Park overview
Located on the north shore of Williston Lake’s Peace Reach, Butler Ridge Park provides boat access to B.C.’s largest man-made lake and offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, fishing and hiking. The hiking along Butler Ridge is spectacular.
The ridge itself extends 15 km south to north throughout the entire length of the park and is accessed via a trail on the park’s south side.
Advisories
Safety info
- Exercise caution at all times due to a large amount of drifting debris continually emerging from the flooded lake bottom. In addition, strong winds frequently create high waves on the open water.
- Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
Camping
Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
Facilities
Water levels change seasonally and BC Hydro may alter water levels in Williston Lake without notice, making the boat ramp unusable. Contact BC Hydro to confirm water levels.
Keep backcountry fires small.
Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.
This park only has pit toilets, no flush toilets.
Activities
A hiking trail up to Butler Ridge can be accessed on the Dunlevy Forest Service Road east of Hudson’s Hope. The trail accesses Butler Ridge and provides visitors with amazing views of Williston Lake and the surrounding Rocky Mountains. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
Visitors can swim at their own risk in Williston Lake, but keep in mind that there are no designated swimming areas.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
Exercise caution at all times due to a large amount of drifting debris continually emerging from the flooded lake bottom. In addition, strong winds frequently create high waves on the open water.
Exercise caution at all times due to a large amount of drifting debris continually emerging from the flooded lake bottom. In addition, strong winds frequently create high waves on the open water.
Williston Lake has numerous sport fish for the avid angler, such as rainbow trout and kokanee.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
There are wildlife viewing opportunities. Stone sheep, moose, elk, deer, black bear and grizzly bears frequent the park.
Keep pets on leash at all times in backcountry areas to avoid conflicts with wildlife.
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Butler Ridge 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.
Horseback riding is permitted.
The park is open to hunting. All hunters to the area should refer to the current BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis.
Winter recreation opportunities include snowmobiling and ski touring.
This park is located 40 km west of Hudson’s Hope off Highway 29, It is a gravel road access.
Park and activity maps
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: June 29, 2000
- Size: 6,024 hectares
Nature and culture
History
Butler Ridge was named after General Sir W.F. Butler, a British Army officer recognized for his involvement in the Red River Rebellion. Working for the Canadian Government, he made a scouting trip west to the Rockies. The report he submitted back to the Government, contributed to the establishment of the Northwest Mounted Police in the area. He returned to the area again in 1873. His journey west took him by dogsled to what we now know as Fort St. John. He continued on to Hudson’s Hope by horseback and from there paddled the Peace River by canoe. Since that time the area has received many names such as the Butler Range, Butler Mountain, and eventually to what we know it as today, Butler Ridge. The park was established in 2000.
Cultural Heritage
First Nations of the Treaty 8 Tribal Association have traditionally used he area.
Conservation
Butler Ridge Park is located in the Peace Foothill ecosection just east of the Rocky Mountains. The area provides important winter range for caribou and stone sheep habitat in the higher elevations as well as moose and elk winter range in the lower elevations. A blue-listed species, the Arkansas rose, has been recorded in the park.
Wildlife
This area provides excellent fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities. If you look closely, you may be able to spot stone sheep resting in the canyon, just to the right of the boat launch. Deer, elk, golden eagles and other wildlife are common to the area as well as numerous waterfowl and shorebirds.
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.