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.
There are no maintained campsites at this park, however wilderness camping is allowed. No facilities are provided and there is no fee.
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.
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.
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.
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.