Babine Mountains Provincial Park
- The Smithers Snowmobile Association (SSA), in partnership with BC Parks and MFLNRO, Recreation Sites and Trails will be implementing a Trail User Fee on the Babine Mountain Trail Park access to the Babine Mountains Park and the designated snowmobile area. The fee is not for the SSA to profit from, it is being implemented only to cover operational costs of maintenance of cabins and trails and grooming the trails.
- The fee breakdown is as follows:
- With annual membership trail fees are included
- $140 for single membership
- $270 for family membership
- $80 for senior membership (65+)
- Daily trail fee $20 per day per person
- SSA Memberships can be purchased at Wayside Service, Evergreen Industrial Supplies and Trails North in Smithers. Day Pass trail fees can be purchased at these locations and as well as the trailhead locations at the Onion, Dome and Telkwa River Road.
- With annual membership trail fees are included
- Warning – The Cronin Creek road crossing has been washed out due to high water, and there is still no bridge at this site. Use caution when approaching this washout as the road material is being undercut by the creek. Visitors should use extreme caution for foot access across large downed logs or fording the creek at this site. This may be attempted to continue along the trail past the creek, but not recommended. This site is approximately 7kms from the Babine Lake road. Visitors should be aware that the area on the road to turn a vehicle around is quite small at this site now.
- The Cronin Trail is washed out in a couple places beyond the Higgins Trailhead. These washouts are marked and easy to identify during the day in summer months. Visitors should use extreme caution if using this trail at night or while snowmobiling in winter months. Crossing the washouts in both areas may not be possible if attempted to cross with a horse.
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Know Before You Go
Check back for trail condition reports in the summer months.Dogs are not allowed inside the Joe L’Orsa cabin, and must be under control when left outside the cabin.
BC Parks, in consultation with various user groups, has designated certain areas for snowmobiling. View the Babine Mountains Snowmobile Map [PDF 181KB] and the Google Earth file of designated Babine Mountains snowmobile areas for more information. Please respect these boundaries. Skiers and snowshoers may travel in the designated snowmobile area if they wish. If you choose to do so, yield to snowmobilers, as you can hear them coming but they can't hear you.
The Onion Mountain, Orange, and Cronin Creek Trails are not entirely within Babine Mountains Provincial Park, but, as a result of direction provided by the Bulkley Valley Land and Resource Management Plan, they are managed by BC Parks under Section 6 of the Park Act. The Onion Mountain and Orange Trails are non-motorized during summer months. The Cronin Creek Trail is non-motorized during summer months from the Higgins Creek Trailhead onwards.
About This Park
This area within the Skeena Mountains ecosection offers some of the finest
hiking opportunities in west-central British Columbia. Glacier-fed
lakes, rugged peaks and extensive sub-alpine meadows provide day and
overnight hiking opportunities.Area habitat supports healthy populations of mountain goat, moose, marmot and many species of birds.
Rolling alpine plateaus, rugged mountains and an abundance of snow provides skiers, snowmobilers and snowshoers with experiences for all skill levels.
Park Size: 32,400 hectares
Location and Maps
Please note: Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation. Access to the west end of the park is off of Old Babine Lake Road, which leaves Highway 16 just east of the Bulkley River bridge. Follow the signs to Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park. The summer parking lot and information map are located 7km north of Driftwood Canyon. From there, the road is not passable to vehicle traffic. The closest communities, towns and cities are Smithers and Telkwa.To access the east end of the park, turn onto Babine Lake Road, 4 km east of Smithers on Highway #16. The Little Joe and Cronin Creek trailheads are found at 30.5 km and 32.5 km respectively along the route.
Maps and Brochures
Any maps listed are for information only – they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.- Park Map [PDF 893KB]
- Park Brochure [PDF 1.77MB]
- Park Brochure and Map (print-ready) [PDF 1.11MB]
- Google Earth KMZ file of the hiking trails Must have Google Earth and/or and Google Maps installed.
