Tulameen
Tulameen
is located just past Coalmont north east
of Princeton. Situated on Otter Lake,
Tulameen provides Princeton and the surrounding area with some great
recreational opportunities.
Tulameen
River
You will have to turn off at Princeton if you're on Hwy 3 to access
Tulameen. This road is very scenic as it follows the historic Tulameen
River and the Kettle Valley Railway-Trans Canada Trail to Coalmont.
At Coalmont the road continues for another 10-15 minutes to Tulameen.
Small
Community
Tulameen is a very small community with facilities and services
quite limited. There is a store if you require gas and fishing licenses.
A motel is present if you require lodgings and there are also small
cabins available for weekly rental plus a few B & B's. But remember
Tulameen is small so please reserve lodgings during the summer and
hunting seasons.
Hunting
Record-Size Mule Deer
Hunting is very popular during the fall months with the area being
noted for the record-size mule deer. Depending on the regulations,
moose, elk, black bears, grouse, cougar, and coyotes are also present.
KVR Trans-Canada Trail
Tulameen also provides access to Otter Lake and the KVR-Trans Canada
Trail. The trail follows Otter Lake northward towards Brookmere
past Frembd and Thynne Lakes. This is a great bike ride if you enjoy
day trips; otherwise, you can continue the KVR-Trans Canada Trail
to Hope or Merritt.
Otter
Lake Provincial Park
The boating and scenery is great at Otter Lake. If you enjoy camping,
Otter Lake Provincial Park is situated right on the lake. This makes
a good destination point if you're biking on the Kettle Valley Railway
Trans-Canada Trail.
Merritt
or Peachland
After Tulameen the road continues north along Otter Lake towards
Merritt and comes out near Aspen Grove on Hwy 5A. This makes a nice
alternative route to Merritt or Peachland in the Okanagan Valley.
Circle
Route
There are lots of remote fishing lakes with rustic campgrounds along
this route. If you're staying at Princeton, return via Hwy 5A and
complete the circle route through some beautiful country a favourite
route of many enthusiasts.
'The
Whipsaw'
For other backcountry driving and remote fishing lakes there is
route that starts at Coalmont and goes to the ghost town of Granite
Creek and Blakeburn. Take the Granite Creek Road out of Coalmont
over the Tulameen River. This Forest Service Road goes through some
higher country into some very nice remote fishing lakes and mountains.
Lodestone
and Wells Lakes
There are some rustic campgrounds available along the 'Whipsaw'
at Lodestone Lake and Wells Lake 1590 m. These mile-high lakes contain
some lovely rainbows. The FSR road continues with a route back to
Hwy 3 just west of Princeton.
Recreation
Maps
A good recreation map of the area can be found through the Town
of Princeton Info Centre. Other sources are the Forests Service
Recreation Map for the Merritt Forest District and a backcountry
road map by Mussio Ventures Ltd.
Bear
Country
Just
remember if you are enjoying the provincial parks and the countryside
around British Columbia, please remember this is bear country. Try
to avoid the rivers during heavy salmon spawning times unless you
feel comfortable with bears around and take the usual precautions.
There is also the possibilities of encounters with wolves or cougars
so please play it safe.
Tulameen
Links
Accommodation
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