• Strong winds frequently blow out of the Coast Range and down Morice Lake. Waves can get large very quickly. Please keep a close eye on the weather while you are on the lake. The Sanctuary Cabin is a safe location to wait out a wind event.
• Although Morice Lake is cold and clear, it is suggested to boil water before drinking or use a water purifying system.

• The mountains in the northwest portion of the park are designated summer nonmotorized. Motorized restrictions apply to land-based activities and do not include aircraft access.
• Any person acting as a guide or offering guiding services in Morice Lake Park must hold a valid Park Use Permit ( Park and Recreation Area Regulation, Section 4).
• Off-road vehicles (ORVs) are restricted to use on maintained park roads in this park. ORVs include ATVs, off-road motorcycles, snowmobiles, and side-by-sides.

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:

• Water quality, fish habitat and fish populations at the headwaters of an important salmon and steelhead river.
• Wildlife (grizzly bears, mountain goats, moose, deer, caribou).
• Habitat for wildlife within the park and the adjacent land-base of the Morice River watershed.
• Old growth forests.
• Rare whitebark pine ecosystems.

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.