This is the summer to venture somewhere in BC you’ve never been before. Somewhere other than busy resort towns or well-known surf spots you’ve been to before, and somewhere that will have you wondering why you never visited sooner. Although the Gold Rush Trail shows its age in being the birthplace of British Columbia, it’s an adventure corridor that feels largely undiscovered. Dotted along the Gold Rush Trail are some of the most unique BC camping opportunities to help map out your own adventures, from glamping tents to teepees and scenic locations to tent or RV.
Disconnect in uncrowded wilderness and discover why authentic travellers come seeking the riches of this region.
Located just one to six hours from the Lower Mainland or Kelowna, this trip is perfect for a weekend or week-long adventure. Running south to north, we’ve broken the journey down for you into 19 epic places to camp or glamp on BC’s Gold Rush Trail:
Leg 1 – New Westminster to Hope
1. Kilby National Historic Site
Just 90 minutes east of Vancouver in Harrison Mills, you’ll find Kilby National Historic Site, a campground, museum and farm that transports you back to rural BC in the 1920s. Escape to simpler times and explore the history of this hidden gem while staying at the beautiful waterfront campground equipped with picnic tables, a day-use area, sandy beaches, nature trails and a boat launch.
2. OTENTik at Fort Langley National Historic Site
Engage deeper in the history of fur traders, gold prospectors and First Nations by staying overnight in oTENTik, one of Fort Langley’s on-site Parks Canada camps. These no-fuss camps are a blend between an A-frame cabin and a mounted prospector tent and are a great way for families to spend quality time together while learning the important history of our province.
Please book ahead to ensure availability.
Leg 2 – Hope to Lytton
3. Tuckkwiowhum Heritage Village
Tuckkwiowhum Heritage Village (pronounced Tuck-we-ohm), near Boston Bar, offers an amazing opportunity to experience and learn about how a First Nations community lived before European arrival. This picturesque historic site has traditional teepee camping with an authentic Indigenous experience unique to BC and the Gold Rush Trail.
4. Nlaka’pamux First Nations’ Tuckkwiowhum Campground
Just down the road from the Tuckkwiowhum Heritage Village rests Tuckkwiowhum Campground, a spacious campsite equipped for both tents and RV’s. With sites along the shores of Anderson Creek as well as the mighty Fraser River, this affordable campsite is just 2.5 hours from Vancouver and a perfect option for a weekend away or a stop while travelling through the valley.
5. Blue Lake Resort
For a year-round lakeside camping or cabin experience that is close to Vancouver, look no further than Blue Lake Resort. Located just 15 km (9 mi) north of Boston Bar, Blue Lake is truly a place apart from anywhere else in the Fraser Canyon. Stay in the cozy lodge, camp in the scenic campgrounds, or settle into one of the rustic or lakeside cabins. Spend your time hiking around the private lake and through the mountain trails, ride your ATV down the miles of available trails, or just swim and laze around on the sandy beach and soak up the scenery.
6. REO Rafting Resort & Yoga
Just 3 hours from Vancouver on the magnificent Nahatlatch River, rests REO Rafting Resort & Yoga. While the resort’s white water rafting, yoga retreats and RV and tent campground are incredible, we are most excited by the enchanting safari-style glamping tents with private decks that feature stunning river views. Learn more about this epic resort in our white water rafting and yoga resorts blog post.
Note: REO Rafting, Glamping & Yoga Resort was impacted by the Nahatlatch Valley wildfire in 2023. Please visit the REO Rafting Glamping & Yoga Resort website for current operation updates
Leg 3 – Lytton to Historic Hat Creek via Spences Bridge or Lytton to Historic Hat Creek via Lillooet
7. Kumsheen Rafting Resort
Since 1973, Kumsheen Rafting Resort in Lytton has been providing families, couples, and business groups with exceptional white water rafting experiences and unparalleled hospitality. To unwind after your day of high-intensity adventure on the Thompson River, the resort has an array of world-class lodging options for you to stay in, such as authentic Anishinabe style teepees, luxurious canvas cabins, RV sites, as well as tent sites. Also, find out more about Kumsheen in our white water rafting yoga resorts blog post.
8. Historic Hat Creek
Located on a part of the original Cariboo Waggon Road used by the Gold Rush travellers of the 1860s, lies Historic Hat Creek near Cache Creek. There you’ll find many original buildings, an educational Indigenous village, as well as a beautiful restaurant and guided interpretive tours. With tons to see, we highly recommend an overnight stay in one of their comfortable cabins, budget-friendly prospector’s shacks (glamping tents), RV sites or best of all, in their one-of-a-kind canvas-covered wagons complete with bunk beds.
Leg 4 – Lillooet to Bridge River Valley
9. Texas Creek Campground
Tucked away from the trains and highway but only minutes from downtown Lillooet, Fort Berens Estate Winery, Seton Lake, hiking trails, and Sheep Pasture Golf Course, Texas Creek Campground is a quiet, lush, and affordable camping oasis. Take in the spectacular mountain and river views while you stay the night in one of their 5 RV sites; 2 tent sites; 1 cozy one-room cabin or private B&B.
