The Park

Bowron Lake Wilderness Park

The Bowron Lake Wilderness Park is now considered one of the most popular paddling adventures in the world. People from many different countries; and all walks of life, have now experienced and travelled the Circuit.

In 1926, through the efforts of Frank Kibbee and the McCabe's, the inside of the chain of lakes was declared a Game Reserve. Then In 1961 the area was reclassified; and became the Bowron Lake Wilderness Provincial Park; named after John Bowron, who was the Gold Commissioner at Barkerville.

Located 30 kilometers east of Barkrville; the Park is an unspoiled wilderness of 121,600 hectares; with a unique system of connecting lakes, rivers, and portages. The very rugged Cariboo Mountains that average an elevation of 2,100 meters, form a scenic backdrop for this wilderness experience.

The Park is open between May and October, but July and August are usually the busiest. All visitors must register and agree with the Park Regulations while travelling.

Most visitors travel the complete circuit in 7- 10 days; but for those who have limited time; there is the much less strenuous and shorter West Side Trip; a 3 - 4 day return trip from Bowron to Unna Lake.

Total daily departures into the Park; for both the Circuit and the West Side; is only 27 canoes or 55 people. There is a "daily stand-by list" at the Park Registration Center that allow visitors that have not reserved to start their trip; but during busy periods they could wait up to 3 days before they can depart. It is best to register with the Park to avoid any waiting when you arrive. You can travel at your own pace, select your campsites; but are limited to 14 nights stay on the Circuit. All groups must pre-register; as campsites are assigned; and they are limited to 7 nights for the Circuit and 3 nights for the West Side.

The Circuit is 116km in length and most paddlers allow 7 days for their trip; but if you plan on doing some relaxing or fishing; a 10 day trip is much more enjoyable. The extra days enable you to stay in camp for 2 days at a favourite spot; and allows the possibility of being storm bound for a few days.

You should be prepared and well equipped. Good physical fitness and outdoor experince make the trip more enjoyable; however people of all skills and fitness continue to travel with relatively few problems. Most say "I had the time of my life!" If you are inexperienced, do some conditioning and practice before your trip. Purchase or rent only quality equipment.

The Complete Circuit

( 7 - 10 Days )

Registration Centre to Indianpoint Lake

You must travel clockwise around the circuit; following the water flow of the Parks main rivers, so you begin your trip at the Registration Center and the trail to Kibbee Lake. This 2.4 km uphill portage is the longest and hardest portage of your trip, so it "initiates everyone." To ease your journey we strongly suggest you take a set of wheels (cart); as you are allowed to put 27kg. in the canoe when on the trail; and then you carry the rest of your gear. Kibbee Creek meanders slowly out to Kibbee Lake which is only 2.4km across, then you have another uphill portage of 2km into Indianpoint Lake.

Indianpoint Lake to Isaac Lake

We suggest you camp at Indianpoint Lake for or 2 days; for 4 good reasons; to rest up from the first 2 portages; to enjoy not breaking-camp every day; to enjoy the good fishing and scenery; and avoid the "going too fast" problem. Indianpoint Lake is 6.4 km long; the end of the lake turns marshy, and a narrow channel leads to the trail to Isaac's Lake; which is easy going. Isaac Lake is 38 km long and can have unstable weather. Weather permitting; don't rush to the end of the lake. We suggest 2 campsites going down the lake; which would mean camping at the end of Isaac's would be your 4th or 5th night out. Always paddle close to shore; as strong winds can hit you quickly. ( If you get storm-bound; remember the lakes are usually calmer in early morning or late evening.)

Isaac Lake to McLeary Lake

Depending on your experience or skill; portions of this portage can be done on the Isaac's River. The "chute" where the river runs out of the lake can be a "thrilling experience", depending on the level of the river. The distance is 2.8km of which about 1.6km can usually be paddled. Obey All Signs! Portions of the river are unnaviigable. We suggest you camp at McLeary; so you are well rested to paddle the Cariboo River the next day. Don't miss the 11m. water falls you can hike to.

