Canine Pleasant Highway Journey British Columbia: Lillooet, Kamloops & Clearwater

From the rugged coast to the majestic Rocky Mountains, British Columbia is a province to behold! For a very genuine expertise, get off the overwhelmed path and discover a number of the smaller cities and fewer recognized sights along with your pet!

 

British Columbia is a province filled with spectacular locations. Whistler, Vancouver, Kamloops and the Okanagan would possibly instantly pop to thoughts. And so they’re completely great pillars for any journey. However if you wish to uncover a few of BC’s hidden gems, seize the leash and hop within the automotive for a canine pleasant highway journey in British Columbia!

We’ve ready your itinerary, filled with adventures and recollections, visiting a few of these lesser traveled locations. Starting in Vancouver, the highlights of this canine pleasant highway journey in British Columbia are: Lillooet, Kamloops, Clearwater and 100 Mile Home.

On the best way you will notice waterfalls, an azure lake, mountains, desert panorama, hoodoos, and extra. That’s fairly wonderful for just some days! And to high it off, we’ll share some free lakeside campsites the place you may keep.

Canine Pleasant British Columbia Highway Journey Itinerary

We started this circle tour in Vancouver, touring to Lillooet, Kamloops, Clear Water, 100 Mile Home, and again to Vancouver. However you may hop on the route anyplace and journey it in both path.

First Cease: Lillooet, British Columbia

I used to be completely in awe in Lillooet. In every single place I parked the automotive there was a towering mountain backdrop.

Lillooet is a city of breathtaking surroundings. Whichever path you enter from, you may be struck by it instantly. Driving up from Vancouver I pulled over many instances simply to absorb the panorama. Coming in on from the west on Freeway 99, you may be greeted earlier than you get to city by Seton Lake. And right here you’ll discover your first choice without cost tenting!

 

Canine Pleasant Actions In Lillooet, British Columbia

Seton Lake

Lower than 10 minutes from downtown Lillooet (and throughout from a free campground) is the splendidly blue Seton Lake. Picnic, paddle board, swim, or launch a ship for a terrific day on the lake along with your canine.

To entry the canine pleasant a part of the lakeshore observe Seton Lake Reserve Highway to a lakeside parking zone. The primary seashore just isn’t open to pets.

Seton Viewpoint Path

After admiring Seton Lake up shut, you may hike to an epic lookout above it. Overlooking the lake and one of many hair pin turns you’ll drive on to succeed in it, it makes for a really cool photograph opp!

To succeed in the parking space, enter “Seton Lake Viewpoint Path” in your mapping app. It’s troublesome to identify the trailhead whereas driving, so park within the giant pullout right here.

The trailhead is a jaunt throughout the freeway from this pullout. Although it’s an uphill stroll that should be taken slowly as a result of cliff edges close to the path, you ought to be to succeed in the point of view in 10-Quarter-hour.

If you’re a dawn or sundown chaser, then circle this cease in your map for positive! It’s phenomenal any time of day, however first gentle and the golden hour could be really particular. We visited in mid-afternoon and liked the view.

 

Osprey Park

After enjoying and adventuring across the lake, head by Lillooet to Osprey Park. This scenic riverside space provides you the chance to see marmots and osprey up shut!

The osprey have constructed a big nest on high of the bridge so it’s straightforward to identify them. There’s exploring to do on, over, and beneath the foot bridge.

After that there’s a quick, stunning riverside path to stroll. Right here you received’t be capable to miss the calls of marmots. There actually are lots of them, so in case your pup is tempted to chase wildlife, you’ll want to maintain tight to the leash!

Marmots stay underground and are members of the squirrel household, however are a lot, a lot bigger. They’re skittish — not the kind of wildlife it’s a must to fear about approaching you or your canine.

 

The place To Keep In Lillooet

• Reynolds Resort – A boutique lodge in downtown Lillooet. Charges from $129-$179/night time, plus $15/night time for pets.
• BC Hydro Campground – Throughout from Seton Lake. Approximate open dates from mid-Could by mid-September. First come, first serve. Free for a most 14 days.

