Ministry of Environment - Kitlope Heritage Conservancy

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Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

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Park Info:

This park encompasses the world's largest intact coastal temperate rainforest. This unique rainforest has old-growth trees over 800 years old. The Kitlope Valley is an important habitat for marbled murrelets, bald eagles, moose, grizzly, black bear and waterfowl. The Kitlope Valley lies within the traditional territory of the Haisla nation.

It takes a few hours to travel to the Kitlope by boat from Kitimat. The best time to visit the area is in July and August, when the marine conditions and the weather are at their season best. Along the way visitors can do some fishing; visit Weewanie or Shearwater (Europa) Hot Springs; watch for whales, seals, eagles, mountain goats, and bears; and view the wonderful waterfalls, tall granite cliffs, and hanging glaciers of Gardner Canal. Visitors arriving in larger vessels can anchor just outside the estuary area (deeper water) and then take a smaller boat (jet boats are best) up the Kitlope River to Kitlope Lake.

Note: A list of various companies that provide park activity opportunities are shown below in the symbols information.

Park Size: 321,120 hectares

Special Notes:

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

Online management planning information for this park is available.

Location:

Location Map

The park is located at the head of the Gardner Canal, on British Columbia's central coast, approximately 50 km northwest of Bella Coola and 120 km southeast of the town of Kitimat. The area is accessed by boat to the head of the Gardener Canal. The area is accessed by boat and aircraft only. Visitors should be experienced in ocean navigation and wilderness survival. Visitors can use jet boats to access Kitlope Lake and Kitlope River systems.

Reference: Marine Charts #3743 (Douglas Channel) and #3745 (Gardner Canal)
Reference: 1:50,000 topographic map #93 E/4

Map/Brochure:

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

Map (909 kb pdf)
Location Map
Brochure

Nature & Culture:

History - In 1994 the West Fraser Timber Company relinquished all rights to harvesting in the Kitlope area without consideration or compensation from the B.C. Government. The park was proposed with cooperation between the Haisla Nation and the B.C. Government. It protects the largest intact coastal temperate rainforest in the world. The Kitlope area encompasses a rich diversity of natural and cultural heritage values.
Cultural Heritage - The Kitlope Valley lies within the traditional territory of the Haisla Nation. Known to the Haisla as "Hushuwashsdu" or "Source of the milky blue water", the Kitlope area is a focus of native lore and native stories such as "The Man Who Turned to Stone". The Kitlope Valley also has significant archaeological site potential. The Haisla have used the Kitlope area for the harvesting of plants, animals and fish including salmon and oolichan.
Conservation - The area encompasses the world's largest intact coastal temperate rainforest. This unique rainforest has old-growth trees over 800 years old. The Kitlope watershed provides a large intact diversity of wildlife and fish habitats, ranging from estuaries, lakes, rich flood plains, steep side slopes and alpine areas.
Wildlife - The Kitlope Valley is an important habitat for Marbled Murrelets, Bald Eagles, moose, mountain goats, grizzly bear, black bear and waterfowl. A variety of waterfowl and birds can also be found throughout the Kitlope watershed. All five species of pacific salmon, herring, and oolichan spawn throughout the many rivers and creeks.
General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

Visitor Safety:

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.All walk-in/wilderness campsites at this park are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reservations are not accepted.

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

Contact Information:

Kitlope Watchmen, c/o Nanakila Institute - Provides on-site, Haisla First Nations co-management of the Kitlope from approximately April to October.

	No vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
	Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided. Campsite Locations: Kemano Community Assoc. Cabin on N. side Kitlope River: Lat. 53º 12.865’ N; Long. 127º 50.636’ W Hill/Amos campsite on E. side of Kitlope Lk.: Lat. 53º 07.687’ N; Long. 127º 46.717’ W Rediscovery campsite on E. side of Kitlope Lk.: Lat. 53º 06.305’ N; Long. 127º 46.412’ W Note: There is a BC Parks/Watchmen Cabin on S. side Kitlope R.: Lat. 53º 12.95’ N; Long. 127º 51.78’ W it is not available for public use or camping. There are no roads in this wilderness area.
	No group campsites.
	No day-use or picnic facilities.
	There are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.
	Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
	Some back country pit toilets are available for public use at the Miskusa Indian Reserve (IR #16), BC Parks Cabin, Kemano Cabin, and the two campsites at Kitlope Lake.
	No showers.
	No sani-station/dump facilities.
	While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented.
	There are no electrical hook-ups in this park
	There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park. Some information may be available from the Kitlope Watchmen at the BC Parks cabin, from June to September.
	There are no developed trails at this park. Use caution when exploring the backcountry/wilderness area.
	This park does not have a playground.
	Good swimming sites can be found along Kitlope Lake. There is a very nice beach area at the Rediscovery Campsite on Kitlope Lake
	There are paddling, canoeing and kayaking opportunities at this park. Good paddling on Kitlope Lake and Tezwa River. Maple Leaf Adventures provides ecotours via sailing boats. Kitlope Ecotours provides ecotours via boat access. Silver Tip Ecotours provides ecotours via boat access Duen Sailing Adventures provides ecotours via sailing boat. Blackfish Sea Kayaking provides kayaking tours. McCowan's Sporting Adventures provides fly-in hiking tours.
	This park does not have a boat launch.
	There are fishing opportunities for trout/char and salmon. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. McCowan's Sporting Adventures provides guided fishing trips via boat or aircraft access. John Blackwell Fishing Guides provides guided fishing trips. Hodson Guiding Services provides guided fishing trips via boat or aircraft access. No web site; contact via email: hodsonguiding@belco.bc.ca
	Cycling is not permitted.
	No horses or 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 no viewing platform but there is wildlife viewing along the Kitlope estuary, lakes and rivers.
	No winter recreation opportunities.
	No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.
	No windsurfing opportunities.
	No waterskiing opportunities.
	The park is open to hunting. Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations for more information. A hunting guide is available within the park. KAO Outfitters provides guided hunting trips.
	No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.
	No spelunking or caving opportunities.
	NOTE: From May to October 2006, the occupation and use of the Kemano Cabin has been granted to the University of Montana to assist biologists with their fisheries research in the Kitlope. More information on this research project can be found at the University of Montana's website From November 2005 to April 2006, the Kemano Cabin is then available on a first-come, first-served basis on the north bank of the Kitlope River, about 4 km upstream from the Tsaytis River. It sleeps 4 people and has a pit toilet. The cabin is free of charge and reservations are not accepted. The Kemano Cabin is located on the north side Kitlope River: Lat. 53º 12.865’ N; Long. 127º 50.636’ W.