History
Historically 70 Mile House was one of the first roadhouse stops on the
Cariboo Gold Rush Trail, constructed in the 1860’s to serve the many
gold seekers heading north. As time passed, some of the travellers decided
to settle and establish roots in the area. 70 Mile House marks the distance
along the Cariboo Wagon Road from Lillooet (0 mile), thus allowing travellers
to gauge their distance traveled.
Location
70 Mile House is located 415 km (249 mi) from Vancouver via Hwy #1 or
400 km (240 mi) from Vancouver via Hwy # 99.
Places to See
- Green Lake Provincial Park
70 Mile House marks the turnoff point to
the Green Lake Recreational Area. Historically Green Lake served
the fur trade, being situated on the Fur
Brigade Trail between Fort Kamloops and Fort Alexandria. This 15
km (9 mi) long lake is a popular recreational area and home to
a thriving wildlife
population that includes osprey, eagles, loons and a variety of ducks.
If you love to play in the water, then this is an area worth visiting.
There are some 18 public access points to Green Lake for swimmers,
boaters, windsurfers and water skiers.
- Big Bar Lake Provincial Park
Situated 23 km (14 mi) south of 70 Mile House is a gravel road leading
to Big Bar Lake Provincial Park. This park boasts breathtaking
views and scenery of a landscape marked with lakes and ponds, a must
see for outdoor
enthusiasts! The park is open during the summer months. Swimming,
fishing and boating are popular activities here.
- Bridge Lake Provincial Park
Bridge Lake Provincial Park is located 55km
(34 mi) east of 70 Mile House. This small, but scenic park is
popular with anglers in search of rainbow
and lake trout. The trail around the lake makes for an excellent
afternoon walk!
Things to Do
-
Stroll through town!
Take a stroll through 70 Mile House and visit the old general
store, which conveys a sense of the historic Wild West!
- Outdoor Activities
70 Mile House and the surrounding area offer a vast
array of outdoor activities. During the summer months swimming,
fishing, mountain biking, canoeing,
kayaking and horseback riding are extremely popular. Skiing, tobogganing,
ice fishing, snowmobiling and sleigh rides are all the rage during
the winter months.
- XH Buffalo Ranch
XH Buffalo Ranch is located on the north shore of
green lake. Visit this spectacular 800 Acre buffalo ranch, take
a ride on a hay wagon and learn
more about these magnificent animals! No visit to the ranch is complete
without checking out the store which offers a wide selection of buffalo
meats, hides, skulls, jackets and other souvenirs. For more information
call 1-866-946-3287 or email karlen@xhbuffaloranch.com.
- 83 Mile
House Farm Equipment Museum
Enjoy some Pioneer History
at this privately owned and operated museum, located right on the
Cariboo Gold Rush Trail at 83 Mile, north of 70 Mile
House. Have a look at a vast collection of wagons, sutters and buggies,
displayed in the Historic 83 Mile Barn. Other buildings are home
to a great display of antiques, unique items and hand tools.
Events
- Cariboo Cross-Country Marathon
Located 48km (30mi) from 70 Mile
House is the town of 100 Mile House. Each February 100 Mile House
hosts the annual Cariboo Cross-country Marathon,
which draws an international field of between 700 and 1,000 Nordic
ski enthusiasts to the second oldest loppet in Canada. The event
covers lengths
of 10, 20 30 and 50 kilometers.
- South Cariboo Farmers Market
Every Friday during May to October between 8:30 am to 1:30 pm come
join the farmers market where one will find homemade products of
local businesses on display. Located on Hwy 97 and First Street beside the
Red
Coach.
Contact Information
South Cariboo Information Centre
Box 340, 422 Hwy 97
100 mile House, BC V0K 2E0
Telephone: 1-250-395-5353
Fax: 1-250-395-4085
Toll Free: 1-877-511-5353
E-mail: info@southcaribootourism.com
Website: http://www.southcaribootourism.com
