Fall Colours Tour: Canim Lake & The Interlakes

Start your fall colours tour in BC’s South Cariboo, where the vibrant autumn landscape enhances your favourite active pastimes—whether it’s walking, cycling, horseback riding, birding, canoeing, fishing, or golfing. As the green summer foliage shrinks back, new views and vistas open up to offer explorers and photographers stunning scenes during warm and dry days. 

The hundreds of South Cariboo lakes, such as Canim Lake and the Interlakes, are particularly bewitching at this time of year, shining like mercury, lying as mirrors to the clouds and blue sky, and reflecting the colourful gold and crimson of the woods. While the nights are cool, the starry sky seems all the more brilliant, with the northern lights paying more frequent visits. Resorts, lodges, and B&Bs throughout the area provide facilities ranging from budget-friendly to luxurious.

In fall, the colours change slowly from green to shades of red and bronze, leaving a golden carpet along the trail. An unspoiled, colourful countryside is there to be enjoyed in almost any way you choose – and we put together a simple guide for you to follow. 

Circle Route:

100 Mile House – Canim Lake & the Interlakes – Highway 24 – Highway 97 – 70 Mile House

The Circle Route is a scenic loop through BC’s South Cariboo, blending picturesque landscapes with outdoor activities. Starting in 100 Mile House, it takes you east to Canim Lake and the Interlakes, offering serene lakes and stunning fall colours on your tour, before ending at 70 Mile House to complete the loop. This route is perfect for road trips, with plenty of opportunities for fishing, hiking, and sightseeing along the way.

All you need is three days—or, if you prefer a slower pace, why not stretch it to five. Whether you’re escaping for a long weekend or have a full week available, you’re in for a treat—so grab your camera, fill up the car, and hit the road!

DAY ONE

100 Mile House to Canim Lake

Distance: 40 minutes (39 km)

Ready to embark on your legendary fall colours tour through one of BC’s most breathtaking regions? Simply follow these directions: Head north on Highway 97, then take the scenic eastward turn onto Canim Lake Road. Points of interest:

100 Mile House

100 Mile House serves as the gateway to the South Cariboo, offering a variety of excellent restaurants and accommodations. For a tranquil fall bird-watching experience, visit the serene eight-hectare wetland marsh located just west of the town’s information centre. If you’ve arrived late and need a place to rest, Days Inn 100 Mile House is a convenient and comfortable choice.

Forest Grove

Located just 20 km east of Highway 97, the small community of Forest Grove offers a charming detour. At the three-way stop, take the north fork and embark on a scenic 9 km side trip to Ruth Lake Provincial Park, where you’ll discover a lovely picnic site with a sandy beach perfect for a relaxing break. If you’re looking to extend your stay and explore the area, consider staying at one of the cozy local spots like Ruth Lake Lodge Resort, where you can unwind and enjoy the natural beauty of the region.

Canim Lake Area

This large, 37-kilometre-long lake surrounded by rugged hills and mountains is located 16 km east of Forest Grove and 36 km east of Hwy 97. There are many family-oriented resorts and some great fall fishing, hiking, and canoeing spots. Archeologists studying native pictographs and ancient pit houses in the area suggest that Plains Indigenous People came to this area after their prairie buffalo had been depleted. They found the fishing to be great and the wildlife plentiful, which means nothing much has changed. Feel free to spend the night (or stay for a while) at Canim Lake Resort, South Point Resort, or Kayanara.

Canim, Mahood and Deception Falls

Travel 24 km on South Canim Lake Road to the junction of the Interlakes connector. Take a side trip on the northeast fork, 6 km to a forestry pull-out, and enjoy a short, pleasant walk to the spectacular Canim and Mahood Falls. Just beyond these falls is Mahood Lake, part of Wells Gray Provincial Park, and a longer hike to Deception Falls.

