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Our Season starts on May 1!
See You There!
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Historic
Hat Creek Ranch
offers a rare opportunity to explore the original buildings of a key
location in
the transportation history of the Cariboo. The site also present the
story of
early use of the valley by people of the Shuswap Nation and their more
recent
contribution to the growth of the ranching industry. Here in the dry
rainshadow
climate, east of the Coast Range mountains, a unique blend of cultures
has
evolved in a landscape of sage, bunchgrass and Ponderosa pines. Come
and
experience one of the most distinctive heritage sites in British
Columbia.
Interpreters in period clothing will take you on a guided tour of the
1860s
Roadhouse, which catered to miners, pack-train operators, stagecoaches
and wagon
trains right up until 1916 when the automobile was first introduced to
the
Cariboo. Stroll through the beautiful heritage apple
orchard, view
our collection of antique agricultural equipment, and explore the ranch
barns
and outbuildings, some of which have recently been restored with the
generous
help of the Province of British Columbia.
A brief walk along beautiful Hat Creek will take you to our Native
Village,
where members of the Shuswap Nation share their fascinating history and
culture
with our visitors and interpret the many original displays that are
shown on the
site, which include an authentic Kekuli (pit house), the
traditional winter
home of the Shuswap built half above and half below ground.
For a different type of adventure, we offer stagecoach rides along the
historic
"Cariboo Wagon Road", gold
panning, archery and more.
Other site amenities include our attractively stocked gift shop in its
new
location and an air-conditioned licensed restaurant, which has recently
been expanded
to accommodate up to 75 guests indoors and offers fantastic food and
great
hospitality. Patrons can also enjoy a glass of wine or an ice-cold beer
on our
outdoor patios overlooking the valley.
School and youth groups can select from our ½-day, 1-day or
2.5-day programs,
which include touring, meals and a variety of unique, period-related
activities
for interactive participation. School groups will receive one
complimentary
adult admission for every 10 students. Also available is our secondary
students
First Nations Studies Program that can be customized to meet BC First
Nations
Studies 12 curriculum standards.
For outdoor enthusiasts, camping is available for both individuals and
groups.
Our facilities include canvas “Miners Tents”, a Tee
Pee, comfortable
cabins with private bathrooms and numerous RV sites (8 with electrical
hook-ups). For non-RV
travelers, an abundance of tenting sites is available. All camping
locations
are situated an easy walk from washrooms, showers, fire pits and our
Roadhouse
Restaurant.
For those wishing to experience a unique aspect of the Shuswap native
heritage,
we offer overnight stays in a reconstructed Kekuli lodge (underground
pit
house) that can comfortably accommodate 18-20 adults or 20-25 children.
The
Kekuli is located in a beautiful, secluded section of the site at the
junction
of Hat Creek and the Bonaparte River, and includes outdoor washrooms, a
fire
pit, and storage facilities. Showers are located near the Visitor
Reception Centre.
The Ranch caters to weddings and reunions, with the orchard serving as
the
perfect backdrop for a truly romantic outdoor ceremony and the hay shed
being
available for gatherings and dances. We also present a variety of
unique and
distinctive events throughout the season that include our Draft Horse
Demonstration, and the Bonaparte
Pow Wow (details available upon request).
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require further
information on
our products and services. We look forward to seeing you in 2012!
General Manager
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