The place To Eat In Lillooet

• Fort Berens Vineyard – Beautiful outside patio setting and grass space. Award profitable wines from British Columbia’s latest and most enjoyable rising wine area. Name forward for reservations!
• Lillooet Brewing Firm – A model new brewery set to open in late 2022. Craft beers constructed from native and natural substances.
• Abundance Artisan Bakery – “Healthful Handmade Meals.” Bakery objects, pizzas and pasta served on a cute picket patio.

Touring From Lillooet To Kamloops

As you permit Lillooet, discover the desert panorama on the opposite aspect of the highway. It’s fairly uncommon to see this terrain in British Columbia!

 

Marble Canyon Provincial Park

Between Lillooet and Kamloops plan to have a riverside campfire picnic at Marble Canyon. There’s a day use space with many picnic tables and hearth rings proper on the river.

Throughout the river there’s a waterfall cascading down the cliff to finish the scene. Paid tenting is on the market right here too, for those who want to keep.

 

Juniper Seaside Provincial Park

One other option to stretch your legs as your canine pleasant highway journey by British Columbia takes you to Kamloops is Juniper Seaside Provincial Park. Right here you may discover the desert panorama and stroll alongside the Thompson River. Or select this as a spot to setup camp in your strategy to Kamloops!

Kamloops Hoodoos

Simply earlier than you attain Kamloops from Lillooet, plan a cease to see the balancing rock and hoodoos. This can be a favourite of mine, and hope will probably be for you too!

This can be a enjoyable little journey with nice lake views and a path to distinctive geographical formations. To search out it, sort in “Kamloops Balancing Rock and Hoodoos” to your mapping app.

The parking space could be very small and unsigned. Coming from Lillooet, will probably be in your reverse aspect, and it’s best to drive previous it, discover a secure place to show round, after which entry it from the identical aspect of the highway.

When you’re parked, head by the fence and all the way down to the suitable to start discovering all of the distinctive formations. (And be careful for little cacti!)

 

Second Cease: Kamloops, British Columbia

Kamloops is the biggest metropolis on our itinerary. Due to this fact, it’s a terrific place to replenish on any necessities. (Though most necessities can be found in the entire cities, if crucial).

Round Kamloops you and your canine can look ahead to great, heat sundown desert walks and discovering hoodoos!

READ MORE ⇒ 7 Necessities For Desert Mountain climbing With Your Canine

Canine Pleasant Actions In Kamloops, British Columbia

Buse Hill

For a comparatively quick hike (just below 2km a technique), Buse Hill delivers with an unexpetedly rewarding payoff. You would possibly spend extra time right here than you’d anticipate!

Discovering the head rock was enjoyable, and taking within the valley views beneath made for a terrific hike with Riley. The delicate colourful tones over the desert created an additional peaceable night to take pleasure in.

Two notes of warning for this stroll are potential cow encounters and the cliff edges when you attain the highest.

Buse Hill is positioned right here. There isn’t a signal for the path, so look ahead to the signal asking automobiles to remain on the highway. That is the place the path begins and the place you’ll need to park.

Search for the observe heading up the grassy hill to the forest to start your stroll. The path was worn nicely and was straightforward to observe.

 

Deep Lake Hike

Deep Lake is a 3.4km loop path by desert grassland that involves a small, open lake within the hills. It’s thought of reasonably difficult and encounters with cows and different wildlife are potential.

Riley suggests making noise on any path to let wildlife and animals know of your presence so they aren’t startled.

There are such a lot of canine pleasant parks and trails to take a look at round Kamloops. Right here’s an inventory of those we’re hoping to go to on our subsequent journey:

• Kenna Cartwright Park – An off-leash park with over 40km of trails and plenty of overlooks of Kamloops.
• Peterson Creek Park – Just like Kenna Cartwright Park with 10km of trails.
• Dallas Barnhartvale Nature Park – Attempt the Pussy Willow or Hoodoo trails for finest views of the silt bluffs created by a previous glacial lake.
• Mara Loop Path – 4.3km loop path by Kamloops’ desert panorama. Not really helpful for warm days, as it’s absolutely uncovered.

 

Canine Seashores In Kamloops

In the event you’re in Kamloops on a scorching day, there are two native canine seashores to take a look at. The most important is at Overlander Park. This big, off-leash expanse of white sand alongside the river and by no means feels too crowded.

For an on-leash canine seashore, head to Pioneer Park in downtown Kamloops. Right here your pup can have a splash within the river, then benefit from the paved strolling trails.

