Sugarbowl - Grizzly Den Provincial Park

The park is located on Highway 16 approximately 95 km east of Prince George and includes the Grand Canyon of the Fraser. This park protects a component of old growth interior cedar-hemlock, and provides excellent habitat for grizzly bear, martin and caribou. It is also an important caribou movement corridor. The area includes a developed trail system that offers popular alpine backcountry recreation opportunities close to Prince George.

Stay Safe

• Watch for fissures on the surface

  While hiking/snowshoeing or backcountry skiing in the park, please watch for fissures on the surface. Large fissures can be impossible to see through snow cover and be upwards of 3m deep. Falling into these fissures could cause serious injury.

• Avalanche Safety

  Avalanches are a potential hazard to backcountry snowboarding, cross country skiing, telemark skiing, and snow-shoeing enthusiasts.

• Be Bear Aware!

  Check out our bear information page.

• Bring your own water

  There is no potable water available at this park.

• Sugarbowl – Grizzly Den Park is a backcountry, wilderness experience

  Trails and cabins are there for your enjoyment, but they are no substitute for preparation and awareness when traveling in the backcountry.

  Every year, visitors get lost in the park, usually in the subalpine/alpine areas. It can be difficult to navigate, especially if when the weather is poor and fatigue sets in. Here are some simple things you can do as a visitor to help make your visit to the park a safe and enjoyable experience.

  • Are you prepared to travel in the backcountry? Do you have any experience, training and gear? If you can’t answer these questions confidently, you should think about travelling with someone who is experienced and knows the area. Consider joining a local hiking group on outings to gain experience.
  • Plan your route, even for a day hike! Many people who get lost only expected to be out for a few hours. Take the time to look at maps, guide books and Google Earth before you venture out. AdventureSmart has a great, pre-made trip planning guide.
  • Have an emergency contact and tell them where you are going and when you expect to return. 
  • Ensure you bring maps, a compass and if you have one, a GPS. GPS locations of trailheads, cabins, and attactions as well as the mapsheets for the park can be found here: Sugarbowl/Grizzly Den Waypoints [PDF].

Pack rain gear, water and snacks. Always go prepared to spend the night in case of an emergency.

Special Notes

• It is illegal to have any outside, open fires.
• Firewood at the three cabins in Sugarbowl – Grizzly Den Park is flown in via helicopter under a cooperative agreement with the Prince George Backcountry Recreation Society. Please conserve firewood. Firewood is for use in the cabin stoves only.

 

Please note: The park is located about 95 km southeast of Prince George on Highway 16. To access both the Grizzly Den Trail and Raven Lake Trail drive east following Highway 16 to Hungary Creek, a distance of approximately 88 km from the east end of the Yellowhead Bridge in Prince George. As you travel along Highway 16 east you will pass by the Sugarbowl Trailhead (80 km) and the Viking Ridge Trailhead (85 km), both within the boundaries of Sugarbowl – Grizzly Den Provincial Park. About 0.3 km past Hungary Creek, turn right on to the Hungary Creek Forest Road and drive south keeping on the main road. After about 13 km you will reach the Grizzly Den Trailhead parking lot, and about 2.6 km beyond this parking lot you will reach the Raven Lake Trailhead parking lot.

• Park Brochure [PDF]
• Google Earth KMZ file of the hiking trails (For use in Google Earth and/or and Google Maps.) [KMZ]

• History: This attractive area, developed over a number of years, is popular with both cross-country skiers and hikers. In 1973 and 1974, Northwood Pulp and Timber Ltd. built the original trails and cabins (Raven Lake and Grizzly Den). Ministry of Forests maintained the trails and cabins up until 2000, when the area was declared a Provincial Park and BC Parks is now managing the area. When harvesting was completed in the area the Hungary Creek Road was no longer plowed in the winter so the Sons of Norway built an additional cabin on the lower part of the Grizzly Den Trail in 1977. The Grand Canyon of the Fraser is also in the Park, a very dangerous spot for the river men that ran barges up and down the river. Many people lost their lives in the canyon over the years.
• Cultural Heritage: The Grand Canyon of the Fraser represents a unique feature which has historic significance related to the “Overlanders” journey to the Cariboo gold field in the 1860s and the construction of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. The Fraser river is designated as a BC Heritage River.
• Wildlife: The park is a refuge for caribou and grizzly bear.

• Management Planning Information
• Approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan [PDF 2.62MB]

Cycling

Fishing

Hiking

Hunting

Wildlife Viewing

Winter Recreation

Cabins / Huts

Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

Winter Camping