- Google Earth KML file of designated Babine Mountains snowmobile areas Must have Google Earth and/or and Google Maps installed.
- Joe L’Orsa Cabin User Regulations [PDF 274KB]
Nature and Culture
- Conservation – The vegetation of the Babines includes sub-boreal spruce and alpine tundra. In the lower timbered areas are white spruce, subalpine fir, lodgepole pine, trembling aspen, black huckleberry, bunchberry and feather mosses. In general, the soils in the Babines are not particularly rich. The climate restricts vegetative growth - in the lower areas vegetation is much quicker to recover from disturbances and in high elevations the recovery rate is extremely slow. One small area on the northern slopes of Mt. Cronin has been proposed as an Ecological Reserve to conserve the most northern known example of the Whitebark Pine. Flowers, trees and shrubs are part of the park's natural heritage, please don't damage or remove them.
- Wildlife – The most noteworthy
species commonly observed in the area are mountain goats, moose,
black bear, ground squirrels, marmots and deer, as well as a host
of smaller animals. Of the larger animals, only mountain goats make
the area their year-round home. Occasionally grizzly bear, lynx and
wolverine have been observed. Park users
should always be aware of bears and other wildlife in our park environment.
Never feed or approach bears or other wildlife. Get more information
on bear safety.
Wood ticks are most prevalent between March and June. These parasites live in tall grass and low shrubs, and seek out warm-blooded hosts. As potential carriers of disease, they should be avoided. Protect your legs by wearing gaiters, or pants tucked into socks. After any outdoor activities, thoroughly examine yourself, children and pets. If you find a tick embedded in your skin, the best way to remove it is by grasping and pulling it, gently, straight up and out with a small pair of tweezers, and disinfecting the site with rubbing alcohol. You may wish to save the tick in a small plastic or glass container for later inspection by your doctor especially if a fever develops, or the area around the bite appears to be infected. - Culture – Babine Mountains Provincial Park lies within the traditional territories of the Wet’suwet’en and Ned’u’ten peoples, with the Wet’suwet’en occupying the Wetzin’Kwa (Bulkley/Morice River) valley and the Ned’u’ten occupying the Babine Lake area. Both nations have used, and continue to use, the area for spiritual and sustenance activities, including hunting, trapping and fishing. Many of the existing trails within Babine Mountains Provincial Park were originally trails used by the Wet’suwet’en and Ned’u’ten.
Management Planning
Management Planning Information- Approved Management Plan for Babine Mountain Provincial Park is available in pdf format.
- Approved Management Direction Statement for Driftwood Extension is available in pdf format.
Activities Available at this Park
Cycling
Bicycles are permitted on Harvey Mountain Trail, Silver King Basin Trail, Onion Mountain Road/Trail, Cronin Creek Road/Trail and Higgins Creek Trail. For further information please review sections on hiking and walking trails. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Fishing
Fishing is allowed in the park at the Lower Reiseter Lake. Please read the BC Fishing Regulations and anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Hiking
Click here for information about Hiking in the Babine Mountain Provincial Park.
Check back for trail condition reports in the summer months. 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.
Check back for trail condition reports in the summer months. 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.
Horseback Riding
Horses are permitted on Harvey Mountain Trail, Silver King Basin Trail, Onion Mountain Road/Trail, Cronin Creek Road/Trail and Higgins Creek Trail. Horseback riders must have a written letter of permission before heading out on the Lyon Creek Trail. This can be obtained from BC Parks in Smithers. For further information please review sections on hiking and walking trails.
Hunting
Hunting is allowed in the park. All hunters to the area should refer to the current BC Hunting Regulation synopsis.
Pets on Leash
- Pets/domestic animals should be on a leash and under control at all times. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears. Porcupines are quite common in the park and many dogs get “quilled” each year.
- A trapper operates in the park from November to the middle of February. Dogs not on a leash could get caught in traps.
- Dogs are not allowed inside the Joe L’Orsa cabin. Dogs must be under control when left outside the cabin. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement appropriately.
