Morice Lake Park encompasses all of Morice Lake and most of the area surrounding the lake to the height of land. As this long and linear lake stretches southwest into the Coast Range, steep and rugged mountains close in on both ides. This is a true wilderness setting with dramatic views of mountains, glaciers and waterfalls crashing into the lake.
Recreational activities in Morice Lake Park include boating, camping, canoeing, fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, mountaineering and hunting. Morice Lake provides road accessible camping and boating opportunities in a largely wilderness setting.
Atna Bay is a popular destination with a waterfall on the Atna River connecting Atna Lake to Morice Lake. There is a series of three portage trails between Morice Lake and Atna Lake for canoe access into Atna River Park.
The Sanctuary Cabin is available for public use on a first come, first served basis. It is equipped with a woodstove and can accommodate four to six people. Visitors must supply their own sleeping and cooking equipment.
Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
This park offers vehicle accessible campsites on a first come, first served basis. Campsite reservations are not accepted.
Morice Lake Park has an 18 unit campsite. Each of the campsites has a picnic table and fire ring. Pit toilets are available. The sites are suitable for tenting, pickup trucks with campers and small trailers. The campground is accessible during snow free months.
As this site is user maintained, please pack out what you pack in.
Campfires are permitted.
Cutting or otherwise damaging any standing or fallen trees within the park is prohibited. Please collect firewood from outside the park.
This park only has pit toilets, no flush toilets.
A series of three short portage trails connects Atna Bay of Morice Lake (Morice Lake Park) with Atna Lake (Atna River Park). No other developed trails exist within the park.
There are kayaking opportunities at this park.
Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Fishing is a popular activity on the lake. Angling restrictions are in place on the Morice River to protect spawning salmon and other species. There is no fishing near the outlet of Morice Lake to Gosnell Creek from January 1 to September 30 and no fishing for salmon at any time. The Morice River is a Class II water from September 1 to October 31 and a steelhead stamp is mandatory during that time. Bait is not permitted and angling from boats is not permitted from August 15 to December 31. Please read the BC Fishing Regulations.
There are great viewing opportunities in Morice Lake Park.
Pets and 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.
Hunting is allowed in the park. All hunters to the area should refer to the current BC Hunting Regulation synopsis.
Morice Lake Park is located approximately 84 km from the town of Houston. Access to the park follows a radio controlled logging road. Public vehicles are permitted, but please proceed with caution and be aware that loaded logging trucks have the right of way.
History
The name Morice Lake was adopted in the 9th Report of the Geographic Board of Canada in 1910 in association with the Morice River which drains the lake. The lake was named after the Rev. Father Adrien-Gabriel Morice, author of “The History of the Northern Interior of British Columbia,” which describes his 20 years of explorations and missionary work in this area of the province.
The traditional Wet’suwet’en name is Wet-zuhn-buhn (pronounced wet-zin-bun), meaning the “blueish-green colour of the water.” Morice River is called Wet-zuhn-kwa. In the Wet’suwet’en language “Kwa” refers to a river or stream, and “buhn” refers to a body of water like a lake.
The park is one of seven new parks and protected areas resulting from the Morice Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) and associated government-to-government discussions with the Office of the Wet’suwet’en. Legislation of the park occurred in July, 2008.
Culture
Morice Lake Park is located within the traditional territory of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation. Known as the people of the lower drainage, the Wet’suwet’en have been living in this part of the continent since time immemorial.
The park lies in the Lhudis Bin and C’iniggit Nenikëkh house territories within the Wet’suwet’en territory. The Lhudis Bin house territory is in the house of Cas yex (Grizzly House) that belongs to the Gitdumden (Bear/Wolf) clan. The C’iniggit Nenikëkh house territory is in the house of Yextsowiten (Thin House) that belongs to the Gilseyhyu (Big Frog) clan.
Conservation
The conservation role of Morice Lake Park is to protect:
Wildlife
This is a wilderness park and many species of wildlife are prevalent and widespread. Larger species include: grizzly bears, black bears, mountain goats, moose, deer, and caribou. Please do not approach animals, allow plenty of space during viewing opportunites.
Smaller species you may encounter include: hoary marmots, wolverines, and Siberian lemmings as well as various bird species, including willow ptarmigans, gray-crowned rosy finches and golden-crowned sparrows. Members of the grouse family occur in considerable numbers and waterfowl are usually plentiful in the lakes.
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.