Visiting Lytton: What's open?

Type(s)
Village Update

The Village of Lytton welcomes visitors as we continue to rebuild. Here’s an overview of what’s open. 

Note: The Village of Lytton is providing this list for information only. These are not recommendations or endorsements. Please call ahead or check online for operational hours and seasonal closures. 

Parks

Enjoy picnics, a quick rest stop, and scenic viewpoints in the Village of Lytton's parks:

Pocket Park: Main Street at 4th Street
  • Enjoy your lunch at the picnic table under the new timber frame shade structure.
  • There’s a public washroom and hand pump for potable water next to the park. 
  • Future improvements will include landscaping and installation of a misting station.
O’Dwyer Park: Fraser Street at 6th Street (also known as Lytton Park or Hot Spot Park)
  • Looking for a viewpoint for the rivers? There are benches offering a breathtaking view of the confluence of the Thompson and Fraser Rivers.
  • A memorial plaque honours Jim O’Dwyer for his dedicated and outstanding service to Lytton.
  • A second plaque honours early Chinese settlers and their many contributions to the community of Lytton, as well as the Province of B.C.’s formal apology to Chinese Canadians in 2014 for historical wrongdoing committed by early B.C. governments.
  • A round stepping stone marks "Canada's Hot Spot," referencing the record-breaking temperatures that are common in Lytton summers. 
Chief Cexpe’nthlEm (also known as Chief David Spitlum) Park (Fraser Street past 7th Street, just north of O’Dwyer Park) 
  • The park is dedicated to the legacy of the great Nlaka’pamux leader and peacemaker, Chief Cexpe’nthlEm, and offers an unobstructed view of the rivers’ confluence. 
  • Improvements last year include the construction of gabion walls and installation of paving stones, landscaping, and a pergola. There will be an official opening event sometime this year.
  • Recent upgrades have been made in partnership between the Lytton First Nation, Village of Lytton, Territory of the People Anglican Church, and New Pathways to Gold Society. 

The Village of Lytton is in the planning stages for additional improvements to Pocket Park, O'Dwyer Park, and Flag Park (the welcome entry to Lytton's Village centre).

Food and gas

There are several options for snacks and meals in and nearby Lytton:

G’wsep Gas & Food (1054 Highway 12) 
  • Stop in for gas, sandwiches, and snacks including fresh popcorn, ice, and more.
Lytton Two Rivers Farmers’ Market at G’wsep Gas & Food (1054 Highway 12): Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from June 26 to October 30, 2026
  • Stock up on flowers, produce, preserves, bannock, and crafts from local vendors.
  • Cash only
Kumsheen Coffee Bar (at Kumsheen Rafting Resort 1345 Highway 1, approximately 7 km NE of Lytton): open for the season
  • Enjoy coffee and snacks inside or on the patio with views of the Thompson River. 
Cutting Board Restaurant (at Kumsheen Rafting Resort 1345 Highway 1, approximately 7 km NE of Lytton): open Thursday to Sunday from May to September
  • The Cutting Board serves family-style or buffet breakfasts and dinners in an indoor-outdoor sunroom restaurant. 
Shaw Springs (2915 Highway 1, Spences Bridge): open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner
  • Serving authentic Chinese food, this was the Jade Springs restaurant in Lytton prior to the 2021 fire.
Find other food services in the following locations outside of Lytton:
  • Spences Bridge (38 km northeast on Highway 1)
  • Boston Bar (44 km south on Highway 1)
  • Lillooet (63 km south on Highway 12)

Electric vehicle (EV) charging

There are two EV charging stations close to Lytton:

  • Kumsheen Rafting Resort (1345 Highway 1, 7km NE of Lytton): 16 kW Tesla (available seasonally 24/7)
  • BC Hydro–Skuppah Rest Area (located on the Highway 1, 6 km south of Lytton): two DC fast chargers with CCS and CHAdeMO connectors

Accommodation

The following are options for accommodation in Lytton and nearby:

  • Pines Motel in Lytton
  • Airbnb properties in Lytton and Boston Bar
  • Ruddocks Ranch at Onion Lake (5700 Laluwissin Creek Forest Service Road, approximately 28 km from Lytton via Highway 12) off-grid 9-bedroom lodge, cabins, trailers, and camping
  • Hotels/motels in Spences Bridge, Boston Bar, and Lillooet

If you're a contractor working in Lytton, you can check out a list of temporary workforce housing options in Lytton. 

