Itcha Ilgachuz Park

Welcome to the new BC Parks website

Park overview

Itcha Ilgachuz Provincial Park comprises almost 112,000 hectares of unique landscape in the West Chilcotin Uplands. The landscape is diverse, and contains volcanic landforms, alpine environments, and forest sites scattered with wetlands.

The park was recommended for protection under the Cariboo-Chilcotin Land-Use Plan, and designated a Class “A” Park in 1995. Itcha Ilgachuz is a wilderness park set aside to protect alpine grasslands, wetlands, and wildlife habitat, including the largest herd of woodland caribou in southern B.C.

The Itcha Range and Ilgachuz Range are examples of isolated shield volcanoes, rising up to 2400 metres above sea level. These ranges are situated in the rain shadow of the Coast Mountains, and support a high diversity of plant and animal species.

Established Date: July 12, 1995
Park Size: 109,063 hectares

Special Notes: It is an offence under the Heritage Conservation Act to damage or remove artifacts from any cultural heritage site.

Advisories

Safety info

If you have visited Itcha Ilgachuz Provincial Park, we would appreciate if you could please complete an online comment form. This will allow park managers to obtain valuable information from those who have experienced the area.

Camping

Cabins and huts

There are 2 cabins located near Itcha Lake for public use. They hold approximately 6 people each and are very rustic. People need to be prepared to camp outside in the event the cabins are full. These cabins are maintained by the Itcha Cabin Society and donations towards their maintenance are requested.

Wilderness camping

Wilderness camping is allowed; no facilities are provided. The park is open year-round.

Facilities

Pit or flush toilets

This park only has pit toilets. They are located beside each of the cabins near Itcha Lake.

Campfires

No firewood available. Firewood is not provided at this park. If you must have a fire please burn only dead and down wood, and be sure to extinguish the fire fully. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil so please use it conservatively, if at all. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.

Activities

Hiking

There are unmaintained hiking trails. 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

Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Pets on leash

Pets/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.

Cycling

Cycling is permitted on one trail in the park. Please call the Cariboo Regional office for information.

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Itcha Ilgachuz Provincial 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.

Horseback riding

Unmaintained horse trails exist throughout the park.

Hunting

This park is open to hunting. Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations for more information. Horses are allowed in the park for hunting purposes.

Winter recreation

There are designated trails and play areas for snowmobiling that avoid caribou habitat in Itcha Ilgachuz Park. Trails that access the play areas are between 40 and 80 kilometres in length. Skimmers, spare gas, avalanche rescue equipment and overnight gear are required for snowmobiling in this park.

Maps and location

View a more detailed map.

Itcha Ilgachuz Provincial Park is located in the Chilcotin Uplands east of the Rainbow Range of South Tweedsmuir Park. The park is extremely remote and unroaded; the closest communities are Anahim Lake, Alexis Creek, Nimpo Lake, Redstone, and Nazko. The closest major centre is Quesnel, located approximately 200km east of the park. For map information, please refer to topographical map numbers: 1:50 000-93C/14, 93C/15, 93C/11, and 93C/10.

Park and activity maps

Park Map – Ilgachuz Range [PDF]
Park Map – Itcha Range [PDF]

Learn more about this park

Park details

Date established: July 12, 1995
Size: 109063 hectares

Nature and culture

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.