Pemberton is named after Joseph Despard Pemberton, a former surveyor-general for the Hudson’s Bay Company. Pemberton’s fertile valley is known for its seed potatoes, and the city is a major supplier to BC, Alberta, Washington, Idaho, Oregon and California!
Cowichan Valley to Pemberton
If you are following along on our Alaskan Road trip, this means you will be arriving to Pemberton from Langley or Cowichan Valley! Do not forget to keep an eye out for these sights along your drive!
Located 10 minutes south of Squamish, you can’t miss the Britannia Mine from the Sea-to-Sky Highway. If you are interested in learning about the history of the mine, stop by! The 10 acre site offers guided underground tours, or you can explore Britannia Beach on your own time. If you don’t plan to stop, keep an eye out for their 20-foot tall, 800,000lbs, “Super Mine Truck” at the entrance.
Shannon Falls is directly beside Highway 99 and is a popular day use park! It is the perfect place to stop for a picnic, or hike all the way to Stawamus Chief Park.
The tumbling waters of Shannon Falls originate from Mount Habrich and Mount Sky Pilot. They rise 335m above Highway 99, making this the third highest falls in British Columbia
These 700 meter, awe inspiring granite cliffs stand at the entrance of southern Squamish. Hikers and Rock Climbers will have plenty of opportunities at this park, with 3 summits that offer rewarding views.
Brandywine Falls is a great stop for travelers to stretch their legs and view a stunning waterfall. You can reach the waterfall in under 15 minutes from the parking lot by walking down a flat and easy trail.
Pemberton Campgrounds
- No hookups
- Marine camping sites
- Swimming, Hiking, Biking and Boating opportunities
Food and Drink!
Things To Do Around Pemberton
Water Activities
Pemberton offers a pristine water environment with a variety of great ways to enjoy the H2O, whether you want to relax or experience the ultimate adrenaline fix!
Enjoy the sandy beaches around One Mile Lake, Lillooet Lake at Strawberry Point, Twin One, Lizzie Bay and Driftwood Bay.
Mosquito, Anderson, Birkenhead and Gates lakes are popular swimming locales. Those looking for a wet adventure can try guided whitewater rafting down many of the area’s rivers, a guided Jet Boat adventure, or lake kayaking!
Did you know that the Pemberton area is home to several species of fish including rainbow trout, Dolly Varden char, cutthroat trout, steelhead, whitefish, and five species of salmon? This makes Pemberton one of the best fishing spots on the west coast. Click here to find out more!
Pemberton is a fantastic spot to partake in some air activities. The surrounding mountain range and flat valley is perfect for paragliding. There are also Heli-Tours based out of the Pemberton Regional Airport, and if you are a true adrenaline seeker, try Sky Diving!
Pemberton has two 18-hole, designer golf courses lying side by side – Big Sky Golf and Sunstone Golf Club.
Biking
Mountain biking in Pemberton differs from nearby Squamish, Whistler and North Vancouver in both the climate and the types of trails. Pemberton’s sandy soil, microclimate, and intense 2010 investment in trail building equals an unparalleled mountain biking opportunity. Just as much as Pemberton is a great place for extreme mountain biking, it is a wonderful place for families to cycle. There are several beginner biking trails in and around Pemberton as well as the local Pemberton BMX track and the annual Slow Food Cycle Sunday event that takes place in August.
Pemberton Museum
The Pemberton Museum has over 2,000 artifacts, 2,000 photographs and over 20 meters of archival and reference materials that have been collected since 1982. Their mandate is to collect, preserve and display artifacts associated with human activity in the District.
Copper Cayuse Horseback Tours
Copper Cayuse Outfitters offers a variety of guided horseback riding tours for riders of all skill levels. From half-day trail rides to multi-day expeditions, their experienced guides will take you on a journey through the rugged beauty of the Canadian wilderness.
Keep On Reading For Our Next Stop!
Quesnel
Quesnel is considered the commercial hub of the North Cariboo, and it’s rich tradition of forestry, ranching, agriculture, and mining hosts a modern community. Quesnel is located along the gold mining trail known as the Cariboo Wagon Road and was the commercial center of the Cariboo Gold Rush. It also marks one end of the Alexander Mackenzie Heritage Trail.
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