Tweedsmuir
Provincial Park was named for the 15th Governor General of Canada, John
Buchan, Baron Tweedsmuir who travelled extensively throughout the Park
by float aircraft and horseback. In a book, he stated in the foreword
"I have now travelled over most of Canada and have seen many wonderful
things, but I have seen nothing more beautiful and more wonderful than
the great park which British Columbia has done me the honor to call
by my name."
Before
becoming Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, the area was explored by Alexander
Mackenzie in 1793 and inhabited by the Bella Coola and Chilcotin Indians.
This
981,000 hectare Park is roughly triangular in shape, surrounded
by the Ootsa-Whitesail Lakes, the Coast Mountains and the Interior Plateau.
The landscape varies drastically from domes of eroded lava and fragmented
rock in breathtaking colours of red, orange, yellow and lavender to
the rugged Coast Mountains and the deep valleys and ocean fjords of
the Bella Coola area. The climate and topography vary drastically throughout
Tweedsmuir Provincial Park giving it many vastly different vegetation
zones and animal varieties.
LOCATION
Connecting
Williams Lake and Bella
Coola is Highway 20, a 479 km paved and gravel road. About 360
km west of Williams Lake the highway enters the Park at Heckman Pass
and descends a 20 km stretch of narrow, switch-backed road with up
to 18% grades. Highway 20 is paved
from the bottom of "the hill" to Bella Coola.
Wilderness
Airlines provide flights from Vancouver to Bella Coola and Anahim
Lake and charter air services are available to fly passengers
to the lakes in the Park.
Information & Services
Bella Coola Grizzly Tours: We’re home to some of the worlds largest Grizzlies & Mountain Goats. Summer and Fall spawning Salmon, a natural food source for Grizzlies & other wildlife, return to the Bella Coola River. We offer Grizzly & Wildlife viewing, Eco Tours, Hiking Fishing, and m... more
Bella Coola's Coast Mountain Lodge: Visit Bella Coola’s Coast Mountain Lodge for a wilderness adventure, relax in our gardens & luxurious accommodations, or enjoy the mountain views. We offer fully guided adventure / wildlife tours where you can journey down coastal rivers, or enjoy self-guided... more
Escott Bay Resort: The adventure starts with fishing, hiking, horseback trail riding, pack trips and hunting – and with the snow comes x-country skiing & snowmobiling. Located between Tweedsmuir and Itcha Ilgachuz Parks, we offer fully serviced cabins and camping facilities. more
One Eye Outfit: Ride the mountains on a horseback tour & hike with experienced professional guides. This is a professionally outfitted authentic Western experience and we have over 20 years of service. Our fly-in holidays feature outpost camps, fishing, wildlife, solitude an... more
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PARK
FACILITIES & ACTIVITIES
Camping
- Campgrounds are located at the bottom of "the hill" at
the Atnarko River (28 units) and at Fisheries Pool near Stuie (14
units). Water, toilets, wood, a sani-station and picnic areas are
provided. Further tourist facilities and supplies can be found in
Bella Coola, Hagensborg, Nimpo Lake
and Anahim Lake.
Boating
and Fishing - A boat launch is located at the Fisheries Pool.
One of the most popular activities in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park
is angling. The Bella Coola and Atnarko Rivers are filled with steelhead,
trout, coho and chinook salmon and the Dean River is renowned for
fly fishing. Surrounding lakes are fished for Dolly
Varden, cutthroat
and rainbow
trout and whitefish.
Cutthroat trout fishing is excellent in the Turner
Lake chain, a 19 km route of seven lakes connected with short,
easy portages. (Canoes must be airlifted in or rented at Turner
Lake.)
Trails
- Tweedsmuir Provincial Park is filled with trails providing access
to some of the Park's more notable features. Some extensive trails
arethe Rainbow, Octopus Lake, Capoose, Crystal Lake, Tweedsmuir,
Mackenzie Heritage, Hunlen Falls and Ptarmigan Lake. Day hike trails
include the Kettle Ponds and Burnt Bridge.
Activities
- Some areas of the Park are open to hunting during the fall season.
A snowmobile zone is located at Heckman Pass. Guided horse trips
can be arranged.
