Lytton

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• Camping in this community 

History

Lytton is one of the oldest continuously settled communities in all of North America. Built on the site of a First Nations village known as Camchin ("the meeting place"), Lytton was also a stopping place along the route taken by hardy prospectors as they made their way north to the gold fields.

The explorer Simon Fraser visited this site in 1808, travelling down the great river which now bears his name, seeking a route to the Pacific. He stopped at Lytton, the point of the confluence, and named the green tributary flowing into the Fraser the Thompson River, after his friend and fellow explorer, David Thompson.

The tremendous surge inland for gold and other precious metals saw the Indian trail through the Fraser Canyon expanded to a mule trail in 1860, followed by a wagon road in 1863. By this time, the community known as The Forks had been renamed in honour of the British Colonial Secretary, Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton.

Lytton's appreciation of its Gold Rush history, as well as its thriving First Nations culture, are all visible through the preserved buildings and archives of a bygone era, and annual activities such as the Remembrance Day Pow Wow, which serve to celebrate Lytton's rich heritage.

Location

Lytton is located at the junction of Highway 12 and Trans-Canada Highway 1, at the confluence of the Thompson and Fraser Rivers, approximately 104 kilometres (65 miles) north of Hope.

Places to See

• Lytton Museum and Archives

The Lytton Museum was built by the Canadian National Railway as a residence in 1942. It was acquired by the Village fifty years later, and was renovated in the early 1990s into its present state. The museum officially opened on July 1st, 1995. It is run entirely by volunteers, with help during the summer months from students on work programs.

The museum displays a large portion of its collection. The Green Room has many items of local interest, including a portrait of Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton, after whom the village was named, and a travelling organ formally used for church services throughout the area.

The Rose Room contains more displays, including a pot-bellied stove, several old radios, a railroad desk formally used at the C.N. station, a beautiful sculpted topographical map of the area, a record sized elk rack (local road-kill), and much more. The entire display area of the museum is filled with local artifacts and pictures of local scenes and events.

Pictures from the Archives are available through browse binders, and everyone is welcome to sit down and view hundreds of pictures of local interest.

• Kumsheen Rafting Resort

Hosting guests from all over the world, Kumsheen Rafting Resort is famous for its upscale facilities and amenities, great family vacations, and 35 years of rafting expertise.

Thompson River and Fraser River rafting trips feature big waves and warm water and a desert-like climate. Activities are staged from the stunning resort, conveniently located along the Trans-Canada Highway on the outskirts of Lytton.

• Skihist Provincial Park

A convenient overnight camping spot for travelers on Highway #1, this is also a popular base camp for visitors enjoying river rafting, fishing, and exploring the Thompson River area. Awe-inspiring views of the Thompson Canyon and quiet strolls on the old Cariboo Wagon Road bring to mind the difficulties encountered by early travellers traversing the western mountain ranges. An introduced herd of elk thrives nearby. Arrangements for guided river rafting trips may be made in Lytton or Spences Bridge.

• Caboose Park

Railway buffs will enjoyed the retired CN caboose in Caboose Park, and the fabulous photo opportunities of the Cisco Bridges crossing the Fraser just south of town.

• Siska Art Gallery and Band Museum

The Siska Art Gallery and Band Museum houses a unique collection of traditional and contemporary Native Art. Located in Nlaka'pamux Tribal territory near the top of the Fraser Canyon, the Gallery also showcases superb soapstone carvings by local artists.

• Goldpan Provincial Park

Goldpan was constructed in 1956 on the banks of the Thompson River. It is a convenient overnight camping spot for travelers on Highway 1 and is a destination site for fishermen during peak fishing times. This is also a popular base camp for visitors enjoying guided river rafting, and for exploring the Thompson/Pavilion area. The area is rich in geological and human history.

Things to Do

• Whitewater Rafting

Lytton is located between two world-class whitewater rivers, the legendary Thompson and Fraser Rivers. The only decision to be made in Lytton is whether to power raft or paddle raft.

• Goldpanning

Pan for gold in the Fraser and Thompson Rivers, following in the footsteps of the Cariboo Gold Rush prospectors of the 1800s.

• Biking

Enjoy a bike tour in the mountains above the Kumsheen Rafting Resort.

Events

• Lytton River Festival

The Lytton River Festival is a celebration of two great rivers - the Thompson and Fraser - and their historic and present role in the small community of Lytton. The Village of Lytton, Siska Indian Band, Nicomen Indian Band, Lytton First Nations, Lytton & District Chamber of Commerce, Royal Canadian Legion, and Kumsheen Rafting Resort are active partners in this river-oriented, fun-filled three-day river celebration.  

Nearby Communities

Contact Information

Lytton Visitor Information Centre
Tel: 250-455-2523
Fax: 250-455-6669
Email: lyttoncofc@lyttonbc.net
Web: www.lyttonchamber.com