150 Mile House, the
turnoff to the historic communities of Likely
and Horsefly. Follow the original
Gold Rush Trail into the foothills of the Cariboo mountians.
There you will enjoy some of the regions finest fishing
and camping.
Accommodation/Adventure
Providers
Anahim Lake Resort: We offer rustic simplicity, down-home service & excellent fly-in and guided fishing. Relax in a cozy cabin or RV and lakeshore campsites. There’s boat and motor rentals, trail riding, flight seeing, hiking, & even winding surfing -- or just relax and watch t... more
Big Creek Lodge: Live your dream of untouched nature and pure wilderness at our 4 Star country inn in the Chilcotin - one of the province's most remote areas. Take part in hiking, photo safaris, fishing, horseback riding, gold-panning, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. more
Black Creek Cattle Company: Unique vacations at our ranch in the scenic Horsefly River Valley near Williams Lake, BC. Horseback riding, kayaking & flyfishing alongside the Horsefly River, home to one of the world's largest salmon spawning runs. more
British Columbia Guest Ranchers' Association: Our guest ranch membership offers a variety of ranch holidays. Some are working ranches, others remote lodges in pristine back country areas and some are luxury resorts. You're sure to find something to fit your taste with the help of our assocation. more
Cariboo Chilcotin Jetboat Adventures: We offer exhilarating jetboat tours on the Fraser, Chilcotin & Chilko Rivers – & outdoor wilderness adventure with wilderness / wildlife, native culture, gold rush history, & hiking. Our professionally trained Chilcotin native guides offer exceptional customer... more
Chaunigan Lake Lodge: The wild rainbow trout fishing and the total experience draw our guests back each year. Go trail riding, hike to spectacular viewpoints, or just relax in our legendary hospitality and comfort. It's more than an incredible fishing trip - it's a memorable vacat... more
City of Williams Lake: Welcome to the "Heart of Cariboo Country". Williams Lake offers the visitor a myriad of activities and outdoor adventures, including the world famous Williams Lake Stampede. Visit the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin, Scout Island Nature Sanctuary, the River V... more
Crooked Lake Resort: This is a private & secluded wilderness location, where the peace & silence is broken only by the loon’s mournful cry or a lone wolfs soulful howl. Escape to enjoy back-country recreation - or seclusion & solitude. Be our guest for a relaxing stay you'll reme... more
Ecotours-BC.com: Adventure in the wilds of BC … untamed, wild and remote. Ecotours-BC will take you to rare ancient forests, glaciers, and the alpine. You’ll see wildlife, mountain grizzly bears, eagles, and salmon – all surrounding Quesnel Lake - the deepest fjord lake on e... more
Elysia Resort: Our full service getaway destination on Quesnel Lake offers fishing for Rainbow Trout, romantic getaways, great dining, and vacation packages in lakeview rental cabins & guest rooms. You'll be warmly greeted at our small, friendly and secluded piece of paradi... more
Escott Bay Resort: The adventure starts with fishing, hiking, horseback trail riding, pack trips and hunting – and with the snow comes x-country skiing & snowmobiling. Located between Tweedsmuir and Itcha Ilgachuz Parks, we offer fully serviced cabins and camping facilities. more
Forever Framed: We sell framed & unframed; prints, posters & original works of art. Forever Framed specializes in unique customized picture framing and matting. Let us "frame your memories" including christening gowns, photo collages, and memorabilia shadow boxes. more
Kokanee Bay Fishing Resort: Kokanee Bay Fishing Resort is in the heart of the Chilcotin on beautiful Puntzi Lake. Enjoy fishing for Kokanee and Rainbow Trout. We have 6 lakefront cabins, 8 lakefront campsites, and 7 pull-through suites. more
Northern Lights Lodge: Join us for dry fly fishing on world-class rivers & Quesnel Lake, for the largest most aggressive strain of rainbow trout on the planet. You’ll experience wild native trout and river fishing at its best. We’re located on Quesnel Lake, the deepest freshwater f... more
Pacific Coastal Airlines: Enjoy scheduled service from Vancouver's South Terminal to Anahim Lake, Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Campbell River, Comox, Cranbrook, Kamloops, Klemtu, Masset, Port Hardy (float & amphibious aircraft to coastal communities), Powell River, Trail, Victoria, & Will... more
