Nimpkish Lake Park

Highlights in this park

Nimpkish Lake Park, located south of Port McNeill on northern Vancouver Island offers a rugged wilderness experience in a remote setting. The park, situated at the south end of Nimpkish Lake, comprises the southernmost east-facing slopes of the Karmutzen mountain range and all of Tlakwa Creek drainage.

Nimpkish Lake Park protects old-growth coastal western hemlock forests in the Tlakwa Creek watershed, which features high ecological and wildlife values. Opportunities for nature appreciation, backcountry skiing, mountaineering and wilderness camping exist at this park, which is home to black-tailed deer and a variety of other wildlife.

Know before you go

Advisories

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

Location Map

Getting there

Nimpkish Lake Park is located at the south end of Nimpkish Lake, approximately 32km south of Port McNeill. The easiest access to the park is by boat from Nimpkish Lake via the boat launch at Western Forest Products recreation site at Kim Creek, near the Nimpkish Service Station located halfway between Woss and Port McNeill on Highway 19.

There are a number of logging roads which end near the park boundary and provide moderate to strenuous walk-in access. These roads are within Western Forest Products TFL 37 and include: Tlakwa Creek, Upper Tahsish River, Kilpala and Karmutzen Creek. It is recommended that visitors contact Western Forest Products in Woss for detailed information on these roads. The chance of encountering loaded logging trucks while traveling these roads is highly likely. Visitors should be very cautious.

Camping

Wilderness camping

There are no designated campsites at this park, however random wilderness camping is allowed. No facilities are provided. Please practice “ Leave No Trace” camping ethics.

When visiting the backcountry, always follow Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. To learn more about staying safe in the backcountry, read our backcountry guide.

Winter camping

While fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. If you must use a campfire, please practice “ Leave No Trace” camping ethics.

Things to do

Swimming

Opportunities for swimming exist in Nimpkish Lake, which is outside of Nimpkish Lake Park.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

Opportunities for kayaking or canoeing exist in Nimpkish Lake, which is outside of Nimpkish Lake Park.

Fishing

Opportunities for fresh water fishing exist in the park in the Tlakwa Creek. Anglers can also fish in Nimpkish Lake, outside of the park. All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing.

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 and under control at all times. 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

There are no developed trails at this park. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Nimpkish Lake 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.

Windsurfing

Nimpkish Lake, which is located outside of Nimpkish Lake Park, is a popular spot for windsurfing. Most windsurfers access the lake from the Western Forest Products recreation site, via Hwy 19.

Hunting

Portions of this park are open to hunting for specific species. Hunters must have valid licences and tags. Please refer to the current Hunting and Trapping Regulations and Synopsis publication for closures and regulations.

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

Winter recreation

This park offers opportunities for backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering in areas near Tlakwa Mountain and Karmutzen Mountain. Both of these areas must be accessed via Western Forest Products logging roads.

Facilities

Campfires

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.

About this park

Cultural heritage

Nimpkish Lake Park is located within the traditional territory of the Namgis First Nation. The park contains a portion of a First Nations traditional cross-island trade route known as the Grease Trail. Culturally modified red cedar trees (CMTs) can be found near the park boundary. Remnants of an old logging railroad exist in the park in the upper Tlakwa Valley.

Conservation

Nimpkish Lake Park contributes to western very dry montane Coastal Western Hemlock variant in the Northern Island Mountains ecosection. The park contains mostly mature second-growth conifer forest (2,421 hectares) including some Douglas-fir, Amabilis fir, Western hemlock and Yellow cedar.

Making up the majority of the Tlakwa Creek watershed, the park protects provincially significant salmon spawning and wildlife habitat, including important winter range for black-tailed deer. Nimpkish Lake Park also contains karst topography.

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.

Contact