Land Without Limits

72 Hrs of Winter Holidays along the Land of Hidden Waters

Wettstone Guest Ranch | Jonny Bierman

Home to cozy winter cabins, frozen lakes, forests, and scenic landscapes, the Land of Hidden Waters (also known as BC’s “Fishing Highway” or Highway 24) is an ideal winter escape. Centrally located northwest of Kamloops, this region is located between 93 Mile on Highway 97 and Little Fort on Highway 5, you’ll find friendly folks, hidden lakes, and plenty of activities to keep busy, should you wish. So, if you find yourself with a few days and would like to explore this serene slice of British Columbia located just a few hours from Vancouver, here is a sample winter travel itinerary to inspire your plans:

bc winter vacation

Wind & the Pillows B&B | Gail Potter

Day One: Green Lake

Located south of Highway 24, jumping off at Green Lake as the start of your experience, explore quiet country roads opening onto uncountable lakes. Green Lake is one of the largest in the area (with 57 km of shoreline) and an ideal stopping point for an afternoon of exploration, as well as to find a comfortable spot to stay the night..

Green Lake Provincial Park offers a self-guided 1 km interpretative trail at the Sunset View campground for those looking to stretch their legs and find a chance to spot abundant moose and deer that frequent the area.

If you’d like to continue exploring, just to the northeast is Watch Lake.

ice fishing Sheridan Lake

Sheridan Lake, BC | Jonny Bierman

Day Two: Try Your Hand at Ice Fishing!

Have you tried ice fishing, or are you looking to find a new fishing hole? Take in a morning of peace and relaxation, staying warm with hot cocoa while you try to hook a Kokanee, rainbow or brook trout.

Most lakes in the area are well stocked, and local resort operators will have tons of tips on where to head. If you’re new to ice fishing or a seasoned fisher, ensure you take the essentials (explore helpful icefishing tips from AdventureSmart) and that the ice is a minimum 10 centimetres (4 inches) thick. If you need equipment to borrow, check with your resort.

After a morning of sitting, warm up the body with a snowshoe or hike around the 200+ km (124 mi) of multi-use trails at Sheridan Lake.

winter ice skating

Fawn Lake Resort | Michael Bednar

Day Three: Ice Skating

A winter holiday to the Land of Hidden Waters wouldn’t be complete without participating in one of the most quintessential Canadian winter activities: pond skating. Ensuring that the waters are adequately frozen before starting out (find more ice safety resources here), there are several lakes along the way that are ideal for you to strap on your skates and explore, including:

  • Fawn Lake
  • Lac La Hache
  • Bridge Lake
  • Ruth Lake
  • Sheridan Lake
  • Green Lake

Where you adventure to next is your choice! Continue driving east to see the rest of the Land of Hidden Waters and discover more terrific winter things to do, or go back the way you came to revisit your favourite spots and discover some new ones!! Heading north along Highway 97 lets you experience the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail and North Cariboo, as well as providing access to the Chilcotin and Great Bear Rainforest. There is an endless amount of places to explore this winter in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast.

Looking for more winter travel inspiration? Visit the blogs below or download our free travel guide.

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