Winter Recreation
Babine Mountains Provincial Park contains significant avalanche terrain. Winter users should be well educated about avalanche terrain and managing risk while travelling in such terrain. Please refer to the Canadian Avalanche Centre Website for information on current avalanche conditions, trips, and terrain ratings for this park.
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing:
CAUTION - Skiers and snowshoers may travel in the designated snowmobile area if they wish. If you choose to do so, yield to snowmobilers as you can hear them coming but they cannot hear you.
NOTICE - In the winter, the Driftwood Road is not plowed to the summer parking lot. It is an additional 4km from the winter parking lot to the summer parking lot, making the ski/snowshoe to the Joe L’Orsa Cabin substantially longer.
SILVER KING BASIN - From the parking area north of Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park, the trail follows an old mining road and climbs gradually through the heavily forested valley. Sunny Point is reached at 6 km, and at 12 km skiers reach the sub-alpine and views of the surrounding peaks. Exercise caution: under certain conditions there can be avalanche hazard from 12 km to near the Joe L’Orsa Cabin at approximately 13.5km.
LYON CREEK TRAIL AND HARVEY MOUNTAIN TRAIL - Ski tourers and snowshoers often use the Lyon Creek Trail and the Harvey Mountain Trail, which leave the Driftwood Road about 1.5 km and 4km beyond the winter parking lot respectively. A loop can be made by ascending the Lyon Creek Trail and coming back down the Harvey Mountain Trail.
Snowmobiling:
View the Babine Mountains Snowmobile Map [PDF 181KB] and the Google Earth file of designated Babine Mountains snowmobile areas for more information.
GANOKAWA BASIN AREA - From the junction of Old Babine Lake Road and Babine Lake Road, follow the Old Babine Lake Road northwest (toward Smithers) about 3 km to the Onion Mountain Trail and parking area. This trail provides access to the Ganokwa Basin snowmobiling area. The Smithers Snowmobile Association grooms the trail and maintains two day-use cabins in the area, the main cabin (out of the park) and the Burdette Cabin. Please contact the Smithers Snowmobile Association for information regarding cabin usage. Please refer to the information at the top of this web-page regarding trail use fees for snowmobiling on the Onion Mountain Trail.
HARVEY MOUNTAIN VIEWPOINT - The corridor to Harvey Mountain provides access to the viewpoint only. Please stay north of the posted boundary signs.
CRONIN CREEK BASIN AND FOUR LAKES AREA - These two areas are accessible to snowmobiles by special permit only. A limited number of permits are available on an annual basis. For further information, please contact BC Parks in Smithers.
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing:
CAUTION - Skiers and snowshoers may travel in the designated snowmobile area if they wish. If you choose to do so, yield to snowmobilers as you can hear them coming but they cannot hear you.
NOTICE - In the winter, the Driftwood Road is not plowed to the summer parking lot. It is an additional 4km from the winter parking lot to the summer parking lot, making the ski/snowshoe to the Joe L’Orsa Cabin substantially longer.
SILVER KING BASIN - From the parking area north of Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park, the trail follows an old mining road and climbs gradually through the heavily forested valley. Sunny Point is reached at 6 km, and at 12 km skiers reach the sub-alpine and views of the surrounding peaks. Exercise caution: under certain conditions there can be avalanche hazard from 12 km to near the Joe L’Orsa Cabin at approximately 13.5km.
LYON CREEK TRAIL AND HARVEY MOUNTAIN TRAIL - Ski tourers and snowshoers often use the Lyon Creek Trail and the Harvey Mountain Trail, which leave the Driftwood Road about 1.5 km and 4km beyond the winter parking lot respectively. A loop can be made by ascending the Lyon Creek Trail and coming back down the Harvey Mountain Trail.
Snowmobiling:
View the Babine Mountains Snowmobile Map [PDF 181KB] and the Google Earth file of designated Babine Mountains snowmobile areas for more information.
