Red Cariboo Resort FAQ
- Where is the resort located?
The resort is located in the heart of British Columbia, in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region of the Western Chilcotin, on a high plateau. The area has enjoyed increasing popularity with tourists in recent years due to its rugged, pristine landscape, remoteness, and abundant wildlife.
From Williams Lake, it's about a four-hour drive along Highway 20 toward Bella Coola to reach the Red Cariboo Resort. The resort comprises two properties, situated approximately 10 minutes apart by car. The cabins, communal kitchen, reception, future restaurant, horse stable, and team quarters are located on the main property, which spans approximately 60 hectares along the Dean River. Our apartments, as well as our canoes and kayaks, are located on Elsey Road, directly on Anahim Lake. - How can I get there?
1. Option: Flying
- Fly from Vancouver to Anahim Lake: Flights from Vancouver (YVR) to Anahim Lake (YAA) are offered by Pacific Coastal Airlines (free airport transfers from and to Anahim Lake Airport, info please 2 days before your arrival)
- Fly from Vancouver to Williams Lake, rent a car, 340 km to the resort
- Fly from Vancouver to Bella Coola, rent a car, 135 km to the resort
2. Option: Drive from Vancouver: beautiful journey, you can make the 1100 km distance from Vancouver to Anahim Lake in one day if you drive all day long, but Canada is well known for jaw-dropping landscapes, and there’s plenty on your way here!
3. Option: Ferry from Vancouver Island, Port Hardy to Bella Coola; ferry trip takes at least 10 hours, depending on the season; Bella Coola – Anahim Lake by car, 135 km distance - What is the weather like in Anahim Lake?
Anahim Lake (1,115 meters high) has a continental climate, characterized by generally warm summers and cold winters with permafrost. The weather on the Chilcotin high plateau can fluctuate significantly.
Summer/Fall: Temperatures typically do not exceed 30 degrees C. However, the nights are pretty remarkable, and a slight frost is sometimes possible. The season from June to September is ideal for enjoying our summer activities. However, since the climate is changing significantly here as well, many activities are now possible earlier in the year, up to October. In principle, it can snow all year round, but the snow remains from October / November and has melted again by May at the latest.
Winter: From December to March, we typically experience a significant amount of snow. It gets cold at night, sometimes dropping to -20 degrees C or even -50 degrees C. Nevertheless, the temperatures during the day are mostly around -10 degrees C, so our winter activities can still be enjoyed, with the proper winter clothing and shoes. - What activities do you offer?
In the main resort, there are many options for outdoor activities in the Chilcotin area all year round. Summer & Fall: hiking, mountain biking, ATV/quad tours, seaplane tours, fishing, canoeing, wildlife watching, stargazing, hunting, horseback riding, relaxing at the waterfront, and more. Winter: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, ice fishing, snowmobiling, winter riding, and others. Spring activities depend greatly on the weather, especially how much it has thawed. However, if you dress appropriately, many excursions are possible. Please let us know which activities you'd like to try, and we will do our best to accommodate your requests. Alternatively, we can connect you with the relevant tour providers. - What type of accommodations are available?
Red Cariboo Apartments offer three types: garden view apartments, classic apartments, and lake view apartments. The apartments accommodate 2-4 persons, measure approximately 39 sqm, and include WiFi. Two-storey layout: living room with TV, fully equipped kitchen, dining area, and bathroom downstairs, sleeping loft with two queen-size beds upstairs.
We also have a common area at the apartments’ property, including a patio with a gazebo, a propane fire pit, a covered picnic table, and a BBQ; a coin-operated washer and dryer; direct access to Anahim Lake; and a view of the surrounding Coastal Mountains.
