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 well maintained paved and gravel road.
About 360 km west of Williams Lake, midway between Anahim Lake and Bella
Coola, the highway enters the southern portion of Tweedsmuir Provincial
Park at Heckman Pass and descends "The Hill" a 20 km stretch
of narrow, switch-backed road with up to 18% grades - 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, it is passable throughout the year. Atnarko Campground
is located at the foot of the hill. Highway
20 is paved from the bottom of the hill to Bella Coola.
Airlines
provide flights to Williams Lake, Bella Coola and Anahim
Lake and charter air services are available to fly passengers
to the lakes in the Park.
Information & Services
Eagle's Nest Resort: Beauty and comfort in the wilderness. Elegant suites or cozy log cabins. Lakeside dining room, breathtaking views, hiking and birdwatching, and the natural splendor of the area. 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
If you would like to have your business listed, please Click Here.
PARK
FACILITIES & ACTIVITIES
Camping
- Campgrounds are located at the bottom of "The Hill" at the
Atnarko River and at Fisheries Pool near Stuie. Atotal of 36 vehicular
access campsites. 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.
