This is a wilderness park containing spectacular scenery and outstanding historical, cultural and spiritual values. It protects the entire Stein River watershed. This is a user-maintained area, with 150 km of hiking trails and routes, four cable crossings, a suspension bridge and several wilderness campgrounds.
The park offers limited opportunities for easy day hikes (primarily in the lower valley) and extensive opportunities for multi-night backpacking trips over moderate to difficult terrain. With limited Ranger and Stein Valley Warden patrols, visitors must be self-sufficient and prepared for all eventualities.
The park protects an intact watershed, in addition to preserving the First Nation’s history of the area.
The Stein Valley was heavily glaciated and is dominated by glacial landforms. All of the main valleys except the lower canyon have the characteristic U-shape of glacial eroded troughs, and many of the tributaries to the Stein River exhibit “hanging” valleys. The upper reaches of the watershed are dotted with a large number of small mountain lakes (tarns), many of which occupy cirques.
The Stein River has two extensive canyon sections, one at the east end of the valley and one at the west end. The Park has a wide range of elevations, from about 220 metres (700 feet) above sea level at the eastern end to 2954 metres (9,750 feet) at the summit of Skihist Mtn. There are about a dozen other peaks along the boundary that are over 2,438 metres (8,000 feet). Some of the key elevations in and around the Park are:
The main Stein River, from Stein Lake to the Fraser River, is about 60 kilometres long and drops about 800 metres over that distance. River levels are highest in June and July, and also change significantly in short periods of time due to heavy rainfalls or high temperatures in the western end of the valley. The river contains several falls, with the 2 largest being about 6 to 8 metres high.
There are several other waterfalls in the Park, including Cottonwood Falls, at 15 metres in height and Elton Falls which drops 60 metres and has a cascade totalling more than 300 metres. Generally speaking, the tributaries on the south side of the river are glacially fed, while those on the north side drain large expanses of meadows.
The Park contains larger lakes (Stein, Elton and Tundra), as well as many small lakes. Tundra and Elton are headwater lakes which are only ice-free from July through October. Elton, with its glacier flowing into the west end of the lake and its spectacular cobalt blue colour, is one of the gems of the Park.
The Stein Wardens (Lytton First Nation members) and Park Rangers (with BC Parks) will be continuing to maintain the park and enhance the users’ experiences. Please obey any direction provided by them and adhere to the official signage throughout the park.
If you have visited Itcha Ilgachuz Provincial Park, we would appreciate if you could please complete an on-line comment form. This will allow park managers to obtain valuable information from those who have experienced the area.
Large groups (over four) need to contact the Thompson Southern Rivers staff of the BC Parks office in Kamloops during the planning phase for the Stein – please do not go until you coordinate with the BC Parks staff. This park has a limited carrying capacity (i.e. limited resources in small areas) and we need to minimize negative impacts to the environment and/or other backcountry campers.
For planning purposes: campgrounds that are currently set up to accommodate larger groups include: Devil’s Staircase, Teepee, Suspension Bridge, and Cottonwood Creek. Please use the ‘Contact Us’ link on the webpage and/or call 250-371-6200 to discuss the Stein with the Thompson Southern Rivers staff with BC Parks.
The following table provides recommendations regarding group sizes:
E-W Traverse (Main Trailhead to Tundra Lake) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
# | Campground | # of Tent Pads |
Maximum # of People
(for Entire Campground) |
Approximate
GPS Location |
Other Information |
1 | Loop | See ‘Other Information’ | 16 |
50° 16’ 11.82";
-121° 39’ 21.78" |
Improved in summer 2017; can accommodate at least 6 (single) tents |
2 | Devil’s Staircase | See ‘Other Information’ | 16 |
50° 15’ 54.48";
-121° 40’ 58.20" |
Improved in summer 2017; can accommodate at least 6 (single) tents |
3 | Teepee | See ‘Other Information’ | 16 |
50° 16’ 16.02";
-121° 43’ 46.14" |
Improved in summer 2017; can accommodate at least 6 (single) tents |
4 | Earl’s Campground | See ‘Other Information’ | 16 |
50° 16’ 53.04";
-121° 45’ 11.82" |
Improved in summer 2017; can accommodate at least 6 (single) tents |
5 | Suspension Bridge | See ‘Other Information’ | 20 (approx.) |
50° 17’ 25.92";
-121° 46’ 54.24" |
Improved in 2016/2017 – largest campground in the park; please stay in open areas of campground |
6 | Lean-To | 3 | 8 |
50° 18’ 20.88";
-121° 49’ 30.00" |
Improved in 2016 |
7 | Ponderosa | 3 | 8 |
50° 18’ 39.18";
-121° 52’ 12.12" |
Improved in 2016 |
8 | Cottonwood | 3 | 12 |
50° 18’ 21.60";
--121° 57’ 32.40" |
Improved in 2016 |
9 | Logjam | 3 | 8 |
50° 15’ 54.00";
-122° 0’ 34.26" |
Improved in 2016 |
10 | Avalanche | 3 | 8 |
50° 12’34.18";
-122° 4’38.94 |
Improved in 2016 |
11 | Stein Lake | 3 | 8 |
50° 10’ 1.92";
-122° 10’ 4.8" |
Improved in 2016 |
12 | Puppet | 2 | 6 |
50° 9’ 52.57";
-122° 13’ 1.87" |
New campground as of 2016 |
13 | Tundra | 3 | 8 |
50° 9’ 12.28";
-122° 15’ 22.09 |
Moved to this location as of 2016 |
The Stein Valley offers a wide variety of hiking opportunities.
There is salmon fishing in the Stein River. Stein Lake has been stocked in the past. The river and lakes are not known for good fishing. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Hunting is permitted only during lawful game hunting season. Check with Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis for regulations.
The park lies west of Lytton and approx. 185 km southwest of Kamloops or 290 km northeast of Vancouver, both via the #1 Highway. The main trail head is located on the west side of the Fraser River by Lytton, accessed by crossing the Lytton Ferry. After disembarking from the ferry, follow the road to the right for 4.8 kilometres to the junction with the Stein Valley Road (marked). Turn left and follow it to the parking lot.
The park boundary follows the watershed boundary for approximately 195 kilometres along a continuous line of summits and ridges.
Alternative access to the main Stein Valley trailhead is available via the Westside Road south from Lillooet, on the west side of the Fraser River. This is a slow 2-3 hour drive on a rough dirt road. There is also a pedestrian walkway along the CN railway bridge that crosses the Fraser River south of Lytton. The trailhead is roughly 8 km north from the west end of the bridge. Other trailheads for accessing the park are located at Lizzie Lake, Blowdown Pass and Texas Creek.
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.