Dead Man's Island Park

Highlights in this park

This small one hectare park encompasses an island in Burns Lake, 2 km southeast of the village of Burns Lake. The park is used in both summer and winter by local residents, for picnicking and similar activities.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.

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

Dead Man’s Island Provincial Park is 2 km southeast of Burns Lake and is only accessible by boat.

Things to do

Swimming

Burns Lake is a great place for a summer swim.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

The park is accessible by boat only. It is a short trip (2 km) from the Burns Lake municipal boat launch to the island.

Fishing

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

Wildlife viewing

Birding is the main wildlife viewing opportunity at this park.

Pets on leash

Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.

Winter recreation

The park can be accessed by skating, snowshoeing, skiing, or snowmobiling in winter months. Be sure Burns Lake is well frozen before venturing out onto the lake.

Facilities

Campfires

Campfires are permitted. If you chose to have a fire, please bring wood with you. Collecting firewood on the island is prohibited.

Picnic areas

There is a public use picnic shelter on the island available on a first come, first served basis.

Pit or flush toilets

This park only has pit toilets, no flush toilets.

About this park

Cultural Heritage

Dead Man’s Island Park is within the traditional territory claimed by the Burns Lake Band of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council and the Wet’suwet’en First Nation.

History

Dead Man’s Island Park was established on October 31, 1933 by the Provincial Government with Order-in-Council 1377 under the authority of the Provincial Parks Act. The park was reclassified as a class C provincial park on December 11, 1940 with Order-in-Council 1660.

A history sign about Dead Man’s Island [PDF] has been created by the Lakes District Museum Society.

Conservation

Protects a small portion of the SBSdk (sub boreal spruce zone dry cool subzone) biogeoclimatic zone, and the Bulkley Basin Ecosection.

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.

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