Chilcotin

The Chilcotin’s vast landscape is a rugged plateau and mountain region in British Columbia, situated between the Coast Mountains and the Fraser River. Characterized by few roads and minimal industry, it is sparsely populated, with many residents being First Nations, particularly the Tsilhqot’in people. The region takes its name from the Tsilhqot’in word meaning “those of the red ochre river,” referring to the Chilko River, a key tributary.

When traveling to the Chilcotin region, expect to encounter some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes you can find, unique wildlife, multiple cultures and history.

Exploring the Chilcotin Region

No matter your adventure style, the Chilcotin has something to suit your taste. Take a road trip on the famous Freedom Highway (also known as Highway 20 or Chilcotin Highway), and visit and learn about the communities strung along this highway, each with its own story and general store. These hospitable and historic stores continue to play an important role as community centres and meeting hubs.

If you seek outdoor adventures, they’re endless: from aerial sightseeing over the Homathko Icefield to heli-skiing the deep powder of the Chilcotin Mountains, to multi-day loop treks through the rugged beauty of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park. Thrill-seekers charge down the fast-moving Chilcotin River, rated among the most challenging white-water rivers in North America, or shoot the White Mile on the Chilko, one of the world’s most exciting rafting adventures.

BC’s Very Own Wild West

Terra Nostra Guest Ranch | Jesaja Class

Experience British Columbia’s living “Wild West” with a unique holiday in the Chilcotin, where guest ranches offer visitors a chance to join cattle drives, work the ranch, or simply escape city life. Immerse yourself in cowboy culture, from rodeos stretching across the region to learning about this essential part of Chilcotin’s heritage.

Want to experience the thrill of horseback riding? Wilderness Trails offers a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with their immersive horseback training in the heart of the Chilcotin, as well as other exciting activities.

Bridge River Valley’s Unlimited Opportunities

South Chilcotin Mountains | Jonny Bieman

The Bridge River Valley is a recreational paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The South Chilcotin Provincial Park and Bridge River Valley are accessible from the south and offer an array of getaways. With its drier climate, thanks to the Coast Mountains‘ rain shadow, it’s ideal for exploring local trails, paddling serene lakes, and admiring stunning landscapes shaped by ancient glaciers.

For a unique perspective, a flightseeing tour with Tyax Adventures offers breathtaking views of the mountains, valleys, and remote lakes, often surrounded by glacial icebergs. Mountain biking on world-class alpine single-track trails is a must for thrill-seekers, while hiking options range from challenging routes through dramatic ranges to gentler walks through flower-filled meadows and peaceful lakesides.

Exciting Wildlife Encounters

Chilko Lake | David Jacobson

The Chilcotin has an impressive diversity of wildlife, including Canada’s largest population of bighorn sheep, rare white pelicans, trumpeter swans, bears, lynx, wolves, mountain caribou, and hundreds of wild horses, all thriving in some of the world’s last intact grasslands. The area is also known for its significant population of Mustang horses, which have influenced the bloodlines of domesticated horses in the region, including a variety known as the cayuse pony.

Breathtaking Geographical Wonders

Tatla Lake | Jesaja Class

There is tremendous geographical diversity in the Chilcotin, from hot, dry grasslands to ice-covered heights where glaciers descend to azure-blue lakes. Three major river systems, the Homathko, Klinaklini, and Dean, run westward through the Coast Mountains, while the southeast is drained by the great Chilko, Chilcotin, and Fraser river systems.Picture dramatic grassland canyons along the Chilko and Fraser, resembling the breathtaking desert vistas of the American Southwest!

Anglers head for the lakes of the west Chilcotin, where float planes can be chartered for fly-in adventures to remote locations that many only dream about. Superior fly-fishing is found on the Blackwater River in the region’s north and on the Upper Dean River near Anahim Lake.

Interested in spending a few nights in the beautiful Chilcotin region? Book now and choose from a variety of lodging options, including RV parks, campgrounds, luxury stays, and wilderness cabins.

For more information on the Chilcotin, please visit visitthewestchilcotin.com.