7 Bizarrely Named Towns In British Columbia
British Columbia became the sixth province of Canada in 1871, and today it is renowned for its stunning scenery, world-class skiing, and cool west coast vibe. Since the 1980s, the slogan “Beautiful British Columbia” has adorned the province’s license plates, but BC isn’t just about mountains, forests, and ocean views; it is also home to towns with some of the quirkiest names you will ever stumble across. From Salmon Arm to Skookumchuck, these communities pair unusual monikers with rich history, out-of-this-world vistas, and plenty of reasons to stop and explore bizarrely named towns in the Pacific Northwest.
Salmon Arm
Salmon Arm is one of British Columbia’s most popular summer destinations, thanks to its location on the distinctively shaped Shuswap Lake, a large lake shaped like the letter “H.” The town takes its name from one of the lake’s four “arms”: Shuswap Arm in the west, Seymour Arm in the north, Anstey Arm in the northeast, and Salmon Arm in the south, once teeming with salmon.
With more than 1,000 kilometers of shoreline, there is no shortage of activities on the water in the town of about 20,000 full-time residents. Take a stroll along the water on the Salmon Arm Wharf, the longest curved inland boardwalk in North America, ideal for watching wildlife or birding. If you are in the mood to get out on the water, rent a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard at Salmon Arm Go-Karts, or a 3-person Sea-Doo from Sea-Dog Rentals. Wander back into town after spending time on the water, and grab a patio table at Barley Station, a local craft brewery that serves imaginative beer cocktails and elevated pub fare like halibut tacos, chicken carbonara flatbread, and beer-battered pickles.
Chilliwack
The name Chilliwack comes from the Halq’eméylem word “Ts’elxwéyeqw,” which means “as far as you can go upriver.” It is a nod to the old canoe routes that went up the Chilliwack River. Today, the town, like many in British Columbia, mixes its Indigenous heritage with a love of the outdoors, family farms, and that easygoing BC lifestyle that you can quickly fall in love with. Take your pick of fun activities in the great outdoors, like hiking a few favorite out-and-back trails around Chilliwack, such as the easy 4-kilometer, forested Chilliwack Community Forest Canyon Loop, the moderate 10-kilometer Vedder Mountain Ridge Trail, or the challenging 15-kilometer hike up Mount Thurston via Elk Mountain.
If you prefer admiring the mountains from a distance, you can still view them while you explore the vibrant public art along the Chilliwack Art Trail. Home to over 40 large-scale murals, the collection continues to grow every year during the annual Chilliwack Mural Festival, which takes place in downtown Chilliwack, District 1881, and Sardis during August. Be sure to check out a few of the stand-out murals in town, such as Blue Lady, Book Wings, and Alley Cat.
Nakusp
Nakusp is nestled in the beautiful Selkirk Mountains, surrounded by towering peaks, lush forests, and pristine lakes, including Arrow Lake, a popular destination for fishing, boating, and kayaking. Like many small towns in British Columbia, Nakusp is situated on the traditional Indigenous land; in this case, belonging to the territories of the Sinixt, Ktunaxa, Secwepemc, and Okanagan peoples. Its unusual name originates from a Sinixt word, although it has many meanings. One interpretation is "the bay behind the long point."
One of the town’s best-kept secrets is the Nakusp Hot Springs, a year-round destination in the Kuskanax Valley, surrounded by old-growth forest and spectacular mountain views. The area spans over 200 acres of wilderness, offering plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and more. If you like your hikes with a bit of history on the side, take the easy, one-way 8.5-kilometer Hot Springs Trail, which dates back to the 1930s and 1940s when caravans pulled by pack horses met tourists at the docks in Nakusp and ferried them to soak in the hot springs ’ famous mineral waters.
Lillooet
Lillooet is in British Columbia’s southern interior, marked by dramatic canyon walls, rugged mountains, and the winding Fraser River, Canada’s eleventh longest river, traversing about 1,375 kilometers from the Canadian portion of the Rocky Mountains to the Strait of Georgia. Originally called Cayoosh Flat after the word “cayuse,” a name for an Aboriginal pony, the town was renamed Lillooet after the Lil'wat people who lived there.
The town boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene, featuring several galleries like The HUB, shops, a bustling Farmers’ Market, and the Lillooet Museum, housed in a former Anglican Church built in 1860 and reconstructed in 1961. After wandering through town, visit the Fort Berens Estate Winery, tour the vineyard, and sample a glass of award-winning Pinot Noir in the tasting room.
Skookumchuck
Fun to pronounce, Skookumchuck is a combination of two Chinook words: “skookum,” meaning “strong,” and “chuck” for water, which is a perfect description of the Kootenay River, surrounding the small town of Skookumchuck in the British Columbia Rockies. A top destination for year-round outdoor enthusiasts is Premier Lake Provincial Park, about 12 kilometers from town.
Camp overnight in the park or stay at the Skookumchuck Motel & RV Park, and in the morning, enjoy angling in the emerald green waters of Premier Lake, or try your luck in the four smaller lakes in the park: Canuck, Yankee, Cats Eye, and Quartz. A secluded paradise for adventurers, the area offers numerous hiking trails connecting the lakes, as well as swimming opportunities, canoeing, and kayaking on Premier and Quartz Lakes. The location is ideal for wildlife photographers, as Premier Ridge is a critical wintering habitat for elk, mule and whitetail deer, and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.
Bella Coola
Bella Coola is the name of both a pretty waterfront town and a valley on the Central Coast of British Columbia. The town’s unusual moniker comes from the Nuxalk people, an Indigenous First Nation of the Pacific Northwest. It is a top destination for photographers, artists, explorers, and naturalists who go to escape city life and enjoy the clean air, glacier-fed rivers, and diverse wildlife. However, the very best way to discover the small town of about 900 residents is to book a tour.
Several outfitters offer tours covering everything from Copper Sun Journeys’ petroglyph and totem tours with local Nuxalk guides, sea kayaking with Aegir Adventures, to guided grizzly bear viewing tours with Bella Coola Grizzly Tours and Adventures.
Hope
You can’t help but smile at a small town called Hope, about two hours east of Vancouver, renowned for a 70-year-old pie restaurant called Home Restaurant. Hope was founded in 1848-1849 as a Hudson’s Bay Company fur trading post, and named with the “hope” that an all-Canadian route could be established between the coast of British Columbia and the interior of the province.
Surrounded by lakes and waterways, Hope is a paddler’s paradise on rivers like the Fraser and Coquihalla, as well as serene spots such as Kawkawa Lake and Silver Lake, offering everything from peaceful canoeing to adventurous kayaking. Any trip to Hope isn’t complete without exploring the historic Othello Tunnels. The tunnels are located within Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, just minutes from downtown. Carved through solid granite in the early 1900s, the tunnels and trestle bridges now form a picturesque and dramatic walking trail along the Coquihalla River.
While it might be tempting to giggle at bizarrely named towns like Skookumchuck, many of British Columbia’s place names originate from Indigenous languages, carrying rich histories and meanings, and are deeply connected to the land and its waterways. Places like Bella Coola, rooted in Nuxalk territory, remind us that behind every name lies a story. Traveling to and discovering any of these seven bizarrely named towns in beautiful British Columbia is the perfect opportunity to honor living cultures and traditions.
