Rustic and Rugged
Coalmont and Tulameen are cozy villages just outside of Princeton. These are the kinds of places where you can get away from it all. Choose your type of accommodation from roughing it camping to Inns and vacation rentals. You’ll find plenty of places to fish, pan for gold, and explore. You can hike or bike the nearby trails in the warmer months, including the Trans Canada Trail. In the winter, head out into the backcountry on a snowmobile.
Check with the locals on trail conditions due to the floods in 2021 that still affect some areas.
Coalmont and Tulameen Location Map
The Village of Coalmont
Coalmont (pop. 100), located 18 km (11 mi) northwest of Princeton, was once a junction on the Kettle Valley Railway. Today, that old rail line is part of the Trans Canada Trail. The area is known for its outdoor recreation and fishing. Find a perfect spot on White Sands Beach along the Tulameen River. Some people here can trace their roots back to the gold rush of 1885. One of their oldest buildings is the Coalmont Hotel (circa 1912, which is closed).
Despite being called a ghost town by some, Coalmont is alive and well. There are still a few gold claims being worked on by hardy souls. The area has two working ranches nearby, and the town has a small motel and small businesses. This area has long been known for its great outdoor recreation, and the fishing here is legendary. Explore the remnants of the area’s vast mining and gold rush history with a self-guided walking tour of the historic gold rush town of Granite City. Check out the Granite Creek Ghost Town Story.
White Sands Beach is just south of Coalmont on the Trans Canada Trail. It’s a great place to spend the day in the summer. Hanging out on the Tulameen River’s banks is a quiet piece of serenity. You can find the Granite Creek Recreation Site, known for its outdoor activities, just outside of town. There are several excellent places to fish here as well. The Tulameen River is a great place to start, and there are dozens of small lakes in the area. It’s the perfect place for fishing year-round. In winter, enjoy snowmobiling – contact the Timberline Cruisers 96 Snowmobile Club.
The Village of Tulameen
You’ll find Tulameen (pop. 250) on the south end of Otter Lake, 26 km (16 mi) northwest of Princeton or 12 minutes northwest of Coalmont. The name is a First Nations word meaning red earth. Come and relax, swim, boat, water ski, and fish for lake trout. The Kettle Valley Railway once ran through here, and today, as in Coalmont, it is now part of the Trans Canada Trail, which is great for hiking and biking.
Visitors can stay at the local Inn, B&Bs, or vacation rentals in town or camp outside of town at Otter Lake Provincial Park. The park is located 33 km northwest of Princeton, off Hwy 5A, and features a campground and a separate day-use area for picnicking. The Cascade Mountain Range surrounds the park and includes awesome canyons and clear flowing streams. In winter, skate on the covered outdoor ice rink where they also host hockey games, dances, swap meets, and more!
Visit the local Tulameen website for more information and accommodation options.