A 3rd choice is at Paul Lake Provincial Park, just below half-hour from Kamloops. It’s not terribly frequent for provincial parks to have a chosen canine seashore., so this place is a gem! And you may camp right here, too.

The place To Eat In Kamloops

• Eat Clear Categorical – Wholesome, guilt free indulgences. Nice choices for a takeaway lunch, just some seats for street-side eating. Vegan pleasant.
• The Artwork We Are Cafe – Wraps, sandwiches, soups, salads with a powerful give attention to native sourcing and a avenue aspect patio. Vegan pleasant.
• Vivid Eye Brewing – “Imaginative and all the time evolving kitchen menu.” Dine on the canine pleasant patio, or order drafts and meals for pickup.

The place To Keep In Kamloops

• Edith Lake – Picturesque desert lake campground with websites proper on the water. $15.00 per night time from April 2 – October 10.
• Paul Lake Provincial Park – Giant campground set on a scenic lake with alternatives for mountaineering, swimming and boating. Beginning at $28 per night time.
• The Plaza Resort – Beautiful fashionable decor with funds pricing. As little as $90 per night time. Pet charge $25/night time max 2 pets, welcome reward for pets on arrival.

 

Driving From Kamloops To Clearwater

To interrupt up your drive between Kamloops and Clearwater, make a cease at Excessive 5 Diner. This very eclectic and funky eatery focuses on consolation.

Excessive 5 Diner

You may have a meal on their pet patio, or choose up some take away for a picnic. Thompson River Provincial Park is only a 15-minute drive for a riverside lunch and stroll. Or for those who’re heading east on Freeway 24, the free Latremouille Lake Campground can also be simply Quarter-hour away.

Thompson River Provincial Park

Thompson River Provincial Park is a superb place to stretch your legs (and stroll off lunch) between Kamloops and Clearwater. We loved a peaceable stroll alongside and above the river right here earlier than persevering with on our manner.

This place additionally makes base camp for exploring Clearwater. Campsites for all sorts of campers can be found for $23/night time.

 

Third Cease: Clearwater, British Columbia

Clearwater is the third cease on our canine pleasant highway journey in British Columbia. This wonderful wilderness playground is correct within the coronary heart of BC.

A gateway to Wells Grey Provincial Park, Clearwater provides you quick access to the park’s many waterfalls. There are such a lot of trails to discover on this park, you may be mountaineering to your coronary heart’s content material for positive! Begin on the customer’s heart for path recommendation and a park map to assist plan your go to.

Canine Pleasant Actions In Clearwater, British Columbia

Spahats Falls

Spahats Falls is the primary waterfall you’ll come to as you drive into the park. Right here you and your canine can stroll to the waterfall in a couple of minutes, or benefit from the 3km path for an extended pet pleasant hike.

Standing on the rim of this huge gorge watching the falls take their plunge is a powerful view.

 

Helmcken Falls

Helmcken Falls is one other sight to behold, and a well-liked purpose to go to Wells Grey. Being the fourth highest waterfall in Canada, it positive has a presence.

At Helmcken Falls it’s also possible to select to view the falls after strolling a couple of minutes or make a hike out of it. The Rim Path is about 8km spherical journey on comparatively flat floor and presents totally different views on the falls.

 

Dawson Falls

Dawson Falls is sort of a mini Niagara. It’s large and multi-tiered because it plunges down, making it fairly totally different from the opposite tall, skinny waterfalls within the park. Strolling to the falls takes about 20 to half-hour on a primarily flat, well-worn path.

Trophy Meadows

Trophy Meadows supplies the chance for each again nation mountaineering and tenting. It’s a terrific place to remain in your canine pleasant highway journey in British Columbia.

In the event you wish to take photos of your canine with flowers, then this path is certainly for you! From round mid-Could by mid-August the meadows are lined in a colourful vary of wildflowers and attractive alpine blueberries.

It takes about 45 minutes on a mild ascent by outdated development and alpine forest to succeed in the open meadow the place the most important flower fields are positioned. Flowers and blueberries may be seen alongside the best way although! We have been a bit late in August for the alpine discipline to be in full bloom, however there was loads of proof of how magnificent it was.

