Blue River Guidebook

Amy
Blue River Guidebook

Food Scene

At Suite Blue River Accommodation, we have full kitchens in all of our suites to help you create your perfect meal! The Grill is the only restaurant in town in the fall, winter and spring months, so please plan your stay accordingly.
High class, Canadian cuisine with a patio. You will spend roughly $15-$25 on a meal here (not including drinks). Check out their Facebook page for daily and/or weekly specials.
Saddle Mountain Restaurant
Yellowhead Highway
High class, Canadian cuisine with a patio. You will spend roughly $15-$25 on a meal here (not including drinks). Check out their Facebook page for daily and/or weekly specials.
Open all year, serving simple and large meals. Canadian cuisine, with Greek options available. You will spend roughly $10-$20 on a meal here (not including drinks).
The Grill
795 Southern Yellowhead Hwy
Open all year, serving simple and large meals. Canadian cuisine, with Greek options available. You will spend roughly $10-$20 on a meal here (not including drinks).
Just the basics! "Oakmans" (what locals have dubbed the General Store) has a VERY limited selection of food and drinks. If you require anything specific, it's best to bring it with you from a neighbouring town/city. The store is open 8am-6pm, Monday to Saturday is closed all day Sunday.
Blue River General Store
848 Cedar St
Just the basics! "Oakmans" (what locals have dubbed the General Store) has a VERY limited selection of food and drinks. If you require anything specific, it's best to bring it with you from a neighbouring town/city. The store is open 8am-6pm, Monday to Saturday is closed all day Sunday.

Drinks & Nightlife

The Royal Canadian Legion is the only "pub" in town. You will find a pool table, jukebox and shuffleboard (and lots of drinks) inside to keep you entertained.
Sip a few drinks at an uncomplicated venue. Open 7 days a week. Town dances/parties are held here on occasion and will be posted at Suite Blue River Accommodation when they are happening.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 213
817 Pine St
Sip a few drinks at an uncomplicated venue. Open 7 days a week. Town dances/parties are held here on occasion and will be posted at Suite Blue River Accommodation when they are happening.

Parks & Nature

Blue River is the only inland temperate rainforest in the world, hosting beautiful waterfalls, lush forests and beautiful trails. Within Blue River, you will find the access road to Murtle Lake, Wells Gray Park. There are plenty of lakes and trails that surround the town, making it an ideal place for a day of excitement. If you're travelling in the summer months, don't forget your bug spray!
A great spot to enjoy a meal and join a guided wildlife tour to view beavers, moose, eagles, bears, etc in their habitat while cruising the river via motorized canoe and/or jetboat or taking a drive in a jeep up the mountain.
River Safari
6080 Mud Lake Forest Service Rd
A great spot to enjoy a meal and join a guided wildlife tour to view beavers, moose, eagles, bears, etc in their habitat while cruising the river via motorized canoe and/or jetboat or taking a drive in a jeep up the mountain.
White sandy beach, dog beach, sand volleyball pit, baseball diamond, kids playground and concession. Non-motorized boats only.
Eleanor Lake
White sandy beach, dog beach, sand volleyball pit, baseball diamond, kids playground and concession. Non-motorized boats only.
Drive 27 kms from Blue River down a maintained logging road (not accessible during the winter months by vehicle) and arrive at the parking lot for Murtle Lake, the largest non-motorized lake in North America. Hike the 2.5 km trail to the lagoon and portage at the dock. Don't have a canoe/kayak/SUP/cart? No problem, you can rent them at the Blue River Campground or simply hike another 1.5 kms to a sandy beach and enjoy the lake from there. Don't forget your fishing rod (and license)! The lake is home to a great amount of Rainbow Trout. No pets allowed.
Murtle Lake
Drive 27 kms from Blue River down a maintained logging road (not accessible during the winter months by vehicle) and arrive at the parking lot for Murtle Lake, the largest non-motorized lake in North America. Hike the 2.5 km trail to the lagoon and portage at the dock. Don't have a canoe/kayak/SUP/cart? No problem, you can rent them at the Blue River Campground or simply hike another 1.5 kms to a sandy beach and enjoy the lake from there. Don't forget your fishing rod (and license)! The lake is home to a great amount of Rainbow Trout. No pets allowed.

