British Columbia’s fourth largest city, Kamloops is the southern gateway to the North Thompson Valley via Highway 5 (The Yellowhead). Blue River is the most Northern town of the valley and is nestled in the shadow of the spectacular Monashee Mountain Range. Between these towns lies a valley with a natural setting that ranges from gentle to rugged; a countryside filled with vacation possibilities.

The North Thompson Valley offers nature at its best for outdoor enthusiasts, with pastimes as varied as the tourists who visit. Lakes and rivers throughout provide the opportunity for the whole family to enjoy swimming, boating, water skiing and fishing. One can experience everything from the rush of white water rafting to the serenity of paddling a canoe on a lake so calm the skyline is mirrored in its waters.

Our back country provides both simple hiking ventures for the novice and rock climbing and mountain biking for the more experienced and adventurous. Internationally renowned Wells Gray Provincial Park lies just North West of Clearwater, the largest settlement in the valley. This and other Provincial Parks offer camping on your own or guided tours, the pace can be set by you. View the spectacular scenery from horseback or helicopter, your destination is limited only by your imagination.

Modern accommodations are conveniently located along the route, as well as resorts and camping places which are all accessible from Highway #5. If your tastes lie in Bed and Breakfast, or if you own a horse Bed, Bale and Breakfast, we can accommodate. You have the option to enjoy five star hotels at Sun Peaks or stay at Guest Ranches in Clearwater.

Major settlements along the way have a variety of retail outlets to serve the needs of travelers. Restaurants range from fine dining to fast food. Grab a quick snack or relax over dinner after a day’s travel. For a once in a lifetime experience, try a gourmet heli-picnic at 7000 feet above sea level in Blue River.

Plan your vacation by destination, theme or by event. Why not golf your way through, or go antiquing? Antique stores are located in Heffley Creek, Barriere, Little Fort and Clearwater. Throughout July and August tourists can enjoy free Music in the Park every night in Kamloops or take in the symphony at Sun Peaks. Enjoy festivals? Music, Art, Alpine Flower and Mountain Bike Festivals are just a few highlights throughout the region. Not to be missed, Barriere showcases its 56th Annual Fall Fair and Rodeo this year. Eco tours are available in Wells Gray Park and Blue River offers a Yoga Retreat. Be sure to check out the Calendar of Events at the back of this publication.

The wildfires of 2003 left deep scars on sections of the North Thompson valley’s landscape. They present a shocking vista and will leave a lasting impression on people who pass through the area.

Look closely now, these fire-scarred sites also allow visitors to witness the awesome strength of nature as it heals. Two years after the wildfires there are signs of recovery everywhere. Mother Nature has had assistance with reforestation projects on Strawberry Hill in Kamloops, McLure and Louis Creek near Barriere.

Originally a major settlement for Native Indian tribes, place names such as Fight Lake and Battle Mountain hint at the struggles of three bands who fought for control of the area. The search for gold brought Caucasians in the late 1800’s and by the early 1900’s smallpox became a major threat to the tribes. By 1916 the Canadian Pacific Railway had replaced the steamboats as the major mode of transportation.

Today, Clearwater is a vacation paradise, the gateway to magnificent Wells Gray Provincial Park and hosting a variety of nearby attractions. Accommodations in the area encompass hotels, motels, B&B’s, Chalets, Guest Ranches, and campgrounds, whatever your heart desires.

Amenities include a centrally located shopping mall, specialty stores, art galleries and restaurants to suit every taste bud. If the smell of freshly baked bread draws you in, try visiting the Flour Meadow Bakery, a beautiful log building showcasing musical entertainment BBQ’s and a great place to pick up a boxed lunch.

Be sure to stop in at the Clearwater Visitor Info Centre displaying exhibits on area history including the Overlanders (adventurers from eastern Canada bound for the Cariboo goldfields), and Simpcw Native history and culture. There is a trout hatchery close by and if you have a need for speed, the community boasts one of the best dirt oval tracks in the province with stock car racing on weekends throughout the summer.

Don’t forget golf, there are two 9-hole courses, Lacarya and Wells Gray Golf Courses both offer RV Parks with stay n’ play packages.

If you truly wish to experience “clear water”, why not book a sternwheeler ride? Or, if you prefer a more hands-on approach, get wet on a whitewater rafting expedition on the Clearwater River. Professionally guided tours are offered with the chance to follow the same route as the original Overlander Party who passed through during fur trading days.

Plan to treat Clearwater as a central jumping off spot for eco and adventure tourism. It attracts tourists from all over the globe for a true wilderness experience.

This glorious wilderness, now a Class A Park, has been chiseled out of ice, carved by fire, and shaped by water. In the east and north, Wells Gray is bordered by the soaring Cariboo Mountains, and in the west, the park presents a different landscape as it opens up to the more gentle Shuswap Highlands.

