Chilcotin Highway (Highway 20)
BC's legendary wilderness highway to the coast
The Chilcotin Highway drops you into the heart of British Columbia’s cattle country, where massive ranches stretch beyond the horizon and wildlife outnumbers humans ten to one. This legendary route runs 456 kilometers from Williams Lake to the coastal town of Bella Coola, crossing the Chilcotin Plateau’s rolling grasslands before plunging down the infamous Hill – a 43-kilometer descent dropping 1,524 meters through 18% grades that’ll test your brakes and your nerves.
Stock 4WD handles most sections fine, but carry extra brake fluid, transmission cooler, and emergency gear. Summer brings dust clouds that choke air filters, while spring runoff creates washouts. No fuel between Alexis Creek and Bella Coola – that’s 233 kilometers of nothing. The payoff? Pristine wilderness camping, world-class fishing on the Dean River, and the satisfaction of completing one of Canada’s most notorious drives. Best season is June through September when mountain passes stay clear.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 283 mi / 456 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4900 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Williams Lake, BC |
| Land manager | BC Ministry of Transportation |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 2WD truck handle the Chilcotin Highway, or do I actually need 4WD?
Most of Highway 20 is paved or packed gravel and manageable in 2WD during dry summer conditions, but the descent into Bella Coola via the Hill — a steep, unpaved switchback section with grades up to 18% — makes 4WD with low range and strong engine braking essential. Don't attempt the Hill in a 2WD or anything with sketchy brakes.
When does the Chilcotin Highway typically open and close for the season?
The highway itself stays open year-round, but the unpaved sections get brutal in spring mud season and the Hill can be dangerous or impassable in winter ice and snow. June through September is the reliable window — September can still see early snow at elevation near the Hill.
Do I need any permits or passes to drive Highway 20 through the Chilcotin?
No permit is required to drive the highway itself. If you're entering Tweedsmuir Provincial Park along the route, provincial park rules apply for camping — some sites require a reservation through the BC Parks system, others are first-come.
What's the hardest section of this route and what should I actually expect?
The Hill outside Bella Coola is the crux — roughly 10 kilometers of steep, narrow, unpaved switchbacks dropping nearly 5,000 feet with no guardrails and sheer drop-offs. It's not technically gnarly for a capable 4WD, but the exposure is real and passing a vehicle coming the other way requires nerves and patience.
How far apart are gas stations along the Chilcotin, and can I count on them being open?
Services are sparse — fuel up in Williams Lake before you leave and plan stops at Alexis Creek, Tatla Lake, and Anahim Lake, but hours are inconsistent and some stations close early or on Sundays. Carry a jerry can with at least 20 liters of reserve fuel; don't gamble on a station being open in the middle of nowhere.
Trail track
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