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.
Park Info
Uncha Mountain Red Hills Park consists of two parcels of land on each
of the south and north shores of Francois Lake. North-facing Uncha Mountain
is predominantly coniferous forest, while south-facing Red Hills is covered
with a mosaic of meadows, deciduous and coniferous forest. The park provides
backcountry recreation opportunities, and protects a wide range of cultural
values, rare plant communities and wildlife habitat.
Uncha Mountain Red Hills Park is located on Francois Lake, approximately 30 km south of Burns Lake. The Red Hills portion of the park is reached by road from Burns Lake via Highway 35 to the community of Francois Lake, then east along Francois Lake East Road. Uncha Mountain is reach by taking the public ferry at the community of Francois Lake south across the lake, then following Uncha Lake Road east to Uncha Mountain Forest Service Road.
Nature & Culture
History - Uncha Mountain Red Hills Park was designated as Class A Provincial Park by the provincial government in 2001 following recommendations of the Lakes Land and Resource Management Plan.
Cultural Heritage - A pony express station may have been located at the west end of Red Hills.
Settlement heritage: The Francois Lake area has an abundant First Nations history. Along with the adjacent Francois Lake Park, the area includes land claims from the Office of the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs and the Carrier-Sekani Tribal Council. The various bands with an interest in the greater Francois Lake and Uncha Mountain Red Hills Parks include Wet'suwet'en First Nation, Nadleh Whut’en Band, Stellat’en First Nation, Burns Lake Band, Nee Tahi Buhn Band, and Skin Tyee Band. The area was traditionally used by the First Nations people for hunting, fishing and gathering and many culturally modified trees have been located in the park. A First Nations fish camp operated on the south shore of Francois Lake, below Uncha Mountain, in the mid 1800s. Trails throughout the park may have been part of a grease trail linking coastal and interior First Nations people.
Conservation - Uncha Mountain Red Hills Park is located within the Bulkley Basin Ecosection and contains several rare grassland, scrub-steppe and forest ecosystems. Remnant productive low-elevation old-growth forest is found on the lower slopes of Uncha Mountain due to an unusual microclimate. Along with Francois Lake Park to the east, Uncha Mountain Park protects 47 km long corridor along the south shore of Francois Lake, and retains connectivity between riparian and upland ecosystems.
Wildlife - The wide variety of ecosystems found in Uncha Mountain Red Hills Park provides habitat to high populations of a variety of small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Deer, moose and black bear are among the large mammals whose habitat is protected in the park, while sockeye salmon rearing and migrating habitat is found near the lakeshore. Uncha Creek is the most productive trout stream leading into Francois Lake, with excellent cover and rearing areas.
Online Management planning information for this park is not available at this time.
Activities Available At This Park
Canoeing
Francois Lake is a large body of water that can experience quick weather
changes and rough water, take caution when paddling.
Fishing
Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an
appropriate licence.
Hiking
This park has hiking and/or walking trails. The trail runs for approximately 3km parallel to the north side of Francois Lake in Red Hills. Trails are not maintained or marked. 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.
