About Big Bar Guest Ranch & Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation
About the Ranch
Big Bar Guest Ranch is a rustic, Indigenous-owned retreat nestled in the heart of British Columbia’s stunning Cariboo region. Spread across 102 acres of rolling grasslands and set against the dramatic Marble Range, the ranch offers guests an authentic western experience steeped in nature, history, and connection. Whether you’re here for outdoor adventure or peaceful retreat, Big Bar invites you to reconnect — with the land, with yourself, and with a simpler way of life.
Our Indigenous Ownership
Big Bar Guest Ranch is proudly owned and operated by the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (SXFN), a Secwepemc community located along the Fraser River, southwest of Williams Lake. Once two distinct bands — Canoe Creek (Stswecem’c) and Dog Creek (Xgat’tem) — these communities came together in the late 1800s, honoring both their separate histories and shared future. Today, SXFN is committed to building an economically self-sustaining, culturally thriving, and healthy community, where Secwepemc language, traditions, and stewardship of the land remain at the heart of everything.
Our Ranching History
The story of Big Bar dates back to the 1860s, when thousands traveled the Cariboo Wagon Road chasing gold, cattle lands, and opportunity. English immigrant Harry Marriott, once part of the legendary Gang Ranch, joined forces with Vancouver banker George S. Harrison to form the O.K. Ranching Company — a cattle empire spanning over 200,000 acres. From this partnership, a 100-acre retreat emerged: Big Bar Guest Ranch.
The original Harrison House, built in 1936 from local logs and stone, still stands today, offering guests a cozy gathering place by the fire or in the music room. While the ranching legacy remains strong, Big Bar’s story has evolved into something deeper: a place where heritage, nature, and reconciliation meet.
The Land & Experience
Big Bar Guest Ranch invites you to explore the breathtaking landscape of traditional SXFN territory — interlocking valleys, snow-capped peaks, sweeping pastures, and pristine forests. Guests can hike or bike through untouched wilderness, saddle up for scenic rides, or simply relax beneath a sky filled with stars.
Accommodations range from charming log cabins and spacious lodges to inn-style rooms, all designed for comfort and connection to the natural world. Along the way, you’ll experience the warm hospitality, cultural richness, and living history that make Big Bar unlike anywhere else.
