Lava Forks Park | BC Parks

Highlights in this park

Lava Forks Park protects the site of the most recent volcanic eruption in Canada, dated somewhere in the early 1900s.

Since the eruption, vegetation such as mosses and lichens have established on the upper flow layer of lava. This unique area encompasses a lava-filled valley contrasted to ice-capped peaks. Lava Forks Park represents an excellent opportunity to study the primary succession of vegetation establishment.

Distinctive landforms from the eruption include two lava-dammed lakes, pot holes containing crystal clear pools and ash dunes.

Know before you go

Advisories

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

Lava Forks Park is located approximately 120 km southwest of the community of Telegraph Creek, between the Unuk River and the Craig River valley. The park is extremely remote and is accessible only by helicopter.

Camping

Wilderness camping

Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.

Things to do

Fishing

There are fishing opportunities in this park.

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

Hunting

Hunting is permitted in this park.

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

About this park

Cultural Heritage

Lava Forks Park lies within the asserted traditional territory of the Tahltan First Nation.

History

Dating from 1904, the volcanic eruption in Lava Forks Park is the most recent in Canadian history. Since the eruption, vegetation has established on the upper flow layer of lava. The special features in Lava Forks Park were protected as class A provincial park in 2001 following direction received from the Cassiar Iskut-Stikine Land and Resource Management Plan.

Conservation

Lying within the Boundary Ranges Ecosection, Lava Forks Park consists of Coastal Western Hemlock, Mountain Hemlock and Alpine Tundra biogeoclimatic subzones. The park protects outstanding physical features of the volcanic eruption and a large mineral spring. The recent volcanic eruption provides an ideal location to study ecological processes associated with primary succession, or the establishment of vegetation after a significant disturbance.

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.

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