Park overview
This park is located at the summit of the highest all weather highway pass in B.C. and one of the highest paved highways in Canada! Enjoy the subalpine forest from the luxury of your car or go for a short walk around Bridal Lake.
In addition, the park provides important habitat for the vulnerable Southern Selkirk population of grizzly bear.
Stagleap Park is one of the most accessible backcountry skiing destinations in the region and has consistently excellent snow conditions that have made it a major backcountry ski and snowshoe destination. The terrain can be very hazardous in winter (extreme avalanche dangers) and off-trail use is discouraged. Only those with proper equipment and training should venture into backcountry areas.
Hiking the high alpine areas, such as Ripple Ridge and Cornice Ridge, is also very popular in the summer months.
Advisories
Safety info
- The park is primarily a wilderness area with unpredictable weather and terrain conditions. Backcountry travel should only be attempted by experienced persons with appropriate equipment.
Special notes
- Hunting is not permitted in Stagleap Park.
- This park is user-maintained, so please pack out any garbage.
- Winter parking space is limited
Stagleap Park has an average of 2.5 m of settled snow on the ground at the level of the pass during the late winter. There is very limited space to pile this snow during snow clearing operations in the main day use carpark and the number of available parking spaces is reduced. When visiting the Park, please help to reduce pressure on the limited parking by carpooling if possible.
Camping
A log shelter for day-use is located on the west side of the developed area of the park. There is no camping allowed in this shelter. A wood burning air-tight stove and table are provided, however there is no firewood provided. The cabin is popular for cross-country skiers through the winter months.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
Activities
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.
There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.
There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.
Bridal Lake offers fishing for rainbow trout.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in 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. Dogs must be leashed and under control at all times within the park.
Ski mountaineering is available. Users are responsible for their snow stability evaluation (avalanche hazard) route finding, self rescue and first-aid. See General Safety and Ethics for avalanche information. There are also cross-country opportunities in the park but no track set. Snowshoeing and tobogganing may be available.
There is Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) mapping available for Stagleap Park on the Avalanche Canada webpage. Please refer to the Avalanche.ca Trip Planner to assist in winter trip planning.
This park is located 34 km West of Creston on Hwy #3. The closest communities are Salmo and Creston.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: August 17, 1964
- Size: 1,133 hectares
Park contact
This park proudly operated by:
EK Parks Ltd.
camping@ekparks.ca
250 422-3003
Nature and culture
Conservation
Enjoy the sub alpine forest from the luxury of your car or go for a short walk around Bridal Lake, a small scenic water body which is stocked with rainbow trout. The Beargrass Trail is a short alpine walk above Bridal Lake, offering commanding views of the Southern Selkirk Mountains into the United States.
Wildlife
The park also sustains essential habitat for the endangered Southern Selkirk grizzly bear population.
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.