Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park
Highway 20 accessible Day Use trails:
Recent flooding has required the tentative closure of the following facilities:
Valley View Loop , Stillwater, Hunlen, Sugar Camp, Turner and Ptarmigan Hiking Trails. Flood damage assessments are now underway. Details regarding re-opening dates will follow shortly. For further information please contact the local BC Parks Area Supervisor at 250 982 2701 ext. 2226.
Turner Lake Canoe Chain:
Turner Lake Canoe Chain will re open June 1st, 2012; however, due to extensive flood damage, the main Stillwater/Hunlen approach trail is still closed and float planes remain the only means of access. Contact Tweedsmuir Air Services (1 800 668-4335) for details on canoe & cabin rentals and float plane access rates. Please avoid use of the hiking trail from Turner Lake to Junker Lake as it is undergoing maintenance at this time
2010 Wildfire damage:
Rainbow Range, Octopus Lake, Crystal Lake, Ski Hill and Cross Country Ski Trails are open; however, use should be avoided during windy periods and after heavy snow or ice accumulation.
Trail Information:
Trails in South Tweedsmuir Provincial Park that are not being regularly maintained include: Alexander Mackenzie /Grease Heritage Trail, Ptarmigan Lake Alpine Recreation Trails, and Kettle Pond Trail. Users may encounter fallen trees and/or trail/road wash-outs. Extra caution is advised.
Contact the Bella Coola Area Supervisor for specific information about trail conditions: 250 982-2701 extension 2226.
Tote Road:
The Tote Road (accessing Hunlen Falls and Ptarmigan Lake Recreation Area) remains closed due to bridge washouts at Young Creek. For updates on repair works, please call the Bella Coola Area Supervisor at 250 982 2701 extension 2226.
River conditions:
The Atnarko River can be extremely dangerous! Debris and fluctuating water levels can produce hazardous conditions including log-jams, sweepers and strainers. Comprehensive knowledge of the Atnarko River and its associated hazards is a critical component of pre trip planning.
Always scout unknown sections of rivers prior to use.
Due to winter flood damage, the ATNARKO RIVER UPSTREAM OF BELARKO BOAT LAUNCH IS UNNAVIGABLE. “Steep Roof” boat launch/take out is also closed until further notice.
New! BC Parks Backcountry Registration System allows you to pre-pay your overnight fees for backcountry and/or marine site usage, where designated. This system will not be used for vehicle accessible (ie front country) campgrounds or controlled back country permits (ie Bowron Lakes canoe circuit and Berg Lake Trail).
Know Before You Go
See also Tweedsmuir North
The backcountry of Tweedsmuir Park is an isolated wilderness with infrequent patrols by park staff. You should be experienced in wilderness travel, fit and well equipped. Snow is possible any month of the year in the mountains. Visitors must bring appropriate maps. If you plan to hike overnight or longer you should inform a responsible person or agency of your intentions, including estimated return time and destination.
As in any wilderness setting, persons should be prepared to be self-sufficient. For those new to the wilderness adventure tour, guides are available in the area.
Weather
Weather conditions in the park are as variable as the topography. Moderate temperatures and extensive rainfall characterize the lower reaches of the Bella Coola Valley. At Stuie near the junction of the Atnarko and Bella Coola Rivers, there is an average annual precipitation of 720 mm with about 20% of this being in the form of snow. The Interior Plateau receives a greater proportion of snow and its winters are more severe. Temperatures in the southern section of the park can drop to -40°C in January and reach 30°C in July. Summers are usually fairly dry with June, September and October being the wettest months.
Bear Safety
Grizzly and black bears range throughout the park, and grizzlies congregate on the Dean and Atnarko, and Bella Coola Rivers between May and October when salmon are in the river. People should be particularly cautious when fishing, hiking, and camping.
Please read the BC Parks Bear saftey information
Get more information on bear safety at Tweedsmuir.
During the early and mid summer months, do bring mosquito repellent or full coverage clothing - the park is ideal habitat for bugs, too!
Getting there
The Bella Coola Hill is a 9 km section of up to 18 percent grade; a significant slope for any vehicle to conquer. This emphasizes the need for extra caution when driving this route. The following hints are listed below to ensure a safe and enjoyable passage.
- Use the lowest gear on the steeper sections
- Reduce speed on narrow sections
- Check road conditions before setting out
- Make several stops to allow your brakes to cool
- Ensure your car is in good condition before driving this route
- 4-wheel drive or dual tow vehicles are preferable for towing heavy loads up or down steep hills.
Facilities at Stuie and on Turner Lake provide a variety of services.
Commercial Services
Commercial recreation opportunities are available for the Turner Lake Chain (canoe rentals) and in and around the Atnarko River. Please visit the following non-government websites.
There are further tourist facilities and supplies at Bella Coola, Hagensborg, Nimpo Lake and Anahim Lake. Please consult the British Columbia Accommodation Guide for details. This publication is available from Tourism British Columbia, Parliament Buildings, Victoria, BC, V8V 1X4.
About This Park
Tweedsmuir (South) Provincial Park is one of the largest of B.C.'s several hundred parks. Located in the west-central region of the province, 480 km northwest of Vancouver as the crow flies, Tweedsmuir is roughly triangular in shape. It is bounded on the north and northwest by the Ootsa-Whitesail Lakes reservoir, on the west and southwest by the Coast Mountains, and on the east by the Interior Plateau.
