Canim Lake

The 37 km (23 mi) long Canim Lake is one of the larger lakes in the Cariboo region, surrounded by expansive meadows, mountains, rolling hills, and forests of pine, spruce and Douglas firs. The lake is a popular destination for many water sports. Located at the east end of the region in Wells Gray Provincial Park are Canim Falls which can be reached by following the trail along the south side of Canim Lake. This park is spectacular and has numerous lakes, rivers, waterfalls and streams. Although boating and paddling are major attractions for visiting the area, it has something for everyone. And in winter, there are just as many opportunities for recreation as in the summer.

Canim Lake is serious angling country, offering some of the finest freshwater fly-fishing in British Columbia. Anglers look for kokanee, rainbow, lake trout up to 25 lbs, or ling cod. Ice fishing season runs from mid-December to mid-March. The region also offers plenty of hiking opportunities and horseback riding.

Canim Lake Resort

Location

Located on Canim Lake Road, approximately 35 km (22 mi) northeast of 100 Mile House in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region. From 100 Mile House, proceed north on Hwy 97. Approximately 3 km (2 mi) north is the turnoff that heads east via Forest Grove to the community of Canim Lake.

A Step Back in Time

Canim Lake is the traditional territory of the Secwepemc (Shuswap) First Nations Band. The Native people of Canim Lake and their ancestors are a part of what is known as the Lake Division of the Shuswap Tribe within the Interior Salish Nations in B.C. Canim Lake region is made up of six parcels of designated reserve land totaling 2,029 hectares that were originally set aside for the band by the Reilly Commission in 1887.

Archaeological evidence of ancient habitation in the Soda Creek region of the Cariboo during the summer of 1995 was carbon dated at approximately 4,300 years old.

The name Canim appropriately means canoe in the Chinook language.