McLeary Lake to Unna Lake

Start early; to be down the Cariboo River and off Lanezi Lake before early afternoon (strong prevailing winds late in the day). Depending on the river's level; the Cariboo River can be very swift and it's many sweepers (trees/logs extending from banks or river bottom) can "catch you" if you are not alert at all times. It is 5.2km to Lanezi Lake; so you will welcome the rest when you reach Lanezi Lake; however along the 14.8 km shoreline there are only a few places to go ashore safely. Sandy Lake is an easy 1.2km paddle. Sandy Lake is only 4.8km across and contrasting from the deep water and harsh shoreline of Lanezi; you find shallow warm waters with sandy beaches. The lower Cariboo River from Sandy Lake to Babcock Creek is an easy downstream paddle of 3.6km. Unna Lake is a "must stay". Watch the signs here; do not paddle down river past the sign that marks the narrow entrance into Unna Lake.

Unna Lake to Spectacle Lakes

Unna Lake is a great place to stop and relax, fish and enjoy the crystal clear water and sandy beaches. Paddle across Unna Lake to the trail that leads to the 24 meter Cariboo River Falls; one of the trip highlights (Many people spend 2 nights here to rest up; and although we do not recommend it, it is possible to return to Bowron Lake from here in one day; although it is "a real long day!") From Unna Lake you paddle upstream to Babcock Creek; which is no longer a lining creek; you must now use the trail alongside the creek to portage. Babcock Lake is only 2.8km across, and between Babcock and Spectacle Lakes is Skoi Lake and two easy portages.

Spectacle Lakes to The Bowron River

You are in the "Home Stretch" once you reach the Spectacle and Swan Lakes. The waters are much slower and calmer than the glacial waters you have been travelling on; and it is fairly easy going from here. With the marshy areas and the gentle sloping shorelines this area is a wildlife photographers dream; as it abounds with moose, bear, beaver, eagles, loons, and many varieties of song birds. There are some great campsites here; the fishing is great and the warmer waters offer you great swimming. From the far end of the Spectacle Lakes to Swan Lake to the Bowron River is an easy 12.4 km paddle.

The Bowron River to "Journey's End"

Camping on Swan Lake or on the Bowron River are usually where most people camp the last night out; making the last day on Bowron Lake a short and easy one. Early mornings in this area can reward you with "close-ups" like this picture; a moose feeding in the river. Paddling the Upper Bowron River is a slow meandering 4.0 km. Bowron Lake is a 7.2 km paddle; and there are no camp-sites on the shoreline so you must paddle to the end of the lake. Paddle along the shoreline; and it is usually calmer in the morning; as afternoon winds are common on Bowron Lake. As you approach the end of Bowron Lake many people are already planning in their mind a return trip to this unforgettable and magnificent wilderness experience.

Photos courtesy of Leanne Davies and Robert Hoy

The West Side Trip

( 1- 4 Days )

The trip up the West Side is a shorter and less strenuous trip than the complete circuit. The rivers are slower, the lakes are usually less windy, the portages are shorter and the terrrain is more flat. The sandy beaches and warmer waters make this area great for swimming also.

This trip is often taken by families with smaller children; more "elderly folk" or those who are limited to 2 or 3 days time. As well; many people who plan on doing the complete circuit; go up the West Side as an "initiation"; to learn what to do and not to do, and what to bring for the longer circuit trip.

You travel counter-clockwise from Bowron Lake through the Spectacle Lakes to as far as Unna Lake and then return. At Unna Lake you can visit the Cariboo River Falls; a highlight of the Park. If you have time restrictions; or maybe your gear and equipment are not light weight; or if you want to avoid any portaging; you can travel as far as the end of the Spectacle Lakes and then return.

A popular trip is to travel only as far as the Bowron River, Swan Lake area, camp overnight and return the next day. Sightings of bear, moose, eagles and many varieties of waterfowl are common in this area of the Park.

If you stay overnight in the Park you must register with the Park; and all the rules and regulations that apply to the complete circuit; apply to the West Side trip. Since your stay in the Park is shorter, the fees are less.