Park overview
Nenikëkh / Nanika-Kidprice Park contains a wilderness lake chain that is a popular multi-day canoeing destination. The lake chain consists of four lakes, starting from Lamprey Lake and continuing through Anzac, Stepp and Kidprice Lakes. Connected by three portage trails, the lakes make an enjoyable out and back trip.
The Nenikëkh / Nanika-Kidprice Park lake chain lies within a deep valley between the Sibola mountain range to the southeast and the Morice Range to the northwest. The western boundary of the protected area adjoins Morice Lake Park and includes Nanika Falls along the lower Nanika River. The basin area containing the lake chain is 920 meters above sea level and is surrounded by glaciated and snow-capped peaks that rise as high as 2400 meters.
The 30 kilometre return trip can be made in three days, but five to six days allows the opportunity to explore the lush alpine meadows of Tableland Mountain and the Sibola Range. Wildlife and waterfowl viewing opportunities abound and fantastic scenery awaits the photographer. Nanika Falls are a focal point of the trip, these falls drop 18 meters from Kidprice Lake into the Nanika River.
Advisories
Safety info
- There are no water taps in the area. You must use a reliable method of water purification, as no potable water is provided. Either boil drinking water for at least two minutes or use a commercial water filter effective against Giardia (beaver fever).
- Bears live in the park. Please use the bear hangs and caches where available (see the park map). Bring an appropriate amount of rope to hang your food supplies. Canoe throw bags are excellent for this purpose. Please be bear aware and check out the bear safety information.
Canoeing
- This is a wilderness area. Anyone planning to paddle the lake chain should come to the park well prepared and with some canoeing experience. Strong winds are often present on these lakes. It is advisable to paddle in the early morning and to stay close to the sides of the lake in case the winds pick up. Winds generally ease off again in the early evening.
- Do not paddle down the Nanika River towards the falls. There are strong currents here that could take you over the 18 metre falls. Beach your canoe at the water metering station on the West side of the river mouth and follow the trail down to view the falls.
- Wheeled canoe carts are not suitable for the portage trails. Boardwalk sections are 20 inches wide.
- Any person acting as a guide or offering guiding services in Nenikëkh/Nanika-Kidprice Park must hold a valid Park Use Permit ( Park, Conservancy and Recreation Area Regulation, Section 4).
Special notes
- The lone small island on Stepp Lake is permanently closed to camping or day use. This island is often home to nesting Herring Gulls, who are protected from disturbance under the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act.
Camping
Please see the park map for campsite information along the canoe route. Campsites are on a first come, first served basis.
The lone small island on Stepp Lake is permanently closed to camping or day use. This island is often home to nesting Herring Gulls, who are protected from disturbance under the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act.
Facilities
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.
This park only has pit toilets, no flush toilets. Please see map for pit toilet locations.
Activities
For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
Portage trails link all the lakes and waterways of lakes, and provide safe routes around rapids and waterfalls. There are 4.5 km of portages in total. During the rainy season, portage trails may become rugged and muddy making passage challenging in places.
Hiking opportunities include unmaintained routes from Stepp Lake to Tableland Mountain, and a short hiking trail from Kidprice Lake to Nanika Falls on the West side of the outlet.
- Google Earth KMZ file of Trails and Campsites, must have Google Earth or and Google Maps installed.
Swimming is a great way to rest tired paddling muscles. There are beautiful beaches on the lakes along the route. Please do not use soap (even biodegradable) for washing in the lakes. If you must wash with soap, do it at least 50 m (150 ft) inland from the lakeshore.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
The canoe route starts on the north shore of Lamprey Lake, where there is a camping area and vehicle parking site. A short paddle across Lamprey Lake to the south shore brings you to the first portage (1.5 km). All portages are marked with white triangles. This portage ascends gradually to an undulating ridge and then drops down to Anzac Lake. Canoe rests are located along the trail and boardwalk through the wet areas makes the trail easy to travel.
The next lake is Anzac Lake, which contains many water lily filled bays and an island with a good camping site. This doglegged lake is a great place for viewing birds and wildlife.
A short portage trail (0.5 km) from Anzac Lake leads to the east end of Stepp Lake. Head winds are often encountered upon reaching Stepp Lake. A campsite is provided nearby at the Anzac end of the portage trail. Stepp Lake has many bays and beaches to explore. Two campsites are located along the north shore of Stepp lake. It is possible to hike through the bush to Tableland Mountain from these campsites; however there are no trails maintained. On the return trip down Stepp Lake, it is often possible to rig your tent fly as a sail.
