About - Dogwood Valley Camp

Then & Now

A hidden gem in Fraser Canyon, Dogwood Valley boasts a rich weaving of history and the modernity of small-town charm.

The CampGrounds

Dogwood Valley Camp is situated between the historic towns of Yale and Hope and is the home to the gold-rush Choate Lodge.

Historic Choate Lodge

Dogwood Valley is a picturesque unincorporated community nestled in the Fraser Canyon area of the Cascade Mountains. It was named in 1972 for its plentiful blooming Western Dogwood trees.

First Peoples

Before European impact, the Fraser River was central to the First Nations of Nlaka’pamux, Chawathil, Sto:lo Skwah, and T’eqt’un way of life regarding trade, travel and food supply, especially salmon. Although settlement drastically impacted their traditional ways of life, the valley continues to be a historically and culturally significant area.

Fort Hope

The Hudson’s Bay Company established Fort Hope in 1848, essential to the fur trade. In the 1860s, the Gold Rush brought the need to create the Cariboo Wagon Road to transport goods to the goldfields. The road became essential for Hope and Yale’s growth as it connected BC’s interior to the coast.

Fort Yale

In 1848, the Hudson’s Bay Company established the fort to manage the fur trade and provide protection. The Cariboo Gold Rush in the 1860s brought a brief boom of settlers, bringing commerce and mining activity. The town of Yale became a critical stop for those travelling to the goldfields of the Cariboo via the Fraser River.

Hell's Gate

Close to the community of Boston Bar, where the Fraser River narrows to only 35 metres, is a powerful surge of water through steep and stunning rock walls. It has long been significant for Indigenous fishing and was a central location during the Fraser River Gold Rush,

Today, Hell’s Gate is a local attraction for nature—and history-loving tourists. Visitors come to take the Air tram across the river for breathtaking views of the canyon. The attraction also features observation decks, a suspension bridge, and exhibits on the ecology and history of the area, allowing visitors to explore the area.

Region of Dogwood Valley

Named in 1972 for its abundance of blooming Western Dogwood trees, Dogwood Valley is a scenic, unincorporated community nestled in the Fraser Canyon region of the Cascade Mountains.

Cascade Mountains

This range stretches from southern British Columbia to Northern California in North America’s most volcanically active regions. Shaped by powerful eruptions, it boasts of dramatic peaks, breathtaking vistas, and a diverse ecosystem.

Did You Know?

The Western Flowering Dogwood is the official floral symbol of British Columbia

Scientific Name: Cornus Nuttallii

Common Names: Mountain dogwood, Western dogwood, and Pacific dogwood

Native Range: Pacific Northwest, from British Columbia through Northern California

Leaves: Green oval-shaped with pointed tips

Bracts: Often mistaken for flowers, the white or pink are modified leaves

Flower: A tiny, greenish-yellow flower blooms in the centre of the bracts

Fruit: A vital food source for varying bird species, the small cluster of bright red berries known as drupes

Bract and Flower

Drupes