Arrive earlier in the day and explore around town. We will be staying at the Hat Creek Historic Village. Meet the cavalcade leader and settle in for the night. Supper will be at the restaurant on site. This is the start of a 21-day exploration of the northern parts of the four western provinces. From this point on we will travel 200-250 km per day

Sign-in: Hat Creek Ranch - Junction Hwy 99 & 97
Camping: Hat Creek Ranch
Supper: Hat Creek Ranch - 6:30 p.m.
Sani Dump: Cache Creek Info Centre

The first day's travel is through the historic Cariboo Gold Rush area. We will travel through Clinton, past the Chasm Ecological Reserve, then 70, 100, 108, Mile Houses. The various communities with Mile in their name are based on the distance from Lillooet, Mile zero of the Cariboo Wagon Road. They were stops to change horses, rest, and grab some grub. After all the Houses carry on through Lac la Hache, the longest community in the Cariboo stretched out along the length of the lake to 150 Mile House and stopping in Williams Lake for the night. We will be overnighting at the Williams Lake Stampede Grounds.

Camping
Stampede Grounds Campground
Junction Hwy 97 and 20
Bella Coola Highway

Supper
TBD

Sani Dump
Stampede Grounds

From William’s Lake we will travel north to Quesnel which is still on the Gold Rush Trail. There is a 1st Nations Heritage Site located 35 km north of William’s Lake. McLeese Lake is a very attractive lake with an outdoor Information Centre. We will spend a couple of nights at Robert’s Roost resort on Dragon Lake on the southern part of Quesnel. This lake offers excellent trout fishing in the spring and fall.

Camping: Roberts Roost Resort on Gook Road
Supper: Roberts Roost Resort
Sani Dump: Roberts Roost

Camping: Roberts Roost Resort on Gook Road
Supper: Roberts Roost Resort
Sani Dump: Roberts Roost

Camping: Grizzly Inn Motel & RV Park

Supper: Bear Lake Community Park

Sani Dump: TBD

As we continue our journey north we will pass several beautiful lakes before the Hwy starts to turn eastward near the Mackenzie turn-off. The Highway also starts to climb as we enter the Pine Pass. Bijoux Falls are located just off the highway 33 km from the Mackenzie junction then a welcome stop for a bite to eat and stretch the legs at Azouzetta Lake. Located 105 km NE of Azouzetta Lake is Chetwynd. Chetwynd hosts the International Chainsaw Carving Competition each year at the Chetwynd & Area Recreation Centre.

Camping: TBD
Supper: TBD
Sani Dump: 5633 Westgate Road NW

Camping: Mile Zero Campground
Supper: Walter Wright Hall
Sani Dump: Mile Zero Campground

The Mile Zero Post has the original mileage of communities along the highway. There were individual mile posts every mile on the original highway. Over the years the Alaska Highway has had upgrades that have replaced bridges, straightened, and therefore shortened the distances on the highway.

Camping: Mile Zero Campground
Supper: TBD
Sani Dump: Mile Zero Campground

Travelling through some forest before experiencing the rich agricultural land of the Peace Country. Gas up on the cheaper fuel just east of the border at Baytree, then travel eastward through and past several small communities. There are golf courses at Eaglesham and McLennan. The area around Girouxville, Falher, and Donnelly are bi-lingual francophone communities and Falher is the Honey Capital of Canada. McLennan birthplace of NWW Highway and Kimiwan Birdwalk, 12 km south of McLennan we venture off Hwy 2 and eastward on secondary Highway 679 past Winagami Lake. The shallow lake and forest around it are home to many species of birds in the spring, summer, and fall, as well as a stopover site for migrating waterfowl. Approx 48 km east the junction of Hwy 750 turn south to the road to Hillard's Bay Prov Park, 8 km east brings you to Shaw's Point Resort, one of the largest campgrounds along the NWW Highway.

