Park overview
This park contains the spectacular Smith River Falls. The 35 m high and 10 m wide falls plunge into a deep pool below with a thunderous roar, especially in early summer. The area also contains the old site of Fort Halkett, a former Hudson’s Bay Company post.
Advisories
Facilities
Smith River Falls day-use area has a viewpoint for the falls and a picnic table. The viewpoint is accessible by vehicle, except in winter months.
Fires and camping are not permitted. There is no garbage collection on site. Please pack out what you packed in.
Activities
A short trail leads from the parking lot to the base of the falls. Sections of the trail are very steep and can be treacherous.
Arctic grayling, bull trout, burbot, fine-scale dace, lake chub, lake whitefish, longnose dace, longnose sucker, mountain whitefish, northern pike, round whitefish, slimy sculpin, white sucker, and whitefish (general) have all been recorded as resident in the Smith River.
All anglers should refer to the BC Fishing Regulations for current information.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Dogs and other domestic animals must be leashed and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You must always be in control of your pets and dispose of their excrement.
Visitors can cycle down the Smith River Falls viewpoint access road. This gravel road is used by vehicles and all cyclists should use protective gear and be aware of road traffic. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Smith River Falls – Fort Halkett Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception is for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
Hunting is only permitted in the park during open hunting seasons. Firearms may be carried by persons with a valid BC hunting license during an open hunting season. All hunters to the area should check the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information.
The park is located at the confluence of Smith River and Liard River. It is near kilometre 820 of the Alaska Highway, and 30 km west of Liard River Hot Springs Park. The viewpoint to observe the Smith River Falls can be reached by vehicle, except in winter.
The largest community nearby is Fort Nelson, approximately 350 km southeast. The road is very narrow and may not be suitable for larger vehicles. Passing oncoming traffic can be extremely difficult.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: January 25, 2001
- Size: 254 hectares
Nature and culture
History
Fort Halkett was a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post established in 1829 on the Liard River near the Fort Nelson River. It moved farther west on the Liard to its confluence with the Smith River in 1832. The post traded furs with the Kaska, Sekani, and Dene-Thah nations. It closed in 1875. A recreation reserve was established in 1966 over the area from the highway upstream for three to four kilometres on both sides of the river. A series of river terraces extend from the highway to the falls, a distance of about 3 km. The Area was identified in the Fort Nelson Land and Resource Management Plan (1997) as a Goal 2 Protected Area.
Cultural Heritage
Smith River Falls - Fort Halkett Park overlaps with the traditional territories of the Kaska Dena people of the Lower Post First Nations.
Conservation
The park represents features of the Liard Plain ecosection. It is located in the boreal white and black spruce biogeoclimatic zone.
Wildlife
Moose are abundant in the area and are readily observed in the park. Wood bison can occasionally be seen in the area along the highway corridor. The Smith River contains good populations of bull trout and arctic grayling. Longnose sucker and slimy sculpins are also found in the river.
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.