Barriere/Lower North Thompson

Golfers work their way through the lush course at Chinook Cove Golf Course in Barriere.

Wild, Rustic, Irresistible

Follow the North Thompson River on the Yellowhead Highway (5) as it winds into the Lower North Thompson. Witness badlands transform into a colourful panorama of ranchland, forests, and mountains. There’s prime fishing in the Lower North Thompson as hundreds of lakes cover the valley. Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep, deer, moose, coyotes, bears, game birds and birds of prey. Barriere lies at the confluence of the North Thompson and Barriere Rivers. Explore Adams Lake, Bonaparte, Chu Chua Cottonwood Provincial Park and the Dunn Peak Protected Area. Fuel up at one of the several restaurants, from fast food to cafés to steak houses.

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Photo Kelly Funk Photography

Photo Holly Louwerse

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Photo Kelly Funk Photography

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Photo Allen Jones

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Photo Connie Falk 1. FIND THE LAKES

Discover a plethora of serene lakes surrounding Barriere. Some are large, some quaint, but all are wildly gorgeous.

2. READY TO SHRED?

Cruise down the ‘super fast and flowy’ Section Zero trail built by the Simpcw First Nation. It’s a worldclass trail.

3. COWBOY UP

You’ll find nowhere better to dig into our deep western roots than at the North Thompson Fall Fair & Rodeo. The Fair happens annually on Labour Day weekend.

4. GOT TIME FOR FISHING?

The area is an angler’s paradise. Set out to find untamed wilderness & peace at Bonaparte Provincial Park and cast your line at lakes like Gorman, Allan, and Wind along the way.

5. SKY ABOVE, EARTH BELOW, PEACE WITHIN

19,353-hectare Dunn Peak Protected Area is an adventurer’s dream come true. Enjoy majestic mountains while you meander through the wild backcountry.

Drop into the Barriere Visitor Centre or visit us online at explorelowernorththompson.com

TOP 5

EXPERIENCES

YEAR-ROUND RECREATION

Wintertime means it’s time to get out into the wild. Soak up the quiet as you try ice fishing on one of our hundreds of lakes. Explore the Lower North Thompson Valley on cross-country skis, snowshoes, or snowmobiles. As temperatures rise, these same trails turn into hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. You may find yourself beside a river or lake, enjoying wildflower meadows or up on windswept craggy trails.

All 19,353 hectares of Dunn Peak Protected Area are filled with glorious wilderness. It’s a backcountry recreation goldmine. Drive west on Hwy 24 (Land of Hidden Waters) off Highway 5, and you’ll find some of the best year-round fishing spots. There are also fly-in fishing camps to spend your days on the water and your nights by the fire. While you are here, visit Dunn Lake Hatchery, managed and operated by the Simpcw First Nation. Salmon are raised here to support the local waterways.

Amid all the wild, unwind with a game of golf. Breathtaking landscapes accompany lush fairways with well-groomed greens. Courses include Bighorn Golf & Country Club, Rivershore Golf, and a 9-hole championship golf course in Chinook Cove. The scenic surroundings and good company should help to make great memories.

Dogsledding along Barriere’s snowy trails.

Photo Lower North Thompson Valley

Wildflower-covered hilltops make for a picturesque hike in Barriere.

Photo Connie Falk

Horseback riders weave their way through autumn foliage.

Photo Connie Falk GIDDY-UP

This is ranch country. Saddle up and experience our western roots on horseback. With a guide, you’ll learn how to communicate with the horses on their level. Then, as a reward, you get to head out and explore the valley on the back of your trusty steed.

Come Labour Day weekend, you can get your cowboy on at the annual North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo. See, smell and taste the community pride in the locals’ artisanal goods. Exhilarating events like bull riding, steer wrestling and logger sports are all available. Then, relax at night with family dances, cabarets and cowboy poetry.

Relish a celebration with the Secwepemc people at the Kamloopa PowWow, put on by the Tk’emlúpsemc First Nation. Enjoy the dancing, drumming, and art by traditional performers and artists.

Our Future

Simpcw First Nation is committed to creating a strong future for our people. We strive to uphold our culture, as well as work towards economic sustainability and professional development for our community.

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Simpcw First Nation is one of 17 bands that make up the Secwepemc Nation. Simpcwul’ecw (Simpcw territory) covers 5,000,000 hectares and extends north to Kakwa Park, south to Vinsulla, west of Goat River, and east of Jasper, including the North Thompson Valley. Simpcw people are known for their hunting and shing abilities, as well their extensive plant and wildlife knowledge.

ADMINISTRATION OFFICE

Simpcw First Nation: 7555 Dunn Lake Road, Barriere, B.C. Of ce Hours: 8 am-4 pm Monday to Friday Reach Us: Phone: 250.672.9995 Fax: 250.672.5858 Email: reception@simpcw.com Web: www.simpcw.com

ACCOMMODATION

Sleep soundly under the stars, or cuddle under the blanket beside a cozy fireplace. You’ll find lodges, resorts, guest ranches, hotels, motels and inns in the Lower North Thompson. Heck, you can even brush horses and do chores at Jandana Ranch. So pick your level of wildness and snuggle in for a good night’s sleep. Several resorts here have camping and RV sites, and there are dozens of private and provincial campgrounds here.

Riders enjoy a panoramic view of Barriere’s valley and hills.

Photo Connie Falk