Blue River: Cross-country skiing, trails and riverside recreation

Blue River can be factored into your travel plans through its hiking and cycling trails, cross-country skiing and activities on the water. If you’re looking for accommodation in Blue River, start by asking which of these options matters most for your stay.

Hiking, cycling and cross-country ski trails

A 2023 notice from the Government of British Columbia lists 27.5 kilometres of hiking and cycling trails for the Blue River Trail Network. For winter, it reports 11.8 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails. The distances describe different uses of the network: the winter figure refers to cross-country skiing, not alpine ski runs. When comparing options by season, these figures give you two distinct points of reference—the combined length of the hiking and cycling trails and the extent of the cross-country ski trails.

The trailheads are located east and west of the Blue River settlement. The relevant starting point is therefore a useful reference when planning a specific outing. The distance listed for the entire network should not be taken as the length of a single route, so choose a trailhead that suits your planned route.

Bridge and lake access

The Blue River Pedestrian Suspension Bridge connects the Blue River Trail Network on both sides of the Blue River and provides a route to year-round recreation. The bridge was completed in December 2022; a provincial notice dated August 17, 2023, reported that it was open. It is therefore both a crossing over the river and a distinct point of reference for recreation in different seasons as you find your way around the trail network.

A new dock was installed at Eleanor Lake in Blue River Community Park in 2023 to provide safer access to the lake. If you plan to use the dock, check its current condition before your visit, as infrastructure details can change.

Only canoes and kayaks are permitted on nearby Murtle Lake. This restriction is important when choosing a watercraft. Also check the current BC Parks information before your visit, as it is the authoritative source for information about the lake.

Outings and seasonal planning

The Blue River Safari departure point is north of Blue River on Yellowhead Highway 5. If you’re planning this outing, confirm the departure arrangements directly with the operator before your trip. That way, you can plan around the specific arrangements rather than assuming a schedule that has not been confirmed.

The sledding hill in Herb Bilton Way Park was cleared in October 2023. If you’re planning to visit, check its current condition and whether it is open to the public beforehand.

When planning your day, it helps to distinguish between activities in Blue River and destinations in the surrounding area: the trail network, bridge, dock and sledding hill are in Blue River; Murtle Lake and the Blue River Safari departure point are nearby. This lets you distinguish activities in town from separate excursion destinations and set your priorities accordingly.

Discover more destinations: Sun Peaks

For the broader travel overview: Thompson-Nicola.