The west end of Stepp Lake is narrow and you must canoe through a couple of turns before arriving at a campsite and the portage to Kidprice Lake. This is the longest portage at 2.2 km, and it travels over mostly level ground. Once Kidprice Lake is reached there is a great camping area at the end of the portage with a nice beach and sunset views of the snow-capped peaks. Breezes off the lake keep the bugs out of this campsite.
Four kilometres up Kidprice Lake on the north shore, the lower Nanika River begins and a short distance down stream the river drops over the Nanika Falls. Beach your boat on the West side of the river mouth at the water metering station. A 500 m trail leads down to the falls. Do not approach the falls by canoe as you may not be able to escape the strong current.
Some canoeists continue down Kidprice Lake. There are beaches to camp on, but no maintained campsites are available. It is possible to access Nanika Lake by lining your canoe up the upper Nanika River. However, this is a long (8 km) and arduous journey and log jams are often present. No portage trail is available.
- Google Earth KMZ file of Trails and Campsites, must have Google Earth or and Google Maps installed.
The sport fish in the lakes are rainbow and cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish, Dolly Varden char, and the blue-listed bull trout. Bring a variety of flies and lures. June and September have proven to be the best months for fishing.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
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 should refer to the current BC Hunting Regulation synopsis. Find out more about Hunting in BC Parks.
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.
Travel the Yellowhead Highway (Hwy 16) to the town of Houston. Turn south 2 km west of Houston onto the Morice River Forest Service Road (also known as the Huckleberry Mine road). This Forest Service Road (FSR) is marked in kilometres starting at the Canfor Mill site near the Yellowhead Highway.
Driving 27 km will bring you to the junction of the Huckleberry and Morice Lake Roads. Turn right onto the Morice Lake Road and continue southwest approximately 38 km. This brings you to the 65 km marker on the road. Turn left and continue 7 km on to Lamprey Lake and the start of the lake chain.
Blue directional blades are posted at intersections along the driving route to the park. Houston is the closest community.
Park and activity maps
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: May 23, 2008
- Size: 17,006 hectares
Nature and culture
Culture and History
Nenikëkh / Nanika-Kidprice 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.
Nenikëkh is translated as: canoe swerving against the current to make its way upstream.
The park lies in the Lhudis Bin and 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.
Kidprice Lake was named after Kid Price; a colourful trapper and prospector that frequented the area and discovered placer gold in Sibola Creek in 1914. Anzac Lake is one of many features named by Frank Swannell, after members of his survey parties. The lake was named Anzac as a tribute to an Australian crew member, being the acronym for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, who gained fame at Gallipoli in WW I.
Nenikëkh / Nanika-Kidprice Park was established in the summer of 2008 as a result of the Morice Land Resource Management Plan. The canoe route has been popular for several decades. Bridges and boardwalks were added to the route in the early 1990’s and were replaced and upgraded in 2008 after the area was legislated as a park.
Conservation
Nenikëkh / Nanika-Kidprice Park provides important habitat for wildlife that live in and around the park. Lower elevations in the park are moderate value habitat for grizzly bears in late spring, summer and fall. Considerable bear activity occurs along the Nanika River, which is an important feeding area. Caribou have also been observed in this park.
The fishery values include populations of Chinook and sockeye salmon, rainbow and cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish, Dolly Varden char, and the Blue-listed bull trout. Nanika Falls is a barrier to upstream fish passage. Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden char occur above the falls in Anzac, Stepp and Kidprice lakes.
The area also contains important riparian and wetland ecosystems, as well as rare white bark pine ecosystems. Click to view Wildfires and Whitebark Pines in Nenikëkh/Nanika-Kidprice Park Brochure. [PDF] Nenikëkh / Nanika-Kidprice Park also provides important ecosystem services (the benefits that people receive from ecosystems) that include clean water, natural flood control, carbon storage, air purification, nutrient cycling, food, biodiversity, recreation, aesthetic experience and spiritual experience.
Wildlife
Wildlife is widespread and fairly prevalent. Mule deer, moose, black bear, grizzly bear, mountain goat and wolves are in evidence.
Visitors to the alpine meadows often see smaller mammals such as 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.
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.