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South Chilcotin Mountains Park

Open to public access
There are no reported advisories for this park


Advisories

Camping

Backcountry camping

Backcountry camping is allowed at seven areas in the park that are designated backcountry sites. These sites are user maintained. Some, but not all sites provide a rustic picnic table and pit toilet. 

These sites are at the following locations:

  • North end of Spruce Lake
  • South end of Spruce Lake
  • Gun Creek Grassland (Cowboy Camp)
  • Hummingbird Lake
  • Trigger Lake
  • Jewel Bridge
  • Tyaughton Creek Trail at WD Crossing

All sites are well treed and provide an opportunity to cache food. 

There are no designated backcountry camping sites in alpine areas, but wilderness camping is allowed. Visitors should practice no-impact camping.

Wilderness camping

There are no designated backcountry camping sites in alpine areas, but wilderness camping is allowed. Visitors should practice no-impact camping.

Pit or flush toilets
This park only has pit toilets; no flush toilets. There are user maintained pit toilets at some of the designated backcountry sites. Visitors should exercise proper backcountry sanitation procedures when no facilities are available. Deposit human waste in cat holes. Cat holes are 6 to 8 inches deep and should be located at least 100 feet from any water source. Thoroughly cover and disguise cat holes when finished. Bury toilet paper as well. Do not burn it.
Campfires
Campfires are permitted. Campers must use existing fire rings and obey all fire closures.
Hiking

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.

Several companies have permits to operate guided hiking trips in the park. For more information, email parkinfo@gov.bc.ca.

Swimming
Swimming is allowed in the various lakes in the park, although the water is generally quite cool even in mid-summer. There are no lifeguards on duty in Provincial Parks.
Fishing

Spruce Lake is the most common fishing destination in the park. Rainbow trout are found in Spruce, Trigger, Hummingbird and Warner lakes, as well as Gun and Tyaughton creeks. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. 

There are a number of companies with permits for angle-guiding in the park. For more information, email parkinfo@gov.bc.ca.

Wildlife viewing
Wildlife viewing is popular in the park. Grizzly bears and mountain goats are commonly seen as are deer, grouse and birds of prey and many types of song birds. Visitors may also see moose, bighorn sheep and, if you’re very lucky, wolverine.
Cycling

South Chilcotin Mountains Park provides some of the best mountain biking experiences in BC with great single track trails throughout the park. Note that there are steep, muddy and or rocky sections on all trails. Mountain bikers must yield to hikers and horses. When meeting horses, dismount and wait on the downhill side of the trail. When catching up to a string, be patient – the riders will pull aside at the first location that has sufficient room to let you by.

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial 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.

Horseback riding

Horseback riding in South Chilcotin Mountains Park can be spectacular, with easy access alpine, high mountain vistas, flower meadows and good wildlife viewing throughout the park. Horse groups should not camp at Spruce Lake North campsite. Cowboy Camp on the Gun Creek Trail is a great location for horse groups. 

There are companies with permits to operate guided horse trips in the park. For more information, email parkinfo@gov.bc.ca.

Hunting

The park is open to hunting. Anyone hunting in British Columbia must have the appropriate license. Check the BC Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis for seasons and closures. 

A guide-outfitter operates within the park, as does a company with a Transporter permit. For more information, email parkinfo@gov.bc.ca.

Winter recreation
There are winter recreation opportunities throughout the park, including camping, cross-country skiing, ski-mountaineering, heliskiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.