Lowe Inlet Marine Park

Park overview

One of the busier, most attractive and most regular stops on the Inside Passage due to the wondrous site of the waterfalls and migrating salmon viewing. Visitors may anchor on either side of or in front of the falls.

Advisories

Safety info

Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.

Special notes

From the inlet, visitors can watch salmon leaping in an effort to get through Verney Falls, at the mouth of Kumowdah River.
No fishing from July 1 to October 31, inside a line drawn from fishing boundary signs located approx. 100 m seaward of the falls at the mouth of Kumowdah River, flowing into Lowe Inlet/Nettle Basin.

Camping

Marine-accessible camping

Wilderness and backcountry camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided. Marine access only.

Facilities

Campfires

No firewood or firerings are available. If you must make a fire, please keep it minimal, make sure it is extinguished and spread the ashes and rocks about.

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.

Activities

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Canoeing

Kayaking can be enjoyed in this area, with landing beaches available. Wilderness camping is permitted. Kayak rentals are available in Prince Rupert.

Fishing

Fishing is permitted only in posted areas. Fishing licences are available for purchase in Kitimat and Prince Rupert.

Excellent tidal water fishing opportunities exist for salmon and groundfish. Sport fishing is restricted in the lower pool flowing from the Kumowdah River. No fishing from July 1 to October 31 in the lower pool flowing from the Kumowdah River.

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

Wildlife viewing

In August and September, spawning salmon can be seen leaping into Verney Falls to get into Kumowdah River and spawning beds beyond. During this time seals, black bears and eagles can also been seen trying to catch the spawning salmon at the base of the falls.

Hunting

Hunting is permitted in the park during lawful hunting season. Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations for more information.

Lowe Inlet is about 22 km north of the bottom end of Grenville Channel, slightly more than 75 km from Butedale. It is 118 km south of Prince Rupert. Only accessible by boat or floatplane. For reference, use marine chart #3946 (Grenville Channel).

Park and activity maps

Learn more about this park

Park details

Date established: June 14, 1993
Size: 765 hectares (555 ha upland and 210 ha foreshore)

Nature and culture

Cultural Heritage

On the east side of Nettle Basin, the area around Verney Falls, including the trails, is inside a First Nations Reserve (IR #3 Kumowdah).

Conservation

Sport fishing is banned (July 1 to October 31) in the lower pool flowing from the Kumowdah River. This area is important to hundreds of spawning salmon.

Wildlife

In August, spawning salmon arrive to head up Verney Falls and into Kumowdah River. Following the salmon, seals congregate to feed at the falls. Black bears stand along the falls to catch jumping salmon.

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.