Rainbow Waters Fly Fishing Adventures: Rainbow Waters Fly Fishing Adventures offers guided fly fishing in the pristine wilderness of the Cariboo Mountains of British Columbia. From diverse stillwaters to Sockeye salmon creeks and rivers, the exceptionally beautiful and unique Quesnel Lake ecosystem... more
Sharp Wings Air: Charter us for fishing, camping, hiking, sightseeing, photography. Our Floats, wheels and skis will get you almost anywhere you want to go. Sharp Wings is an air-taxi operation with flights to and from Bella Coola. more
Solitaire Retreat: Surrounded by majestic mountains, this lake hide-a-way is tucked away on the shores of a pristine lake. This irresistible location provides a calming influence to relax and enjoy fishing, or check out the wildlife that call this secret lake their home. more
Tatlow Mountain Outfitters: Tatlow Mountain Outfitters is a licensed BC Hunting Guide and Outfitter offering guided big game hunts in the Chilcotin region of British Columbia. We also offer a wide range of wilderness adventures and activities including fishing, pack horse trips and alpin... more
Wildwood Campsite: We feature full hookups, pull thru sites, sani-station, & free hot showers. Use our campsite as a base for many of the activities that the Cariboo has to offer including fishing, hiking, rodeos, Billy Barker Days, snowmobiling, skiing, & a casino just an hour... more
Williams Lake & District Chamber of Commerce: This is the perfect year round playground and in the centre of it all is the City of Williams Lake. Enjoy a dream vacation with the help of the WL and District Chamber of Commerce. The informed and friendly staff is well versed on Williams Lake and area. more
Williams Lake Stampede Association: During the July 1st weekend take in the world famous Williams Lake Stampede -- it's exciting Cnadian Professional Rodeo Association action with Bull Riding, Steer Wrestling, Bareback Riding, the Pony Express Mountain Race, Ladies Barrel Racing and more. Don't... more
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City
Information
Population:
10,500 city and 19,720 surroundingregion. Total service
area of 30,220.
Main
Industries: Forestry, agriculture,mining; tourism; transportation;
government offices.
Elevation:
599 metres (1,965 ft.)
Climate:
July avg. temp is 22 C. (71.6 F).January avg. temp is -10
C (14 F).
Access:
Located 25 km (16 mi) north of 150 Mile House on Hwy
97. 540 km (348 mi) north of Vancouver.
238 km (148 mi) south of Prince
George. The major north-south route is Highway 97. Highway
20 connects with Bella Coola on
the coast. Williams Lake is readily accessible by road,
rail and air. Passenger service is available on both BC
Rail and Greyhound Bus Lines.The airport is located 13 kilometers
north of the city. Scheduled airlines include Air BC to
Vancouver and Aviair which services Kamloops,
Kelowna and Penticton.
Charter Services are available from: Canadian Helicopters
Ltd.; Sharp Wings Ltd.;
Northern Mountain Helicopters; Lawrence
Aviation; Highland Helicopters Ltd.
Accommodations:
Williams Lake offers a variety of hotels, motels, and bed
& breakfasts.
Campsites:
40 bay campsite at the WilliamsLake Stampede grounds; full
facilities campground outside of town at the southend of Williams
Lake; 8 miles north of Williams Lake is another 40 unitcampground
with or without full hookups. The outlying lakes offer numerous
fullservice private campgrounds and many have free rustic
campsites maintained bythe BC Forest Service.
Annual
Events: Williams Lake Stampede & Parade (First weekend
in July); Cariboo Fall Fair (late Aug); 4H Show & Sale
(Aug); Oktoberfest; Medieval Market (Nov); Home Show (Mar);
Indoor Rodeo (Apr); High School Rodeo (May); Great Cariboo
Bed Race (May); Children's Festival (June)
Recreation
Facilities: Golf courses, swimming pool, tennis, Mini-Golf,
curling & skating arenas, parks, hiking trails,auto
racing oval, bowling alley, playing fields.
Local
Attractions: Museum of the CaribooChilcotin; Station
House Gift Shop & Gallery; Scout Island Nature Centre;
Williams Lake River Valley Trails.
Promote
your business to over 5.5 million BC visitors per year.
Advertise
on the BC Adventure Network, British Columbia's largest
and most visited tourism Web site . . . more
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