On This Page


Omineca Provincial Park and Omineca Protected Area
Attention Visitors – Important Notice!
-
Industrial use is occurring on the Germansen Mainline
Please use appropriate radio protocol. The road may be rough in areas.
About This Park

Omineca Provincial Park and Omineca Protected Area include 80 km of the Omineca River Valley, the Wolverine Range, the mountains northwest of Germansen Landing to Nina Lake, and the area to the south, including the alpine ridges at the head of Evans Creek and Germansen Lake and surrounding visible areas. This park is primarily a wilderness area providing backcountry opportunities. There are six rustic vehicle-accessible camping areas. Also, the Nina Lake South area offers a walk-in, pristine wilderness camping opportunity. This site is rustic and only user maintained.
The community of Germansen Landing and North Takla I.R. #12 are enclaves within the park and protected area. The 132,296 hectare park and 3,138 hectare protected area are located approximately 195 km northwest of McLeod Lake.
Park Size: 132,296 hectares, Protected Area Size: 3,138 hectares
Special Features
The Germansen Flumes. This park also protects Caribou habitat in the Wolverine Range and provincially significant riparian habitat and wetlands along the Omineca River.
Know Before You Go
- This park does not have a boat launch. At the Omineca River Site, there is rough access to the river but trailer-type boat launching is not recommended. Boats can be launched at three of the Germansen Lake campsites - East End, Palm Beach and Rainbow Cove but the launches are naturally formed and have not been developed. A four wheel drive is recommended and a winch may be useful.
Location and Maps
The Omineca Provincial Park is located approximately 182 km northwest of the town of Mackenzie and approximately 219 km due north of the town of Fort St James. The park can be accessed from either town but both routes are over industrial gravel roads and you may encounter large industrial trucks which usually do not operate on public highways. Road conditions vary depending on the season. The roads are often very rough in places, so the use of cars is not recommended. The communities of Germansen Landing and Manson Creek are central to this area.
From Mackenzie, follow the Finlay Forest Service Road to the 98 km marker and then turn west onto the Finlay Manson Forest Service Road. At 31 km, continue heading north on the Thutade Forest Service Road. At approximately 68 km, the road Ys with the left arm going into Germansen Lake and the right arm heads up to Germansen Landing.
From Fort St James, follow the North Road which at 22 km becomes the Germansen Forest Service Road. This road eventually becomes the North Germansen Road. Approximately 100 km from Fort St James, the road connects to the Thutade Forest Service Road. Continue heading north on the Thutade Forest Service Road all the way up to Germansen Landing. At approximately 68 km, the road Ys with the left arm going into Germansen Lake and the right arm heads up to Germansen Landing.
Nature and Culture
- History: Omineca Provincial Park is a Class A Park and encompasses an area of 132,296 hectares. It was established on April 11th, 2001. Omineca Protected Area was established under the Environment and Land Use Act on April 18, 2001. Omineca Provincial Park was first identified for Protected Area status through the Mackenzie Land & Resource Management Plan process to protect the best representation of the Southern Omineca Mountains ecosection and important wildlife habitat. This area has high recreation values that include boating, fishing, scenic viewing and hiking.
- Cultural Heritage: First Nations traditional use of the area includes a graveyard on the east side of the Omineca River. Two historic trails (Evans Creek and an old wagon road east of Germansen Lake) are located within the park. There are also some historic mining sites, that are remnants from the Omineca Gold Rush.
- Conservation: One of the best representations of the Southern Omineca Mountain ecosection. Provincially significant riparian habitat and wetlands along the Omineca River, which is important moose winter range and waterfowl habitat. The South Omineca and Germansen Lake areas are important goat habitat. This area is important caribou habitat, as it is the spring calving for the blue listed Northern Woodland Caribou. Also this park protects important Wolverine habitat.
Management Planning
- Management Planning Information
- Approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan [PDF] for Omineca Provincial Park and Omineca Protected Area
Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing

Cycling

Fishing

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Hunting

Pets on Leash
Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Swimming

Wildlife Viewing

Winter Recreation
Facilities Available at this Park

Campfires

Group Camping

Picnic Areas

Pit or Flush Toilets

Vehicle Accessible Camping
- Germansen Lake has four camping areas located along its shore: Germansen East site located next to the Germansen flumes, which were built in the 1930s for channelling water (used in hydraulic mining) some 14 miles to the Germansen Mine. Though broken and scattered, the flumes can still be seen from several locations along the Germansen Lake road.
- Germansen Lake site aka Pebble Beach or Palm Beach is located mid way along the lake’s north shore. This site has a pea gravel beach.
- Rainbow Cove is situated on the east side of the narrows just south of the crossing. There is a mix of open field sites and some semi private sites further along the shore.
- Germansen Narrows aka Gebhardt Arm site is on the west side of the narrows just south of the crossing. This is a narrow campsite close to the road.
- Omineca River site located at 13 mile creek, offers rough access to the river, not suitable for trailer-type boat launching. The Omineca River offers some good fishing and grade 1 or 2 canoeing. Though the Sekani word “Omineca”, means slow moving water, there are a couple of log-jams that may present some minor problems for canoeists/kayakers.
- Discovery Creek site is being developed more as a group site traditionally used by hunters in the fall.

Walk-In/Wilderness Camping
Nina Lake South is in a pristine wilderness setting that offers backcountry/walk-in camping opportunities. Road access is narrow, rough and usually limited to four-wheel drives. It is recommended not to drive this road but to hike in to the small rustic camping area at the lake. The lake is approximately 6 km from the Thutade Forest Service Road.
Note: No facilities are available at this site.