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City guide

Williams Lake, BC

Williams Lake is a city in the Central Interior of British Columbia, in the central Cariboo. Affectionately referred to as "Willy's Puddle" by locals, Williams Lake is one of the largest cities, by population of metropolitan area, in the Cariboo after neighbouring Quesnel.

Type CityPopulation 11,369

Why go

  • City in British Columbia, Canada.
  • Served by South Cariboo Region / 108 Mile Airport (ZMH).
  • Home to roughly 11,369 people.

History

Williams Lake is a city in the Central Interior of British Columbia, in the central Cariboo. Affectionately referred to as "Willy's Puddle" by locals, Williams Lake is one of the largest cities, by population of metropolitan area, in the Cariboo after neighbouring Quesnel. The city is famous for the Williams Lake Stampede, which is the second largest professional rodeo in Canada, after only the Calgary Stampede.

Airports

Williams Lake Airport (YWL) 7.8 km to the centre
Williams Lake, BC, CA — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 2 airlines (Air Canada, Pacific Coastal Airline) · direct flights to 2 destinations incl. Vancouver, Quesnel (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 2 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
South Cariboo Region / 108 Mile Airport (ZMH) 71 km to the centre
108 Mile, BC, CA — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Dugan Lake Air Strip 14 km to the centre
BC, CA
Outdoor
Springhouse Airpark 20 km to the centre
Springhouse, BC, CA
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is South Cariboo Region / 108 Mile Airport (ZMH); 12 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: YWL has direct flights to 2 destinations on 2 airlines (incl. Vancouver, Quesnel).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Williams Lake, BC. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach