Bowron Lake Park, situated in the beautiful Cariboo Mountains, is a vast 121, 600 ha (300, 352 acres) of magnificent wilderness, encompassing six major lakes and their connecting water systems. The highlight of the area is a world-renowned 6-8 day canoe circuit through tranquil lakes and rivers.

Bowron is considered to be a quintessentially Canadian canoe trip. Azure lakes surrounded by the majestic glaciated peaks of the Cariboo mountains impart serenity deep into ones soul with every dip of the paddle. Since Bowron is also a major wildlife sanctuary, it provides abundant opportunities for bird watchers, photographers and nature lovers. Grizzly bears come down to the shores to feed on sockeye salmon, moose are a regular occurrence, and eagles soar overhead.

The lakes are surrounded by dense interior wetbelt forests comprised mainly of western hemlock and western red cedar. The topography ranges from the rounded peaks of the Quesnel Highlands to the west, to the rugged Cariboo Mountains at the southern and eastern ends of the circuit. Bowron is on the northern end of a huge park complex that includes Cariboo Mountains Provincial Park, and Wells Gray Provincial Park. Together they form one large protected area, one 'Great Space', which offers to ensure the survival and ongoing evolution of the many diverse species found here.

Bowron Lake Park is located in the Cariboo Mountains, about 120 k (75 mi) east of Quesnel. Visitors may reach the area by travelling north along Highway 97, through Quesnel, and then following the signs to Highway 26. Once on Highway 26, travellers should continue east towards the small town of Wells, which is near the historic gold rush town of Barkerville. About 1 km before Barkerville signs mark a left turn, and lead the remaining 28 km (17.5 miles) down a gravel road to the park entrance.

Barkerville makes an interesting side trip in the summer. This restored gold rush town recreates the exciting era of the 1860's. The town provides live theatre and numerous other attractions.

The lake and forest ecosystem of Bowron is home to many animals, including moose, grizzly bear, black bear, deer, cariboo, timber wolf, mountain goat, marmot, fox, otter, and beaver.

A variety of birds also call Bowron home, partly because the area is used as a feeding and resting area during migration. Marsh birds, waterfowl, songbirds, and birds of prey are found throughout the lakes area.

At the end of a hard day of paddling, the thrill of evenings spent under a starlit sky accompanied by the haunting sounds of loons is one not soon forgotten.

The Lakes Circuit

View a Trail Map of the Bowron Lakes Provincial Park.

Commencing the canoe circuit of Bowron is like entering another realm. It is a world where wilderness reigns supreme, where calm, pristine lakes can suddenly become angry waters under torrential rainfall. The weather can be unpredictable so visitors should come prepared for anything, including storms and rain. The circuit can be travelled anytime between June and October, although July and August are usually crowded. September is an excellent time to visit Bowron Lake, when there are fewer visitors and the deciduous trees are taking on their fall colors.

Since the area is so popular, BC Parks requires registration for groups of six or more, and recommends it for others, to avoid waiting a few days. This is necessary since only 55 people in 27 canoes are allowed to start the circuit each day. For information on reservations click here.

Another way to experience the area's wilderness is to ski the frozen lakes of the circuit in the winter, between January and mid-March. The suggested route is counter-clockwise, starting with Bowron Lake. A local outfit will provide small sleds, called pulks, for towing gear. A visit to Bowron Lake Park in any season will be a true wilderness adventure.

Swimming

Camping

Other Facilities

The best fishing is found on Indianpoint and Isaac Lakes but all the lakes and streams contain rainbow trout. Dolly Varden, lake trout, Rocky Mountain whitefish, and kokanee are also distributed throughout the park's lakes.

Three short trails in the park lead to the scenic viewpoints at Hunter Lake, Cariboo River Falls, Hunter Lake, and Harold Lewis Falls.

A general store and 2 commercial resorts are located near the park entrance and provide canoes, supplies, meals, and accommodation.

The first inhabitants of this area were the Shuswap and Carrier peoples. The remains of a winter village was found in the park, but became submerged in one of the lakes in 1964, before it could be fully carbon-dated. More recent homesteads and traplines of early trappers and gold-seekers can still be found in the park. Although Bowron itself was not the site of any major goldmining, the park is located near Barkerville, site of the Cariboo Gold Rush of the 1860s.

Early conservationists including Frank Kibbee and Thomas and Eleanor McCabe carried out bird and wildlife studies in the region and urged the government to protect the area. As with most of BC's parks it was individuals recognizing the enormous value of the area, who initiated the drive to conserve it as a park, and who ultimately achieved its protection. In this case, Kibbee and the McCabes managed to convince the BC government to establish Bowron as a game reserve in 1925. In 1961 Bowron was reclassified as a full-fledged park.

Bowron was also established as a partial compensation for the loss of Hamber Park in the upper Columbia River. So although it was wonderful to preserve Bowron Lake Park, it was a bittersweet accomplishment because this park in no way matched the expanse of lands that were lost with Hamber Park. The park's namesake, John Bowron, was a pioneer who became the Gold Commissioner in nearby Barkerville.