Camping: Elks Campground - across from golf course
Supper: Athabasca Agriplex
Sani Dump: east side of Bridge up hill

Another day of travel through forest and agricultural land with several lakes including Lac la Biche. East of Athabasca is the heaviest truck traffic area from the Junction of Hwy 55 & 63 to the junction north to Fort McMurray with the traffic travelling to and from Fort McMurray and the logging industry NW of hwy 55, but it is only 24 km. Grassland is the place where the trucks are fueled and bodies take on food and snacks. East of Grassland the traffic is calmer. There is the Lac la Biche Mission historic site and the town of Lac la Biche with lots of fishing opportunities as well as one of the top golf courses on the highway. As you get closer to Cold Lake the presence of the oil & gas industry is obvious.

Camping: Cold Lake Energy Centre
Supper: TBD
Sani Dump: Cold Lake Energy Centre

Camping: Cold Lake Energy Centre
Supper: TBD
Sani Dump: Cold lake Energy Centre

This is a day of lakes. Leaving Cold Lake and entering SK passing by Pierceland. Just before Goodsoil, Northern Meadows Golf is another premier course, 11 km off pavement but worth the effort. They have an RV park with all pull-through sites. Meadow Lake Provincial Park runs parallel to Hwy 55 with lots of lakes and campgrounds. Pressing eastward through Meadow Lake and Green Lake, the Hwy turns south along Cowan Lake to Big River. This wilderness region, a boater’s paradise, there are hundreds of lakes, hiking, and fishing opportunities are around almost every corner as well as wildlife and waterfowl.

Camping: Big River Reg Park
Supper: TBD
Sani Dump: Big River Reg Park

One of the largest Provincial Parks in Canada with more than 20 lakes, rivers, and streams, 12 campgrounds with over 800 campsites. Excellent hiking, canoeing, fishing, and swimming.

A horseback and wagon trail ride into the west side of Prince Albert National Park where the largest herd of Wood buffalo roam free. If we are fortunate we may encounter the herd on the ride. There will be a back country lunch provided.

Camping: Big River Regional Park
Supper: TBD
Sani Dump: Big River Regional Park

Camping: Love RV Park
Supper: Stagger Inn Bar & Grill
Sani Dump: 

The road east of Smoky Burn to The Pas is being upgraded. To bypass this rough section, head east on Hwy 55 to Hwy 23 South through Carrot River, We pass Pasquia Reg Park which has a nice 9-hole golf course with elevation changes and lots of water, then onto Arbourfield then south to the junction of Hwy 3 East to Hudson Bay, Sk. The road starts in an agricultural area and eventually travels through parkland and into the forest. We will be overnighting in the large Heritage Park on the west side as you enter the community.

Camping: Al Mazar Heritage Park
Supper: Al Mazar Heritage Park
Sani Dump:

From Hudson Bay continue east on Hwy 3 at the MB border the number changes to Hwy 77. Continue to the junction of Hwy 10 north of Mafeking, continue south past Birch River, and Bowsman into Swan River. We will be staying at the Swan Valley Museum on the northern edge of town.

Magnetic Hill

Experience Magenetic Hill 30 km SW of Swan River.

Camping: Swan Valley Museum
Supper: Swan Valley Museum
Sani Dump:

From Swan River there are several ways to get to Dauphin from Swan River. Head east on Hwy 10 to Minitonas then south on Hwy 366 through Duck Mtn Prov Park 194 km. This gravel road takes you past 50 lakes stocked with a variety of fish. Another shorter version is to stay on Hwy 10 to the Hwy 5 then east 177 km. The 3rd alternate is to travel east from Cowan on hwy 20 which will turn south at Camperville and past Winnipegosis with large commercial fishing boats. 200 km

Camping: Vermillion Park
Supper: TDB
Sani Dump: Vermillion Park

From Dauphin we head east past Dauphin Lake and Beach, and Ste Rose du Lac that has an authentic replica of the Notre Dame de Lourdes Grotto. Continuing east we cross the bridge at the Narrows, which is a good place to stop and stretch your legs, walk down to the lake or on the weir that has the electricity towers to help span the lake. If you are fortunate you may see some pelicans close up.

We are now entering the inter-lakes region of Manitoba which is the area between Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba. There lots of beaches on the east side of Lake Manitoba. We overnight at McEwan Park on the northern edge of the community of Eriksdale.