Worth the Detour: The Finding Nowhere Roadside Guide to British Columbia

Jul 8

From hidden canyons and hot springs to historic landmarks and unforgettable viewpoints, these are the stops that made our Season 1 journey even more memorable.

Much of Season 1 of Finding Nowhere was filmed along Highway 97, travelling from Cache Creek all the way to Dawson Creek. Along the way, we also made it to Vancouver Island and spent time exploring the Fraser Valley.

British Columbia is home to some of the most spectacular natural beauty in the world. While many of its greatest wonders are hidden deep in the mountains and forests, plenty are just off the highway or only minutes from nearby towns.

Although we spent most of our time in the backcountry, we always made a point of pulling over to appreciate the natural and man-made attractions we discovered along the way…even if only for a few moments. As the saying goes, it's the journey, not the destination. So, for your next road trip, we thought we'd share a few of the places that made our journey even more memorable.

In no particular order 8 most incredible natural attractions of season 1.

*Farewell Canyon sand dunes overlooking the Chilcotin River*

*Sheep Creek Steel Bridge En Route to Farewell Canyon*

1. Farewell Canyon

While filming our bear hunt near Williams Lake, we took a detour through Riske Creek to visit Farewell Canyon. We don't really believe in choosing favourites, but it's hard to top the dramatic beauty of a towering sand dune rising straight from the banks of the Chilcotin River, overlooking the semi-arid landscape of the Chilcotin Plateau.

Standing at the top of the dune is the kind of exhilarating experience that makes you feel like an explorer for National Geographic—or at the very least, reminds you just how diverse and unexpected British Columbia can be. It's one of those places that seems almost impossible until you're standing there yourself.

*Mile 0 Alaska Highway monument in Dawson Creek*

2. Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway

We visited Mile 0 during our goat hunt in Episode 1 and returned again while filming our elk hunt in Episode 6.

It may not be the most dramatic landmark in British Columbia, but that's not really the point. What makes Mile 0 special is its symbolism. It marks both how far you've come and how much open road still lies ahead.

The North has a certain last-frontier pull—one that connects you to the explorers, dreamers, and adventurers who have travelled this route for generations. Standing at the sign, it's easy to imagine setting off into the unknown.

And while the marker itself is worth the stop, it's also the perfect excuse to spend some time in the charming town of Dawson Creek before heading north.

*Harrison Hot Springs natural rock pools*

3. Harrison Hot Springs

One of the jewels of the Fraser Valley, Harrison Hot Springs is a charming resort town set on the shores of Harrison Lake.

The historic hotel is home to its famous mineral pools, and the public hot springs pool in town offers the same naturally heated mineral water. But while filming our season finale, we opted for something a little more adventurous.

Just a 10-minute walk along the lakeshore from the village, near the hot spring source, you'll find a handful of small rock pools tucked beside the lake. Here, you can alternate between the naturally warm pools and the cold waters of Harrison Lake—a perfect spot for a contrast plunge with one of British Columbia's most beautiful backdrops.

*Deep Creek Steel Trestle near Williams Lake*

4. Deep Creek Steel Trestle

Just north of Williams Lake, Highway 97 passes one of British Columbia's most impressive pieces of railway engineering. The Deep Creek Steel Trestle spans the valley nearly 100 metres above the creek below, a reminder of the ambition it took to build railways through the Cariboo. You don't need to be a train enthusiast to appreciate it as it's one of those roadside landmarks that makes you pull over, look up, and wonder how they ever built it.

*Ucluelet Pacific coastline Vancouver Island*

5. Ucluelet

Let's just say the entire town and the surrounding coastline is the attraction.

Ucluelet is everything you'd hope for in a Vancouver Island west coast community. Rugged Pacific shorelines, ancient rainforests, sandy beaches, and a charming harbour town all come together to create one of the most beautiful places in British Columbia.

We filmed Episode 6, Sea Pups, here and completely fell in love with it. Ucluelet isn't really on the way to anywhere—it's a destination in itself. But once you arrive, you'll understand exactly why it's worth making the trip.

6. Gold Rush Trail

Okay, we didn't actually make it to Barkerville during filming, but we did spend time in both Quesnel and Horsefly… two communities steeped in British Columbia's gold rush history.

The drive along the Horsefly River, winding through the valley past Clarke's General Store, is one of those classic BC backroads that feels like it's been frozen in time. If you're exploring the Cariboo, it's well worth taking the scenic route before continuing on to historic Barkerville.

Barkerville itself is one of British Columbia's great historic attractions. Walking its wooden streets is like stepping back into the 1860s, when fortune seekers from around the world arrived in search of gold. Whether you're interested in history or simply looking for a unique road trip destination, it's a place that's easy to recommend.

7. The Lakes of Prince George

Prince George and the surrounding region are home to more than 1,600 lakes, making it one of British Columbia's premier destinations for paddling, fishing, swimming, and escaping into nature. Popular spots include Purden Lake, West Lake, and Ness Lake, each offering its own unique slice of northern wilderness.

We filmed Episode 5 on West Lake, and it perfectly captures what we love about this part of the province. These aren't just great swimming holes…they still feel wonderfully wild. The forests stretch right to the water's edge, the crowds disappear, and it's not uncommon to spot moose, deer, or even the occasional black bear along the shoreline.

If you're looking for that feeling of having nature almost entirely to yourself, the lakes around Prince George are hard to beat.

*Chasm Provincial Park canyon near Clinton BC*

8. Chasm

We didn't actually film at Chasm, but we drove past the turnoff on nearly every expedition we filmed in the Cariboo and beyond.

Just a short 7-kilometre detour off Highway 97, Chasm is one of British Columbia's most impressive geological landmarks. Carved by glacial meltwater thousands of years ago, the colourful canyon plunges nearly 300 metres deep and stretches for kilometres through the landscape—a dramatic reminder of the forces that shaped this part of the province.

Like the Deep Creek Steel Trestle, it's the kind of roadside attraction that's easy to drive past if you're focused on your destination. But if you've got the time, it's absolutely worth making the detour. Some of the best stops on a road trip are the ones you hadn't planned on staying long for.

*Old Cariboo Wagon Road viewpoint along the Thompson River*

Bonus: Old Cariboo Wagon Road Viewpoint

Between Hope and Cache Creek…or more specifically, between Lytton and Spences Bridge…you'll find a small roadside pullout overlooking the historic Cariboo Wagon Road and the Thompson River.

Pull over. Listen to the wind whistle through the sagebrush. Marvel at how the mighty Thompson has carved this tremendous valley, then remember that less than an hour ago you were driving through dense rainforest beneath towering, snow-capped peaks.

Few places showcase British Columbia's incredible diversity quite like this stretch of highway. It's a reminder that in BC, the landscape can change as dramatically as the adventures waiting around the next corner.

Joel Primus