10. Tyax Adventures
Pioneers of floatplane accessed multi-day backcountry travel in the South Chilcotin Mountains, Tyax Adventures’ wide array of backcountry camps are nestled in sub-alpine terrain and come fully stocked with sleeping bags, camp footwear, fleece jackets, and a camp host. After an epic day of backcountry hiking, flightseeing, or mountain biking, arrive at camp to a delicious, hearty, and healthy meal freshly prepared by your camp hosts and served in the comfort of a warm & outfitted cabin or luxurious and private safari-style walled tent.
11. Whitecap Alpine
Built in 1972, deep within the sub-alpine of the South Chilcotin Mountains outside of Pemberton, Whitecap Alpine’s McGillivray Pass Lodge can accommodate groups of up to 15 people and provides a stunning backdrop for backcountry adventures. A true glamping experience, choose from their 5-room Sleeping Lodge, or unique yurt-style camps, and enjoy amenities such as a hot shower, sauna, a wood-burning fireplace, heated out-houses, and a fully-equipped kitchen with a full-time chef!
Leg 5 – Historic Hat Creek to Logan Lake
12. Tunkwa Lake Resort
Tunkwa Lake Resort is an affordable fishing resort just 3.5 hours from Vancouver in the sunny southern interior near Logan Lake. Along with cozy log cabins with full amenities and incredible views of Tunkwa Lake, there is an unserviced camping area fit with lakefront and grass sites perfect for RVs and tents.
Leg 6 – Historic Hat Creek to 150 Mile House
13. Ten-ee-ah Lodge
Set on Spout Lake, secluded in the wilderness outside of Lac La Hache, is Ten-ee-ah Lodge. This luxurious and warm welcoming resort has an excellent reputation and features free-roaming horses, floatplane tours, incredible fishing as well as many other outdoor activities. With cabins of all styles, plus a lakeview motorhome and camper-van campsite, you are bound to have a memorable summer experience.
14. Roberts Roost Resort
Just 10 minutes south of downtown Quesnel on the picturesque shores of Dragon Lake, rests Roberts Roost Resort (try saying that 10 times fast!). With a large selection of camping sites, plus lakefront trailer, RV, and vacation home rentals, Roberts Roost has an accommodation option for all budgets and every type of traveller. At 225 hectares, Dragon Lake is a fly fisherman’s dream so remember to bring your fishing gear!
Leg 7 – 150 Mile House to Barkerville Historic Town & Park
15. Barkerville Historic Town & Park
Barkerville Historic Town & Park is the largest living-history museum in western North America. As there is so much Gold Rush history to see and natural wilderness to explore near Barkerville and Wells, we highly suggest staying a night or two. Choose between their authentic 1890s St. George Hotel, one of the newly-built colourful cottages, the restored BnB rooms or one of the town’s 3 campgrounds complete with amenities.
Leg 8 – 150 Mile House to Likely or Horsefly
16. Plato Island Resort & Marina
Quesnel Lake is not only home to Plato Island Resort & Marina but it is also thought to be the deepest fjord lake in the world, the deepest lake in BC, and the third deepest lake in all of North America! This resort offers daily rental RV sites, quaint cabin rentals, as well as long term RV spots for those that fall in love with the lake and want to join the little community of permanent vacationers!
17. Crooked Lake Resort
Crooked Lake Resort is an off the grid, remote wilderness resort ideal for disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with nature. Choose between grassy campsites, RV sites and a variety of cabins including a nest located above their boathouse that features spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
Leg 9 – Likely to Cottonwood House Historic Site
18. Cottonwood House Historic Site
Restored from the 1860s, Cottonwood House Historic Site, located just east of Quesnel is perfect for those looking to experience the rich history of the Gold Rush Trail. With rustic cabins, a heritage guest cabin as well as tent or RV sites to choose from, Cottonwood is an ideal home base of your trip.
Please note that the Cottonwood House Historic Site is open for day use, picnicking, and walking trails only, for the 2023 season.
Leg 10 – Wells to Bowron Lake Provincial Park
19. Bowron Lake Lodge
Bowron Lake Lodge is a 30-acre family-oriented campsite with picturesque lake and riverfront sites. Located just east of Quesnel, Bowron Lake is known for its fantastic 6-10 day long canoe circuit and gorgeous Cariboo scenery. Whether you need a home-base for the canoe trip or you just want to relax on the beach while you watch canoers pass, Bowron Lake Lodge is an ideal spot for your next central interior adventure.
The Gold Rush trail is dotted with stunning camping and glamping accommodation options that are perfect for an affordable getaway in nature. Out here, history and character communities meet wilderness and adventure; and when compared to other BC destinations, these areas are virtually undiscovered by most British Columbians. Unlock the secrets of the gold rush and discover something new along the Gold Rush Trail this summer!
Please be sure to always practice safe, respectful, and responsible travel on the Gold Rush Trail. Visit our Know Before You Go page for more info.