Nahatlatch Park | BC Parks

Highlights in this park

Nahatlatch Park is characterized by scenic mountain peaks and glaciers, old growth forests, and a unique lake and river system.

This park protects one of the largest intact wetlands remaining in the Lower Mainland. A series of small streams flow into, out of, and between the three lakes in the park named Frances, Hannah, and Nahatlatch. Their waters drain into the Nahatlatch River, which is 20 km upstream from its confluence with the Fraser.

The powerful Nahatlatch River features a spectacular series of rapids, ideal for river rafting and kayaking. Those seeking a more tranquil experience will enjoy canoeing around and between the placid lakes, swimming in the backwater pools, and fishing along the lakeshores. Other activities for summer recreationists include backcountry hiking, and bird and wildlife viewing, and camping in a rustic setting.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

Access to this park is via an active logging road, which is usually busy Monday through Friday. Sections of this road are narrow, hilly, rough, and can be very dusty. Please drive carefully.
Caution is advised when canoeing or kayaking the river.
Water is available from the lakes and various creeks in the area. All water should be treated or boiled before consuming.

Special notes

This park is cooperatively managed by a community, society or other partner. Services and facilities may differ from those offered in other BC Parks.
ATVs are not allowed in the park.

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

From the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), turn west on Boston Bar Station Road, where a big sign directs traffic to North Bend.

Turn right on Chaumox Road and cross the bridge to the west side of the Fraser River, and stay on Chaumox Road. Chaumox Road turns into Nahatlatch Forest Service Road about 10.5 km out of North Bend.

The park entrance is located on Nahatlatch Road approximately 26.5 km northwest of Boston Bar. It is identified with a park information shelter.

To Nahatlatch, zeroed from the intersection of Chaumox Road and North Bend Station Road:

0 km	Chaumox Road at North Bend Station Road
9.2 km	Road junction, keep left (park’s directional sign)
10.6 km	Road junction, keep right (park’s directional sign); road turns into Nahatlatch Forest Service Road
13 km	Road to the right to private property and river access; stay on the main road.
15 km	Cross 4 Barrel Mainline Road (to REO Rafting Resort) and Keefers Road, then keep left at the fork.
23.7 km	Road junction, keep left (Kookpi Creek Forest Service Road)
24.1 km	Continue Straight. (Log Creek Bridge and Forest Service Campsite, Log Creek Forest Service Road.)
25.6 km	Frances Lake Campsite (entering Provincial Park)
26.9 km	Hannah Lake Campsite
26.6 km	Ranger Station Campsite
29.5 km	Nahatlatch Lake Campsite
31 km	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
48.8 km	Gated bridge over Nahatlatch River, trail to Mehatl Creek falls from log sort
49.2 km	After crossing the bridge, turn left to get to Grizzly Falls (2 km to falls)

Camping

Frontcountry camping

There are six different camping areas, located at various points on the road side of the lakes. All sites are available on a first come, first served basis. Each site has a rustic picnic table, rock fire ring and pit toilet. The park is open year-round when accessible.

Sites at Francis and Hanna Lake can accommodate one camping party each. The ranger cabin site accommodates one party with the opportunity to stay inside the cabin. Nahatlatch has three camp sites. Salmon Beach has two camp sites. Squakum has eleven camp sites. All sites are situated in treed areas, on the shores of the lake.

Most visitors camp in either tents or campers. Because the access road to the park can be very rough, very few camp in trailers or fifth wheels. Long weekends are very busy at this park. The closest phone and shopping facilities are at Boston Bar.

Vehicle-accessible camping fee	$20 per party per night
BC seniors’ rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only)	$10 per senior party per night

For information on the BC seniors’ rate, see the camping fees page.

Things to do

Hiking

There are no designated hiking trails within this park. Visitors have the opportunity to hike in the area surrounding the park, but should do so with caution.

Swimming

The lakes are very cold but provide opportunities to swim. The lake bottom is usually rocky with small areas of sand. During high water, until mid August, there are little or no beach areas. Visitors should use caution when swimming near the outflow of the lakes. Swim at your own risk.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

Kayaking and canoeing opportunities are available on all lakes and from the west end of the park on the Nahatlatch River to Nahatlatch Lake. It is not advisable to canoe on the river below Frances Lake.

Fishing

The area is not known for successful trout fishing. The lakes do not seem to have any hot spots. One area of Nahatlatch Lake where some visitors have had limited success is in the area underneath the rock lookout.

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

Pets on leash

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. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Cycling

Cycling is available on the logging roads in the area but visitors should use extreme caution due to the narrowness of the road and traffic from logging trucks. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Nahatlatch Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.

Hunting

Hunting is permitted only during lawful game hunting season. Check the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for regulations.

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

Facilities

Boat launch

There is a small rustic boat launch next to the Salmon Beach campground. The launch has a dirt surface and can accommodate a small motor boat or car top boat. Power boats are rarely used on these lakes.

Campfires

Firewood can be purchased from the park operator or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary.

You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Be prepared by bringing a portable stove for cooking. Due to high winds funneling through this valley, visitors are requested to keep their campfires small.

To preserve vegetation and ground cover, it is prohibited to gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.

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.

Pit or flush toilets

Each designated campground has one pit toilet. Swakum has two pit toilets.

About this park

Cultural heritage

The park area is the traditional territory of the Nlaka’pamux Nation, who have occupied the area for thousands of years.

History

Nahatlatch Park was designated to park status July, 1999.

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. Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, and mountain hemlock can be found at higher elevation, and above those, alpine tundra. Many of the stands in the subalpine environment are old growth forests.

Nahatlatch protects one of the largest intact wetlands remaining in the Lower Mainland. Flowers, trees, and shrubs are part of the park’s natural heritage. Please do not damage or remove them.

Wildlife

In combination with the Mehatl and Stein protected areas, Nahatlatch offers habitat for species that are dependent on old growth ecosystems and a high degree of wilderness. A variety of wildlife can be found in the park, including grizzly bears, black bears, lynx, cougars, wolves, coyotes, and deer. Smaller species and birds include beaver, bald eagles, and osprey. Spotted owls are found in the valley. Park users should always be aware of bears and other wildlife in our park environment. Never feed or approach bears or other wildlife.

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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