Bear River Mercantile Your Bowron Lake Adventure Specialists

Bear River Mercantile is for Sale - Please E-mail for Current Details

  Paul Paprskar Photo 2004                          Phillips  Photo 2005                                      Phillips Photo 2001

The Place

Bear River Mercantile, situated at the entrance to Bowron Lake Provincial Park, is a small family run resort dedicated to making your visit as enjoyable and informative as possible.  Whether heading out on the canoe circuit, camping, fishing, visiting for the day, or hosting a major group outing; Bear River Mercantile can offer you flexibility in whatever you require.  At Bear River Mercantile you will find a general store, restaurant, rental equipment, cabins, campsite, picnic area, public shower room and unique museum containing the largest private collection of Bowron Lake history and artifacts assembled for public viewing.

 All Phillips Photos

The People

Sandy Phillips (Chief cook & canoe washer) has lived in the Bowron area since childhood.  In the 70s and 80s she worked as a Park Naturalist at Bowron Lake Provincial Park and is a wealth of area information. 

Dick Phillips (Jack-of-all-trades) moved to the area in the 1970s and is truly the kingpin that keeps everything going, as several "almost stranded" visitors can attest to.                                                              

Daughters; Colleen and Jenny (Cooks, cleaners & all around go'fers) were raised at Bowron Lake and are essential to the smooth workings of the business. Unfortunately Colleen and Jenny are grown up and moving off in their own directions, so with this in mind, Bear River Mercantile has decided to make some "major corporate" decisions.  As BRM is getting too popular for just Dick and I, starting in 2008, we will be catering mainly to pre-reserved clientele.  Unreserved persons, please note that you take your chances as to availability of services.  This includes service in the restaurant, as over the last two years we have found that we have been catering to more and more large groups, which often necessitated the closing of the restaurant to the general public.  So, if possible,  please contact us to make your reservations for any and all required services no matter how trivial.

And of course, as any pet owner will agree, Charley Gumboot  (Bear patrol & expert tail wagger) is the real boss of the outfit!

Phillips Photo 2003                                               Phillips Photo 2003                                         Paul Paprskar Photo 2004

The Policy

To share the beauty of Bowron Lake and provide an enjoyable holiday adventure to all who visit, by being affordable, flexible, informative and honest. One visitor said it all;  "You  treated me just like family!"  Fergus McNabb 2002

Contact Information

Radio Telephone

H496699 Wells YP 595 channel (Dial "0" and ask for a Radio Phone Operator)

FAX

Sorry none

Postal address

PO Box 251 Wells, B.C. Canada, V0K 2R0

Electronic mail

General Information: sandy@bowronlake.com
Reservations: brm@bowronlake.com

Important Information for all Bowron Lake Visitors

1. There are no telephone lines into Bowron Lake, therefore we cannot accept Interac.  Most Bowron businesses accept cash, travelers cheques or major credit cards.  The nearest pay phone & cash machine are in Wells or Barkerville, 28 kms away.

2. Unfortunately at this time (May 2008), there is no longer an auto gas outlet in Wells B.C. (which was the nearest fueling station). This means that before you turn onto Highway #26 you must ensure that you have enough fuel to drive to Bowron Lake AND return to Quesnel.

3. The only telephone service at Bowron Lake is by Radio Phone.  To contact a radio phone you must dial "0" and ask for a radio phone operator.  One party line services the whole area, so you may have to try several times.  

4. There is no public sani-dump station at Bowron Lake.  The nearest public sani-dump is between Barkerville and Wells, it is best to dump septic tanks and fill fresh water tanks before turning onto the Bowron Lake road.

5. There is no liquor store at Bowron Lake, stop in Quesnel or Wells to buy your liquor.