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 really genuine expertise, get off the overwhelmed path and discover among the smaller cities and fewer recognized points of interest along with your pet!

 

British Columbia is a province stuffed with spectacular locations. Whistler, Vancouver, Kamloops and the Okanagan may 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 automobile for a canine pleasant street journey in British Columbia!

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

On the way in which you will notice waterfalls, an azure lake, mountains, desert panorama, hoodoos, and extra. That’s fairly wonderful for only a few 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 would hop on the route anyplace and journey it in both route.

First Cease: Lillooet, British Columbia

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

Lillooet is a city of breathtaking surroundings. Whichever route you enter from, you can be struck by it instantly. Driving up from Vancouver I pulled over many occasions simply to absorb the panorama. Coming in on from the west on Freeway 99, you can be greeted earlier than you get to city by Seton Lake. And right here you’ll discover your first possibility without spending a dime 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 an amazing 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 car parking zone. The primary seashore is just not 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 picture opp!

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

The trailhead is a jaunt throughout the freeway from this pullout. Although it’s an uphill stroll that have to be taken slowly as a result of cliff edges close to the path, try 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 mild and the golden hour could be really particular. We visited in mid-afternoon and beloved the view.

 

Osprey Park

After taking part in and adventuring across the lake, head via 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 simple to identify them. There’s exploring to do on, over, and underneath the foot bridge.

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

Marmots reside 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 important to fear about approaching you or your canine.

 

The place To Keep In Lillooet

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

The place To Eat In Lillooet

• Fort Berens Vineyard – Gorgeous out of doors 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 comprised of native and natural elements.
• Abundance Artisan Bakery – “Healthful Handmade Meals.” Bakery objects, pizzas and pasta served on a cute picket patio.

Touring From Lillooet To Kamloops

As you allow Lillooet, discover the desert panorama on the opposite facet of the street. 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 fireplace rings proper on the river.

Throughout the river there’s a waterfall cascading down the cliff to finish the scene. Paid tenting is accessible right here too, in case you want to keep.

 

Juniper Seaside Provincial Park

One other option to stretch your legs as your canine pleasant street journey via 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 method 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 it is going to 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, it is going to be in your reverse facet, and it’s best to drive previous it, discover a secure place to show round, after which entry it from the identical facet of the street.

When you’re parked, head via the fence and right down to the best 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 an amazing place to fill up on any necessities. (Though most necessities can be found in the entire cities, if vital).

Round Kamloops you and your canine can sit up for 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 may spend extra time right here than you’d anticipate!

Discovering the top rock was enjoyable, and taking within the valley views beneath made for an amazing hike with Riley. The comfortable colourful tones over the desert created an additional peaceable night to get pleasure from.

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

Buse Hill is positioned right here. There is no such thing as a signal for the path, so look ahead to the signal asking automobiles to remain on the street. 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 properly and was simple to observe.

 

Deep Lake Hike

Deep Lake is a 3.4km loop path via 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 attainable.

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

There are such a lot of canine pleasant parks and trails to take a look at round Kamloops. Right here’s a listing 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 lots of overlooks of Kamloops.
• Peterson Creek Park – Much 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 via Kamloops’ desert panorama. Not really helpful for warm days, as it’s totally uncovered.

 

Canine Seashores In Kamloops

For those who’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 possibility 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 Specific – Wholesome, guilt free indulgences. Nice choices for a takeaway lunch, only a few seats for street-side eating. Vegan pleasant.
• The Artwork We Are Cafe – Wraps, sandwiches, soups, salads with a powerful concentrate on native sourcing and a avenue facet patio. Vegan pleasant.
• Shiny Eye Brewing – “Imaginative and at all times 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 evening from April 2 – October 10.
• Paul Lake Provincial Park – Massive campground set on a scenic lake with alternatives for mountaineering, swimming and boating. Beginning at $28 per evening.
• The Plaza Lodge – Beautiful fashionable decor with finances pricing. As little as $90 per evening. Pet price $25/evening 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 makes a speciality of consolation.

