Stopping at Nimpo Lake on Highway 20: Williams Lake to Bella Coola

Highway 20 runs 456 kilometres from Williams Lake on the Fraser River across the Chilcotin Plateau to Bella Coola on the coast. It’s one of the longer and more scenic drives in BC, and Nimpo Lake sits close to the midpoint — 295 kilometres west of Williams Lake and 155 kilometres east of Bella Coola. The drive from either end takes roughly three hours under normal conditions.

Breaking up the drive

A lot of people drive straight through in a day. That’s doable, but the highway demands more attention than a typical BC interior road — there’s wildlife, variable surface conditions, and the descent into Bella Coola on “The Hill” (a 1,500-metre drop over 10 kilometres of gravel switchbacks) that you probably don’t want to hit tired. Stopping at Nimpo Lake for a night or two gives you a proper break and puts The Hill in the morning when you’re fresh.

The resort is about 1 kilometre off Highway 20, which makes it easy to find and easy to leave. All cabins have full kitchens and self check-in, so there’s no timing pressure on arrival — you can stop when you get there, whether that’s afternoon or evening.

Distances and drive times

Practical notes for the drive

• Fill up with fuel in Williams Lake before heading west, and again in Anahim Lake (15 minutes west of the resort) before continuing to Bella Coola. There are no fuel stops between those two points.
• The Hill into Bella Coola is a gravel road with steep grades and tight switchbacks. Take it slowly. Most vehicles handle it fine but it’s not a road to rush.
• Cell service is limited or absent across much of Highway 20. Download offline maps before you leave Williams Lake.
• The resort cabins have full kitchens. Stock up on groceries in Williams Lake or stop at the small store in Anahim Lake if you need supplies.