Bear River Mercantile & Bowron Lake Museum
Located at the gateway to B.C’s famous paddling destination, Bowron Lake Provincial Park, Bear River Mercantile is where the past and the present collide. A family owned-and-operated business, the Bear River Mercantile provides front country accommodations for guests seeking an outdoor Cariboo adventure. Guests can choose from riverside camp sites, B & B style cabin accommodations and a “glamping” village. Bear River Mercantile small camp supply store stocks camping and fishing supplies as well as food staples. Bear River Mercantile offers a nice selection of rental canoes, kayaks and portage carts for Bowron Circuit paddlers. The store and campground are open seasonally with limited use cabin rentals available during the winter season by reservation only.
The Bowron Lake Museum, located on the same property, is home to a unique collection of artifacts and interpretive displays chronicling the colourful history of the Bowron Lake/Wells/Barkerville region. It also boasts the largest collection of old Bowron Lake photographs on public display. Visitors to the area will find this cultural presentation enriching and informative and it will help you develop a brand new appreciation for this diverse and spectacular area.
Meet Dick & Sandy Phillips
Meet Dick & Sandy Phillips
Dick and Sandy Phillips have a deep passion and affection for the Bowron Lake region. When they started Bear River Mercantile & Bowron Lake Museum in 1990, it was out of a strong desire to share that passion with the many visitors who come to the area each year. Their business provides them with the opportunity to live their dream, part of which involves being immersed in the natural world. They call it their "little piece of paradise" and they feel privileged and grateful every day to be surrounded by such beauty.
The couple also has a passion for the history of the region. "The Bowron Lake circuit is such a unique geological formation filled with an in depth human and natural history," says Sandy. Over the past 45 years the couple has spent a great deal of time researching the area and collecting data and old photos. Their collection is housed in their Bowron Lake Museum and they are proud to be able to share this with visitors.
The summer season is, of course, Dick and Sandy's busy season. It doesn't leave a lot of free time, but once the season is over the couple enjoys spending time outdoors. Sandy is an artist and uses her spare time for her artwork.
Bowron Lake, BC V0K 2R0
Hours
Open daily during the summer
7:30 am - 7:30 pm
Open by appointment in other seasons