Gold Muchalat Park

Highlights in this park

Gold Muchalat Park, located northwest of Gold River on central Vancouver Island, offers a pristine wilderness environment for sports fishing, wildlife viewing and rustic hiking.

This undeveloped park provides key winter habitat for Roosevelt elk and black-tailed deer and is home to the Marbled Murrelet and a variety of fish species. Sockeye salmon spawn in the Muchalat River. Summer steelhead, Rainbow trout and coho can be found in both the Muchalat and Gold Rivers, which run through the park.

A trans-valley corridor of old-growth Douglas fir and Western hemlock is protected within the boundaries of this rugged park, which has no developed facilities. A user-made trail meanders along the river’s edge and deactivated logging roads allow foot access into the more heavily forested areas of the park, which was established in 1996.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

Logging trucks frequently travel through the park. Use caution when traveling on logging roads. Drive with headlights on and be prepared to pull over out of the way of the logging trucks. Logging trucks have the right of way at all times.
Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park. Surface water from the river and streams must be well boiled, filtered or treated prior to consumption.
Swimming the Gold and Muchalat Rivers is not recommended due to strong water flow. There are no lifeguards on duty.

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

Location Map

Getting there

The park is located on the Gold and Muchalat Rivers, approximately 15 km northeast of the town of Gold River on north-central Vancouver Island. Access is via the road to Woss Lake from Gold River. Other logging roads run through the park.

Camping

Wilderness camping

There are no designated campsites at this park, however random wilderness camping is allowed. No facilities are provided. Please practice “Leave No Trace” camping ethics.

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

Winter camping

This park is open year-round, however the roads may become inaccessible in the winter due to snowfall.

Things to do

Hiking

There are no maintained trails in this park, however visitors do use game trails to access riverside areas.

Canoeing

White water kayaking and rafting are pursued on the waters of the Gold and Muchalat Rivers.

Fishing

Steelhead, rainbow trout and other Pacific salmon species are found in both the Gold and Muchalat Rivers. Anglers should be aware of closures in this area and check the check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing.

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

Wildlife viewing

Chances of spotting Roosevelt elk are quite good at Gold Muchalat Park.

Pets on leash

Pets and domestic animals must be under control 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.

Cycling

Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia. Be aware that logging trucks frequently travel on the roads in the park.

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Gold Muchalat 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

The park is open to hunting. All hunters to the area should refer to the current BC Hunting and Trapping Regulation synopsis.

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

Facilities

Campfires

While fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. If you must use a campfire, please practice “Leave No Trace” camping ethics. Please be responsible with your fire and be aware of fire closures.

Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.

About this park

Conservation

Gold Muchalat Park protects important habitat for the Marbled Murrelet, black-tailed deer and Roosevelt elk. A trans-valley corridor of old-growth Douglas fir and Western hemlock are also protected.

Wildlife

Sockeye salmon spawn in the Muchalat River, while summer steelhead, Rainbow trout and coho can be found in both the Muchalat River and Gold River.

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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