From the meadow, you may proceed mountaineering 1.5 hours to Sheila Lake the place again nation tenting is permitted. Sheila Lake is 6km round-trip from the parking zone, so it’s additionally a good selection for a day journey.

Silvertip Falls

Silvertip Falls isn’t removed from Trophy Meadows. It’s a 2.1km out-and-back on a reasonably difficult path. Dropping from 550 toes, it splits into many stunning tails because it comes down. And it’s the tallest waterfall within the park! Because it’s an extended stroll from the primary highway, it’s additionally extra prone to be a quieter waterfall hike than the others.

 

The place To Keep In Clearwater

• Raft Cliffs Rec Web site – $14 donation. A community of biking/mountaineering trails start on the campground. Superior views inside strolling distance.
• Thompson River Provincial Park – $23/night time
• Birch Island Campground – Non-serviced websites beginning at $20. First canine free, after that +$2/night time.
• Jasper Manner Inn – Resort, cabin, tent, and RV websites all accessible on Dutch Lake. Resort beginning at $107 + $20/night time per pet.

The place To Eat In Clearwater

• Wild Flour Bakery – Wonderful breakfast cease! Every part crafted from scratch in-house. A couple of sidewalk tables accessible.
• Strawberry Moose – Snackery consisting of bakery objects and sandwiches with cute outside setting.
• Gateway Grill – Brunch and dinner menu. Bubble tea bar. Canine pleasant patio.
• Clearwater Farmer’s Market – Each Saturday from Could – October. 9am-12pm.

 

Driving From Clearwater To 100 Mile Home

Latremouille Lake Recreation Web site

The free, first-com, first-serve lakeside campground at Latremouille Lake Recreation Web site is simply minutes out of your route on this canine pleasant highway journey in British Columbia. There are 9 websites, and plenty of have direct entry to the lake.

 

Goose Lake Recreation Web site

One other free tenting choice close to Latremouille is Goose Lake. This campground can also be on a lakeshore, and there’s a small carry-in boat launch ramp accessible.

Goose Lake might be higher for paddling than swimming, because it’s fairly chilly. However most canine don’t thoughts the water temperature and will take pleasure in a swim right here.

Bridge Lake Provincial Park Campground

Bridge Lake has a small forested campground for campers and tents. There are even a couple of walk-in websites with quick access to Bridge Lake. Full with a canine pleasant strolling path and lake entry, we stopped at this park simply to take a break from driving.

However, it’s additionally place to spend an evening or two. The campsites are $18 per night time.

Bridge Lake Ice Caves

With a couple of kilometers of canine pleasant trails to discover, Bridge Lake Ice Caves is an fascinating cease in your canine pleasant highway journey in British Columbia. Trails lead alongside a lake and round some intriguing rock formations. The ice stays into June, however was gone for our go to throughout the peak of summer time.

Loon Bay Resort

If staying in a cabin sounds interesting, then Loon Bay Resort seems like a tremendous choice! They’ve lake entrance cabins with hearth pits beginning at $105/night time.

And for the campers, websites are $33 for no hook ups, and $46 for full hook ups.

In addition they have all types of watercraft leases accessible for you and your pup to get out on the water!

 

Fourth Cease: 100 Mile Home, British Columbia

The ultimate cease on this canine pleasant highway journey in British Columbia is 100 Mile Home. In and round this city, you and your canine may have a full vary of actions to select from! There are extra waterfalls, a fireplace lookout, a historic outside museum, and lakes to camp, swim, and paddle.

Canine Pleasant Actions In 100 Mile Home, British Columbia

Centennial Park/Bridge Creek Falls

Bridge Creek Falls is a lush riverside stroll and solely 5-10 minutes from downtown 100 Mile Home. It felt like a little bit metropolis oasis with all of the flora.

The dashing water drowns out artifical sounds making for a peaceable stroll. And there are extra trails across the park and previous the waterfall to increase your stroll for those who select!

Sepa Lake/108 Mile Heritage Web site

Canine are welcome to affix you for a stroll again in time on the outside museum at 108 Mile Heritage Web site. They simply can’t go inside any of the buildings.

There are buildings right here relationship again to the 1860s, throughout the time of the Cariboo gold rush.

