A campfire ban is currently in effect for this park. For more information about campfire bans and about provincial parks with park closures and campfire bans in effect, visit the BC Parks campfire ban webpage.
NOTICE: Due to wildfire damage, use of the Ski Hill & Snowmobile Area Access Trail should be avoided during windy periods and after heavy snow or ice load accumulation on dead standing snags. Proceed at your own risk.
Summer 2009 Wildfire damage has required the indefinite closure of the following facilities:
Cross Country Ski Trails affected by wildfire south of Highway 20, please contact the Parks Supervisor for detailed maps which show safe areas.
Octopus Lake Trail
Rainbow Range Trail,
Crystal Lake Trail.
Rainbow Range Public Horse Corral & Staging Area.
Turner Lake Canoe Chain: a closure remains in effect for areas south of Turner Lake proper i.e.: prohibited access includes Cutthroat Lake, Vista Lake, Junker Lake, Widgeon Lake and Kidney Lake pending a formal Wildfire Hazard Tree Assessment and subsequent danger snag removal. It is hoped that the canoe chain can be reopened in the late spring of 2010.
General notices:
Trails in South Tweedsmuir Provincial Park that are not being regularly maintained include: Octopus Lake Trail, Crystal Lake Trail, and Grease Trail, the trail to Turner Lake / Hunlen Falls, the Ptarmigan Lake Area Trails, Kettle Pond Trail and the Valley Loop Trail. The Tote Road leading up to the Turner Lake/Hunlen Falls will not be regularly maintained. Although the Tote Road and listed trails will remain open, users may encounter fallen trees and/or trail/road wash-outs. Extra caution is advised.
Atnarko River conditions can be extremely dangerous. Over winter, debris and variable fluctuating water levels have caused log-jams and sweepers. River travel by boat on the upper stretches of the Atnarko River is exceptionally hazardous and is discouraged at this time.
Park Info
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.
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. 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
Special Notes:
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.
Tweedsmuir (South) Provincial Park is partnered with Tweedsmuir (North).
Facilities at Stuie and on Turner Lake provide a variety of services. Click here to view a non-government website for more information. No supplies are available in the park itself. For more information on canoe rentals and access to the Turner Lake Chain, please check the following non-government website.
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.
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.
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.)
- 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
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.
General Visitor Information
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.
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. To help ensure the safety of park visitors and the conservation of bears, please observe the following guidelines:
Dispose of garbage in bear-proof containers.
Obey all closures and warnings.
Store food securely in your vehicle or in a tree 4 metres from the ground and 2 metres from the trunk, well away from your campsite.
Do not cook or store food or bait in your tent and keep your campsite clean.
Bleed and clean your catch in the stream, not at your campsite, and throw offal into deep or fast moving water. If approached by a bear, reel in and leave the area, or cut the line if playing a fish.
Do not handle roe used for bait on picnic tables. Wash your hands afterwards, do not wipe on clothing.
Do not build fires or cook by the river's edge.
For more information on bear safety at Tweedsmuir click here (8kb pdf). Please refer to the visitor safety link for more information on bear identification, general bear safety and avoiding bear human conflict.
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.
During the early and mid summer months, do bring mosquito repellent or full coverage clothing - the park is ideal habitat for bugs, too!
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.
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 South Tweedsmuir area. These maps are available from most map retailers in British Columbia.
G & P Kleenery Ltd
E-mail address: gpkleenery@telus.net
Phone: (250) 397-2523
Activities Available At This Park
Canoeing
For a three to five day canoe trip through spectacular mountain scenery, try the Turner Lake canoe circuit, located south of Highway 20. The chain can be accessed via float plane from Nimpo Lake or by exiting Highway 20 onto Tote Road (12 km to trailhead), then by hiking for 16 km along the Hunlen Falls Trail. Canoe rentals and a campsite are available at Turner Lake. The canoe chain comprises approximately 18 km of lakes and 2.5 km of rivers and creeks. The portages are short, with the longest being 1 km. A fee is charged for camping. For details about the Turner Lake canoe circuit, click here. For more information on canoe rentals and access to the Turner Lake Chain, please check the following non-government website.
Cycling
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Fishing
There are extensive fishing opportunities at this park. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Hiking
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
Horseback Riding
Recreational horse use is permissible in the Rainbow Range. This terrain is recommended for experienced riders only (see the Rainbow Range map, which has trails suitable for horses marked as such).
If you must bring your pets into the backcountry, they must be kept under control at all times.
Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
Swimming
Swimming is not recommended in the Bella Coola and Atnarko Rivers at the campgrounds. However, the alpine and subalpine lakes you encounter in the backcountry are delightful for swimming (though cold), especially from the white sand beaches of the Turner Lake Canoe Chain.
Winter Recreation
There are downhill skiing opportunities in this park; a tow rope is operated by the Tweedsmuir Ski Club on Sundays during the winter. It is located approximately 3 km from the parking lot at the Rainbow Range Trailhead.
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
There are single-wide car-top boat launches at Fisheries Pool campground and Belarko and Steep Roof along Highway 20. There is limited space available for parking at both boat launches.
Cabins / Huts / Yurts
The Rainbow Cabin is located in the Mackenzie Valley below Boyd Pass. It is very rustic and without any sleeping platforms. It does, however, have a wood stove. It is only available in the summer and people should be prepared to camp outside in the event that the cabin is full. There is no charge to stay in this cabin and no bookings are needed in order to use the cabin.
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
Vehicle accessible Campgrounds Firewood can be purchased from the Park Facility Operator at the campgrounds, or you can bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don't gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and improve air quality by keeping your campfire small. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented and some parks may use communal fire rings. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.
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
There are water handpumps in the campgrounds and a water tap at the sani-station; the water at the sani-station is not suitable for drinking. In the backcountry, bring your own drinking water or be prepared to treat surface water, as potable water is not available in the park.
Picnic Areas
This park has 5 picnic areas that have picnic tables and pit toilets. Locations along Highway 20 are (from east to west): at Rainbow Range Trailhead, Hunlen Falls/Turner Lake Trailhead, Big Rock/Kettle Pond, Fisheries Pool and Mackenzie Heritage/Grease Trailhead. The day-use areas at Big Rock/Kettle Pond and at the Mackenzie Heritage/Grease Trailhead also have drinking water available.
Pit or Flush Toilets
Pit toilets are located throughout the park and flush toilets are located near the sani-station.
Sani-Station/Dump
A sani-station is located near Atnarko Campground, and is available during the camping season for a fee.The water at the sani-station is not suitable for drinking or washing.
Sani-station Use Fee: $2.00 per discharge
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.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $15.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only):
$7.50 per senior's couple/night
Walk-In/Wilderness Camping
There are many primitive campsites dotted throughout the park; please read the hiking page for more details. Some provide facilities such as pit toilets and bear caches; others are more basic. The wilderness sites are open year round when accessible. In the Rainbow Range and the Ptarmigan Lake areas, the campsites marked on the map have at least minimal facilities - pit toilets and some have bear caches. Please use these sites as you will have less impact on the delicate alpine environment. Please read and observe Leave No Trace ethics.
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.
Backcountry Camping Fee: $5.00 per person / night, for all persons 13 years of age or older