Excessive 5 Diner

You may have a meal on their pet patio, or decide up some take away for a picnic. Thompson River Provincial Park is only a 15-minute drive for a riverside lunch and stroll. Or in case you’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 good 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 a very good base camp for exploring Clearwater. Campsites for every type of campers can be found for $23/evening.

 

Third Cease: Clearwater, British Columbia

Clearwater is the third cease on our canine pleasant street 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 can 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 preferred cause to go to Wells Grey. Being the fourth highest waterfall in Canada, it positive has a presence.

At Helmcken Falls you may as well 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 provides completely different views on the falls.

 

Dawson Falls

Dawson Falls is sort of a mini Niagara. It’s extensive and multi-tiered because it plunges down, making it fairly completely 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 offers the chance for each again nation mountaineering and tenting. It’s an amazing place to remain in your canine pleasant street journey in British Columbia.

For those who prefer to take footage of your canine with flowers, then this path is certainly for you! From round mid-Could via 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 via outdated development and alpine forest to succeed in the open meadow the place the most important flower fields are positioned. Flowers and blueberries might be seen alongside the way in which although! We had 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 car parking zone, so it’s additionally a sensible choice 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 street, 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/evening
• Birch Island Campground – Non-serviced websites beginning at $20. First canine free, after that +$2/evening.
• Jasper Method Inn – Lodge, cabin, tent, and RV websites all obtainable on Dutch Lake. Lodge beginning at $107 + $20/evening per pet.

The place To Eat In Clearwater

• Wild Flour Bakery – Glorious breakfast cease! The whole lot crafted from scratch in-house. Just a few sidewalk tables obtainable.
• Strawberry Moose – Snackery consisting of bakery objects and sandwiches with cute out of doors 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 street journey in British Columbia. There are 9 websites, and lots of have direct entry to the lake.

 

Goose Lake Recreation Web site

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

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 get pleasure from 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 easy accessibility 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 a very good place to spend an evening or two. The campsites are $18 per evening.

Bridge Lake Ice Caves

With a couple of kilometers of canine pleasant trails to discover, Bridge Lake Ice Caves is an attention-grabbing cease in your canine pleasant street 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 appears to be like like a tremendous possibility! They’ve lake entrance cabins with fireplace pits beginning at $105/evening.

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

In addition they have all kinds of watercraft leases obtainable 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 street journey in British Columbia is 100 Mile Home. In and round this city, you and your canine can have a full vary of actions to select from! There are extra waterfalls, a fireplace lookout, a historic out of doors 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 plants.

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

Sepa Lake/108 Mile Heritage Web site

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

There are buildings right here courting 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 wonderful chook 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 fireplace lookout tower. From the car 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 extensive gravel service street.

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 the most effective views!

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

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

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

Howard Lake Recreation Web site

Howard Lake provides free lakeside tenting, the place you may swim, boat and fish. Nonetheless, becoming an enormous rig on this small campground could possibly 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 certain 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 street. 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 embody Arrowhead, Sundown View and Emerald Bay. Websites beginning at $28.
• 99 Mile Lodge – Close to downtown 100 Mile Home. Household-run lodge, very pet pleasant. Contains space for canine to run. Charges begin at $80.
• Spruce Hill Resort Spa – Cabins beginning at $129 + $15 per canine/per evening. Tent and RV tenting obtainable as properly. 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 via September. Cabins beginning at $82 +$5 per evening 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 street journey in British Columbia.

Chasm Ecological Reserve

Just some minutes from the freeway and the finale of the journey is an enormous 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 crimson, brown, yellow and purple. These have been revealed within the steep lava-layered canyon partitions via 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 extensive, 300-metre deep canyon.

The views had been spectacular from the car parking zone and solely obtained 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 way in which, so positively plan for an on-leash stroll. You additionally may need to suppose twice about this hike in case you’re uncomfortable with heights. Even in case you 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 street 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 make sure to depart a be aware in case you’ve found one thing alongside the way in which that you simply and your canine beloved!

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