Clinton, a quaint village nestled in British Columbia, Canada, is a hidden gem that offers a unique blend of history and outdoor adventure. Located approximately 40 km northwest of Cache Creek and 30 km south of 70 Mile House, Clinton is considered by some to straddle the southern edge of the Cariboo country of British Columbia.
While some consider Ashcroft-Cache Creek, Lillooet, Savona, Kamloops, Lytton, and Spences Bridge to be in the Cariboo, Clinton sits immediately below the southern edge of the Cariboo Plateau. This positioning makes it a gateway to the Cariboo country, offering a plethora of attractions including horse-back riding, big game viewing, hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
Every May, Clinton transforms into a hub of cultural celebration. The village is home to the Annual Ball held on the Victoria Day weekend, where many people dress as the first settlers did. This event kicks off the Village's Heritage week, culminating in a parade, a May rodeo, and a dance. The Clinton Annual Ball, first held in 1867, is one of British Columbia's oldest continual events and was a highlight of the social calendar in the British Columbia Interior for many decades.
The Clinton Museum, built in 1892, houses a number of historical artifacts that date back to the gold rush and the founding of the area. This museum is a must-visit for history enthusiasts exploring Clinton, British Columbia.
Originally known as Cut-Off Valley, "47 Mile House" or "47 Mile", Clinton was named in 1863 upon completion of the Cariboo Wagon Road in the area. The village was named after Henry Fiennes Pelham Clinton, the 5th Duke of Newcastle, who was colonial secretary from 1854 to 1864.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Clinton had a population of 568 living in 291 of its 336 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -11.4% from its 2016 population of 641. With a land area of 8.14 km2, it had a population density of 69.8/km2 in 2021.
Highway 97 runs through the village north-south, meeting just south of downtown with the Pavilion Mountain Road. This road connects from Pavilion and Kelly Lake and is the route of the Old Cariboo Road. It follows what is known as Cut-Off Valley from the foot of the road over Pavilion Mountain. Other roads lead east from the Cariboo Road routing to Bonaparte Lake and Bonaparte Provincial Park and various provincial parks in that area. Loon Lake is accessed via the Loon Lake Road, which departs Highway 97 eastwards to the south of Clinton.