Red Cariboo Resort has wo different categories:
Big cabins, capacity: 4-6 persons, size: approximately 75 sqm; On the lower level, there is a small hallway, a utility corner with a fridge and microwave, and an airy lounge with a large table that offers an unobstructed view of the Dean River below. There is also a bedroom with a king-size bed, a bathroom with a shower, and a separate toilet downstairs. Upstairs, accessible via a standard staircase, the spacious cabin features a cozy living area with a pull-out sofa (suitable for a queen-size bed for two people), a large flat-screen TV, and an additional bedroom with a king-size bed.
Small cabins, with a maximum capacity of four persons, are approximately 34 sqm in size. The lower level features a comfortable living area, complete with a plush sofa and a large flat-screen TV. You'll also find a convenient fridge and microwave, as well as a bathroom with a shower, all designed to make you feel right at home. There are two queen-size beds in the sleeping area, located on the upper level. PLEASE NOTE: The upper level can only be reached via a ladder or very steep stairs. These cabins are not suitable for children under ten years of age or adults who are no longer physically able to climb a steep ladder.
Main resort area: community kitchen, coin-operated washer and dryer; reception building: customer lounge with TV, pool table, foosball, toilet, meeting space. - How can I make a booking?
You can book directly through our website at https://www.redcariboo.com, send us an email to info@redcariboo.com, or call us at +1 250 742 3287. - Are you open for the season?
Yes, we are open all year round! We offer a variety of activities suited to each season. Please keep in mind that spring (March, April, May) can be very muddy as the ground thaws. Sometimes cars get stuck, and rubber boots can sink into the mud. - Are pets welcome?
Pets are welcome at certain accommodations. Please notify us beforehand if you plan to travel with your pet, and we will respond to your request promptly. - Can we smoke at Red Cariboo Apartments?
We operate a NON-SMOKING resort. This includes cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, vaping, and any other form of smoking.
However, you can smoke at the gazebo, designated as the smoking area at the Red Cariboo Apartments. This is the only area where smoking is allowed. Please refrain from disposing of your ashes and/or butts in the fire pit or anywhere other than the ash receptacles that have been provided in the designated area.
In the main resort, you can smoke by the fire pit, a few steps away from the cabins.
Smoking in an undesignated area anywhere else on the resort property is subject to a $300 CAD penalty per occurrence. - Do you accept credit cards on-site?
Yes, we accept cash and major credit cards. - Do you offer airport transfers?
Yes, we can pick you up at Anahim Lake Airport. Please give us at least 2 days ' notice before your arrival.
If you book a flight to Williams Lake Airport, you can rent a car and drive 340 km to the resort. However, a limit of 100 km per day is usually standard.
If you book a flight to Bella Coola, you can rent a car and drive 135 km to the resort. - Do you accept last-minute bookings?
We kindly request that our guests make a reservation 24 hours before arrival. However, the main property, Red Cariboo Resort, is occupied 24/7, as the owner and staff reside on-site. Therefore, in an emergency (e.g., flight/ferry cancellations), we are here to help you the best way we can. - Is there cell service in Anahim Lake?
Please note that there is only intermittent cell service between Williams Lake and Bella Coola. Cell reception often drops outside the small communities along the highway. If you encounter problems while on the move, you may have to walk several kilometres until you regain reception from a new radio tower. We strongly recommend using a smartphone and downloading maps for offline use. Most common map applications on smartphones support this feature. The GPS on smartphones generally still works even if there is no cell service. - Is there a restaurant in the resort?
We do not yet have a restaurant. This is planned for the next year, 2026. Our apartments are fully equipped with kitchens, and we suggest self-catering. In the resort, our cabins feature a fridge and a coffee machine, but they do not have kitchens. Instead, we have a fully equipped community kitchen, a separate building, that is available to all guests of the cabins who want to cater for themselves, cook and bake, or organize sociable cooking events. We recommend you go shopping on your way and bring your groceries with you. In Anahim Lake, we only have small general stores, but there is no supermarket. Nevertheless, there are some trim options for dining out of the resort in Anahim Lake and Nimpo Lake. - Are Red Cariboo Resort and Red Cariboo Apartments at the same address?
