Cottonwood River (Fraser River tributary) facts for kids

This article is about the Cottonwood River in British Columbia, Canada. For other rivers with the same name, see Cottonwood River.

The Cottonwood River is an important river in the middle part of British Columbia, Canada. It's like a smaller stream that flows into a much bigger river called the Fraser River. The Cottonwood River starts where two other streams, the Swift River and Lightning Creek, meet. This spot is near a historic place called Coldspring House.

This area is famous because it was part of the exciting Cariboo Gold Rush long ago. The Cottonwood River first flows northwest, then turns southwest. It eventually joins the Fraser River just north of the city of Quesnel. Quesnel itself is also where the Quesnel River meets the Fraser.

Places Named After the River

The Cottonwood River has given its name to several interesting places nearby.

Cottonwood Settlement

There's a small community called Cottonwood that's named after the river. It's located about 8 kilometers (5 miles) northwest from where the Swift River and Lightning Creek join to form the Cottonwood River.

Cottonwood House

Another important place is Cottonwood House. This is a historic property right next to the Cottonwood settlement. Cottonwood House used to be a "road house." Imagine a hotel and rest stop for travelers back in the old days! It was a key stop on the last part of the Cariboo Wagon Road.

This old road was very important during the gold rush. It started in Yale and went north to Quesnel. From Quesnel, it turned east to reach Barkerville, which was the main town during the Cariboo Gold Rush. Today, Cottonwood House is a historic park and a small museum. You can visit it and learn about what life was like for gold miners and travelers.

Cottonwood Canyon

The river also gives its name to the Cottonwood Canyon. This canyon is along the Fraser River, just north of where the Cottonwood River flows into it. Canyons are deep, narrow valleys with steep sides, often carved by a river.

Cottonwood River Provincial Park

You can also find the Cottonwood River Provincial Park in this area. This park is located northeast of where the Quesnel River and the Cottonwood River meet. Provincial parks are special places set aside by the government to protect nature and allow people to enjoy the outdoors.