Discovery of gold in the surrounding area in the 1860s contributed to Quesnel's growth. The city is the center of a popular hunting and fishing region at the junction of the Fraser and Quesnel rivers. Lumber, pulp and plywood manufacturing, tourism, cattle ranching and mining are the city's primary sources of income.

East of the city on Hwy. 26 is a historic remnant of the gold rush days, Barkerville Historic Town, a restored boomtown of that era. Just beyond Barkerville is Bowron Lake Provincial Park, which has a 116-kilometre (72-mi.) canoe circuit of interconnecting lakes. Alpine skiing is available nearby.

Quesnel Visitor Centre 703 Carson Ave. Quesnel, BC V2J 2B6. Phone:(250)992-8716 or (800)992-4922

Cottonwood House Historic Site

Quesnel & District Museum and Archives