Crab Lake Conservancy

Highlights in this conservancy

Crab Lake Conservancy protects a scenic upland lake and the headwaters of Crab River. The conservancy represents some of the more spectacular characteristics found in the higher elevations of the Kitimat Ranges Ecosection, including massive rounded mountains of monolithic granite, a fringe of the higher elevation variant of the Coastal Western Hemlock zone that is characterized by old growth conifer stands of western hemlock, western red cedar and amabilis fir, and forests representative of the Mountain Hemlock zone.

Above the Mountain Hemlock zone, the Alpine Tundra zone begins where forested patches give way to intermittent patches of krummholz western hemlock, yellow cedar and subalpine fir in a matrix of heath and herb meadow communities.

Crab Lake Conservancy contains a pristine lake, watershed, old-growth forests and wetlands in a remote and elevated setting near the Gardner Canal. It has a diversity of wildlife habitats and spectacular mountain scenery with high mountain peaks, glaciers, waterfalls, and smaller lakes and tarns. Access into this wilderness area can be difficult.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

There are no roads or trails in this wilderness area.
There are no facilities in the conservancy.

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

Getting there

Crab Lake Conservancy is only accessible by float plane or helicopter and is located approximately 50 kilometers south of Kitimat and 25 kilometers northeast of Hartley Bay.The lake is located about 4 kilometers inland and up the Crab River on the north side of Gardner Canal, east of Staniforth Point.

Reference: Marine Chart #3745 (Gardner Canal).
Reference: 1:50,000 scale Topographic Map #103 H/10 (Devastation Channel).

Visitor Information Centre:

Kitimat Visitor Information Centre
PO Box 214
2109 Forest Avenue
Kitimat, BC, Canada V8C 2G7
http://www.tourismkitimat.ca/
info@tourismkitimat.ca
Phone: 250-632-6294 or 1-800-664-6554

Camping

Wilderness camping

Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided. All sites are on a first come, first served basis.

When visiting the backcountry, always follow Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. To learn more about staying safe in the backcountry, read our backcountry guide.

Winter camping

There are winter camping opportunities in this conservancy but access may be a problem if the lake is frozen over.

Things to do

Swimming

Swimming is possible in the lake, but the water is cold year-round.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

Adventurous and experienced canoeists or kayakers may enjoy exploring Crab Lake if they can get their boats to the lake.

Kayaking

Adventurous and experienced canoeists or kayakers may enjoy exploring Crab Lake if they can get their boats to the lake.

Fishing

There are opportunities for trout and char fishing in Crab Lake. Please consult the appropriate non-tidal fishing regulations for more information.

Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Wildlife viewing

Waterfowl, bears, wolves, deer, mountain goats and furbearers may be seen in the conservancy.

Hunting

This conservancy is open to hunting during lawful hunting seasons. Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information.

Anyone hunting in British Columbia must comply with BC hunting regulations. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Facilities

Campfires

Firewood is not provided. We encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of campfires by using camp stoves instead.

If you must have a fire, please burn only dead and down wood, and be sure to fully extinguish the fire when done. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil so please use it conservatively, if at all.

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.

About this conservancy

Cultural heritage

The conservancy is in the asserted traditional territory of the Haisla First Nation. The Crab River area is important to the Haisla as it historically contained a village site that demarcated the traditional territories of two different tribes that are presently amalgamated as the Haisla First Nation. Use the below link for more information or to contact this First Nation.

Haisla First Nation

History

Crab Lake Conservancy was designated as a conservancy on July 14, 2006 following recommendations from the North Coast Land and Resource Management Plan.

Conservation

The conservancy protects the undisturbed old growth forests, wetlands, wildlife habitat and watershed of Crab Lake.

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.

Contact