Gilnockie Park | BC Parks

Highlights in this park

This 2,842 hectare park is situated southeast of Cranbrook and just north of the U.S. border. It includes the upper portion of Gilnockie Creek. Gilnockie Park protects some of the oldest fir and larch stands in the region where bears, moose, elk, white-tail and mule deer are found.

Although Gilnockie Park has low recreation values, this steep densely wooded and small wet valley encompasses wide ranging species and habitat diversity and provides north south connectivity for many animals and birds. No facilities are provided. Visitors should be self-sufficient and proficient in backcountry travel practices.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

Persons visiting Gilnockie Park are reminded that the park is a wilderness area, without supplies or equipment of any kind. All arrangements for supplies and transportation must be made beforehand.
All park visitors should wear strong waterproofed, lug-soled boots and carry a daypack with raingear, extra warm clothing and food. Weather conditions can change suddenly in this area and lightning storms with hail and snow are common in summer. For overnight trips a sleeping bag, groundpad, waterproof tent or bivouac bag and lightweight stove are essential.
Loaded logging trucks and other industrial traffic may be encountered while accessing this park. Drive with extreme caution and, for your safety, always yield to industrial traffic.
Public communications are not available at this park.
Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park. To ensure drinking water is safe, it must be boiled for at least five minutes.
There is no firewood or campfire pits available. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.
A Ministry of Forests public cabin is located outside the south boundary of the park.

Special notes

There is no designated camping or picnic facilities at this park. There is a Ministry of Forest area at the south end of 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

The park is located 5 km north of the US border, between Moyie Lake and Elko Park access is by seasonal logging roads from Highway 3 at Moyie Lake via Teepee Creek, Yahk River and Ward Creek (approximately 35 km). The park can also be accessed from Lake Koocanusa at Kikomun Creek Park via Plumbob Creek, Gold Creek and Caven Creek (approximately 35 km) or via Gold Creek, Bloom Creek and Ward Creek (approximately 40 km). The closest community is Cranbrook.

Camping

Wilderness camping

There are no designated camping areas in this park. There is a Ministry of Forest camp and picnic site at the south end of this park. When practical use impacted campsites, otherwise practice Leave No Trace camping ethics. If you have a fire, build it on rocks, or remove sod, have fire, then replace sod. Register a trip itinerary with friends, check in and check out.

When visiting the backcountry, always follow Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. To learn more about staying safe in the backcountry, read our backcountry guide.

Things to do

Hiking

Gilnockie Creek Park can be accessed from the north or south end of the park on game trails; these are routes only. 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.

Fishing

Gilnockie Creek provides cutthroat trout fishing opportunities.

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

Pets on leash

Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears. Care should be taken to avoid disturbance of wildlife. Dogs in backcountry parks must be under control at all times. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.

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 Gilnockie 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.

Hunting

Gilnockie Park is open to the discharge of firearms, bows and crossbows only during a lawful game hunting season (MU 4-4). Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations for more information.

Anyone hunting in British Columbia must comply with BC hunting regulations. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

About this park

Conservation

Gilnockie Park protects some of the oldest fir and larch strands in the region. Also Engelmann spruce, subalpine spruce, cedar and hemlock are found in this representative forest within the McGillivary Range of southeastern British Columbia.

Wildlife

The McGillivary ecosection provides excellent habitat for elk, white-tailed and mule deer, moose, grizzly bear, cutthroat trout and the threatened northern leopard frog and Columbia red-tailed chipmunk.

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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