Sightseeing & Sport

Blue River is known for its rustic charm, simple living and world class views! Come enjoy the best of the best with private guides.
Helicopter sightseeing tours available in the summer (in advance and upon request). World class helicopter skiing and snowboarding in some of the world's finest, waist deep powder!
Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing
972 Harrwood Dr
Helicopter sightseeing tours available in the summer (in advance and upon request). World class helicopter skiing and snowboarding in some of the world's finest, waist deep powder!
Spot a local bear, moose, beaver and/or other exciting wildlife with your own private guide in a motorized canoe and/or jetboat! You will also hike a short (easy) hike to Parberry Falls for an opportunity to cool off in the mist, take some pictures and maybe even find and eat a couple wild blueberries!
River Safari
6080 Mud Lake Forest Service Rd
Spot a local bear, moose, beaver and/or other exciting wildlife with your own private guide in a motorized canoe and/or jetboat! You will also hike a short (easy) hike to Parberry Falls for an opportunity to cool off in the mist, take some pictures and maybe even find and eat a couple wild blueberries!
Rent a canoe &/or canoe cart for the day and head to a nearby lake! Only open in the summer months.
Blue River Campground & RV Park
991 Blue River West Frontage Rd
Rent a canoe &/or canoe cart for the day and head to a nearby lake! Only open in the summer months.
Check out some of the best maintained, cross country ski trails (winter months only, no motorized vehicles permitted). These trails are accessible in the summer months as well to serve as easy hiking trails. They lead you to the North Thompson River where the salmon spawn from the Pacific Ocean every year and make their way up the Blue River. If you're visiting during August, you will find the trails are LOADED with fresh, wild blueberries ready to be picked. Remember to pack some bear and bug sprays and make lots of noise!
Blue River
Check out some of the best maintained, cross country ski trails (winter months only, no motorized vehicles permitted). These trails are accessible in the summer months as well to serve as easy hiking trails. They lead you to the North Thompson River where the salmon spawn from the Pacific Ocean every year and make their way up the Blue River. If you're visiting during August, you will find the trails are LOADED with fresh, wild blueberries ready to be picked. Remember to pack some bear and bug sprays and make lots of noise!

A Day in Town

Don't have a lot of time or energy but want to get out and enjoy the day? Check out some of the locals favourite spots!
A small library with a great selection of reading material. You can also use the public computers and printer if you'd like (at a cost). Open Tuesday: 1pm-5pm, Wednesday: 10am-2pm, Thursday: 3pm-7pm and Saturday: 1pm-5pm.
Blue River Library, Thompson-Nicola Regional Library
829 Cedar St
A small library with a great selection of reading material. You can also use the public computers and printer if you'd like (at a cost). Open Tuesday: 1pm-5pm, Wednesday: 10am-2pm, Thursday: 3pm-7pm and Saturday: 1pm-5pm.
Located across the street from Suite Blue River Accommodation is a small playground, enclosed rink and basketball court for you to play at!
Blue River Elementary School
3 Avenue
Located across the street from Suite Blue River Accommodation is a small playground, enclosed rink and basketball court for you to play at!
A short walk through town takes you to the North Thompson River where you can cool off, skip rocks along the water, check out the salmon spawning up to the Blue River (seasonally), pick some berries and maybe even spot a black/brown bear!
North Thompson River
A short walk through town takes you to the North Thompson River where you can cool off, skip rocks along the water, check out the salmon spawning up to the Blue River (seasonally), pick some berries and maybe even spot a black/brown bear!
If you're visiting anytime between May to October, a trip to Mike Wiegele's Spawning Channel is a must! You'll see Eleanor Lake's Rainbow Trout spawn up the channel in the earlier months and be able to meet the newest fry/fingerling fish in the later months. The spawning channel is turned off and emptied (with help from the local children) every October before the weather turns cold. It is recommended to park your vehicle at Eleanor Lake and walk the trail located to the right of the public beach (approximately 0.5 km).
Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing
972 Harrwood Dr
If you're visiting anytime between May to October, a trip to Mike Wiegele's Spawning Channel is a must! You'll see Eleanor Lake's Rainbow Trout spawn up the channel in the earlier months and be able to meet the newest fry/fingerling fish in the later months. The spawning channel is turned off and emptied (with help from the local children) every October before the weather turns cold. It is recommended to park your vehicle at Eleanor Lake and walk the trail located to the right of the public beach (approximately 0.5 km).