The HISTORY of our area: Explore the Cariboo with a focus on its rich history. Downlaod the Cariboo Chilcotin Historic Driving Tour Guide & Map brochure , access a mobile-friendly digital map, or visit www.cariboord.ca/historictour for more info.
Visit "downtown" Lone Butte to see the water tower, the caboose, and the Alice Singleton Heritage house:
The concept of a railway in the Cariboo began in 1891 and after a few failed attempts, the Pacific Great Eastern (PGE) railway was chartered in 1912. By 1915 it ran 176 miles from the coastal town of Squamish to Clinton/Chasm area. The “Iron Horse” brought food, supplies, passengers, and mail to the interior communities. It was an economic lifeline to the Cariboo and was used primarily to ship cattle out of the area.Purchased by the BC government in 1918, the PGE reached Lone Butte, elevation 3900 feet, at the end of April 1919. A construction camp with a kitchen staff of 25 cooks and helpers was set up to continue the building of the railway.
The water tower with a capacity of 40,000 gallons was completed in 1920. There was a good supply of water for the steam engines and it also gave the early pioneers a year-long source of drinking water. The water tower, one of the few remaining in BC, is located in ‘downtown’ Lone Butte at the Water Tower Park, which is open from May to October. (source: https://www.lonebuttecommunityhall.ca/history)
The South Cariboo and its diverse landscape offers great BIRD WATCHING & WILDLIFE VIEWING. Bring your own binoculars or rent them from us. Start exploring right from your front porch or RV site at Fawn Lake Resort.
To identify birds, get the MERLIN app from the Cornell Lab for your mobile phone.
FISHING is key in the South Cariboo. Before you go and explore one of the many lakes in our area take a closer look at the fishing section on the Fishing Highway 24 webpage.
The 99 MILE RECREATION AREA offers walking, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, moto-cross, equestrian and archery. Just south of 100 Mile House turn onto Ainsworth Road to access this recreation haven! It is home to the 100 Mile Nordics, 100 Mile Snowmobile Club and the famous Stormrider trail used by the HunCity Mountain Bike Club.
The DEMONSTRATION FOREST AND NATURE TRAIL IS managed for multiple uses and a wonderful opportunity to discover this natural forested area. This is also an active Woodlot area so please obey any signage.
For more information on the 99 Mile Recreation area, woodlot and demonstration forest trails please contact the District office at 250-395-2434 Demo Forest Brochure
The BRIDGE LAKE ICE CAVES, trails & public fishing dock are only a short drive away. Head east on highway 24 for 19km, then turn left at the ice caves road sign.
The unique geology of the Bridge Lake shoreline features several basalt cliffs (scarps), that have been shaped & transformed through thousands of years of erosion. Erosion & weathering of the scaprs gradually wears away rock over time, resulting in numerous crevices & caves. Snow & ice melts and seeps through the crevices into the caves below, where it collects and re-freezes, sometimes creating a supply of ice that lasts long into summer. The ice caves are located within the traditional territory of the Secwépemc nation. The Bridge Lake Ice Caves are known to the local First Nations as "Entrance to the Bear World", and local artist Jerome Boyce from the Canim Lake Band has created some beautiful Indigenous artwork to honor the site, creating a truly unique experience for visitors.
The MOUNT TIMOTHY RECREATION RESORT is located just 30 minutes outside of Lac la Hache, north of 100 Mile House . It's a family-oriented ski hill, that is locally owned & operated. A chair-lift, a T-Bar, and different magic carpets take you uphill so you can safely enjoy our Cariboo champagne powder. Ski & snowboard lessons, as well as equipment and tube rentals are available. This is a great family fun day trip idea if you're staying at Fawn Lake Resort.