Park overview
Established in June of 1999, Finger-Tatuk Park surrounds Finger and Tatuk Lakes and extends south to include the smaller Turff, Vance, Cory, Bodley, and Harp Lakes south of the Tatuk Hills. Special Feature: Beautiful series of lakes and regionally significant recreational destination.
Abundant populations of rainbow trout and kokanee are the main attraction for anglers in the area. Guided and resident hunting and boating are also popular pursuits. Diverse and high-value habitat in the park provides for a range of animal species including grizzly and black bear, ungulates, small fur-bearers, waterfowl, shore birds, and eagles.
There is one resort within the park. Finger Lake Wilderness Resort is located at the west-end of Finger Lake.
Advisories
Safety info
- Potable water is not available in the park, but is available at the resort. BC Parks suggests you bring your own water, or you may obtain drinking water from the nearby resort.
- Be advised that to get to Finger-Tatuk Park you must use active forest service roads. Please be alert for industrial traffic and drive at a safe speed with your headlights on.
Camping
Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
Facilities
This park has pit toilets, flush toilets.
Activities
There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.
Wild rainbow trout are abundant in both Finger and Tatuk Lakes. An extremely healthy kokanee population also resides in Tatuk Lake. Ice-fishing is allowed in the park during the winter season but best to check with the resort. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
There is no viewing platform but the wide range of lake sizes across a landscape interconnected by wetland riparian corridors, provides important habitat features. There are regionally significant populations and habitat for grizzly bear, ungulates, fur-bearer, waterfowl and shore birds, as well as kokanee and rainbow trout.
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. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
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 Finger-Tatuk 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.
Waterskiing opportunities are possible on the lakes. Be cautious.
Windsurfing is possible on the lakes. Be cautious.
Hunting is allowed in the park during open season. Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping regulations for more information.
The resort may have trackset trails for cross-country skiing but the rest of the park is wilderness skiing. There are snowshoeing opportunities on any trail or roadway in the park plus the frozen lakes. Snowmobiles, ski-dooing, tobogganing and ice-skating are allowed in the park.
Ice-fishing is allowed in the park during the winter season but best to check with the resort. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Finger-Tatuk Park is located 80 kilometres south of Vanderhoof and 115 km southwest of Prince George. Map reference: 93F/8 & 93 F/9
To access Finger Lake and the west end of Tatuk Lake, use the Kluskus forest service road near Vanderhoof. Access to the east end of Tatuk Lake is via the Pelican (Prince George) or Bobtail (Highway #16) Forest Service Roads.
Park and activity maps
- Park Brochure [PDF]
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: June 29, 1999
- Size: 17,127 hectares
Nature and culture
History
The Finger-Tatuk area was first identified as a potential protected area in 1994. The park was legislated in June of 1999, following the recommendations of the Vanderhoof Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP).
Cultural Heritage
The area around Finger and Tatuk Lakes was heavily used in earlier times by various Carrier First Nations. Food cache pits, culturally altered trees, traditional trails, and lodge or “kickwillie” depressions have been documented within the park. A village site near Tatuk Lake was the subject of an archaeological dig in the 1970s.
In the early 1900s, the area was sporadically populated by trappers, ranchers and fur-farmers. The Batnuni Wagon Trail ran through the southeast part of the park connecting to the Meridian road. The Frontier Cattle Company drove their herds from the Home Ranch through this area, which Rich Hobson’s books later documented. All natural and cultural resources are protected in the park. Damage to, collection or removal of any natural resource or cultural artifact is prohibited.
Conservation
Finger-Tatuk Park protects one of the best representations of sub-boreal spruce and Englemann spruce/sub-alpine fir within the Nazko Upland. The area also contributes to the maintenance of local and provincial biological diversity. A wide range of lake sizes across a landscape interconnected by wetland riparian corridors provides important wildlife habitat features. The kokanee run each fall in Finger Creek is regionally significant.
Wildlife
Wild rainbow trout and kokanee are abundant in the area, and the diverse and high-value habitat in the park provide for a range of animal species including grizzly and black bear, ungulates, small fur-bearers, waterfowl, shore-birds, and eagles.
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.