Camping

Camping is available in these locations:

  • Skihist Provincial Park Campground (Highway 1, Lytton, approximately 8 km NE from Lytton) open from May to late September
  • Kumsheen Rafting Resort (1345 Highway 1, 7 km NE of Lytton) canvas tents, teepees, campground, and RV sites (closing for the season in mid- to late October)
  • Shaw Springs (15 minutes east of Kumsheen Rafting Resort) RV sites and campground
  • Ruddocks Ranch at Onion Lake (5700 Laluwissin Creek Forest Service Road, approximately 28 km from Lytton via Highway 12) off-grid lodge, cabins, and camping
  • Acacia Grove RV Park & Cabins in Spences Bridge

Activities

Adventure and culture meet in Lytton. Explore the following activities:

Lytton Chinese History Museum (145 Main Street, Lytton): open from May to October
  • The rebuilt museum honours the contributions that early Chinese settlers made to the history of Lytton and the surrounding area.
Whitewater rafting
  • Kumsheen Rafting Resort offers day trips or multi-day packages rafting on the Thompson, Fraser, or Nicola rivers (April to end of September)
Walking / hiking
  • Take the pedestrian bridge (on the north side of the Lytton Canadian National Railroad Fraser Bridge) across the Fraser River. The enclosed pedestrian walkway provides a perfect view of the silty brown waters of the Fraser River mixing with the blue-green waters of the Thompson River. The bridge connects the Village of Lytton from River Road to the rural areas and several Lytton First Nation reserves on the west side of the Fraser River.
  • Stein Valley Nlaka'pamux Heritage Park is a protected wilderness area of historic and cultural importance to the Nlaka'pamux. Access the park via the Lytton Reaction Ferry, a cable ferry that runs from 2.4 km north of Lytton to the west side of the Fraser River. After getting off the ferry, follow the road to the right for 4.8 km to the junction with the Stein Valley Road. The park, which includes 50 km of hiking trails and routes, is co-managed by BC Parks and Lytton First Nation.
  • Skihist Provincial Park (Highway 1, Lytton, approximately 8 km NE) offers a day use area, camping, and approximately 8 km of hiking trails. The day use area directly across the highway from the campground offers breathtaking views of White Canyon and the Thompson River.
  • Goldpan Provincial Park (Highway 1, approximately 25 km N of Lytton) offers a day use area on the Thompson River for picnics. The park is a popular area for fishing during peak season (check regulations), enjoying guided river rafting, and exploring geological and human history.
Geocaching             
  • Enjoy geocaching with the whole family. There are several geocaches in the Lytton area, which are part of the Gold Country GeoTourism program. These include the Lytton cemetery, Lytton Jelly Roll (a large geologically significant sand and silt structure), Lytton Reaction Ferry. 
  • There’s a new geocache in Lytton, which is the seventh in the BC Spirit Quest series. These geocaches highlight historical figures and places and are often located near historically significant sites like cemeteries. 
Fishing
Fly fishing, ice fishing, mountain and dirt biking, ATV, hunting, and horseback riding
  • Ruddocks Ranch at Onion Lake (5700 Laluwissin Creek Forest Service Road, approximately 28 km from Lytton via Highway 12) offers rustic off-grid cabins, camping, and a lodge with a variety of outdoor activities.

Events

Lytton hosts a wide range of annual events and festivals for the whole family, including the following:

  • Lytton Mayday Celebration (May long weekend) 
  • Canyon Cruise (from Hope to Lytton) and show & shine (May long weekend)
  • Nlaka’pamux Day on National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21)
  • Lytton River Festival (Labour Day long weekend; late August/early September)
  • Nlaka'pamux Remembrance Day Pow Wow (early November)

Find more information in the Village's events calendar.

Services

Lytton offers bank, post office, pharmacy, and emergency services:

Banks

Scotiabank ABM at G’wsep Gas & Food (1054 Highway 12)
  • The bank machine offers cash withdrawal only.
Scotiabank (1345 Highway 1 at Kumsheen Rafting Resort)
  • The bank branch is open in a temporary location.

Post office

Canada Post (1558 Silo Road, Lytton First Nation)
  • The post office is open in a temporary location. 

Pharmacy

Pharmacy (1535 Silo Road, Lytton First Nation)
  • The pharmacy is open in a temporary location.

Emergency services

Dial 9-1-1 for fire, police, or ambulance emergencies.
 

Other travel information

Find other helpful information to help plan your visit:

Visiting Lytton

Construction

Driving conditions

Fire prohibitions and restrictions

Check current fire prohibitions and restrictions before you have a campfire. Lytton is located in the Kamloops Fire Centre.

Weather

Coming soon

Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 162 (141 4th Street)
  • Check for the opening in 2026 and food services.

Corrections and updates

Notice anything missing? Email communication@lytton.ca to let us know. The Village will update this list seasonally.