Located on the north shore of Williston Lake’s Peace Reach, Butler Ridge Provincial 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.
Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
This park only has pit toilets – no flush toilets.
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.
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, there are no designated swimming areas. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial 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.
Williston Lake has numerous sport fish, such as rainbow trout and kokanee, for the avid angler. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
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 Provincial 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; gravel road access.
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.