Gliding in a canoe on remote waterways cradled by scenic mountains and skirted with unbelievably big trees in mossy forests, every paddle stroke takes you further along the multi-day journey. British Columbia’s backcountry offers many multi-day canoeing adventures, but one route is listed on thousands of people’s bucket lists, and for good reason. The Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit is a 116 km journey that consists of ten lakes and ten portages that take you through the wild and pristine landscapes of the Cariboo Mountains. Dave Wooldridge, who owns Pathways Bowron Lakes (https://bowronlakes.com/), an outfitter that’s been guiding in the park since 1973, has travelled all over the world and holds the Bowron Lakes as one of his favourite routes, calling it a “gem in our province.”
The route covers a variety of topography as it passes by the rounded hilltops of the Quesnel Highlands on the west side of the circuit and the towering Cariboo Mountains on the eastern and southern sections of the circuit. Along the way, there are opportunities to see a wide variety of wildlife, including moose, deer, mountain goat caribou, black bear, grizzly bear, waterfowl, beaver, and otter. The lakes are also home to many species of fish, including rainbow trout, lake trout, bull trout, Rocky Mountain whitefish and Kokanee salmon.
Essential Skills & Ideal Watercraft
This circuit travels through a remote area in east-central B.C.’s Cariboo Mountain Range. We recommend self-guided trips only to people with previous backcountry canoeing and camping experience. Also, if travelling early in the year, having experience paddling moving water is a must. If you do not have this experience and still want to paddle the route, we highly recommend booking a guided trip (https://bowronlakes.com/bowron-trips/).
Canoes are the ideal watercraft for this adventure, but people are also known to paddle the circuit on paddle boards and kayaks.
Gear Checklist: What to Pack
The remote nature of the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit makes it extra essential to have the right gear. Things to consider are paddling gear, necessary safety equipment, clothing for all weather, and backcountry camping gear. Mountain Equipment Company has created an extensive gear checklist specific to this route that is worth referencing when planning your trip: https://www.mec.ca/en/explore/bowron-lake-canoe-circuit-checklist
Camping Tips
You must book in advance to paddle and camp overnight on the Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit. Bookings open in November, and the slots in the peak of summer sell fast.
Groups of 8 or more must book specific group sites, while groups of 7 or less must camp in the first-come-first-serve individual sites. For this reason, if you are in a smaller group, getting up and paddling early is a great tip to get your choice of campsite.
Portaging Tips
The west side of the circuit is more used, and the portages are level, wide, and well maintained. On the full circuit, the first portages on the east side of the circuit have some hills and can be washed out, so be prepared that those portages may require more effort.
You are allowed a canoe cart to avoid carrying your load when portaging. However, note that the maximum axle width of canoe carts is 75 cm or 30 inches, and the weight of the cargo in the canoe/kayak must not exceed 28 kg or 60 lbs.
Side Adventures: Hikes & Hidden Gems
Near Unna Lake, roughly the midway point on the route, is a 2.6-km out-and-back trail that leads to the scenic, 24-metre-tall Caribou Falls (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/british-columbia/cariboo-falls-trail).
Resources & Expert Guidance
Dave Wooldridge from Pathways Bowron Lakes shared that he has never done a trip where it hasn’t rained at some point. So, planning for all weather conditions is essential. Furthermore, shared what, in his opinion, makes a guided trip on the Bowron Lakes special, saying, “You don’t have to worry about anything, the guides are epic, and know how to deal with weather and water safely. They bring coolers of fresh food with fruit and meat on the first night and a fresh cabbage salad on the last night.” With over 25 years of experience, his company knows how to make you feel pampered while enjoying the adventure of a lifetime.
For those interested in a self-guided adventure but without their own canoe, rentals can be found at Beckers Lodge (https://beckerslodge.ca/canoe-rentals-bowron-lake/), Bear River Mercantile (https://www.bowronlake.com/our-services–prices.html), and Bowron Lake Lodge (https://www.bowronlakelodge.com/equipment-rentals/).
