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Management Planning:

• Approved Master Plan.

• Location Map

Special care must be taken in alpine and sub-alpine areas. These are among the most fragile because of the severe conditions and short growing season.

National Topographic Series Maps 93I/11, 93I/14 and 93I/6 at a scale of 1:50,000 cover the Monkman Lake Trail. These maps are available from Government Agent offices and most map retailers in British Columbia.

Monkman Provincial Park is located on the Murray River Road, 60 kilometres south of Tumbler Ridge. Several roads provide access to this community. Turn south off Highway 29 at Chetwynd, or turn south on Highway 52 approximately 17 kilometres west of Dawson Creek. Visitors travelling on Highway 2 to or from Dawson Creek can also turn south on Highway 52, near the BC/Alberta border.

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

• Location Map
• Park Brochure (162 KB PDF)
• Park Map (380 KB PDF)

• History - Monkman Provincial Park was named after Alex Monkman, an individual who expended a considerable amount of effort attempting to build a transportation route from the Peace River farming country down to the Pacific ports. In 1922, he and a group of fur trappers discovered what is now known as Monkman Pass. It was this pass that provided him with his vision for a railroad, a direct and economical route south. Failing to get government support for his venture, Monkman focused on the alternative--building a highway. The Monkman Pass Highway Association was formed in 1936, and over the next three years, many determined volunteers laboured to blaze this new trail. Limited funding, harsh conditions, and the outbreak of the Second World War eventually brought the project to a halt. A railway was later built to the northwest over the Pine Pass, and Monkman’s "highway" slowly faded into historical obscurity. Today, only a few sections are visible along the Monkman Memorial Trail, a route that follows parts of the original road. The Brooks Falls in Monkman Provincial Park, was named after Carl Brooks, one of the volunteers who worked along with Alex Monkman and the Highway Association. A cairn marking overlooking Kinuseo Falls has been placed in his honour.
  Today the Monkman Memorial Trail has been expanded from Kinuseo campground, past Monkman Lake, 10km beyond the southern park boundary.
• Conservation - Lower elevations in the park are dominated by mature sub-alpine fir, white spruce and lodgepole pine. The higher elevations support growths of Englemann spruce, sub-alpine fir and white spruce. Above the treeline, only plants adapted to the conditions are to be found. Monkman Provincial Park conserves representative areas of the Central Rocky Mountains and Foothills. Lower elevations in the park are dominated by mature sub-alpine fir, white spruce and lodgepole pine. The higher elevations support growth of Engelmann spruce, sub-alpine fir and white spruce. Above treeline, the trees become dwarfed and twisted. Alpine meadows of heathers, grasses and wildflowers, such as white rhododendron, arctic lupine, glacier lily and Indian paintbrush cover large areas and are intermixed with shrubs.
• Wildlife - The diverse range of habitat in Monkman Provincial Park supports grizzly and black bear, mountain goats, caribou and moose. During the warmer seasons, deer, mountain sheep, gray wolves, fishers, martens, wolverines, marmots, hares, and red squirrels are joined by numerous bird species that include owls, ptarmigan, grouse, geese and loons. Because of the fierce winter climate, most of the larger animals tend to seek a more hospitable range during the winter months.
  Kinuseo Falls presents an impassable obstacle to migrating fish, so fish habitat is not the same above and below the falls. Larger fish are able to follow the Murray River drainage from lower elevations to the falls. Above the fallshead water residents such as char, white fish and several other species can be found inhabiting the Murray River and upper Monkman Creek.
• General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

• Monkman Provincial Park provides the rewards and challenges of backcountry travel in a rugged mountain environment. Be prepared for all kinds weather and carry the essentials for survival in the backcountry. Some suggestions:
  • Complete a trip plan including route to be taken, destination, expected time of return, and leave it with a reliable contact.
  • Consider taking a satellite phone for emergency situations that may require medical evacuation.
  • Boil or filter all water when in the backcountry. Water sources may carry giardia or other parasites.
  • The carrying of bear spray and use of hiking bells.

Visitor Safety Information (park safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

Reservations are not accepted at this park. For parks that accept reservations or information on the reservation service, click here.

