One of BC's largest parks is home to the highest free-falling waterfall in Canada
If there’s one destination that’s a true testament to how vast and diverse British Columbia is, it’s Tweedsmuir Park. Spanning over 981,000 hectares (and divided into North and South), the massive park is nestled in the Great Bear Rainforest – AKA the world’s largest coastal temperate rainforest.
The area has been used by the Nuxalk and Carrier First Nations for thousands of years, with routes known as “grease trails” allowing interior communities to trade furs and obsidian for marine products.
Now one of the largest parks in BC, Tweedsmuir South is made up of several distinct areas, each with its own breathtaking topography and local ecosystems.
Some of North America’s best scenery
From fascinating volcanic shield ranges to epic waterfalls like Hunlen Falls, to surreal alpine glaciers and white-sand beaches, it’s sure to take more than just one or two visits to explore this incredible BC destination fully.
After all, it’s recognized for having some of the most spectacular scenery in all of North America, according to BC Parks!
Ready for a boating adventure? Head to the picturesque Ootsa or Whitesail Lakes – though make sure to brush up on your bear safety knowledge before heading over, as grizzlies have also been known to frequent the area.
In the heart of the park, there’s the Atnarko River Valley, which is renowned for its annual salmon runs.
Every year, thousands of salmon swim upstream, drawing grizzly bears and other wildlife to the riverbanks for an unforgettable experience in nature.
Spectacular hikes
Looking for some specific hikes to check out on your visit? There are tons out there, and they’re not short by any stretch of the imagination.
The scenic Hunlen Falls Trail starts in the Bella Coola Valley and leads past valley and alpine lakes to Canada’s highest free-falling waterfall, which has a dramatic drop of 401 metres (1,316 feet).
The Turner Lake Canoe Circut is a three-to-five-day canoeing trip on the east slope of the Coastal Range with not one, but seven pristine lakes and short linking creeks.
Finally, the incredible Interior Plateau (east of the park near Anahim Lake) gives way to peaks of the Rainbow Range, a massive dome of “eroded lava and fragmented rock” that comes in a spectrum of reds, oranges, yellows, and lavenders.
Closures & info
Note that the famous Nuxalk-Carrier Grease/Alexander Mackenzie Heritage Trail is currently closed due to previous wildfire activity.
The only other closure to note is The Tote Road due to spring flooding. Other than that, this massive, remote wilderness park is your oyster!
So whether you embark on a backpacking trip before winter officially arrives, or hit the backcountry slopes later in the season, you’re all but guaranteed the experience of a lifetime here.
Happy adventures!
Tweedsmuir Park South
How to get there: Drive 10 hours from Vancouver to Tweedsmuir Park South via Chilcotin-Bella Coola Highway/BC-20 W.
