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British Columbia Travel Guide

Twin Lakes - North Okanagan

British Columbia, Canada’s westernmost province, is made for road trips and outdoor adventures. Mountains, forests, lakes, wild rivers and a rugged Pacific coastline make this one of Canada’s great wilderness destinations.

I’ve travelled extensively throughout British Columbia, exploring backroads, camping in remote places and discovering small towns far from the usual tourist routes. This guide brings together my favourite BC road trips, towns and wilderness destinations to help you plan your own adventure.

Whether you’re heading into the mountains, following an old gold-rush route, searching for natural hot springs or exploring northern BC, there is always another road leading somewhere worth discovering.

Google Map of British Columbia

See where BC’s highways, communities and wilderness destinations are located on the map.

Explore British Columbia

British Columbia is a huge province, and each region offers something different. Explore the regions below for scenic road trips, small towns, wilderness adventures and some of my favourite off-the-beaten-path places.

Thompson Okanagan

The Thompson Okanagan is my home region and one of my favourite parts of British Columbia to explore by road. Beyond the busy Okanagan Valley, you’ll find quiet backroads, small towns, lakes, ranch country and plenty of places to get away from the crowds.

Road Trips & Places

Towns

Hiking & Outdoor Adventures

Kootenay Rockies

The Kootenay Rockies are made for road trips, with mountain scenery, hot springs, historic towns and plenty of quieter roads to explore. My travels through this part of southeastern British Columbia have taken me through both the Rocky Mountains and the West Kootenays, including some wonderful off-the-beaten-path stops along the way.

Cariboo & Chilcotin

My first taste of the untamed wilderness of the Cariboo Chilcotin was years ago, exploring the South Chilcotin Mountains on horseback. I’ve returned to this part of British Columbia many times since, travelling its backroads and discovering historic gold-rush towns, remote mountain country and the spectacular road to Bella Coola.

The wild beauty of this region has stayed with me ever since.

Road Trips & Places

Towns

Northern BC

Northern British Columbia is where distances get longer, communities smaller, and the wilderness much bigger. Follow remote highways through mountain country, explore the Nass Valley, cross into tiny Hyder, Alaska, or head north to Atlin for some of the most spectacular scenery in the province.

Road Trips and Places

Towns

Discover British Columbia’s Best Small Towns

Some of my favourite places in British Columbia aren’t the famous destinations, but the small towns I’ve discovered while travelling the province’s highways and backroads.

From historic gold-rush communities and mountain towns to remote northern settlements, these are 25 of my favourite small towns in BC and the places that make each one worth a stop.

25 Best Small Towns In BC To Visit

Outdoor Adventures in British Columbia

British Columbia is made for outdoor adventure. Hiking, camping, paddling, fishing and exploring backroads have been part of many of my travels throughout the province.

For a different BC experience, spend a few days at a wilderness ranch or take in the action at a small-town rodeo. Wherever you go, some of the best experiences are found away from the major tourist centres.

Camping & Wilderness Travel in British Columbia

Camping is one of the best ways to experience British Columbia, especially once you leave the busy tourist areas behind. From provincial park campgrounds to remote recreation sites and free camping in the backcountry, there are plenty of ways to stay close to nature.

I’ve spent years camping and travelling through British Columbia, often heading down backroads and staying far from established campgrounds. These guides will help you find places to camp and prepare for your own BC wilderness adventure.

Plan Your BC Road Trip

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