Park overview
Claud Elliott Lake Park is one of three protected areas nestled along the upper Tsitika watershed. The area is part of a river system ranked among the 10 most important fish streams on Vancouver Island. Adjacent to the park along its western boundary is Claud Elliott Creek Ecological Reserve, which protects representative montane forest communities and critical deer and Roosevelt elk winter range. Two kilometers to the east is Mount Elliott Ecological Reserve, featuring a small, self contained sub-alpine drainage and hanging valley.
This remote, undeveloped park has provincially significant conservation and recreational values that typify old-growth valley bottom forest and wetlands.
The park contains two lakes – Claud Elliott Lake and Fickle Lake - which are both popular destinations for sport fishing and nature appreciation.
Park Size: 328 ha
Special Features: The park contains some interesting geological features related to an adjacent basalt pillar reserve. Large boulders and remnants of a large rock slide can be found at the northern end of the park, downstream of Fickle Lake.
Advisories
Safety info
Park Safety
- Access to this park is by active logging roads. The chance of encountering loaded logging trucks while traveling these roads is highly likely. Logging trucks have the right of way at all times. Drivers should use caution and yield to logging trucks, using pullouts whenever possible.
- Bring your own water, as potable water is not available in the park. All surface water must be boiled, filtered or treated prior to consumption.
Camping
There are no maintained campsites at this park, however wilderness camping is allowed. No facilities are provided and there is no fee.
Facilities
While fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. If you must use a campfire, please practice “ Leave No Trace” camping ethics.
Activities
This park has a short, maintained access trail leading visitors down to Claud Elliott Lake; average walking time 10 minutes. This trail is suitable for transporting canoes, kayaks or float tubes down to the lake.
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.
Both Claud Elliott Lake and Fickle Lake are known for high quality recreational angling. Lakes contain coho salmon, Cutthroat, Dolly Varden, Kokanee and Rainbow trout and steelhead. The most easily accessible of these lakes is Claud Elliott Lake. More adventurous fishers can go to Fickle Lake, further downstream in the valley. This lake is harder to access and will require lining canoes or kayaks back upstream to Claud Elliott Lake.
All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash and under control at all times. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
Portions of this park are open to hunting for specific species. Hunters must have valid licences and tags. Please refer to the current Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis.
Maps and location
Claud Elliott Lake on northeastern Vancouver Island is located 8 km north of the Woss Camp turnoff, south of the community of Woss, and 50 km southeast of Port McNeill. The park is accessed via a well maintained gravel road connecting Canadian Forest Products Lukwa Main logging road and Highway 19. The chances of encountering loaded logging trucks while traveling the Lukwa Main and Elliott Main is highly likely. Vehicles may park just off Claude Elliott Main near the park boundary sign. From there, a 150-meter deactivated road leads to the Claude Elliott Lake trailhead. Drivers should be very cautious; logging trucks have the right of way.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: July 12, 1995
- Size: 328 hectares
Nature and culture
- History/ Cultural Heritage - Claud Elliott Lake Provincial Park lies with the traditional territory of the Tlowitsis and the Mumtagila First Nations. It was established as a park in 1995.
- Conservation - The park preserves and protects a wetland ecosystem within the ecological landscape of the Tsitika Valley. Claud Elliott Park contributes to representation of the Coastal Western Hemlock Biogeoclimatic variant gap in the Northern Island Mountain Ecosection. This area is part of a river system ranked among the 10 most important fish streams on Vancouver Island, providing protection for anadromous fish habitat.
- Wildlife - This park protects key fish and wildlife habitat for a variety of species associated with old-growth valley bottom lakes and wetlands. These include salmon, steelhead and a variety of trout. It is also an important habitat for Black-tailed deer, Roosevelt elk, wolves, cougars, black bears and waterfowl.
- 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.