Home to incredible scenery, the 'Canyon' area, which actually includes the canyons of both the Fraser River and the Thompson River, is perhaps best known as the Rafting Capital of Canada. This is river rafting country! Numerous first class commercial rafting companies guide visitors through the white waters of these adventurous river routes.
For those seeking "tamer" activities, hiking, camping and fishing are all available.
Lytton, BC, is located 259 km from the city of Vancouver, 111 km north of Hope, and 84 km south of Cache Creek. Located where the green waters of the Thompson River meets with the brown, silt-laden Fraser River, Lytton is the site of a native Indian village, and was also along the path taken by hardy prospectors who made their way north to the gold fields. Gold rush history as well as native culture are all visible through the different buildings and activities.
Boston Bar is 42 km (26 miles) north of Yale, 62 km (38 miles) north of Hope and 38 km (24 miles) south of Lytton on the Trans Canada Hwy #1. Like other towns along the Fraser Canyon, it came into being because of the gold found in the area. Many of the gold seekers in this region were Americans, and because the ships that brought them to British Columbia shores generally came from Boston, they became known as "Boston men," hence the name Boston Bar.
Yale sits on the banks of the Fraser River, 26 km (16 miles) north of Hope and 76 km (46 miles) south of Lytton. The mountains go down to the river's edge, while the water churns and snarls heading for the Pacific Ocean. This is one of the oldest communities in BC, and one of the most historic as well. In the year 1848, it became a Hudson's Bay Company fort, named for James Yale, an officer in charge of Fort Langley. Yale gained importance as the inland terminus of the Fraser River Sternwheelers and also the beginning of the "wagon road" to the Cariboo goldfields. It is about 2 hours driving time to Vancouver.
