Bell Ranch - 774 Acre Ranch with Log Home - Farwell Canyon, Chilcotin

Bell Ranch is a stunning 774.26-acre ranch property located near Farwell Canyon, approximately 1.5 hours from Williams Lake. Set in a beautiful and productive ranching area, the property boasts 400 acres of hayland with flood irrigation and water rights, producing a single annual crop that yields approximately 650 round bales. This turnkey operation includes machinery and equipment, making it ideal for anyone looking to step directly into a working ranch. The land is fully perimeter fenced and features multiple corrals, excellent road access, and is well-suited for hay production and cattle grazing.

The ranch includes numerous outbuildings that support a fully functional agricultural operation. These include a 20 x 26 ft shop, a large 30 x 48 ft heated and wired shop, a 12 x 12 ft grain shed, a 32 x 40 ft calving barn, and a 3-bay 56 x 20 ft machine shed. Several small heritage cabins on the property add a touch of history and character. The infrastructure is thoughtfully laid out to support calving, machinery storage, grain handling, and general farm use, making this an efficient and practical setup for ranchers or farmers.

At the heart of the ranch sits a charming 3,816 sq. ft. log home offering warm and spacious living. The home features 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom on the main level, an open-concept kitchen with a classic wood-burning cookstove, a cozy dining area, and a large living room with vaulted ceilings. A loft overlooks the main living space, offering additional sleeping or office space. The home also includes a full unfinished basement, perfect for storage or further development. This is a rare opportunity to own a well-established ranch in one of BC’s most iconic and picturesque ranching regions.

A portion of the 63,000 acre Range Permit RAN076885 is negotiable with the sale, contact agent for details.

6435 Farwell Canyon Road - Big Creek, BC

To reach Bell Ranch from Williams Lake, you have two scenic access routes. The first is via Farwell Canyon Road: head west from Williams Lake on Highway 20 for approximately 60 km to the Meldrum Creek Road turnoff. Follow Meldrum Creek Road south, continuing onto Farwell Canyon Road. This route offers breathtaking views of the canyon and the Chilcotin River, eventually bringing you to the ranch at 6435 Farwell Canyon Road.

Alternatively, you can access the ranch from Lees Corner. From Williams Lake, travel west on Highway 20 for about 100 km to Lees Corner (Hanceville). Turn south onto the access road toward Big Creek and Farwell Canyon. Continue following signage through the rolling grasslands and along ranch access roads until you reach the ranch gate. Both routes are well-maintained and seasonally accessible, offering a true taste of BC’s ranching heartland.

Williams Lake is the nearest major service center to Bell Ranch, located about 1.5 hours away in the heart of the Cariboo region. Known as a hub for ranching, forestry, and outdoor adventure, Williams Lake offers a full range of amenities and services to support rural and agricultural lifestyles. The city has a population of approximately 11,000 and features a regional airport, hospital, veterinary services, equipment and feed suppliers, as well as major grocery and hardware stores.

The community is well-equipped with schools, restaurants, retail shopping, and professional services, making it a reliable resource for ranch owners in the surrounding areas. Williams Lake also boasts strong transportation links via Highway 20 and Highway 97, and is a center for livestock sales and agricultural events, including the popular Williams Lake Stampede—one of Canada’s largest rodeos.

In addition to its practical amenities, the area is surrounded by natural beauty, with countless opportunities for hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and exploring the lakes, rivers, and backcountry trails that make the Cariboo famous.

Big Creek, BC is a remote and rugged wilderness community located in the Chilcotin region. Known for its wide-open spaces, sweeping grasslands, and high-elevation forests, the area attracts those seeking solitude and connection with nature. The community is sparse and deeply rooted in ranching traditions, with working cattle ranches spread across the land. Big Creek Provincial Park is at the heart of the region’s recreational opportunities, providing access to horseback riding, fishing, backcountry camping, and hiking amid scenic alpine meadows and crystal-clear creeks. The pace is quiet and self-reliant, with residents valuing independence, resilience, and a deep respect for the land. There's a raw, unpolished beauty to Big Creek that speaks to those who appreciate wilderness over convenience and community defined more by shared values than proximity.

