K'ootz/Khutze Conservancy

Highlights in this conservancy

K’ootz/Khutze Conservancy is located on the east side of Princess Royal Channel, along the Inside Passage route. It shares its northern boundary with Q’altanaas/Aaltanhash Conservancy.

Khutze Conservancy protects a very scenic fiord, the entire watershed of the Khutze River, scenic mountains, coastal old-growth forests, high value grizzly bear habitat, salmon spawning streams, marbled murrelets and low-elevation Sitka spruce forests.

It also provides a protected anchorage (with scenic waterfalls) adjacent to the main inside passage route where visitors can spend a night to rest, fish or watch wildlife.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

Be bear aware while on shore in this conservancy.
The Khutze River is not accessible to small boats further than about 2.5 km up river, due to rapids and rocks.
There are no roads or trails in this conservancy.

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

K’ootz/Khutze Conservancy is only accessible by boat or floatplane and is located about 65 km southeast of Hartley Bay, 55 km north of Klemtu and 110 km south of Kitimat. It is located along the east side of Princess Royal Channel (Inside Passage route) and east of Princess Royal Island.

Reference: Marine Chart #3739 (Swanson Bay to Work Island)
Reference: 1:50,000 scale Topographic Maps #103 H/1 (Khutze River) and #103 H/2 (Butedale)

Kitimat Visitor Information Centre

PO Box 214
2109 Forest Avenue
Kitimat, BC, Canada V8C 2G7
http://www.tourismkitimat.ca/
Email: info@tourismkitimat.ca
Phone: 250-632-6294 or 1-800-664-6554

Camping

Wilderness camping

Wilderness camping is allowed but no facilities are provided. Reservations are not accepted at this conservancy and all sites are on a first come, first served basis.

Winter camping

There are winter camping opportunities in this conservancy, as it can be accessed year-round.

Things to do

Swimming

Swimming is possible in the ocean, but the water is cold year-round.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Kayaking

Adventurous and experienced kayakers may enjoy exploring the inlet, bays and shorelines in this conservancy.

Fishing

There are opportunities to fish for trout and salmon in Khutze River. Please consult the appropriate non-tidal fishing regulations for more information.

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

Wildlife viewing

Grizzly Bears, wolves, waterfowl, eagles, spawning salmon and deer can be seen in the conservancy. The best place to see wildlife is at the river mouth and estuary at the end of Khutze Inlet. Humpback whales, killer whales, Dall’s porpoises, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea lions and harbour seals can also be seen in the adjacent marine waters.

Pets on leash

Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Dogs are not allowed on shore in the estuary. This is to prevent disturbance of the bears, and for the protection of dogs and their owners.

Scuba diving

It is possible to scuba dive or snorkel in the conservancy. The water clarity is best during winter and spring.

Hunting

This Conservancy is open to hunting during lawful hunting seasons but is closed to Grizzly Bear hunting. 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.

Facilities

Campfires

Firewood is not provided. We encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of campfires and using campstoves instead.

If you must have a fire, please burn only dead and down wood, and be sure to fully extinguish the fire when done. 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.

About this conservancy

Cultural Heritage

The conservancy is in the asserted traditional territory of the Gitga’at and Kitasoo First Nations and is an important traditional use area for them. The conservancy contains one known archaeological site (pre-contact fish trap) and has historically been used for traditional food gathering, fishing and trapping by local First Nations.
Use the below link for more information or to contact these First Nations.

History

K’ootz/Khutze Conservancy was designated as a conservancy on July 28, 2006 following recommendations from the Central Coast Land and Resource Management Plan.

There were two previous mineral claims in the conservancy, up the Khutze River. The “Hunter” claims of 1927 targeted mineralized quartz veins containing copper, gold and silver. Three tonnes were mined yielding 40 kg of copper, 933 grams of gold and 373 grams of silver. The “Western Copper” claims of 1928 targeted mineralized quartz-feldspar veins along a shear zone. The veins contained copper, silver and gold. 215 tonnes were mined yielding 30,812 kg of copper, 45,193 grams of silver and 5,319 grams of gold. Remnants of the old rail grade that was used to bring out the ore can still be seen in the Khutze River estuary.
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Conservation

The conservancy protects an area of popular recreational use by boaters, the Khutze and East Khutze River watersheds and several small remote streams, lakes and wetlands. The conservancy also protects old-growth forests of red cedar, hemlock and spruce as well as coastal wildlife habitat including important salmon spawning streams and habitat for grizzly bears.

Wildlife

Grizzly Bears, wolves, waterfowl, eagles, spawning salmon and deer can be seen in the conservancy. The best place to see wildlife is at the river mouth and estuary at the end of Khutze Inlet. Humpback whales, killer whales, Dall’s porpoises, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea lions and harbour seals can also be seen in the adjacent marine waters.

General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

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.

Contact