Quesnel is located 660 kilometres north of Vancouver on Highway 97in the North Cariboo region. The town grew up during the Barkerville gold rush of the 1860s, and is steeped in gold rush history. Visitors to Quesnel can enjoy world-class fly fishing and canoeing, take a stroll along the Riverfront Trail, golf, or swim in one of the area's many lakes. There is also downhill and cross-country skiing, horseback riding, snow shoeing, river rafting, hiking, and biking.
Things to do in Quesnel
Billy Barker Casino
This Nevada style casino offers roulette, blackjack, let it ride poker, and slot machines. The 6,000 square foot casino features 134 slots as well as a number of popular table games. Open daily 10am - 7 days a week; closes at 11:30pm Sunday – Thursday; 12:30pm Friday & Saturday. Call 888-992-4255 for more information.
Bowron Lake Provincial Park
This Park is best known for its wilderness canoe circuit, Bowron Lake Provincial Park encompasses 121,600 magnificent hectares of forests, lakes, and rivers in the Cariboo Mountains. The Park boundary follows a chain of six major lakes - Indianpoint, Isaac, Lanezi, Sandy, Spectacle, and Bowron and some smaller lakes and waterways that, roughly, form a diamond-shaped circuit. Take Highway 26 east of Quesnel toward Barkerville, but just past Wells take a sign posted gravel road to the north.
College of New Caledonia
The College has been an institution of "first choice" for students of BC's Central Interior since 1969. Dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in education, CNC offers a wide range of university credit, technical, vocational, and general interest programs.
Cottonwood House Provincial Historic Park
This Park preserves a former roadhouse built in 1864. In addition to the old guesthouse, structures at the site include a barn, stable, and other outbuildings. An interpretive center and displays of old farming equipment are also on site. During the summer months you can enjoy carriage rides around the Park. Open early June - mid-September daily 8am – 8pm; admission is free. Call 250-992-3997 for more information.
Enterprise Steamer
The remains of the steamer Enterprise, once used by the original gold miners and a Cornish water wheel
Gold Pan City
This settlement grew rapidly as a way station on the route to the goldfields. By the early 1860's Quesnel Mouth, as it was known then, had two hotels, two stores, the Hudson's Bay Post, a telegraph office, grist mill and lumber mill. Paddlewheel steamers stopped on their way up the Fraser River from Soda Creek to Fort George (now Prince George). Saddle trains packed goods between Quesnel and Barkerville. As in the past, Quesnel continues to attract adventurers on their way to the goldfields and the restored gold rush town of Barkerville.
Gold Pan Speedway
Visit this NASCAR track that features a flat 1/3 mile track.
Old Fraser Bridge
The Old Fraser Bridge was built in 1928; today is serves as a foot traffic bridge to the beginning of the Riverfront Trail Park.
Original Hudson’s Bay Store
The first Hudson's Bay Company Store, built in 1867, sits in downtown Quesnel. The original store sold supplies to miners and homesteaders until 1919. After that time it was operated as a drug store and post office until 1949. Located across the street from the Enterprise Steamer
Pinnacles Provincial Park
This Park features the geologically intriguing, glacially eroded hoodoos at the small, day-use Pinnacles Provincial Park. Fishing is regarded as good for rainbow trout, and there’s a large beaver dam near the day-use area. Located just eight km west of Quesnel
Quesnel Museum
If you are interested in learning all about Alexander Mackenzie or the gold-rush days, head to the Quesnel Museum. The Museum has about 20,000 artifacts exhibited. Open daily May – August 8am – 4:30pm; 5 days per week from September – April. Admission is charged. Offering tours, research facilities, videos and a gift shop. Call 250-992-9580 for more information.
Triple J Ranch
The Triple "J" Ranch is nestled in beautiful Ahbau Country within the Cariboo region. Horse trails take you along creeks, rivers, lakes and into the mountains. We also feature a week long cattle drive the 3rd week of July. Join us for gold panning or fishing in remote areas. This is an authentic, rustic working ranch - become a real cowboy or cowgirl! The “Wild Horse Chase" in the spring brings lots of excitement to the ranch.
44461 Cariboo Hwy, Quesnel, BC