Please consider - we have two properties: 1. Red Cariboo Resort is the main, big property directly located on the Chilcotin Highway 20 just past Anahim Lake. In the resort, we offer the Big Cabins. 2. Red Cariboo Apartments, the other property is on Elsey Road in Anahim Lake, approximately a 10-minute drive to the resort. Make sure you know where to go! :) - How is medical care in Anahim Lake?
There is basic healthcare in Anahim Lake (Ulkatcho Health Clinic), a small hospital in Bella Coola (135 km), and a larger hospital in Williams Lake (340 km). Nevertheless, medical facilities in bigger cities must be consulted for detailed medical treatment. - Can you swim in Anahim Lake?
Anahim Lake is about 3 metres deep at its deepest point. However, in summer, creepers grow from the ground up to a length of 2.5 metres. They are found roughly midway through the lake at the surface or just below. In the rest of the lake, they are located at a maximum depth of 50 centimetres below the surface. This is not a problem for good swimmers. However, some swimmers panic when they feel these creepers around their legs. Therefore, Anahim Lake is excellent for all kinds of water sports, but may not be suitable for those who prefer not to be in the water. We have kayaks and canoes available for rent, or you can bring your own. - Can you do laundry in the resort?
Yes, you can! A coin-operated washing machine and a coin dryer are available in the laundry room of the apartment building and in the community kitchen on the main property for your personal laundry use. The use of each washer or dryer costs $4.00. The machines only accept Canadian one-dollar coins. Complimentary laundry detergent is also provided. - Is Red Cariboo Resort suitable for families?
Please note that we are in a very remote area with no proper medical care for children in Anahim Lake. The nearest larger hospital is in Williams Lake (340 km, about 4 hours driving). While our rooms provide ample space for families and we offer a variety of activities for families, we only recommend family holidays in the resort for families with older children (12 years and above). Parents are always responsible for their children. We do not provide children's entertainment or activities due to provincial legislation. - What should I pack in spring and fall?
How you pack your suitcase depends entirely on when you visit us, since the seasons here can vary greatly.
Spring and fall: The weather during this time of year can be unpredictable. Several light layers of clothing, which you can add or remove as needed, are recommended. We also suggest a windbreaker and an extra transitional jacket, as well as a light hat, due to the cool nights in Canada during these seasons.
Where it is damp and water is present, mosquitoes and insects also thrive, so packing effective insect repellent should be considered from May to September. Long-sleeved flannel shirts and long trousers have also proven to be effective against mosquitoes.
Because rain or snow can arrive unexpectedly here in the Chilcotin Plateau, always bring suitable rain gear, like a dependable waterproof rain jacket or poncho. - What should I pack in summer?
How you pack your suitcase depends entirely on when you visit us, as the seasons here vary considerably. Summer: We recommend lightweight, breathable clothing such as comfortable trousers and a windproof jacket. Since evenings can get chilly, a cozy, warm sweater is essential. For hiking, pack a quality pair of hiking shoes. Although the many lakes and rivers seem inviting for a cool-off, remember they are very cold! Active swimmers should wear a wetsuit instead of swimwear. Because it can suddenly rain or snow in Canada, always pack proper rain gear, such as a water-resistant rain jacket or poncho. In damp areas with water, mosquitoes and other insects thrive, so it's recommended to bring insect repellent from May to September. Long-sleeved flannel shirts and long trousers are also effective in repelling insects. - What should I pack in winter?
How you pack your suitcase depends entirely on when you visit us, as the seasons here are very different from one another. Winter: Winter in Canada can be fun, with the proper clothing. Pack your warmest winter jacket, waterproof, lined shoes, and other winter essentials such as gloves, hats, thermal underwear, and wool socks. If you plan to engage in outdoor activities, it is recommended to wear warm, functional underwear and boots with good traction. Since it can suddenly rain or snow here in Canada, please always pack proper rain protection, such as a good waterproof rain jacket or poncho.