After touring the grounds, take a stroll round 108 Mile and Sepa Lake. The mixed lake trails make a 10km loop and are recognized for glorious fowl sighting alternatives — together with pelicans!

For a shorter stroll, the Sepa Lake loop is 3km or the 108 Mile loop is 7km.

 

Begbie Lookout Recreation Web site

Fifteen minutes south of 100 Mile Home, you may hike to a decommissioned hearth lookout tower. From the parking zone any path you select will take you there. There are a few single-track trails that wind up and across the small mountain to the lookout. Or take the large gravel service highway.

As you’d anticipate, it’s a little bit of a climb. However the high is reachable in 10-Quarter-hour. From there you may discover the highest of the mountain after which climb the tower for one of the best views!

On a transparent day, there’s a 9-million hectares view to admire! A picnic desk is on the market up on the high, making this a pleasant place to take a break from the automotive.

In the event you’re a van lifer or boon-docker, you’re additionally welcome to spend the night time within the parking space. We spent an uninterrupted night time right here with one different van life camper. There are two picnic tables and two pit bogs accessible from the parking zone.

READ MORE ⇒ Automotive Tenting With Pets: Prep The Automotive, What to Pack, and Extra

Howard Lake Recreation Web site

Howard Lake presents free lakeside tenting, the place you may swim, boat and fish. Nonetheless, becoming an enormous rig on this small campground may very well be tough.

 

Canim and Mahood Falls & Mahood Lake In Wells Grey Provincial Park

At simply over 2km round-trip, the stroll to Canim Falls is bound to depart you with a smile. Enterprise a bit additional alongside and also you’ll be proper on high of the falls for an unimaginable feeling and sight!

After your hike, Mahood Lake Campground is simply down the highway. There you may arrange camp, benefit from the canine pleasant seashore, or take one other waterfall hike to Deception Falls (2km round-trip).

The place To Eat In 100 Mile Home

• Rise and Grind Espresso Home – Cute! Canine pleasant patio.
• Cask and Cleaver – Brewery and restaurant with canine pleasant patio.

The place To Keep 100 Mile Home

• Inexperienced Lake Provincial Park – Campgrounds embrace Arrowhead, Sundown View and Emerald Bay. Websites beginning at $28.
• 99 Mile Resort – Close to downtown 100 Mile Home. Household-run lodge, very pet pleasant. Consists of space for canine to run. Charges begin at $80.
• Spruce Hill Resort Spa – Cabins beginning at $129 + $15 per canine/per night time. Tent and RV tenting accessible as nicely. Cabins and campers each have entry to a pool and a health club.
• Cariboo Bonanza Resort – Cabins and campground on stunning Horse Lake. Open Could by September. Cabins beginning at $82 +$5 per night time for pets, most cost $50. Campground beginning at $30.

 

Driving From 100 Mile Home To Vancouver

The final leg of the journey takes you again to Vancouver and closes the loop in your canine pleasant highway journey in British Columbia.

Chasm Ecological Reserve

Just some minutes from the freeway and the finale of the journey is an unlimited lava layered canyon. That is the outline from BC Parks had us heading there in a flash.

“A spectacular show of color illustrates the park’s wealthy geology within the Chasm Creek Valley and a part of the Bonaparte River Valley. Successive lava flows kind layers in various tones of pink, brown, yellow and purple. These have been revealed within the steep lava-layered canyon partitions by erosion over the previous 10 million years.”

From BC Parks web site.

On the finish of the final ice age, water from the melting glaciers carved this 8 km lengthy, 600-metre large, 300-metre deep canyon.

The views have been spectacular from the parking zone and solely received higher as we hiked the chasm edge. Imagining the forces that sculpted this panorama made it much more exceptional.

The path past the fence skirts the sting a lot of the best way, so positively plan for an on-leash stroll. You additionally would possibly need to assume twice about this hike for those who’re uncomfortable with heights. Even for those who don’t hike previous the fence, it’s nonetheless a worthy view!

 

Vancouver to Kamloops Highway Journey Full

That completes our canine pleasant, smalls cities circle tour highway journey in British Columbia. We hope we’ve impressed you to see extra of what British Columbia has to supply!

Tell us your favourite stops within the feedback beneath. And be sure you go away a be aware for those who’ve found one thing alongside the best way that you simply and your canine liked!

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