Premier Listings for Itcha Ilgachuz Provincial Park
Itcha Ilgachuz Provincial Park is a remote and roadless 111,977-hectare wilderness area due north of Anahim Lake on Highway 20 in the West Chilcotin Uplands of British Columbia.
Located east of the Rainbow Range of South Tweedsmuir Park, the park landscape is unique in its variety of volcanic landforms, alpine environments, lakes, grassland, forest, and wetland habitat.
The Itcha Range and Ilgachuz Range are examples of isolated shield volcanoes, rising up to 2,400 metres above sea level. These ranges are situated in the rain shadow of the Coast Mountains, and support a high diversity of plant and animal species.
The South Carrier and Chilcotin Peoples have inhabited the Itcha Ilgachuz area for centuries, leading a nomadic lifestyle and travelling whenever necessary to find food and resources. The Itcha Ilgachuz was used by First Nations to hunt and trap animals such as beaver, caribou, moose, and martin, and to gather plants, roots, and obsidian in summer. Traditional fishing camps were also located in the area.
Trade was important to the South Carrier Peoples. The historic Alexander Mackenzie Heritage (Grease) Trail north of the park was one of the main routes used to trade furs, berries, and obsidian. Today, large portions of this trail still exist and are used by hikers and horseback riders. An archaeological site has been identified near one of the obsidian quarries in the Itcha Ilgachuz.
Unmaintained hiking trails and horse riding trails exist throughout Itcha Ilgachuz Provincial Park, and cross-country ski touring and winter camping are possible. Wilderness and backcountry camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided other than pit toilets. There are 2 cabins located near Itcha Lake for public use. They hold approximately 6 people each and are very rustic. People need to be prepared to camp outside in the event the cabins are full. These cabins are maintained by the Itcha Cabin Society and donations towards their maintenance are requested.
The Itcha and Ilgachuz Ranges are surrounded by provincially significant salmon spawning and rearing rivers. Though fish habitat is limited within the park by steep terrain, Itcha Lake does support populations of rainbow trout and bull trout.
Itcha Ilgachuz Provincial Park provides habitat for numerous wildlife species, including wolves, cougars, black bear, grizzly bear, mule deer, caribou, moose, mountain goat, and California bighorn sheep. The park protects extensive spring and summer caribou habitat, critical caribou calving areas, and limited but critical winter habitat for the largest remaining woodland caribou population (approximately 1,500) in southern British Columbia. The Caribou populations are vulnerable, and sensitive to human disturbance. The most northerly population of California bighorn sheep in North America, and extensive summer and winter moose range are also found within the park.
Other furbearers include beaver, muskrat, coyote, marten, red fox, wolverine, river otter, bobcat, and lynx. The area’s wetland habitats also support waterfowl, game birds, songbirds, amphibians, and reptile.
The trailhead for this park is reached by travelling about 11 miles (18 km) north of Anahim Lake on Lessard Lake Road, then about 40 miles (64 km) on a so-so gravel road (check conditions beforehand with BC Parks in Williams Lake).
The community of Anahim Lake, located where Highway 20 starts its descent to the coast, is 86 miles (139 km) east of Bella Coola and 61 miles (98 km) west of Williams Lake.
Nearby Regions & Towns
Park Notices
Premier Listings
KiNiKiNiK Restaurant, Store & Accommodations
Biographical Info
KiNiKiNiK Restaurant, Store & Accommodations is situated in Redstone on Highway 20, the connector to Bella Coola and the Pacific Ocean. You cannot miss KiNiKiNiK restaurant, with its beautiful timber-framed construction and modern design. We have accommodations with no minimum stay required. Our rental cottages and houses are handsome timber-framed lodgings in the same architectural style as KiNiKiNiK. Please stay a while …
Stroll around our beautifully landscaped grounds; browse the unique KiNiKiNiK store for local, organic and high-quality items, including a selection of organic Pasture To Plate meats and in-house prepared and preserved foods, beeswax candles and many practical and beautiful kitchen utensils.
Our restaurant serves wholesome food made from scratch with certified organic ingredients from May to September. All meats are from Pasture To Plate animals born, raised and grass-fed fattened on Rafter 25 Ranch land, on which KiNiKiNiK is situated.
