An important centre in Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Quesnel is located on Highway 97, 120 km/74 mi north of Williams Lake, 116 km/72 mi south of Prince George, and 82 km/51 mi west of Barkerville. Quesnel boasts the world's largest gold pan, a memorial to the days when the area had the richest gold fields in North America. It is still possible for visitors to try their luck panning for gold along the Quesnel and Fraser rivers.
Special events in Quesnel include the Billy Bark Days Festival, four days of family fun held the third week in July. In winter, the 320-km Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Race is held the last weekend in January.