Forged from a wilderness land, the majestic Cariboo region of British Columbia speaks to a past moulded by an era of adventure.

In the 19th Century, the Cariboo Gold Rush put the region firmly on the map and brought with it an influx of prospectors (many of whom became settlers) from near and far eager to share in the discovery of the precious metal. This led to the construction of roads and other infrastructure, as well as governmental jurisdiction to bring order to the Gold Rush freewheeling.

Named after the caribou that was once abundant in the region, the Cariboo is a vast swath of land with more than 3,000 lakes. To understand the region is to understand what it provides. It has a history rich in First Nations, fur trading and ranching and is home to plentiful wildlife including black bear, cougar, wolves, moose, beaver, deer, eagles, hawks, owls and infinite bird species. It is an awe-inspiring land where the deep connection to the environment draws one in.

Situated in the central interior and heart of the Province, and bordered by the Cariboo Mountains in the east and the Fraser River to the west, this biodiverse area changes from north to south. The forested North Cariboo (where the goldfields were found) gives way to the coniferous forest and mountain lakes of the Central Cariboo. While the South Cariboo – where Four Hearts Ranch is located – enjoys majestic evergreens such as the glorious Douglas fir and pine, rolling grasslands, serene lakes and wetlands.

Its outdoor recreational activities are second to none with swimming, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling, mountain biking, hiking, ATVing, birding, numerous fishing opportunities, hunting, horse riding and wildlife watching. Just south of the Ranch is the Interlakes Rodeo – a local fun-filled annual event that draws a large crowd eager to watch some cowboy action and celebrate this region’s heritage.

One of the fundamental features of this vast area is community. Despite the wide-open spaces – or perhaps because of it – the sense of community runs deep. At just 15 minutes away by car, the 2,000 person town of 100 Mile House hosts all the amenities required for sustaining the Ranch lifestyle. Originally a fur-trading station and a stagecoach stop on the Gold Rush Trail, this thriving municipality is the main service centre for the outlying communities. With acknowledgement of the many past-times available in the region, it is also home to one of British Columbia’s most active cross-country skiing clubs, as well as hosting a vibrant South Cariboo weekly farmers’ market. This is a fun time for folks to convene, showcase their produce and hand-crafted works, enjoy some good food, listen to music and catch up on news.

For golf enthusiasts, the CPGA-rated championship course at 108 Golf Resort is close by with 18 holes nestled between two natural lakes. Other recreational pursuits are on hand too with tennis, fishing, canoeing and mountain biking with riding trails carved through deeply-wooded forests that cater to all abilities.

Highway 97 runs through the Town, stretching south to meet up with Highway 99 and the Trans-Canada Highway and north to connect with the Yukon boundary. It is the longest provincial highway in any Canadian province and as such conveniently provides family fun-filled drives and direct highway access to many major cities and communities.