70 Mile House to Wells
A ride from 70 Mile House to Wells sounds like one long trail journey, but there is an important catch: the towns are connected by a regional road network, not necessarily by one continuous, legally open ATV route. This guide helps you plan a practical Cariboo riding trip, choose areas to explore, and avoid confusing a road on a map with permission to ride it.
What to expect between 70 Mile House and Wells
Think of it as a regional trip, not a single trail
70 Mile House sits along Highway 97, while Wells is north of Quesnel, near Barkerville. The communities make useful reference points for a Cariboo trip, but that does not mean there is a marked ATV trail running directly from one to the other. A sensible plan is to trailer your machine between suitable riding areas, then ride locally where access is confirmed.
This distinction matters because a line that looks connected on a road map may include a highway, a road with restrictions, private property, or an industrial road where conditions and access can change. Do not treat Highway 97, or any other public highway, as an ATV connector. If your trip includes multiple riding areas, plan the driving legs with your tow vehicle and the riding days separately.
The broader region offers a mix of forest, open country, lakes, historic communities, and old road networks. For area ideas and regional context, see BC Cariboo and the Gold Rush Trail. Riders looking around the southern end of the trip can also explore BC Riding Near 100 Mile House, while BC Riding Near Horsefly and Likely may help if you are considering a separate outing farther east.
Use towns as staging points, not proof of access
A town can be a convenient place to refuel, pick up supplies, or arrange an overnight stop, but being close to a trail or forest road does not establish that the route is open to ORVs. Access can depend on local restrictions, land status, seasonal closures, active work, and the specific road or trail segment.
Before setting out from 70 Mile House, Wells, or a community between them, identify the actual place where you intend to unload and ride. Confirm that trailers can be left there, that the riding area allows your machine type, and that the connection from the staging point is legal. A route-planning app such as onX Offroad can help you inspect mapped tracks and terrain, but a mapped route is a planning aid—not proof that a route is open or authorized.
It can also help to think in terms of separate day rides. For example, you might spend one day exploring a confirmed area near 100 Mile House, then tow north for a different ride rather than trying to connect the two on the machines. That approach is less romantic than riding town to town, but it is often safer and much easier to verify.
How to plan a legal and realistic ride
Confirm every road, trail, and connection
Start with a shortlist of riding areas rather than drawing one ambitious line from 70 Mile House to Wells. Look for official trail or recreation-site information, local club updates, posted signs, and current closure notices. Use BC ATV Trail Map Downloads to find mapping resources, then compare what you see against current access information.
onX Offroad can be useful for seeing terrain, route options, and nearby mapped features while planning. Still, confirm uncertain segments with the responsible land manager or local source before riding. A digital map may show a road that is physically present but closed to motorized use, restricted to certain users, or temporarily unavailable because of work or conditions.
Pay particular attention to the transitions between trail and road. Riders can accidentally plan a route that is mostly suitable but depends on one short highway stretch or an unverified connector. If a segment’s legal status is unclear, do not build your day around it. Choose a confirmed alternative, or trailer to the next area.
Treat forest service roads as roads with conditions
Forest service roads and other resource roads can look like ordinary backcountry routes, but they may carry industrial traffic, have posted restrictions, or be affected by active logging. They are not automatically open for recreational ATV travel just because they appear on a map. Review BC Forest Service Road Rules for ORVs and check for closures using BC Motor Vehicle Closures and How to Find Them.
If your route uses a resource road, consider the nature of traffic and the sightlines. A loaded logging truck may need the full road and may not be able to stop quickly. Follow posted radio practices where applicable, yield as required, and avoid riding on a road that is signed closed or unsafe for your machine. BC Resource Roads With Active Hauling offers more context for planning around industrial use.
