NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 587

the end of the park access road is a large day-use area and a stretch of sandy beach. Be-
hind this area is a nature trail dotted with interpretive panels. To be assured of a site in
the campground (mid-May-mid-Sept., $16) make reservations through Discover Camping
(519/826-6850 or 800/689-9025, www.discovercamping.ca ) . The park also marks the east-
ern edge of an area known as the Lakes District, comprising more than 300 fish-filled
lakes. Traveling this stretch of the highway in summer, you'll notice all the vehicles hauling
canoes, kayaks, or small fishing boats.
The town of Fraser Lake (pop. 1,300), 60 kilometers (37 miles) west of Vanderhoof, lies
on a chunk of land sloping gently down to its namesake lake. In winter, trumpeter swans
settle in at each end of the lake. In summer, a salmon run on the Stellako River —a short
stretch of water between Fraser and Francois Lakes—draws scores of eager anglers. Over-
looking Fraser Lake, Piper's Glen RV Park (250/690-7565, www.pipersglenresort.com ,
May-Sept., camping $20-26, cabins $40-26) has a grassy lakeshore camping area with full
hookups, showers, wireless Internet, and peddle boat rentals.
Just west of Fraser Lake, a turnoff leads south to Francois Lake, another popular fishing
hole. Glenannan Tourist Area, at the lake's east end, boasts a handful of fishing resorts
providing everything an angler could possibly desire. Right on the lake and excellent value,
Noralee Resort (49400 Colleymount Rd., 250/695-6399, www.noraleeresort.com , camp-
ing $15-20, cabins $70-80 s or d) is well suited for anglers (tackle shop and motorboat rent-
als for a reasonable $80 per day), but everyone is welcome.
BURNS LAKE AND VICINITY
The first thing you see when you enter Burns Lake (pop. 2,600) is an enormous chainsaw-
carved trout with the inscription “Three Thousand Miles of Fishing!” That pretty much
sums up what attracts visitors to the town and surrounding Lakes District.
Sights and Recreation
Continue west along the highway through downtown for about one kilometer (0.6 mile)
until you come to the green and white Heritage Centre (540 Hwy. 16, 250/692-3773,
9am-5pm daily July-Aug., adult $3), comprising a museum and the local information cen-
ter. The museum is housed in a 1919 home whose furnished rooms contain an odd assort-
ment of articles, including memorabilia from an old ship (viewed through a porthole). For a
wonderful view of the area, follow 5th Avenue up the hill out of town, then take the turnoff
to Boer Mountain Forestry Lookout. Rockhounds will prefer to head 6.5 kilometers (four
miles) south of town to Eagle Creek Opal Beds, one of Canada's few opal deposits. From