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

	This park offers vehicle accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis - campsite reservations are not accepted. The Kinuseo Falls campground in Monkman Provincial Park has 42 campsites. Campsites come in various sizes and are more than capable of accommodating any size RV. The park also has several pull through sites. A PFO lives on site and maintains the campground, collect fees and provides visitor information. A picnic shelter and day-use area are also part of the campground. The trail into Monkman Park backcountry begins at the campground and a parking area can accommodate all vehicles. Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $15.00 per party / night BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only): $7.50 per senior's couple/night Campground Hours of Operation All dates are subject to change without notice Opening and Closing Campground Dates: (campground is accessible but may not offer full services such as water, security, etc.) May 15 - September 30 weather permitting Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees: May 15 - September 30 weather permitting Campground Reservable Dates: Not applicable Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: 42 Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable: (all remaining sites are first-come, first-served) Not applicable Note: The above information is for the campground only. Park users can still walk into the park if conditions such as weather permit. Check the "Attention Visitor Notice" above for park alerts.
	Monkman Park has five backcountry campsites. These are located along the Monkman memorial trail at km7, km13, km20, km21 and km24. Each campsite is equipped with a bear cache (to store food stuffs and gear), fire rings and pit toilets. Please use these designated areas. There are two tent pads at the Murray River crossing and eight at the Monkman Lake sites. The km13 campsite has a large grassy area for tenting. Camping at backcountry campsites is on a first-come first-served basis. Campfires are permitted only in designated backcountry campsites. Firewood is in short supply, so please keep fires small for safety and to conserve firewood for the next hiker. Use of Primus-type campstoves is encouraged. Hikers and wilderness campers are encouraged to fill out a volunteer questionnaire giving information as to how many people are in their party, destination and schedule. Any comments about the park and its amenities are also appreciated. The southeast section of Monkman Park holds several beautiful aqua-marine lakes, which are the source of the Murray River. This area of the park is considered to be prime grizzly bear habitat and extensive human intrusion is not encouraged. Recently, the southern boundary of Monkman was extended to include areas with high conservation and recreation features, including the upper Fontoniko Creek, the Limestone Lakes area and the rolling plateau to the west. This addition protects old-growth spruce forests, unique geological features, and important recreation aspects of the park's terrain, wildlife and ecosystems.
	No group campsites.
	The park has two designated picnic areas. The first one is located at the Kinuseo Falls parking area. At this location, there are picnic tables and pit toilets. The second picnic area is at the Kinuseo Campground. This day-use area has a covered picnic shelter, picnic tables, pit toilets, water, playground and horseshoe pits.
	Some facilities in the park are wheelchair accessible.
	Two cold water hand pumps are located in this park. These hand pumps may be removed during the off season.
	This park has only pit toilets - no flush toilets.
	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. Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood.Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don't gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.
	There are no electrical hook-ups in this park
	Regularly scheduled interpretive programs are featured in the park, normally during the summer season. Programs may include guided walks, slide shows, children's programs and special events. Held at the Stone Corral, Jade Lake/Falls.
	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. Trail Information
	The Kinuseo Falls Campground has a playground, picnic shelter and horseshoe pits. Horseshoes are available from the facility operator.
	No swimming.
	There are no opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.
	This park does not have a boat launch.
	The lakes and rivers within Monkman Provincial Park contain fish species such as trout, char, grayling and whitefish. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. Ice fishing takes place in some of the more accessible lakes in the southern portion of the park.
	Bicycles are restricted to the first 12km of the Monkman Memorial Trail. Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
	No horseback riding.
	Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times. 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.
	A viewing platform is located at Kinuseo Falls. This platform is accessed via a short walk from the parking and picnic area. Interpretive signs are located at the lookout highlighting the areas features. The Stone Corral area of Monkman park was discovered in 1999. A hike to the area takes you through amazing features such as small caves with stalactites, moonsmilk and other limestone formations, ponds and many kinds of moving water, interesting plants, fossils, and magnificent viewpoints. An interpretive brochure has been printed documenting all the areas special features. Kinuseo Falls at 60 metres (197 ft.) is one of the most spectacular features of Monkman Provincial Park. The falls are slightly taller than Niagara Falls and plunge into a spectacular canyon. The falls are accessible by a short 2 minute stroll to a viewing platform.
	In the winter, the park can often be difficult to access due to the high level of snow that this area receives. However there are excellent opportunities for ski-touring along the Monkman Lake trail. There are no groomed cross country ski trails in Monkman park and all park operations personnel are gone for the season. There are also limited opportunities for snowshoeing. Snowmobile opportunities are limited to the main road corridor which is often left unplowed. The remainder of the park is closed to snowmobile/mechanized access.
	No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.
	No windsurfing opportunities.
	No waterskiing opportunities.
	Part of the park is closed to hunting. Please consult the current BC Hunting Regulation Synopsis for hunting information.
	No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.
	There are opportunities to spelunk on the Stone Corral Trail. Small Caves can be found in the limestone outcrops. At the far end of the Stone Corral, beneath the steepest cliffs, lies the large entrance to Corral Cave. Although this cave is only 20 metres deep, it contains a number of fascinating features. The walls are smooth and vertical and the ceiling is high, making for an easy walk-in cave. The floor is rock-strewn, and there are a number of large perpetual drips. In spring and early summer the floor of the cave is a dramatic collection of large icicles. On the left wall, about halfway in, there is a small round hole. This is a typical phreatic tube. The initial dissolution process that widens the cracks underground occurs below the water table. Because of the very slow movement of the water and because it completely fills the crack, the result is a perfectly round tube. Later in the history of a cave when the water-table drops and air enters, if water is still passing through the crack it will selectively erode the bottom portion. The resulting V-shape is known as vadose, as opposed to the round phreatic features. At the end of the cave , if a flashlight is shone up into the top corner, there are a few tiny stalactites. Beyond these is a long descending tongue of a softer white substance, moonsmilk, an organic form of calcite. It is gooey when wet, with a texture like cottage cheese, but crumbly and powdery when dry. The origin of the name is traced to Europe, where the exact translation means “gnome’s milk.” It was used in mediaeval times as a wound dressing and recent research has shown the appropriateness of this remedy, as moonsmilk contains a number of substances with antibacterial properties. Overhead and along the wall there are also some beautiful calcite flowstone walls, as well as another attractive collection of small stalactites at the drip sites. Another cave can be found along the trail as it leads away from the cliff-edge and crosses a gully. There is a tiny sinkhole with a small opening in the rock-face, this is one of the entrances of Porcupine Cave. Do not enter this opening! Instead, proceed and enter a second sinkhole just over the ridge, as the entrance to the cave from this aspect is larger. Porcupine Cave is 10 metres long, and joins the two sinkholes. It is a classic solutional feature created by the dissolving of limestone by slowly moving water. It is fairly narrow at either end but opens up into a chamber in the middle with standing room. There are fine coral fossils on the ceiling in this chamber. There is also cave popcorn, which is recognized by its knob-like shape, resulting from concentric layering of tiny calcite crystals. The floor of this cave is covered with old porcupine droppings, hence the name. Caves are fragile environments that need to be treated with the greatest respect. Under no circumstances should you touch the walls, take anything or leave anything.
	No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.