Ministry of Environment - Drifwood Canyon

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Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

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Park Info:

Driftwood Canyon is recognized as one of the world’s most significant fossil beds. It provides park users with a fascinating opportunity to understand the area's evolutionary processes of both geology and biology.

Park Size: 21 hectares

Special Notes:

To ensure that future generations may study and learn more about our earth’s history, BC Parks asks for your co-operation in refraining from removing any fossils. The fossils are more valuable in the ground than they are exposed to the elements of erosion, which spoil their scientific and educational values.

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

Online Management planning information for this park is not available at this time.

Location:

Location Map

10 km northeast of Smithers, follow the signs on Old Babine Lake Road. The closest communities, towns and cities are Smithers and Telkwa.

Map/Brochure:

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

There are no digital maps or brochures for this park
Location Map

Nature & Culture:

History - This park was created in 1967 to protect the fossil beds on the east side of Driftwood Creek. The beds were discovered around the turn of the century. Preserved within the shale formations are plant, animal and insect species that inhabited the area of 50 million years ago.
General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

Visitor Safety:

Standing directly beneath the cliff face is dangerous. Please do not venture off trails or past the viewing platform.

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.

No camping at this park.

Explore Parks: Fees, park listings, what you should know before you go and other useful links.

Contact Information:

Northwest Escapes Ltd
E-mail address: nwescapesbc@telus.net
Phone: (250) 638-8490

	No vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
	No wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping.
	No group campsites.
	There is a day-use/picnicking area beside Driftwood Creek. It is a grassy area with picnic tables and fire pits. There is a moderate sized parking area available for vehicles to park. Note: the area is open year round but the snow is not plowed during the winter season.
	There are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.
	Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
	There are two pit toilets located at the day-use area.
	No showers.
	No sani-station/dump facilities.
	Campfires are permitted at this park but visitors must provide their own wood. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood around the day-use area or elsewhere in the park. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small.
	There are no electrical hook-ups in this park
	Interpretive information is available at the parking area and at the end of a short trail where there is an elevated viewing platform. The platform overlooks a cliff face and there is information about the fossil beds.
	There is a short trail that leads from the parking area to the fossil beds. 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.
	This park does not have a playground.
	There are no swimming opportunities at this park.
	There are no canoeing/kayaking opportunities at this park
	No boat launch is available at this park.
	No fishing.
	Cycling is not permitted.
	No horseback riding.
	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.
	There is an elevated platform at the end of a short trail leading from the parking area. It overlooks a cliff face and has interpretive information about the fossil beds.
	No winter recreation opportunities.
	No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.
	No windsurfing opportunities.
	No waterskiing opportunities.
	No hunting in the park.
	No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.
	No spelunking or caving opportunities.
	No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.