Fort Nelson Parks & Gardens

Klua Lakes Protected Area offers remote wilderness camping, great fishing oppourtunities and a variety of wildlife. Lush boreal forests surround the lakes, making them ideal spots for fishing as well as serenity. Watch as moose wade out into the cool water as peregrine falcons hunt overhead. Backcountry camping is permitted in the park. Klua Lakes is 100 km south of Fort Nelson.

Dune Za Keyih Provincial Park surrounds portions of the Kechika River, British Columbia's largest unlogged watershed. The park is known for its diverse wildlife, spectacular scenery and remote location. The majority of visitors hike, river raft and canoe throughout the park, revelling in its natural wonder. Access to the area is most often by floatplane or helicopter, as no road services this particular park. Dune Za Keyih is located 220 km west of Fort Nelson, near the Aboriginal community of Fort Ware or Kwadacha.

Containing some of Northern BC's most scenic landscape, this park showcases tundra, alpine meadows, glaciers, waterfalls and large valley lakes. Redfern-Keily Provincial Park is also an important locale for a herd of free-roaming bison, who escaped from an imported herd and now roam unhindered. They share the park with mountain goats, wolves, stone sheep, elk, caribou and moose, making it a prime spot for wildlife viewing and photography.

Secluded in the northeastern corner of British Columbia, Thinathea Protected Area is a sanctuary for moose and waterfowl, including trumpeter swans and water hemlock. The wetlands and upland forests are important habitats for a variety of other animals and the area offers many opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography. Canoeing, kayaking and fishing are also popular attractions to those visiting the park.

Located among the Fort Nelson Lowlands, Andy Bailey Provincial Recreation Area is popular with locals for swimming, fishing, cross-country skiing and tobogganing. The day-use park's facilities include pit toilets, water, picnic tables and a boat launch.

Kwadacha is home to a diverse amount of wildlife with wolves, Siberian lemmings, bears and 70 species of birds all sharing the park. This area is quite remote and is recommended for experienced hikers and horseback riders only. The park is accessed through a 150 km trail that begins just north of Trutch on the Alaska Highway.

Located in an area known as the Fort Nelson Lowlands, the Community Forest encompasses 400 hectares (988 acres) of land. Visitors can find various interpretive trails offering hiking, biking, walking and bird-watching opportunities. Pick up a trail guide at the Visitor Information Centre/Recreation Centre.

Located 60 km north of Fort Nelson, Jackpine Remnant Provincial Park protects one of the few remaining old growth Jackpine forests in the area. This 148 hectare park offers backcountry camping, hiking and great opportunities for wildlife viewing. Hunting is also permitted in the park.

Located amongst the Fort Nelson lowlands is Andy Bailey Provincial Park. This lakeside park features both black and white spruce forests; typical to this area of British Columbia. The beach is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, canoeing and wildlife viewing. The park is also home to a full-service campground.

Smith River Falls-Fort Halkett Provincial Park contains two distinct attractions. The first is the Smith River Falls, which plunge 35 m into a deep pool, unleashing a roar that is best heard during early summer. The falls are easily accessible by vehicle. The second is Fort Halkett, a former Hudson's Bay Company trading post that was established in 1829. Moose and wood bison are spotted frequently around the park.

British Columbia's third largest park offers visitors an exciting amount of recreational activities. Whether mountaineering, fishing for trout or hiking the Wokkpash Trail, there are many ways to enjoy this unique mountain wilderness. Recreational use is primarily confined to the summer and autumn months, leaving the area virtually uninhabited ruring the winter. Access to the area is mainly by boat, aircraft or horseback.

Kotcho Lake Village Provincial Park is an area of traditional settlement for the Fort Nelson Indian Band, Dene Tha First Nations. Kotcho Lake is a large, shallow lake surrounded by extensive muskeg, boreal white and black spruce forests. Wilderness camping is permitted but no facilities are available so plan accordingly. The Helmet Road provides motorized access to within three km of the park.

This remote protected area is comprised of hardy vegetation, bog and stunted black spruce. The purpose of the park is to protect a rare species of pitcher, a fragile plant that manages to survive in this rugged landscape. In summer, the area becomes wet and boggy, with plenty of mosquitoes. Walking becomes almost impossible and somewhat dangerous, and these factors, along with the sensitive vegetation, make the park a winter destination. Hunting is permitted.

Prophet River Hotsprings Provincial Park is located 150 km south of Fort Nelson. The hotsprings have created a tufa mound from mineral deposits, which is flanked on one side by black spruce forest. The park is home to a variety of species, making it a great place to view sheep, wolves, bears and caribou in their natural habitat. The hotsprings are not safe for bathing. Most visitors access the park through hiking/horseback trails from nearby Redfern-Keily Provincial Park.

Among the Rocky Mountain foothills lies Tetsa River Provincial Park. The river itself offers anglers excellent fishing opportunities for arctic grayling and the campground is just moments from the shore. Moose, white-tail and mule deer all call the park home, as do both black and grizzly bears.

Prophet River Wayside Provincial Park is commonly referred to as a bird-lover's paradise. A selection of eastern bird species use the park as a migratory home, including the Cape May warbler, Bay-breasted warbler, Connecticut warbler and Canadian warbler. The park is located on the Prophet River and was also a former US army camp used during the construction of the Alaska highway.

Located 125 km north of Fort Nelson, Maxhamish Lake offers recreational opportunities in one of the most remote parts of British Columbia. Moose and deer enjoy foraging in the park and anglers revel in the prime fishing on the lake. Wilderness and backcountry camping is permitted but no facilities are available. The park is accessible by ATV or snowmobile in the winter.