GANOKAWA BASIN AREA - From the junction of Old Babine Lake Road and Babine Lake Road, follow the Old Babine Lake Road northwest (toward Smithers) about 3 km to the Onion Mountain Trail and parking area. This trail provides access to the Ganokwa Basin snowmobiling area. The Smithers Snowmobile Association grooms the trail and maintains two day-use cabins in the area, the main cabin (out of the park) and the Burdette Cabin. Please contact the Smithers Snowmobile Association for information regarding cabin usage. Please refer to the information at the top of this web-page regarding trail use fees for snowmobiling on the Onion Mountain Trail.
HARVEY MOUNTAIN VIEWPOINT - The corridor to Harvey Mountain provides access to the viewpoint only. Please stay north of the posted boundary signs.
CRONIN CREEK BASIN AND FOUR LAKES AREA - These two areas are accessible to snowmobiles by special permit only. A limited number of permits are available on an annual basis. For further information, please contact BC Parks in Smithers.
Facilities Available at this Park
Cabins / Huts / Yurts
The Joe L’Orsa Cabin is located in the Silver King Basin of the Babine Mountains. It is accessible via the Silver King Trail and is available to the public year round.
The cabin will sleep 15-20 people comfortably and is subject to the first-come, first-serve rule. Be prepared to sleep outside if the cabin is full.
The cabin is 9x8.5 metres (log construction), is heated by a wood stove (firewood provided) and is fitted with a gray water disposal system. There is a galvanized steel counter for visitors to operate their camp stoves on and a pit toilet located outside the cabin. There is a creek adjacent to the cabin for water. All water should be treated or filtered prior to drinking. There are sleeping bunks in the cabin but no mattresses or blankets are provided. Visitors are expected to bring their own cooking stoves, pots, and utensils. Please take everything that you bring up to the cabin out with you when you leave.
There is a backcountry fee charge of $5.00 per person per night. It can be paid in advance to BC Parks in Smithers or deposited into a fee vault box located at the cabin. The money generated from the cabin will assist BC Parks with ongoing maintenance of the facility and firewood costs.
The Joe L’Orsa Cabin was named in memory of local resident Joe L’Orsa, who spearheaded the effort to create a park in the Babines. This cabin was made possible through the donations of many local businesses in the area. Access to the cabin is via the Driftwood Road and the Silver King Trail.
The cabin will sleep 15-20 people comfortably and is subject to the first-come, first-serve rule. Be prepared to sleep outside if the cabin is full.
The cabin is 9x8.5 metres (log construction), is heated by a wood stove (firewood provided) and is fitted with a gray water disposal system. There is a galvanized steel counter for visitors to operate their camp stoves on and a pit toilet located outside the cabin. There is a creek adjacent to the cabin for water. All water should be treated or filtered prior to drinking. There are sleeping bunks in the cabin but no mattresses or blankets are provided. Visitors are expected to bring their own cooking stoves, pots, and utensils. Please take everything that you bring up to the cabin out with you when you leave.
There is a backcountry fee charge of $5.00 per person per night. It can be paid in advance to BC Parks in Smithers or deposited into a fee vault box located at the cabin. The money generated from the cabin will assist BC Parks with ongoing maintenance of the facility and firewood costs.
The Joe L’Orsa Cabin was named in memory of local resident Joe L’Orsa, who spearheaded the effort to create a park in the Babines. This cabin was made possible through the donations of many local businesses in the area. Access to the cabin is via the Driftwood Road and the Silver King Trail.
Cabin Use Fee: $5.00 per person / night
Campfires
While campfires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using camp stoves instead, especially in alpine and subalpine environments. A fire ring is provided for outdoor fires behind the Joe L’Orsa cabin. Please use the wood provided in the wood shed and do not collect firewood from surrounding areas. When having fires in other parts of the park, please use dead, downed wood. Do not cut live vegetation. Please do not burn wood from old buildings.
Pit or Flush Toilets
Pit toilets are present at the summer parking lot on the Driftwood Road and at the Joe L’Orsa cabin.
Walk-In/Wilderness Camping
Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
