The upper reaches of the Fraser River were first explored by Sir Alexander Mackenzie in 1793, and fully traced by Simon Fraser in 1808, who confirmed that it was not connected with the Columbia River.
Horná časť rieky Fraser bola preskúmaná sirom Alexandrom Mackenziem v roku 1793 a celý jej tok Simonom Fraserom v roku 1807, ktorého výprava potvrdila, že rieka Fraser nie je prepojená s riekou Columbia.