Park overview
The park’s landscapes vary from dramatic mountains and alpine lakes in the south, to gentler volcanic hills and lava formations, to the flat, forested Chilcotin Plateau in the north.
The spectacular scenery in the south makes it a popular destination for horseback riding, backpacking, hunting, wildlife viewing, and mountaineering. Because of the park’s remoteness, visitors must be experienced in backcountry travel and completely self-sufficient.
This park teems with wildlife. You might see mountain goats, California bighorn sheep, moose or predators such as wolves, black and grizzly bears. Please do not stress them by approaching closely.
Advisories
Safety info
- This park is not regularly patrolled. Visitors should be totally self-sufficient.
- Visitors should ensure they make their presence known if there are signs of bear and food should be properly cached.
- In some locations of the park, you will be several days from any form of help. Bring a good first aid kit and exercise caution.
- Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the protected area. Water is available from the areas numerous lakes, streams and creeks. Visitors should filter, boil or treat the water prior to consuming.
If you have visited Itcha Ilgachuz Park, we would appreciate if you could please complete an on-line comment form. This will allow park managers to obtain valuable information from those who have experienced the area.
Special notes
Visitor etiquette
We appreciate your feedback. If you have visited Big Creek Park, we ask you to complete an online comment form. This will allow park managers to obtain valuable information from those who have experienced the area. This form is not for providing input to the management planning process.
Camping
Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
Facilities
Campfires are permitted. However, no firewood is provided. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.
Activities
Owing to the area’s extensive history of recreational use, there is a large network of unmaintained trails. Hiking and horse trails may be used to access the park via Relay Creek and Tyaughton Creek. Trails are unmarked and usually very wet.
Fish for rainbow trout in Lorna Lake or Big Creek. It is not an exceptional fishery, as the water is cloudy. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
If you must bring your dog to Big Creek Park, it must be under control at all times. It is illegal to allow your dog to harass wildlife or livestock. You are responsible for its behaviour and must dispose of its excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
Cycling is permitted in Big Creek Park. Note that there are steep, muddy and or rocky sections on all trails. Mountain bikers must yield to hikers and horses. When meeting horses, dismount and wait on the downhill side of the trail. When catching up to a string of horses, be patient. The riders will pull aside at the first location that has sufficient room to let you by.
Do not be tempted to venture off the trail, as you can cause long-term damage to this unique ecosystem. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Big Creek Park.
E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
Big Creek Park is a popular destination for horseback riding, but because of the park’s remoteness, visitors must be experienced in backcountry travel and completely self-sufficient. Please use only weed-free pelleted feed for horses, since import of weeds is a major concern in the park.
The park is open to hunting. All hunters to the area should refer to the current BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis.
Although Big Creek Park is located only 100 km south-west of Williams Lake as the crow flies, there is no road access to the park boundary. Two routes link to trails into the park. They follow logging roads, so watch for industrial traffic and use headlights. Roads become very slippery when wet: four-wheel drive, shovel and tire chains are recommended.
Southern route
To access hiking and horse trails at Relay Creek and Tyaughton Creek, drive approximately 69 km on Carpenter Lake Road west of Lillooet. Turn right on Marshall Lake Road. Zero odometer here. Stay left at 3 km. At 11.6 km, stay right on to the Mud Creek Main Road.14.8 km, cross bridge. 17.5 km, stay left. 24.5 km, stay left. 25.6 km, cross bridge. 29.6 km, stay right. 36 km, cross bridge. 36.8 km, stay right. 41.2 km, turn left onto the Mud Creek – Paradise Creek Road. Drive down the hill to 43 km, Tyaughton Creek Forest Recreation Site. Turn right just past the recreation site. Do not take trailers onto this road. This road is not maintained and may be washed out at any point, proceed with caution. 52.7 km, stay left. 54.3 km, stay left. 54.9 km, stay left. 57.2 km, stay left. 57.7 km, cross small creek at the edge of a logging landing. It is not recommended taking two-wheel drive vehicles beyond this point. 64.7 km, stay left. 65 km, drive past the old mining camp. 66.3 km, Relay Creek Forest Service Recreation Site.
Northern route
Few park visitors use this access. However, there is a rough trail that parallels Big Creek, and which is best suited for horseback riding. Follow the logging road (2000 road) that leaves Highway 20 at Riske Creek. Travel to approximately 51 km, turn left onto the 2400 road. Stay on this road until you reach a green gate. Park here, follow the road approximately 2.5km past the gate, turn right and follow the old road/trail to Lorna Lake and the Dil-Dil Plateau.
Park and activity maps
1:50,000 topographic maps of the park are available at most map retailers: 92-O/2, 92-O/3, 92-O/6, and 92-O/7.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: July 12, 1995
- Size: 67,918 hectares
Nature and culture
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.