Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Service
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Service
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / Discover Quesnel, BC

Discover Quesnel, BC

April 30, 2020 //  by Black Press Media Staff

Share this:

Even if you’re only going to Quesnel and the North Cariboo for a day or two, you’re sure to find something that makes you fall in love with the area. You’ll get a sense of the small community the minute you arrive, but it’s big enough to offer something for everyone.

Quesnel is an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts, busy families and history lovers alike!

The city, located on the traditional territory of the Lhtako Dené, offers a variety of trails and walkways through warm communities, along beautiful rivers and past spacious parks. Quesnel’s downtown core underwent a major revitalization recently and their friendly merchants invite you to discover treats and treasures while you meander the main streets and enjoy wide sidewalks with beautiful seating areas.

Surrounded by farms, you can fully embrace the 100-mile diet concept here by shopping for everything from local beer to artisan cheese, or visiting the downtown Quesnel, Wells & Nazko farmers’ markets during the summer.

A community that celebrates the past, present and future, if you’re interested in Cariboo history, discover great opportunities to explore historic trails by horseback or by canoe. You can even pan for gold along the banks of the Fraser and Quesnel rivers!

Find museums in Quesnel and Wells, and visit the Antique Machinery Park south of Quesnel, featuring a blacksmith shop, sawmill and other machinery plus technology used in the 1800s and early 1900s.

Costumed interpreters can take you on tours of Barkerville Historic Town and Park and Cottonwood Historic Town Site. If you arrive in late January, you can even watch sled dog teams carry the mail along the Gold Rush Trail.

Facts

• In the early 19th century, Simon Fraser explored what is now known as the Fraser River, naming a major tributary for his clerk, Jules Maurice Quesnel. The community that eventually grew at the confluence of the two rivers became known as Quesnel.

• In the spring of 1857, gold was found in the Fraser River, initiating a Gold Rush, with prospectors coming from all over North America to strike it rich. A major strike in the Williams Creek area in 1861 was the official beginning to the Cariboo Gold Rush and the growth of Barkerville. In its heyday, the boomtown was said to be the most populous city north of San Francisco and west of Chicago!

• Due to Quesnel’s location, it became a major stopover and supply centre for the gold fields to the east. Chinese miners, who were panning the Quesnel River’s sandbars, eventually turned to business, opening up a variety of stores in town and providing services to the fortune seekers passing through.

• The area’s forestry industry expanded considerably during the Second World War, when they became a major supplier of birch, which was used as plywood to manufacture the Mosquito Bomber. By 1952, there were 180 sawmills and five planer mills within 30 miles of Quesnel.

• The Quesnel & District Museum & Archives is the best place to explore the City’s fascinating history, as well as a few additional exhibits with Mandy, the haunted doll and a vanity from the Titanic.

Weather

Quesnel’s temperate climate features warm summers and cold winters, with significant rainfall throughout the year – 524 mm (20.6 inches) annually.

Destination BC is developing a new campaign to promote hyper-local travel where residents are “tourists-in-their own hometown,” while practising the COVID-19 safety protocols as recommended by the B.C. Provincial Health Officer. Many B.C. parks are now open, and national parks were to open as of June 1.

(Check this website for current details on travel.)

Getting Here

Driving: From Vancouver, drive seven hours (661.1 km) via Trans-Canada Hwy & BC-97 N

By Rail: The Rocky Mountaineer travels from Vancouver through Quesnel on its way to Jasper, Alberta.

Flying: Daily flights connect Vancouver International and Quesnel Regional airports.

Dream now, travel later. To plan for future adventures here and throughout the West Coast, visit westcoasttraveller.com

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: British Columbia Destinations, Canada, Cariboo, Heritage, History, Quesnel, Travel

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

5 ways to take an affordable family vacation this summer

You want to create memories and have a great time with your family this summer.…

5 ways to take an affordable family vacation this summerRead More

48 hours in Nelson, B.C.: Trails, taps and laid-back charm

I rolled into Nelson on a warm Friday morning, welcomed by a mix of fresh…

48 hours in Nelson, B.C.: Trails, taps and laid-back charmRead More

Brick-by-brick, stories beyond the history come alive in Kelowna this summer

Brick-by-brick, Canadian artist Ekow Nimako re-imagined ancient African kingdoms by building and envisioning a journey…

Brick-by-brick, stories beyond the history come alive in Kelowna this summerRead More

Salish Sea’s first humpback whale calf of 2025 spotted off B.C. south coast

The first humpback whale calf of 2025 has arrived in the Salish Sea, according to…

Salish Sea’s first humpback whale calf of 2025 spotted off B.C. south coastRead More

This Sooke, B.C. destination was made for fun in summer sun

Since the late 1800s, the uniquely carved series of polished rock pools and tunnels in…

This Sooke, B.C. destination was made for fun in summer sunRead More

5 Washington towns perfect for a spontaneous weekend adventure

Looking for a little escape from the mundane? Washington is filled with quaint towns you…

5 Washington towns perfect for a spontaneous weekend adventureRead More

VIDEO: Empress and the beast: Victoria hotel’s turf war with marmot Roger

Mischievous beasts outwitting their human foes is a tale as old as time – Peter…

VIDEO: Empress and the beast: Victoria hotel’s turf war with marmot RogerRead More

Venturing into Khutzeymateen: Canada’s only grizzly bear sanctuary

Hidden deep in northwest British Columbia’s coast lies the lush inlet of the Khutzeymateen, bustling…

Venturing into Khutzeymateen: Canada’s only grizzly bear sanctuaryRead More

ValhallaFest music festival rises from B.C. old growth forest

Set against the backdrop of an old-growth forest near Terrace, B.C., ValhallaFest is where music…

ValhallaFest music festival rises from B.C. old growth forestRead More

Previous Post: « Discover Creston, BC
Next Post: Discover Kimberley, BC »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

5 ways to take an affordable family vacation this summer

June 11, 2025

48 hours in Nelson, B.C.: Trails, taps and laid-back charm

June 10, 2025

Brick-by-brick, stories beyond the history come alive in Kelowna this summer

June 9, 2025

Salish Sea’s first humpback whale calf of 2025 spotted off B.C. south coast

June 9, 2025

Recent Posts

5 ways to take an affordable family vacation this summer

June 11, 2025

48 hours in Nelson, B.C.: Trails, taps and laid-back charm

June 10, 2025

Brick-by-brick, stories beyond the history come alive in Kelowna this summer

June 9, 2025

Salish Sea’s first humpback whale calf of 2025 spotted off B.C. south coast

June 9, 2025

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2025 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved