Rainbow Alley Park

Highlights in this park

Rainbow Alley Park protects an area between Nilkitkwa Lake and Babine Lake, famous for its world-class rainbow trout fishing opportunities. Water flows north from Babine Lake, through Nilkitkwa Lake and into the Babine River.

Provincially significant salmonid populations, including steelhead and sockeye, pass through the waters on their yearly migration to spawning grounds. The easily navigable waters provide recreation opportunities while protected wetlands provide breeding habitat for the blue-listed American bittern.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
This park does not have a boat launch. Boat launches are available outside the park at Fort Babine Lodge (north end of Babine Lake) or at Fort Babine.

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

Rainbow Alley Park lies approximately 100 km north of Smithers. The park is accessed by following Babine Lake Road for 50 km, then following the Nilkitkwa (4000) Forest Service Road for 41 km, then taking the turn-off to Fort Babine. Access is then by boat via a boat launch at Fort Babine Lodge.

Things to do

Canoeing

There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.

Fishing

The park provides opportunity to fish for world-class rainbow trout.

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.

Hunting

Hunting is permitted in this park.

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

About this park

Cultural heritage

Rainbow Alley Park lies within the asserted traditional territory of the Ned’u’ten people, and approximately 1 km north of the First Nations community of Wud’at (Fort Babine). The Ned’u’ten have a long history of use and continue to use the area for sustenance fishing and trapping.

History

In 1996 the Regional Protected Area Team identified the popular fishing destination Rainbow Alley as an Area of Interest for its significant recreational opportunities. In 1999, with recommendation from the Bulkley Land and Resource Management Plan, Rainbow Alley was designated as a Class A provincial park.

Conservation

Rainbow Alley Park lies within the Babine Uplands Ecosection, protecting wetland and forest habitat.

Wildlife

As part of the Babine River corridor, Rainbow Alley contributes to habitat for many mammals, including grizzly bears, a species of special concern in this landscape unit. The park also protects an area used by the blue-listed American bittern for breeding. Provincially significant populations of rainbow trout, steelhead and sockeye are found in Rainbow Alley, along with a host of other fish species including pink and coho salmon.

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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