Horsefly

Horsefly is located in the Cariboo area of BC’s Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region and is popular for its abundance of lakes including Quesnel and Horsefly Lakes, and hundreds of smaller lakes, rivers and creeks. It is known for its hunting, fishing, mountain biking, backcountry skiing, hiking and other outdoor recreational activities. There are also five impressive waterfalls to visit. Three are on Horsefly River – the Lower, Middle and Upper Horsefly Falls – and two on the Moffat River. They are well-marked and there is some hiking involved but definitely worth the trip. Horsefly Lake is 55 km (34 mi) long and known for its crystal clear water and gentle nature. The lake’s Provincial Park offers recreational opportunities and the lake is so clear you can see the bottom from a depth of 60 m (20 ft) or more making it excellent for swimming.

The region is also rich in wildlife that make their home in the Cariboo region of British Columbia. The region is plentiful in buffalo, deer, elk, moose, and caribou. These animals are the most frequently hunted animals in the region. There are also healthy populations of snipe, pheasant, goose, and duck, which are hunted in season. More experienced hunters can find wild boar, and even alligators.

Crooked Lake Resort, Horsefly, Cariboo

Location

Located 72 km (45 mi) east of Williams Lake off Hwy 97 and approximately 50 km (31 mi) along paved road from 150 Mile House.

A Step Back in Time

Horsefly wasn’t the biggest, but they were the first, when gold in the Cariboo Gold Rush was first discovered in the Horsefly River in 1859. Following that discovery, miners ventured further north to Likely, Quesnel Forks and Barkerville.

When the gold miners moved on many people stayed, farming the fertile land, trapping the extensive wilderness, logging the forest and mining on a smaller scale. Today, this quiet rural community offers visitors friendly hospitality, spectacular views, walking trails and the picturesque Horsefly River.