Volcanoes have been erupting over millions of years; they have left their mark on the Clearwater valley, in the form of a jumbled landscape of wild geological forms that are a wonder to behold. Through the ages, water and ice have created deep canyons where the famous waterfalls of Wells Gray Park originated.

The park is home to many species of wildlife and birds. The best known of the local residents is probably the black bear. These creatures are magnificent and are a delight to watch, but it can not be said too often, please respect them; watch them, photograph them from a safe distance, but never entice them with food or approach them. The bears live in the park, and visitors are asked to be polite and respectful guests in their home.

Wells Gray Park is located a day’s drive from Vancouver, and just a few hours travel from the interior city of Kamloops.

Access to the trails, viewpoints, campgrounds, in short most of what a visitor to the park wants to explore, is best achieved from the area known as the Corridor in the Clearwater Valley. From the Info Centre on Hwy 5, go 40 km (25 miles) north on Clearwater Valley Road to the Hemp Creek entrance, the official entrance to the park with a concession run by the Park Facility Operator during the summer months.

Some of the areas to visit from here are Green Mountain, and the Look Out Tower, Dawson Falls, Pyramid Campground, Helmcken Falls, Bailey’s Chute, Clearwater Lake and Falls Creek Campgrounds.

Wells Gray Park is a holiday destination with so many possibilities for outdoor adventure; it is difficult to do justice to it in only one visit, which is the reason why so many visitors have returned many times over the years.;

For those who think the previous hike too strenuous, might we suggest the following drive.

Head north from Clearwater on Highway 5 and turn right at the Birch Island turn-off. Just down the hill and into Birch Island you’ll come across a vanishing species: the corner general store.

Stop in and grab a cold pop for the road and head out towards the wooden bridge across the North Thompson River.

Stay on the paved road as it makes a hard left turn and then travels down along, and then finally across the railway tracks. The road shortly turns to a good gravel road and takes you through some scenery typical of our ranch country.

Watch the backwaters along the road for things like beavers, muskrat, otters, mink and a variety of waterfowl.

Staying on the main road you’ll come out in Vavenby where you’ll take another left (onto the first paved road), go across the bridge and then up towards Highway 5. Before you get to the highway you’ll come by another general store where you can grab more pop or goodies for the drive back to Clearwater.

A great destination spot if you’re interested in becoming a guest at a working cattle ranch, Shook Ranch in Vavenby offers ride and stay packages. Early May and June are the best months to go on a cattle drive as the cattle are gathered up from the 600 acres and moved to summer range.

Children, novices and experienced riders are welcomed by the Shook family. Located a half hour out of Clearwater, families can ride for a few hours or spend a few days.

Add the creak of a leather saddle to the surrounding birdsong, seeing the countryside from horseback is a whole new experience.

Call ahead for reservations or visit the website at www.ntvalley.com/trailrides.

As you leave Vavenby, you will come back to Highway 5, and there you must decide if you wish to go south, back to Clearwater or north to Blue River.

About 425 people call Blue River home and although the area depends largely on the forest industry, tourism is what gives it international recognition. Local grocery stores, gas stations, a post office, motels, a campsite and a nursing station provide basic amenities in a rustic village setting.

The Mike Wiegele Helicopter Ski Resort, with its winter and summer activities, gives the town a modern character, but there is still a sense of traditional hometown values here.

Canada Day, July 1, finds Blue River celebrating this special day in style. Starting with a parade through town, and finishing on the beach of Eleanor Lake, events throughout the day range from canoe races, to bucket relays and sand castle building. The festivities climax in the evening with a great BBQ, awards ceremony and a super large birthday cake for everyone to share.

Blue River is well known as mountain bike country. Both a Mountain Bike Camp and Festival are held in the summer months featuring events in Cross Country, Down Hill and Hill Climb.

Located at Eleanor Lake, the resort offers a wide variety of accommodations including a lodge with a health spa, log chalets, a Bavarian House Estate and a Grizzly Hut.

Most of the buildings are heated and cooled by environmentally friendly geothermal systems. Inviting tourists to “entertain at altitude” the facilities can accommodate weddings, conventions, family reunions and of course, you on holidays.

There is a trail from the resort that circles the lake, ideal for an easy stroll. Across from the resort is the Don Forsythe Memorial Beach house and the Blue River Community Park.

The main lodge has a fabulous dining room, launch, games room and health centre.

Across from the lodge is the Sports Shop and Boutique.

This resort combines modern amenities with easy access to back country adventure via the use of helicopters. Spending a vacation at this resort can easily be the best adventure holiday you ever had.