Huchsduwachsdu Nuyem Jees / Kitlope Heritage Conservancy

This park encompasses the world’s largest intact coastal temperate rainforest. This unique rainforest has old-growth trees over 800 years old. The Kitlope valley is an important habitat for marbled murrelets, bald eagles, moose, grizzly, black bear, wolf and waterfowl. The Kitlope valley lies within the traditional territory of the Haisla First Nation, based out of Kitamaat Village.

It takes a few hours to travel to the Kitlope by boat from Kitimat. The best time to visit the area is in July and August, when the marine conditions and the weather are at their best. Along the way visitors can do some fishing; visit Weewanie or Shearwater Hot Springs; watch for whales, seals, eagles, mountain goats, and bears; and view the wonderful waterfalls, tall granite cliffs, and hanging glaciers along Gardner Canal. Visitors arriving in larger vessels can anchor just outside the estuary area (deeper water) and then take a smaller boat (jet boats are best) up the Kitlope River to Kitlope Lake.

Established Date: February 20, 1996

Park Size: 322,020 hectares (321,572 ha upland and 448 ha foreshore)

Special Notes

• There are no roads in this wilderness area.
• A list of various companies that provide park activity opportunities are shown below in the section “Activities Available At This Park.”
• Information for interpretive programs may be available from the Kitlope Watchmen at the BC Parks cabin from May to October.

Stay Safe

• There are no developed trails in this Conservancy.
• Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problem with bears.

• Area map - Douglas Channel Area Parks and Protected Areas [PDF 2.2MB]

The park is located at the end of the Gardner Canal, on British Columbia’s central coast, approximately 50 km northwest of Bella Coola and 120 km southeast of Kitimat. The area is accessed by boat to the end of the Gardener Canal. The area is accessed by boat and aircraft only. Visitors should be experienced in ocean navigation and wilderness survival. Visitors can use jet boats to access Kitlope Lake and Kitlope River systems.

• Reference: Marine Charts #3743 (Douglas Channel) and #3745 (Gardner Canal).
• Reference: 1:50,000 topographic map #93 E/4 (Kitlope Lake).

Any maps listed are for information only – they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

• Map [PDF 1.36MB]
• Brochure [PDF]

• History: In 1994 the West Fraser Timber Company relinquished all rights to harvesting in the Kitlope area without consideration or compensation from the B.C. Government. The conservancy was proposed with cooperation between the Haisla Nation and the B.C. Government to protect the largest intact coastal temperate rainforest in the world. The Kitlope was first established as a Protected Area on February 20, 1996. Its designation was later changed from Protected Area to Conservancy on June 27, 2008. The Kitlope area encompasses a rich diversity of natural and cultural heritage values.
• Cultural Heritage: The Kitlope Valley lies within the traditional territory of the Haisla Nation. Known to the Haisla as “Hushuwashsdu” or “Source of the milky blue water,” the Kitlope area is a focus of native lore and native stories such as “The Man Who Turned to Stone.” The Kitlope Valley also has significant archaeological site potential. The Haisla have used the Kitlope area for the harvesting of plants, animals and fish including salmon and oolichan.
• Conservation: The area encompasses the world’s largest intact coastal temperate rainforest. This unique rainforest has old-growth trees over 800 years old. The Kitlope watershed provides a large intact diversity of wildlife and fish habitats, ranging from estuaries, lakes, rich flood plains, steep side slopes and alpine areas.
• Wildlife: The Kitlope Valley is an important habitat for Marbled Murrelets, Bald Eagles, moose, mountain goats, grizzly bear, black bear and waterfowl. A variety of waterfowl and birds can also be found throughout the Kitlope watershed. All five species of pacific salmon, herring, and oolichan spawn throughout the many rivers and creeks.

Management Planning Information

The management plan for the Huchsduwachsdu Nuyem Jees / Kitlope Heritage Conservancy was approved on October 6, 2011 and signed off by the Haisla Nation on May 23, 2012.

• Huchsduwachsdu Nuyem Jees / Kitlope Heritage Conservancy Management Plan [PDF 3.89MB] (new PDF is attached)

Canoeing

Fishing

Hiking

Hunting

Pets on Leash

Swimming

Wildlife Viewing

Campfires

Pit or Flush Toilets

Walk-In/Wilderness Camping