A route app can help you prepare, but do not rely on a downloaded track as your only navigation source. Save maps for offline use where available, carry a paper backup or another navigation option, and make sure everyone in the group knows the planned route and turnaround point. onX Offroad can support that preparation, but local signs and current access information take precedence over a screen.
| Planning question | What to verify before riding |
|---|---|
| Is there one continuous ATV route from 70 Mile House to Wells? | Do not assume so; plan confirmed local rides and trailer between areas where needed. |
| Is a mapped road open to ORVs? | Check current closures, signs, land status, and applicable rules. |
| Can the group reach the staging area with trailers? | Confirm parking, unloading space, and any site-specific restrictions. |
| Will the route include a highway? | Do not use a highway as an ATV connector; plan a tow-vehicle alternative. |
| Is the route suitable for the whole group? | Check machine type, terrain, weather, fuel range, and rider experience. |
Choosing where to ride and how to prepare
Match the riding area to your group
The best ride is not necessarily the longest one. If you are travelling with newer riders, children, or a mixed group of ATVs and side-by-sides, choose an area with a clearly understood route and a reasonable way to shorten the day. If your group wants more remote terrain, make sure the riders have the equipment, navigation, fuel range, and experience for that plan.
Browse BC ATV Trails: Where to Ride for broader ideas, and use local area information to narrow your choices. Check whether a trail system is suitable for your vehicle’s width, whether the route has difficult climbs or water crossings, and whether there are alternate exits. A track that looks straightforward on a small screen can feel very different when it is muddy, rutted, steep, or blocked by a fallen tree.
For families, it is worth discussing expectations before the machines are unloaded. Agree on a pace, regrouping points, and a turnaround time. A short, enjoyable loop with everyone comfortable is usually a better day than pressing on toward a distant destination because it was the original plan.
Pack for a remote Cariboo day
Conditions can vary across the region, and a day that begins comfortably can become tiring if the group is exposed to dust, rain, cold, or changing trail conditions. Bring clothing layers, water, food, basic first-aid supplies, tools suited to your machines, and enough fuel for the planned ride plus a margin. A charged phone is useful, but service may be limited in some areas, so plan for navigation and communication without assuming you can call for help everywhere.
Check tires, brakes, lights, belts where applicable, and recovery equipment before leaving the staging area. For a multi-machine group, decide who carries shared tools and who has first-aid supplies. Let someone who is not riding know where you plan to go and when you expect to return. If there is no reliable cell coverage, consider a suitable satellite communication device for the group.
You can use onX Offroad to prepare a route and save information for offline reference, but test your setup before the trip and carry a backup. Also check the rules that apply to your specific ride, including registration, insurance, helmets, and any site pass. A map helps you find your way; it does not replace the paperwork, equipment, or judgment needed for a backcountry ride.
A practical way to build the trip
Plan the trip in separate stages
A low-stress itinerary starts by choosing a base or overnight stops, then selecting confirmed riding areas within a manageable tow. One group might use 70 Mile House as a southern starting point, ride in a nearby area after checking access, and later relocate north by trailer. Another might plan a Wells and Barkerville visit as its own destination, with a separate ride selected after verifying the available access and local conditions.
Before booking around a particular trail, confirm that it is open for your travel dates and appropriate for your machine. Check weather and road conditions, ask about current restrictions, and identify a backup ride in case of a closure. If your plans depend on a narrow connector, find an alternate route before you leave home rather than trying to solve the issue at a trail junction.
A practical sequence is:
- Choose one riding area for each riding day.
- Confirm legal access and any seasonal or site-specific restrictions.
- Check the route to the staging area and make sure your trailer can reach it.
- Plan fuel, food, water, navigation, and communication.
- Set a turnaround time and a backup plan.
- Recheck conditions and posted notices before unloading.
Keep the ride flexible
The Cariboo’s scale can tempt visitors to cover too much ground. Resist the urge to make the whole region one continuous ride. A flexible schedule gives you room to deal with weather, road work, closures, mechanical trouble, or a group that simply wants a shorter day. If one area is inaccessible, towing to a confirmed alternative is often the cleanest solution.
When comparing options, note the type of riding each area offers, the drive required with the trailer, and the level of certainty you have about access. Do not choose solely by the number of mapped kilometres. A shorter ride with clear staging, verified access, and a safe return plan is more useful than a long line that depends on unconfirmed roads.
For the 70 Mile House-to-Wells idea, the most reliable mindset is to treat the towns as anchors for a Cariboo riding itinerary—not endpoints on an assumed ATV trail. Verify each ride independently, use maps as planning tools, and leave room to change course. That way, you can enjoy the region without turning an uncertain connection into the riskiest part of the trip.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
