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Attention
Visitors - Important Notice!
- There are no park alerts at this time.
Park
Info:
The main feature of the 13, 887 hectare park is three small
lakes that straddle the Continental Divide in a narrow,
steep-sided
glacial overflow channel. Arctic Lake is located in the headwaters
of the Parsnip River that eventually drains into the Arctic
Ocean. Portage and Pacific Lakes drain via James Creek into
Herrick Creek and the McGregor River, which empties into
the
Fraser River on the way to the Pacific. This is a unique
watershed as water flows to the Pacific and also to the Arctic
Ocean. The lakes are a beautiful
turquoise colour, and situated in a very scenic area, with
alpine peaks and ridges as a distant backdrop. Situated in
an area of limestone bedrock, some watercourses drain underground.
Valley bottoms alongside the lakes support wet meadows and
mixed forest. Valley sides include extensive avalanche chutes
and small, picturesque waterfalls.
The park protects very high value fall and spring grizzly
habitat, and year-round caribou habitat. Lakes and streams
support diverse fish populations, and provide excellent opportunities
for fishing.
This protected area contains an old aboriginal route that
was followed by Alexander Mackenzie in 1793 during the first
crossing of the continent to the Pacific Ocean.
Diverse fish populations including lake trout, bull trout,
rainbow trout, kokanee, dolly varden, mountain whitefish,
redside shiner, lake char, and chinook salmon, and arctic
grayling in Arctic Lake. .
Park
Size: 13,887
hectares
Special
Notes:
Management
Planning:
Management
Planning Information
Location:
This
protected area is located in a remote area 90 km Northeast
of Prince George. A logging road in the Parsnip Valley
provides access to within a short distance of the park,
boat access is also possible via the Parsnip River and
Arctic Creek. The closest community, town and city is
Prince George.
Map/Brochure:
Any maps listed are for
information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be
used for navigation.
Nature & Culture:
- History - This protected
area contains an old aboriginal route that was followed by Alexander
Mackenzie in 1793 during the first crossing of the continent to
the Pacific Ocean.
- Cultural
Heritage - Archaeological
sites are found around Arctic Lake. This area is used by the McLeod
Lake Indian Band for berry picking, hunting, and fishing.
- Wildlife - Very high fall and spring grizzly populations and year round caribou habitat. Diverse fish populations including lake trout, bull trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, dolly varden, mountain whitefish, redside shiner, lake char, and chinook salmon, and Arctic Grayling in Arctic Lake.
Visitor
Safety:
- Potential
human/bear conflicts. This area is excellent black and
grizzly
bear habitat. Users of the area must be knowledgeable about
wilderness travel and the necessary precautions. See
the general visitor safety information below.
General
Visitor Safety Information (park
safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)
Reservations:For
parks that accept reservations,
all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover
Camping.
Explore
Parks: Fees, park listings, what
you should know before you go and other useful links.
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No
vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
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Wilderness,
backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed, but no facilities
are provided. Rugged terrain with no facilities or trails
other than the trail between Arctic and Pacific Lakes,
extremely difficult foot access, main access by boat
via the Parsnip River and Arctic Creek.
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No
group campsites.
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No
day-use or picnic facilities.
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There
are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.
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Bring
your own drinking water as potable water is not available
in the park. Drinking out of any streams or lakes is
not recommended unless the water has been filtered or
treated.
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No
toilets. |
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No
showers.
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No
sani-station/dump facilities.
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No firewood available. Bring a portable stove for cooking.
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There are no electrical hook-ups in this park. |
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There
are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at
this park.
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For
your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey
posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting
trails destroys plant life and soil structure. The only
trail is the historic Portage trail between Arctic and
Pacific Lakes. Very rugged terrain.
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This
park does not have a playground.
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There
are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks. Lakes
are extremely cold due to elevation and short season.
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There
are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.
Access to Arctic Lake via the Parsnip River and Arctic
Creek is possible. The route down James Creek is not
recommended due to the many log jams and rapids.
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This
park does not have a boat launch.
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Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have
an appropriate licence.
See
BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations synopsis for site
specific regulations.
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Cycling
is not permitted.
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No
horses or horseback riding allowed in the park.
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Pets/domestic
animals must be on a leash at all times and are
not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You
are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose
of their excrement.
Backcountry
areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to
wildlife issues and the potential for problems with
bears. |
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There are no
wildlife viewing opportunities but grizzly bears and caribou are in
the area.
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No
winter recreation opportunities. |
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No
SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities. |
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No
windsurfing opportunities. |
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No
waterskiing opportunities. |
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Hunting is allowed in the park. See the Hunting and Trapping regulations
for more information. Horses are not allowed in the park for hunting purposes.
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No
climbing or rock climbing opportunities. |
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No
spelunking or caving opportunities. |
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No
cabins, yurts or lodges for public use. |
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