DAY TWO

Canim Lake to the Interlakes Area

Distance: 1 hour

Continuing on your BC fall colours tour, head south on the gravel Interlakes connector from South Canim Lake Road. To avoid the gravel road, return to 100 Mile House from Canim, head south on Highway 97 to 93 Mile, and then east on Highway 24 through Lone Butte to the Interlakes. Points of interest:

Hathaway Sulphurous and Horse Lakes

Take the south fork at the junction of the South Canim Lake Road and the Interlakes connector for a scenic gravel road winding through dense forests and across rolling hills to the shimmering waters of Hathaway, Sulphurous, and Horse Lakes. The road leads to the Interlakes area at Sheridan Lake. If this is where you’d like to stop and explore, check out Moosehaven Resort & Campground or Hathaway Lake Resort.

The Fishing Highway, Highway 24

BC’s Highway 24 offers a scenic fall drive east of Highway 97 at 93 Mile, 97 kilometres to Little Fort on the Yellowhead Highway. Highway 24, known as ‘The Fishing Highway’, accesses the Interlakes, a realm of over 100 lakes, all within an hour’s drive. The highway follows the historic Fur Brigade Trail.

As the name suggests, the fishing is great; rainbow, brook, and lake trout, burbot, and kokanee. Interlakes-area resorts and shops can supply you with all your fishing needs. Canoeing is also excellent here, and the guest ranches are plentiful if you’re looking to go for a ride. There is a longer, more in-depth tour you can take of this region; for more details, we recommend this page as a resource.

Sheridan Lake

Well known for its trophy fishing, Sheridan Lake offers the opportunity to catch rainbow trout. Take your time and enjoy a stay at Sheridan Lake Resort, Loon Bay Resort or at nearby Fawn Lake Resort.

Bridge Lake

From Sheridan, head east to Bridge Lake and then on to Lac Des Roches. Bridge Lake is a beautiful recreational lake 51 km east of Highway 97 and Cottonwood Bay Resort is a perfect place for an overnight stay.

Lac des Roches

The 14 km long lake is one of the most photographed lakes in BC. There is a picturesque view of the lake, with its neat little islands and narrow channels, from the Macdonald Summit rest area at the lake’s east end. The lake is known for its fly hatch—the fly fishing is top-notch, so if you’d like to spend more time here, the amenities at Lac Des Roches Resort are ideal.

DAY THREE

The Interlakes to 100 Mile House 

Distance: 1 to 2 hours

Are you ready to start your way back? Don’t worry, you’ll still have the chance to see new lakes and landscapes on your return from your BC fall colours tour. Head west on Highway 24 to Highway 97, then north to 100 Mile House. Points of interest:

Lone Butte

Ten kilometres east of Highway 97, Lone Butte was once the Cariboo’s largest town and, as a BC Rail station, a busy centre for ranchers. The plug of an ancient volcano, a columnar basalt formed within a prehistoric volcano six million years ago, provides the town’s name. The village also boasts the last standing water tower along the rail line.

Visitors can drive west from Lone Butte to Highway 97 and then north to 100 Mile House, or take the Watch Lake/Green Lake Drive south to 70 Mile House before heading north on Highway 97.

Watch Lake/Green Lake Drive

A beautiful side trip in fall, with the golden leaves of trembling aspen and larch lining the roadway, offers a picturesque experience. Horseback riding is available, and you might spot eagles, osprey, and loons. The 15 km long Green Lake gets its greenish hues—and its name—from algae and other microorganisms, creating a stunning backdrop for fall photography. This alternate return route takes you south of Lone Butte, west to 70 Mile House, and then north to 100 Mile House. Accommodations in the area include Watch Lake Lodge and Flying U Ranch.

70 Mile House

Historic roadhouse location and one of the first stopping places on the Cariboo Waggon Road, 70 Mile House is 42 kilometres south of 100 Mile House. From here, you can continue exploring the Cariboo or South Chilcotin, or head home full of memories and photos from your remarkable fall BC trip to the Interlakes.