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Visitor Information

Sugarbowl - Grizzly Den Provincial Park & Protected Area

April 30, 2012
Due to work on the highway at the Viking Ridge trailhead, the trail and parking location are closed until further notice.
Sorry for any inconvenience.

About This Park

The park is located on Highway 16 approximately 95 km east of Prince George and includes the Grand Canyon of the Fraser. This park protects a component of old growth interior cedar-hemlock, and provides excellent habitat for grizzly bear, martin and caribou. It is also an important caribou movement corridor. The area includes a developed trail system that offers popular alpine backcountry recreation opportunities close to Prince George.

Park Size: 24,765 hectares

Stay Safe:

  • This is bear country. Bears may be encountered throughout the park during the summer months, so never approach or feed bears. If you have an encounter with a bear, please leave the area immediately and report to park staff as soon as possible. Obey all park regulations, stay on designated trails and comply with posted warnings.
  • While hiking/snowshoeing or backcountry skiing in the park please watch for fissures on the surface. Large fissures can be impossible to see through snow cover, and be upwards of 3m deep. Falling into these fissures could cause serious injury.
  • Avalanche Safety - Avalanches are a potential hazard to backcountry snowboarding, cross country skiing, telemark skiing, and snow-shoeing enthusiasts.
  • Bring your own water and there is no potable water available.

 

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Location and Maps

The park is located about 95 km southeast of Prince George on Highway 16. To access both the Grizzly Den Trail and Raven Lake Trail drive east following Highway 16 to Hungary Creek, a distance of approximately 88 km from the east end of the Yellowhead Bridge in Prince George. As you travel along Highway 16 east you will pass by the Sugarbowl Trailhead (80 km) and the Viking Ridge Trailhead (85 km), both within the boundaries of Sugarbowl - Grizzly Den Provincial Park. About .3 kms past Hungary Creek, turn right on to the Hungary Creek Forest Road and drive south keeping on the main road. After about 13 kms you will reach the Grizzly Den Trailhead parking lot, and about 2.6 km beyond this parking lot you will reach the Raven Lake Trailhead parking lot.

Maps and Brochures

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

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Nature and Culture

  • History - This attractive area, developed over a number of years, is popular with both cross-country skiers and hikers. In 1973 and 1974, Northwood Pulp and Timber Ltd. built the original trails and cabins (Raven Lake and Grizzly Den). Ministry of Forests maintained the trails and cabins up until 2000, when the area was declared a Provincial Park and BC Parks is now managing the area. When harvesting was completed in the area the Hungary Creek Road was no longer plowed in the winter so the Sons of Norway built an additional cabin on the lower part of the Grizzly Den Trail in 1977. The Grand Canyon of the Fraser is also in the Park, a very dangerous spot for the river men that ran barges up and down the river. Many people lost their lives in the canyon over the years.

  • Cultural Heritage - The Grand Canyon of the Fraser represents a unique feature which has historic significance related to the "Overlanders" journey to the Cariboo gold field in the 1860s and the construction of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. The Fraser river is designated as a BC Heritage River.

  • Wildlife - The park is a refuge for caribou and grizzly bear.
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Management Planning

Management Planning Information
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Activities Available at this Park

Cycling

Cycling

Trails are very rugged and not conducive to cycling. Bicycles may be ridden on park roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Fishing

Fishing

Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. Moderation, courtesy and consideration for others are hallmarks of the sporting angler, so please limit your catch, don't catch your limit. See BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis for site specific information.
Hiking

Hiking

This park has hiking and/or walking trails. Sugarbowl - Grizzly Den Provincial Park is the closest alpine recreation area to Prince George. It is very popular for residents as it provides many outstanding trails for hiking and cross-country skiing opportunities. The three cabins are available for overnight use. 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. Brochure and map outlines various routes within the park.
Hunting

Hunting

Hunting is permitted only during lawful hunting season. Check with Hunting and Trapping Synopsis for regulations.
Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife Viewing

There are wildlife viewing opportunities.
Winter Recreation

Winter Recreation

Winter recreational activities include wilderness ski touring, snowshoeing and photography, however there are no tracks or special trails maintained. Snowmobiling is not permitted in the park. Visitors can access the park travelling east on Highway 16 for about 88 km from Prince George, following Hungary Creek Forest Road, which is not plowed in winter time. Anyone venturing into the park in winter should be familiar with recognition and avoidance of avalanche terrain and conditions. It is strongly recommended to carry emergency and first aid equipment and be prepared for sudden weather changes.
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Facilities Available at this Park

Cabins / Huts / Yurts

Cabins / Huts / Yurts

There are three cabins available in both summer and winter for the public's overnight use: 8 Mile log cabin; Raven Lake cabin and Grizzly Den cabin. Cabins are rustic. It is highly recommended to bring a camp stove and fuel.

Cabins are available on a first-come, first-served basis and the public are asked to keep the cabins clean and restock the wood bin for the next group. Those wishing to use the cabins should be prepared to camp outside in the event the cabins are full. For more information, check the park brochure. [PDF 752KB]
Cabin Use Fee: $5.00 per person / night
Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided. There are two designated tenting areas, one at Raven Lake, where tent pads are provided and one at Grizzly Den. Random tenting is permitted throughout the park.
Winter Camping

Winter Camping

Winter camping is available in this park.