Ministry of Environment - Spatsizi Headwaters Provincial Park

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Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

The Ealue Lake Road and Klappan Rail Grade are open to public access. During the spring of 2007, several areas were washed out which restricted access to Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Provincial Park. During the winter of 2007/08, the Ealue Lake Road and Klappan Rail Grade washouts were repaired. As construction continues and road repairs will be on-going, please expect some minor delays and travel with caution.

Park Info:

Spatsizi Headwaters Park was designated to protect the headwaters of the Spatsizi River, upper elevational glacial lakes and alpine meadows, and to provide hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Park Size: 427 hectares

Special Notes:

A Letter of Permission is required for individuals or groups who wish to use horses within Spatsizi Headwaters Provincial Park. To obtain a Letter of Permission, please contact the BC Parks Stikine Area Office at (250) 771-4591. If there is no answer, please leave a detailed message stating your request for a letter of Permission, your name, contact information and the date you wish to visit the park. BC Parks will return the call as soon as possible.

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

Location:

The BCR railgrade passes within 3km of the Spatsizi Headwaters Park. Foot or horse travel is possible along this grade which follows the Klappan River. Helicopter access is also possible.

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 - Europeans first visited the area of the Stikine Country Protected Areas in 1824 and in the following year, the Hudson's Bay Company and the Russian American Company claimed areas for trapping. The search for gold began in 1861, and by 1878 most of the Stikine River drainage had been explored. From 1896 to 1902, Andrew J. Stone conducted expeditions into the Cassiar to collect specimens for the American Museum of Natural History. With his announcements of the discovery of several "new" species of sheep and caribou, the area became a destination for hunters. Local natives worked as hunting guides and camps were set up throughout the region. Scientists began studying the significant wildlife values in the area in the 1950s and with the efforts of Tommy Walker, Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Park was designated in 1975.

The BCR railgrade that passes within 3km of the park was extended in the 1970s to promote trade and resource development in the Cassiar region. The railway was not completed but the grade and a bridge across the Stikine were constructed and are used today by hikers, hunters and horseback riders.

Spatsizi Headwaters Park was designated by the Provincial Government in 2001 following recommendations on the Cassiar Iskut-Stikine Land and Resource Management Plan.

Cultural Heritage - Spatsizi Headwaters Park lies within the asserted traditional territories of the Tahltan First Nations and Carrier Sekani Tribal Council. The park is in an area of significant spiritual value for the Tahltan First Nation.

Conservation - Spatsizi Headwaters Park lies within the Eastern Skeena Mountains Ecosection and protects primarily an alpine area. Within the park upper elevational glacial lakes and alpine meadows are protected.

The park lies entirely within the Klappan Zone, an area deferred from harvesting for 15 years to observe how General Management Direction is addressing biodiversity, wildlife habitat, riparian ecosystems and recreation.

Visitor Safety:

General 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.

	No vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
	Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
	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.
	No toilets.
	No showers.
	No sani-station/dump facilities.
	Fires should be used sparingly, as they are among the most serious visual impacts in the backcountry. Always carry a stove; use it for most if not all of your cooking needs and only build a fire when it is safe and will not cause further damage or deplete wood supplies. Please check for campfire bans and the Fire Danger Rating for the area you are visiting before igniting a fire in the backcountry. 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. For more information about campfires in the backcountry, click here.
	There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.
	There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.
	There are no developed trails at this park.
	This park does not have a playground.
	No swimming.
	There are no opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.
	This park does not have a boat launch.
	Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
	Cycling is not permitted.
	Horses and/or horseback riding are permitted. To obtain a Letter of Permission, please contact the BC Parks Stikine Area Office at (250) 771-4591. If there is no answer, please leave a detailed message stating your request for a letter of Permission, your name, contact information and the date you wish to visit the park. BC Parks will return the call as soon as possible.
	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.
	No wildlife viewing opportunities.
	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.