Park overview
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.
Advisories
Safety info
- 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.
Activities
The park provides opportunity to fish for world-class rainbow trout. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
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.
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.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: June 29, 1999
- Size: 110 hectares
Park contact
BC Parks
250-847-7260
Nature and culture
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.
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.
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.