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Barkerville is a preserved gold rush town in the Cariboo Mountains of central British Columbia. It grew almost overnight after Billy Barker struck gold on Williams Creek in the 1860s, briefly becoming one of the largest settlements in western North America. Today the town is a living history site, with more than a hundred restored and reconstructed buildings that bring the boom era back to life.
The main street, with its wooden boardwalks and false-fronted shops, is the heart of a visit. Costumed interpreters play the roles of miners, merchants and townspeople, and performances at the Theatre Royal recall the entertainment of the period. Barkerville also had a large Chinese community, and its legacy is unusually well preserved: the Chee Kung Tong building and the Tai Ping house are among the structures that tell the story of Chinese miners and businesses. Visitors can sit in the Barkerville school, try gold panning and walk to Billy Barker's claim along Williams Creek. Nearby, the village of Wells offers lodging and an artsy feel, and Bowron Lake Provincial Park is known for its multi-day canoe circuit.
Barkerville suits families, history enthusiasts and road-trippers. The historic route of the Cariboo Wagon Road connects the area to Quesnel, the main service town to the west.
WiserMap travel guideBarkerville British Columbia Gold Rush BoardwalksWalk the boardwalks of Barkerville, the Cariboo Gold Rush town in British Columbia, with its Theatre Royal, Chinese heritage, Wells galleries and Bowron Lakes.Read the guide
The heart of Barkerville Historic Town, a gold rush street of more than 100 heritage buildings with boardwalks, shops, a bakery and costumed interpreters who play residents of the 1860s and 1870s. Plan a full day to explore. Visit in summer, when most buildings and programs are open.
A small Anglican church built in 1869 at the end of the main street, one of the oldest churches still in use in British Columbia. Its simple wooden design was built by local miners. Step inside to see the original pews, and check if a service or a heritage wedding is taking place.
A restored courthouse up Williams Creek from the town, linked to Judge Matthew Begbie, who tried gold rush cases in the Cariboo. In summer, interpreters stage lively court sessions. Reach it by a walk of about 2 km along the old wagon road, and wear comfortable shoes for the climb.
A reconstructed gold rush theatre on the main street, where actors stage daily summer shows of music, comedy and melodrama in the style of the 1870s. It is one of the highlights of a visit. Check the daily schedule when you arrive, and buy your seats early as shows often fill up.
One of the oldest surviving buildings of the Chinese Freemasons in Canada, built as a meeting hall for the large Chinese community of the gold fields. Inside are original furnishings and displays on its history. It is a key national historic site, so take time to read the panels.
The upper end of the town preserves the buildings of one of the oldest Chinatowns in Canada, including stores, homes and the Tai Ping house, with exhibits about Chinese miners, merchants and families. Interpreters tell their stories in summer. Allow an hour to explore this part of the town.
A marker on Williams Creek shows where English miner Billy Barker struck rich gold in 1862, sparking the boomtown that took his name. Nearby displays show the shafts and water wheels used for mining. Combine it with a walk along the creek to imagine the gold fields at their peak.
A hillside cemetery above the town with wooden grave markers and headstones of miners, merchants and families from the gold rush era, many dying young. It gives a moving picture of life in the gold fields. Walk respectfully and follow the signs from the end of the historic town.
A restored schoolhouse where costumed teachers run lively Victorian style lessons for visitors in summer, with slates, strict rules and old fashioned penmanship. Children usually love taking part. Check the posted times when you arrive, as the classes run on a set daily schedule.
A gold panning spot near the town where visitors learn to swirl a pan of gravel to find real flakes of gold, guided by staff in period dress. Whatever you find is yours to keep in a small vial. It costs a small extra fee, and is a favourite activity for kids and families.
Horse drawn stagecoach rides along the main street and old road give a feel for travel in the gold rush days, when coaches ran on the Cariboo Wagon Road. Rides are short and popular with families. Buy tickets at the stagecoach office early in the day, as they can sell out.
A wilderness park about 30 km east of Barkerville, famous for its canoe circuit of lakes, rivers and portages of about 116 km that usually takes six to ten days. Moose, bears and beavers are common. Paddlers must reserve and attend an orientation, but shorter day paddles are possible too.
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Photo: Mike from Vancouver, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Mike from Vancouver, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Mike from Vancouver, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Mike from Vancouver, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Mike from Vancouver, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Ssarjola at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
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Photo: Mike from Vancouver, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Mike from Vancouver, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Trougnouf, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
