Lillooet

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History

Dreams of glorious riches brought thousands into Lillooet during the Cariboo Gold Rush of the 1850s and 1860s, transforming the area into a boomtown with 13 saloons and 25 licenced premises. The first trail to the Cariboo gold fields, known as the Cariboo Wagon Road, came through here; the jobs created by the construction of this trail likely saved the lives of many gold rushers who had lost their money trying to strike it rich. To this day, Lillooet residents still consider their town "Mile 0" on the Cariboo Wagon Road, and many towns along the Cariboo Highway are referred to by their distance north from this trail.

Location

Situated within the Fraser Canyon, Lillooet can be reached via the wonderfully scenic Highway 99 from Vancouver or Kamloops, or from Lytton via Highway 12.

Places to See

• Lillooet Museum and Visitor Centre

Formerly the site of a well-known Anglican Church, the Lillooet Museum and Visitor Centre houses native artifacts, relics from the Gold Rush era, and a recreation of Ma Murray's old news office. Tourists can pick up an up-to-date visitor's guide here.

• Miyazaki Heritage House

During the 1940s, this was the home of Dr. Masajiro Miyazaki, a distinguished leader of the Japanese-Canadian community for 50 years, and one of two Lillooet residents named to the Order of Canada (Margaret 'Ma' Murray was the other). He donated his house in 1983, and it is now used for community events and local artwork display. Free tours are also available.

• Koaham Shuttle - Seton Portage
Ride the rails to Lillooet, winding along the shores of turquoise-coloured Seton Lake through the third largest tunnel on the CN Rail line and past the Bridge River hydroelectric development, the largest power project ever undertaken in BC history. Seton Portage is 25 km (15 mi) west of Lillooet.

 Things to Do

• Fishing

Within the many lakes, rivers, and streams around Lillooet, you can find trout, sturgeon, Chinook salmon, and steelheads.

• Hiking or Mountain Biking

There are over 14 trail systems with more than 200 kilometres of trails to explore. Knowledgeable staff are available for guided tours. 

• Guided Horseback Rides

Rent a horse and tour the scenic benches of the Fraser River, or climb the rugged mountains nearby. Visitors can rent horses suited for riders of any experience level.

• Gold Panning

Find out what it was like for the thousands who came to Lillooet hoping to strike it rich during the Cariboo Gold Rush!

Events

• Apricot Tsaqwem Festival
In July, Lillooet hosts the annual Apricot Tsaqwem Fest celebrating apricots, as well as Tsaqwem, or the Saskatoon Berry. The festival includes the Apricot Open Golf Tournament, a tour of the Jade Walk, a street dance and barbecue, and various apricot-themed dinners. There are kids' activities, pancake breakfasts, and cook-offs.


• Salmon in the Canyon
This festival, held in August, is an annual event sponsored by the Lillooet Naturalist Society and local First Nations. The event celebrates all aspects of the nature in the canyon and the importance of salmon to the lives of the First Nations peoples.

Nearby Communities

Contact Information

Lillooet Visitor Centre
Lillooet Museum
790 Main Street
PO Box 441 , Lillooet, BC V0K 1V0
Tel: 250-256-4308

District of Lillooet
Lillooet Municipal Hall
615 Main Street
PO Box 610
Lillooet, BC V0K 1V0
Tel: 250-256-4289
Fax: 250-256-4288
Email: cityhall@lillooetbc.ca
Web Site: http://lillooetbc.ca