Big Creek residents and visitors typically rely on Williams Lake for regular shopping, healthcare, and larger logistical needs. Roughly 100 km away, Williams Lake serves as the commercial and cultural hub of the Cariboo region. It has a friendly small-town feel, balanced with a busy and practical energy shaped by forestry, ranching, and mining. The city is best known for its annual Williams Lake Stampede, a major event that draws rodeo fans from across the country and celebrates the area’s cowboy heritage. The downtown area features a blend of local shops, cafes, Indigenous art galleries, and museums like the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin, which pays homage to both settler and Indigenous histories. Williams Lake offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including biking in the award-winning Westsyde Trail Network, exploring Scout Island Nature Centre, and fishing or boating on the lake itself. The community vibe is welcoming and down-to-earth, with a strong sense of local pride and a growing appreciation for cultural diversity and outdoor recreation.

Farwell Canyon and the Bell Ranch lie within the unique and striking landscape of BC’s Chilcotin Plateau, where the vegetation reflects a blend of semi-arid grasslands, open forests, and fertile riparian zones. The canyon itself is known for its dramatic hoodoo formations, sagebrush slopes, bunchgrass hillsides, and scattered stands of Douglas fir and pine. This diverse ecosystem supports a variety of wildlife and is one of the northernmost natural grassland areas in North America.

On Bell Ranch, the landscape transitions from open range and gently rolling hills into fertile hay fields. The 400 acres of flood-irrigated land are upland meadow grasses which thrive in the region’s long summer. These productive fields yield approximately 650 round bales per year, providing excellent feed for livestock and reflecting the well-managed, sustainable land use typical of the Chilcotin’s historic ranching tradition.

Big Creek offers year-round recreation for those who appreciate wilderness experiences and remote backcountry access. In the warmer months, Big Creek Provincial Park, which lies just west of the community, is ideal for horseback riding, hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, and camping. This rugged and undeveloped park is known for its alpine meadows, high-elevation trails, and clear creeks, drawing adventurers who value solitude and pristine scenery.

Hunting is a common fall activity, particularly for moose and deer. In winter, the area becomes a backcountry playground for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, though all activities are self-guided due to the remoteness and lack of commercial operators. Big Creek’s recreational appeal is quiet and uncommercial, with the focus on independent exploration in wide-open country.

Williams Lake a central hub for both local and destination-based outdoor activity, with something available in every season.

The area provides a broader range of recreation across all four seasons, with organized events and well-maintained infrastructure. During spring and summer, the city is a hotspot for mountain biking thanks to the renowned Westsyde Trail Network, which is within city limits and maintained by a strong local riding community. Scout Island Nature Centre, located right on Williams Lake, offers walking trails, birdwatching, and paddle-friendly access to the water. The lake itself supports boating, swimming, and fishing in the warmer months.

In the winter, Bull Mountain Nordic Centre, just 16 km north of Williams Lake, provides a network of groomed cross-country ski trails and snowshoe loops. For downhill skiing and snowboarding, Mt. Timothy Recreation Resort is located about 90 km southeast of Williams Lake, offering family-friendly runs and terrain suitable for beginners and intermediates.

In the late 1800s as part of the broader expansion of ranching and resource activity in British Columbia’s Chilcotin region, Big Creek was developed. The area attracted settlers drawn to its vast grasslands and water sources, ideal for raising cattle and horses. Over time, the town became known for its working ranches, many of which remain active today. While the population has always been sparse, the community has held on through a deep connection to the land and a lifestyle rooted in independence, resilience, and frontier spirit.

Shortly thereafter, Williams Lake began to take shape. As a stopping point along the Cariboo Wagon Road during the Cariboo Gold Rush, its strategic location made it an important transport and supply centre for miners and settlers heading further north. The arrival of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway in the early 20^th century cemented its role as a regional hub. Over the years, Williams Lake grew into a service centre for the ranching, forestry, and mining industries, with its strong rodeo tradition and community events continuing to reflect its cowboy heritage.