Spences Bridge brings together river and transportation history, cultural landmarks and outdoor excursions. You can get a better sense of which of these aspects interests you most by looking at specific places and activities.
Getting your bearings and historic routes
The Inn at Spences Bridge is located in Spences Bridge on the south bank of the river, right on Highway 8. It is considered the oldest continuously operating inn in British Columbia. The turnoff to Highway 8 from Highway 1 is clearly signposted when coming from Vancouver, Kamloops or Prince George. As road signs and access conditions can change, check the current signage and access conditions before setting out.
Spences Bridge also has a transportation history that goes beyond its present-day highway connections. In 1864, a bridge built by Thomas Spence replaced the ferry. It was built during construction of the Cariboo Waggon Road from Yale to Barkerville Historic Town & Park. The bridge’s construction thus places the community within the history of a route connecting Yale and Barkerville.
Cultural heritage in the community
The Interior Allied Tribes Memorial Project adds a cultural perspective. Completed by the Cook’s Ferry Indian Band in 2010, the project gave the community of Spences Bridge a focal point that honours the region’s culture. A Heritage Canada plaque is located in Spences Bridge at the confluence of the Nicola and Thompson rivers. The memorial honours the region’s culture, while the plaque marks a specific spot at the confluence.
River activities and excursions
The stretch of the Thompson River near Spences Bridge is considered a world-renowned spot for fishing for steelhead and salmon. Nearby Goldpan Park offers opportunities for kayaking. The park is on the east bank of the Thompson River along Highway 1, 10 km south of Spences Bridge. The options therefore differ by activity and location: fishing on the stretch of river near Spences Bridge or kayaking at the park to the south. Check the park information before your visit.
West of Spences Bridge, a short hike leads to Murray Creek Falls. The trail starts at the Trans-Canada Highway near the Thompson River Bridge; check access conditions on site. The Gold Country GeoTourism Program offers another way to explore the area: hidden caches can be found using GPS or traditional treasure-hunting clues. Individual caches and operating details may change, so check current program information before setting out.
The broader Thompson-Nicola landscape
The wider Thompson-Nicola destination opens up views of varied landscapes. The Thompson-Nicola Regional District includes areas of temperate interior rainforest in the upper North Thompson Valley, the gently rolling grasslands of the Nicola Valley, and desert and semi-arid climates around Kamloops Lake. These landscapes illustrate the regional diversity of the Thompson-Nicola area.
Discover more destinations: 70 Mile House, Lytton, Blue River, Sun Peaks, Cache Creek, Monte Creek, Merritt, Little Fort
Back to the main travel overview: Thompson-Nicola.
