Bed and Breakfast / Adventure Holidays in the Chilcotin
Welcome to Sparrowhawk Ranch
We are extremely excited that starting in spring of 2022, we will be adding overnight guest hosting to the many services we offer at Bar 2A Ranch!
....and as you can expect from us, this will not be your average bed and breakfast or vacation home!!
Travel back in time...
About 1/2 hour driving time (40kms of graveled Forest Services Road) heading North from Alexis Creek, BC, you will find Sparrowhawk Ranch. Here, nestled deep within the Chilcotin Plateau at an altitude of approx. 3,750 feet (1150meters) lies a hidden gem of a sort, which usually can only be found in history or picture books of the Old West.
Distanced about 20kms from the next neighbour, surrounded by forests and vast range lands, this homestead is still part of our regular cattle operations with hayfields, pasture and a 55,000 acre range to feed our herd of cattle throughout the summer.
Originally used as a full-time ranch and recently to house our ranch hands, we have now decided to open it up to outdoor enthusiasts and recreationalists to offer them a rare and unique experience in the vast Canadian Wilderness.
The 2-strory/3 room log cabin lies on the edge of a natural meadow surrounded by mature Spruce and Aspen forests and young stands of Pine emerging from an old wildfire, which raged through the area over a decade ago. While Bald Eagles rule the skies, on the ground there are wild horses, deer, moose, but also bears and wolves roaming throughout the vast lands of the plateau, often to be seen right in the ranch's back yard.
Only a few kilometers from the Nazko Lake Provincial Park and it's chain of pristine and clear lakes, there is no limit to outdoor activities....from hiking, canoeing and horseback riding to fishing, hunting, sight seeing and outdoor motor sports, there is something to do for everybody! Endless miles of trails gives you access to areas, where no tourist has been before...
Far away from today's hectic life, constant digital/media connection, pandemic restrictions and overwhelming signs of civilization, spending time up on the Chilcotin Plateau makes you feel like you traveled back in time, giving you a chance to truly relax and hit the reset button for yourself....clean air, tranquility, quietness and amazing star-filled nights are only a few of the many aspects, which make this place so special!
What to expect....
It's all to yourself!
While being a part of our active ranching operations, other than us working on the hayfields some days between July and September, or us occasionally driving in the yard during the summer days to check on our horses and cattle on the pastures, you will have the entire ranch to yourself, completely undisturbed and quiet!
Off-grid living at it's finest....
Far away from powerlines and other community services, experience complete off-grid living. A solar power system, backed up by an ultra-quiet generator provides you with all the power and lighting you need to live like in a regular on-grid home.
Clean water is being pumped up from a deep well on-site into a holding tank on the top floor allowing for 24-hour gravity water supply to the kitchen and bathroom.
Hot water, heat, fridge and range all run on propane.
Enjoy a cozy wood-fed fireplace during a crispy night......
While it takes a little bit of extra effort compared to on-grid living, rest assured, that running the off-grid services is very easy and even without prior experience absolutely no problem. Detailed instruction are posted in the cabin.
Off-grid living does not mean though, that you have to renounce all of today's luxuries.
The Sparrowhawk Ranch cabin offers you:
* a full kitchen with range, fridge and microwave
* a full bathroom with regular toilet, sink and bathtub
* wood stove and propane heat
* high-speed satellite internet
Unlimited Outdoor Activities...
Mountain Biking/ATVing
Mountain Biking/ATVing
Mountain Biking/ATVing
Endless trails of various degree of difficulty start right at the front gate of Sparrowhawk Ranch. Other than the trails and roadways found on the BC back-country maps, we are able to offer you detailed, self produced geo-referenced maps to allow you access to areas out of reach for the regular tourist, suitable for both ATV and Mountain Bike riding. Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) and off-road motorized vehicles are not allowed on the trails within Nazko Lake Provincial Park.
