Burges James Gadsden Park

Highlights in this park

Situated 11 km west of Golden between the Trans Canada Highway and the Columbia River, Burges James Gadsden Park encompasses much of Moberly Marsh. This area, also a Ducks Unlimited Conservation project, protects the northern portion of the Columbia River Wetlands that stretch 185 km between Canal Flats and Golden.

The Columbia Wetlands are recognized by scientists and naturalists world wide for its remarkable variety and abundance of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates. These remaining wetlands of the Pacific Flyway are critical resting and feeding areas for resident and migratory birds.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.

Special notes

Care should be taken to avoid disturbance of wildlife, especially nesting birds. This area is not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues.

Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.

Visit responsibly

Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:

Maps and location

Location Map

Getting there

Burges James Gadsden Park encompasses most of the Moberly Marshes and is located 10 km north of the town of Golden between the Trans Canada Highway and the Columbia River.

Things to do

Hiking

There are no developed hiking trails, but walking areas along the developed dikes can provide further viewing opportunities.

Wildlife viewing

The park provides excellent viewing opportunities of nesting and rearing habitat for diverse marshland wildlife, including waterfowl and songbird species.

Facilities

Picnic areas

This park has a small vehicle pull-out viewing area along the Trans Canada Highway with no picnic tables or other facilities.

About this park

History

Burges James Gadsden, a pioneer of the Columbia Valley donated the original portion of the land for this provincial park to the people of the province of British Columbia in 1965 to be protected perpetually.

Wildlife

Cat tail sloughs lined with cottonwoods, spruce, birch and willow provide habitat for beaver, muskrat, otter and mink. During winter the low snow levels of the valley wetlands provide winter range for elk and deer and predators, such as coyotes and wolves, that depend on healthy ungulate populations for prey. Raptors such as hawks, eagles and osprey are often seen. Blue heron, yellow headed black birds, ducks, geese and swans are among the many birds that utilize this diverse prolific habitat. Bacteria, fungi, worms and beetles cycle nutrients: carbon, sulphur, phosphorus and nitrogen, in this biologically interwoven landscape.

General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

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.

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