Park overview
Mehatl Creek Park provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city as it is just three hours from the Lower Mainland. Experienced wilderness adventurers can enjoy the beauty of scenic alpine ridges, lush subalpine meadow, and pristine old-growth forests, all in perfect silence.
During the summer, visitors can trek up to Mehatl Falls, which is nestled in a subalpine bowl, or hike the winding trail along the creek, which leads to breathtaking photographic opportunities at the Mehatl Cascades. Other activities include fishing in the lower creek, nature appreciation, and wildlife viewing.
Advisories
Safety info
- The park is undeveloped, isolated, and has no signposts or trail guides.
- Park visitors will require wilderness skills and experience.
- This park is not regularly patrolled. Visitors should be totally self-sufficient.
- Visitors should ensure they make their presence known if there are signs of bear and food should be properly cached.
Activities
There is an established trail leaving from the west end of Nahatlatch Park, taking the hiker along the creek up to Mehatl Cascades. This trailhead is identified by a large open space on the right side of the forestry road, directly before the Nahatlatch River is crossed. This trail is approximately 3 km in length. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
Beyond this trail there are no marked hiking trails. Hiking in this park requires excellent route finding skills Hikers should be in excellent physical condition. Until the alpine is reached a fair amount of bushwhacking is required. Hikers can follow the Mehatl Creek up to its headwaters in the northern portion of the park.
Traversing alpine ridges, hikers may access northern alpine portions of the park approaching from the west via Lillooet Lake and Lizzie Creek. Access is also north from the Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park or from the east via Kwoiek or Log Creeks. Logging roads along Lizzie, Kwoiek or Log Creeks may assist in accessing the park.
There is trout fishing in the creek below the falls. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears. Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times.
Hunting is permitted only during lawful game hunting season. Check with Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis for regulations.
To reach Mehatl Creek Park, turn west at the main intersection in Boston Bar, where a big sign directs traffic off of Highway 1 to North Bend. Drive over the bridge to the west side of the Fraser River and follow the Nahatlatch Forest Service Road. Continue along the Forest Service Road for about 48 km to Mehatl Creek Park. To reach Mehatl Creek Park via this route you must pass through Nahatlatch Park.
To Mehatl (Zeroed from North Bend School):
| 0 km | North Bend School |
| 9 km | Road Junction, Go Left. (Park’s directional sign) |
| 11.7 km | Road Junction, Go Right. (Park’s directional sign) |
| 13 km | Road to the right to private property and river access. Stay on main road. |
| 14.5 km | 4 Barrel Mainline Road, Nahatlatch River Resort, Keefer Road. Keep Left. |
| 23 km | Log Creek Bridge and Forest Service Campsite, Log Creek FS Road. Go Left. |
| 23.5 km | Kookpi Creek Forest Service Road. Continue Straight. |
| 24 km | Frances Lake Campsite (Entering Provincial Park) |
| 26 k | Hannah Lake Campsite |
| 26.6 km | Ranger Station Campsite |
| 29.5 km | Nahatlatch Lake Campsite |
| 31km | Salmon Beach Campsite |
| 31.1 km | Rough Boat Launch Area |
| 33.5 km | Squakum Creek Campsite |
| 35 km | High Bench Lookout |
| 40.2 km | Road to river and old trapper’s cabin and REO rafting take out |
| 41.1 km | Continue Straight |
| 42 km | FRBC Road, salmon spawning area, new gate |
| 42.4 km | Continue Straight |
| 42.5 km | Bridge over Tachewana Creek |
| 43 km | Road hard left down to creek, another road possible to river |
| 44 km | Continue Straight |
| 46.2 km | Continue Straight |
| 48 km | Gated bridge over Nahatlatch River, trail to Mehatl Creek falls from log sort |
| 48.2 km | Road off left to Grizzly Falls ( 2 km to falls) |
Directions are the same as for Nahatlach Park. You must travel through Nahatlach to its Western boundary which borders Mehatl Park.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: July 28, 1997
- Size: 23,860 hectares
Nature and culture
History
Mehatl Creek Park was designatd to park status in July 1999.
Cultural Heritage
The park area is the traditional territory of the Nlaka-pamux Nation, who have occupied the area for thousands of years. Several culturally modified trees are found along the lower Mehatl. Oral history has indicated this park was a route with which the Nlaka’pamux traded with the Mt. Currie First Nations.
Conservation
The park lies in a transition zone that exhibits both coastal and interior characteristics. Lower elevations are noted for stands of coastal western hemlock and interior Douglas fir. Englemann spruce, subalpine fir, mountain hemlock, and lodgepole pine can be found at higher elevations, and above those, alpine tundra. Many of the stands in the subalpine environment are old growth forests. The portion of the creek below the falls protects chinook, bull trout and rainbow trout spawning and rearing habitat. Portions of the park are an important breeding and nesting habitat for harlequin duck.
Wildlife: In combination with the Nahatlatch and Stein protected areas, Mehatl Creek Park offers habitat for species that are dependent on old-growth ecosystems and a high degree of wilderness. The valley is prime habitat for grizzly bears, black bears, and cougars. Other species in the park area include wolves, lynx, mountain goats, mule deer, and spotted owl.
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.