Canoeing
Mountain Biking/ATVing
Mountain Biking/ATVing
Nazko Lake Provincial Park is well known for its chain of lakes, which is ideal for a 3-4 day canoe trip. This 20+ km route spans seven lakes (Spain Lake, Deerpelt Lake, Nazko Lake, Tanilkul Lake, Nastachi Lake, Tzazati Lake, and Tchusiniltil Lake) and has mostly short, easy and marked portages. Canoes can be rented from us and access to the lake chain is conveniently through Spain Lake Ranch, which is also a part of our cattle operations.
Horseback Riding
Mountain Biking/ATVing
Wildlife Viewing/Birding
What is more desirable than to experience this true cowboy country with it's endless cattle ranges in proper style on horseback? Our guided rides will offer you an unforgettable experience through breathtaking landscapes. Our rides are custom-tailored to your skills and comfort level! Safety is ensured by providing safe, well-trained horses and professional, trained guides. Trail rides can either start at Sparrowhawk Ranch or you can experience other parts of the spectacular Chilcotin Country by joining us for a ride to places like the Fraser or Farwell Canyon.
New to riding or interested in refining your horsemanship skills with a professional trainer? No problem! We can offer you clinics and lessons at the home ranch in Hanceville! .
ALSO: YOU CAN BRING YOUR OWN HORSES!
Wildlife Viewing/Birding
Wildlife Viewing/Birding
Wildlife Viewing/Birding
Wildlife is abundant on the Chilcotin Plateau and a dream for photographers, wildlife viewers and birders! Wild horses, moose, deer, wolves, coyotes, black bears and grizzlies, bobcats, cougars and small fur-bearing animals are often encountered. While we encourage for you to enjoy the wild fauna, it is important to do it safe and be smart about it. Encounters with large wildlife can be dangerous! Talk to us for more information.
Sight-Seeing
Wildlife Viewing/Birding
Sight-Seeing
There is so much to see in the Chilcotin.... Farwell Canyon with it's amazing hoodoos and sand dunes, Bull Canyon, waterfalls, Nazko Lake and Tweedsmuir Provincial Parks, your holidays here won't be long enough to take it all in! Ask us for some insider tips or visit the Alexis Creek Visitor Centre and talk to some of the locals.
Geocaching
Wildlife Viewing/Birding
Sight-Seeing
Geocaching is becoming a more and more popular activity by the day. The Chilcotin Plateau gives you a unique experience as on the one hand you can go out and find some of the already existing geocaches, but on the other hand gives you a chance to be a geocaching pioneer and create new caches at some unforgettable locations, such as the top of a local viewpoint, a waterfall or a hidden lake.
Hunting
Swimming
Fishing
Every year we greet hunters at Sparrowhawk Ranch during the various hunting seasons for moose, deer, bear or birds using the cabin as a base for their back-country hunt. Please note that you have to have all proper licenses and tags in order to be able to hunt in the various Wildlife Management Units of British Columbia.
Fishing
Swimming
Fishing
The Nazko Lake chain is well known for it's fishing for rainbow trout, which is best in the spring and early summer. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Swimming
Swimming
Swimming
There are countless lakes on the Chilcotin Plateau, not only in Nazko Lake Park, with many of them offering beautiful and remote settings with you more often than not being the only visitor. Some lakes also offer camping spots and facilities such as outhouses, picnic tables and fire pits. Most lakes are great for swimming, but please note, that there are no lifeguards on duty! .
Hiking
Nazko Lake Provincial Park
Swimming
Whether you want to start your hike right of Sparrowhawk's doorstep to explore the immediate area or if you want to head out to hit the numerous, spectacular trails all over the Chilcotin Plateau and Bella Coola Valley, you will find everything from a short, easy round trip to a multi-day back-pack hike at any level of difficulty. Let us know what you are looking for and we'll be glad to help you plan your trip!
Nazko Lake Provincial Park
Nazko Lake Provincial Park
Nazko Lake Provincial Park
Click here for more info on the park.