Aside from offering some of the most spectacular scenery in North America, Tweedsmuir is a magnet for outdoor recreationists. Favourite activities include angling, hiking, horseback riding on wilderness trails, camping (including vehicle-access campsites), and canoeing the Turner Lake Chain. Hunlen Falls, at the north end of Turner Lake, is a major attraction, plunging 260 metres and disappearing in a cloud of spray before entering the Atnarko River. The Atnarko and Bella Coola Valleys provide critical habitat for bears and people need to be bear aware. Areas of the park are open to hunting during allotted seasons. Please consult and obey the British Columbia Hunting Regulations. Winter recreation is also popular at Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park.
Tweedsmuir (South) Provincial Park is partnered with Tweedsmuir (North).
Special Features: Shield volcanoes, Hunlen Falls, canoe chain and grizzly bears.
Park Size: 506,000 hectares in Tweedsmuir (South), with total park area including Tweedsmuir (North) at 981,000 hectares.
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Campground Hours of Operation
All dates are subject to change without notice
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Opening and Closing Campground Dates: (campground is accessible but may not offer full services such as water, security, etc.) |
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| - Atnarko campground | June 15 - August 15 (Gate is closed during the off-season) |
| - Fisheries campground | June 15 - September 30 |
| Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees: | |
| - Atnarko campground | June 15 - August 15 |
| - Fisheries campground | June 15 - August 31 |
| Campground Reservable Dates: | Not applicable |
| Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: |
- Arnarko = 24 - Fisheries = 12 |
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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. | |
Location and Maps
South Tweedsmuir is located on Highway 20, approximately 400 kilometres west of Williams Lake, midway between Anahim Lake and Bella Coola. The highway from Williams Lake consists of both gravel and paved sections and is well maintained; travel time is between 4 1/2 and 6 hours depending on your destination within the park and road conditions.
The Hill is the stretch of Highway 20 between Heckman Pass and Atnarko Campground. It has quite a reputation, since over 16 km it loses over 4000 feet in elevation. Local residents built it in the 1950s, after they had been told by the government of the time that it couldn't be done. However, nowadays it is well-maintained by Highways contractors, and, though steep (up to 18% grades), it is passable throughout the year.
The park can also be reached by way of the Discovery Coast Passage ferry from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, or by float plane from Nimpo Lake, Anahim Lake or Bella Coola, or by hiking in the backcountry.
You can obtain fuel, basic supplies, and motel accommodation in Anahim Lake or Nimpo Lake. The nearest RCMP office is in Anahim Lake, where there is also a 24-hour medical clinic. The closest hospital is in Bella Coola, over an hour’s drive from the parking lot.
Topographic Maps
National Topographic Series Maps 92N/13, 93C/4, 93/5, 93C/12 and 13, 93D/8E and W and 93D/9 and 16 at a scale of 1:50,000 cover the Tweedsmuir area. These maps are available from Government Agents and most map retailers in British Columbia.
Maps and Brochures
Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
- Park area Map - updated July 2008 (PDF)
- Park Map - Hunlen Falls/Turner Lake Chain area [PDF]
- Park Map - Rainbow Range area [PDF]
- Snowmobile Map [PDF]
- Park Brochure [PDF]
- Rainbow Range Brochure [PDF]
- Hunlen Falls/Turner Lake Chain Brochure [PDF]
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
Winter Recreation
There are approximately 15 km of set cross country skiing trails at the Rainbow Range Trailhead during the winter. These are maintained by the Tweedsmuir Ski Club. There are snowmobiling opportunities in the Rainbow Range. For more information on snowmobiling in this park, click here.
Facilities Available at this Park
Boat Launch
Cabins / Huts / Yurts
The Tweedsmuir Ski Club operates a cabin close to the downhill ski area. Overnight stays can be reserved by calling the club at 250 982-2231. The Rainbow Cabin, located in the Mackenzie Valley, is for emergency use only. Free winter camping is permitted in the Rainbow Range parking lot. There is an outhouse, but you must either bring your own drinking water or melt snow.
Campfires
Backcountry Camping If you must have a fire in the backcountry, please burn only dead and down wood and be sure to extinguish the fire fully. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil so please use it conservatively, if at all. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.
Drinking Water
Picnic Areas
Pit or Flush Toilets
Sani-Station/Dump
Vehicle Accessible Camping
This park offers vehicle accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis - campsite reservations are not accepted.
Tweedsmuir (South) Park contains two vehicle-access campgrounds, both located on Highway 20: Atnarko offers 28 campsites nestled amongst an old-growth forest (on the Atnarko River at the bottom of "the Hill"); while Fisheries Pool, (situated near Stuie and the site of an old fish hatchery run by DFO), attracts lots of anglers to its 14 high-density open campsites. There is parking available for extra vehicles at the Atnarko Campground but not at Fisheries Pool. It is often difficult for big rigs to turn around when the park is full.
If staff are not available when you arrive at the campground, choose your site and pay later. Staff will be at the campground at least once a day during the camping season. There is a pay phone located in the park between the 2 campgrounds next to Tweedsmuir Lodge. The closest store is approximately 50 km away in Hagensbourg.
Walk-In/Wilderness Camping
At the Turner Lake/Hunlen Falls area, sites are designated, and more developed; bear caches and outhouses are provided. There is a fee for these sites. The gate to the Turner Lake Chain is open from June 15 - September 15 and the portage will open dependent on water levels.
