Extraordinary Road Trips Showcasing the Diversity of British Columbia
From Vancouver, British Columbia, it is a 12-14 hour drive to the Tweedsmuir Park Lodge.
Yes, it's a long way, especially if you are used to European distances, but it is worth the effort and there are many remarkable places to stop along the way.
We recommend travelling north along Highway 99 through Whistler, Pemberton, and Lillooet as it is a very scenic and enjoyable drive.
You would start in Vancouver and head north on Highway 99 until it intersects with Highway 97 north of Cache Creek. This first part of the trip will take about 5 hours of driving. From there it's 2 hours north to Williams Lake.
From Williams Lake, you will want to head west on Highway 20 for approximately 5 hours. Watch for signs for Bella Coola. Please note that there is no cell phone service between Williams Lake and Bella Coola and only a few places to stop to fuel. It is best to fill up your fuel tank and charge your phone in Williams Lake before heading west.
Be sure to consult the Drive BC website for the latest highway updates and conditions.
There is very little traffic along Highway 20 and you have a clear sense of heading into the wilderness. As you leave Williams Lake the road first narrows from three lanes to two lanes and then narrows further until there is no longer a white centre line.
The last 60 kilometres into the Bella Coola Valley is a dirt road. The road is well maintained and can easily be driven by standard model cars. Four-wheel drive is not necessary; however, it is a good idea to have a spare tire change kit and to know how to use it.
Without a doubt, the most impressive part of the drive is the 15 kilometres of road that drops 5,000 vertical feet from the Chilcotin Plateau down into the Bella Coola Valley. Don't forget to gear down.
The people of Bella Coola built this part of the road as a private initiative in 1953. At that time, the only way into Bella Coola was by boat. The government argued that building a road link would be too difficult because of the rugged terrain and steep descent. Not to be deterred, the local community rallied together and slowly clawed their way up out of the valley to link up with Highway 20, now also known as the Freedom Highway.
From the bottom of the "hill" it is another 17 kilometres to the Tweedsmuir Park Lodge. There are signs on the side of the road so we should be easy to find.
Do you have an electric car? If so, don't worry, we have a charging station available for complimentary use for guests of the lodge (NEMA 14-50).
