Ed Bird-Estella Lakes Park

Park overview

This is a very remote area of the province and visitors should be well equipped as there are no supplies of any kind easily accessible. The marl bottom of the lakes give them their wonderful colour.

Advisories

Safety info

Supplies and gasoline should be checked prior to travelling to the park.
Suitable clothing should be worn and equipment for outdoor living carried.
Visitors should have appropriate maps.
Bring your own drinking water, as potable water is not available in the park.

Camping

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Vehicle-accessible camping

This park offers vehicle-accessible campsites on a first come, first served basis. Campsite reservations are not accepted. This park offers primitive camping with no facilities at Ed Bird Lake. Road access off Finlay Forest Service Road is very rough.

Wilderness camping

Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided. This is a very remote area and visitors should prepare accordingly.

Facilities

Pit or flush toilets

This park has pit toilets, no flush toilets. These sites are not maintained so be prepared.

Activities

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Hiking

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. There are no developed trails at this park.

Swimming

There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

Canoeing

There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park. This park is a popular recreation area for boating.

Kayaking

There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park. This park is a popular recreation area for boating.

Fishing

This area is popular for fishing. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. See the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis for site specific information.

Wildlife viewing

There is no viewing platform but there are good wildlife viewing opportunities.

Cycling

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 Ed Bird-Estella Lakes 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

Horseback riding is permitted.

Hunting

Hunting is allowed in the park. Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping regulations for more information.

Winter recreation

Snowmobiles are allowed in the park but there are no designated trails. Be cautious.

Located near the most northern tip of Williston Lake. Located near Tsay Kay Dene Indian Reserve, 67 km South of Ft. Ware on the Russel Forestry Service Road. The closest community is Mackenzie.

Park and activity maps

Location Map

Learn more about this park

Park details

Date established: April 11, 2001
Size: 5,568 hectares

Nature and culture

History

Ed Bird-Estella Lakes Park was established on April 11th, 2001 as a Class A Park encompassing 5,587 hectares. Prior to being a provincial park, Ed Bird-Estella Lakes Park was a forest recreation site and through the Mackenzie LRMP process was identified to be made a Protected Area.

Cultural Heritage

This area was a traditional use area for First Nations.

Conservation

Colourful lakes because of marl bottoms.

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.