Protected area overview
Sutherland River Protected Area protect adjacent parcels of land along approximately 50 km of the Sutherland River and Babine Lake. It provides visitors with a variety of river based recreation opportunities, and protects a river with important habitat for spawning fish and other wildlife.
Advisories
Safety info
Park Safety
- Visitors should be cautioned that all road access to the park can be hazardous due to rough road conditions.
Special Notes
- Visitors should respect private property and Indian Reserve No. 13 located along the shoreline of Babine Lake.
- This park does not have a boat launch. The closest public boat launches are located on Babine Lake. At Pinkut Creek Marine Site there is a rustic gravel boat launch and at Babine Lake - Pendleton Bay Marine Provincial Park there is a concrete boat launch. Be aware that the east end of Babine Lake is very shallow in areas and boaters should be cautious.
Camping
Wilderness camping is allowed; no facilities are provided.
Activities
Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
This park is open to hunting during the lawful game season. See the British Columbia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for further details.
Maps and location
Sutherland River Park and Protected Area is located at the east end of Babine Lake and encompasses a portion of the Sutherland River drainage. Most visitors access the park by boat via Babine Lake. Follow Babine Forest Service Road north from Burns Lake to access Babine Lake (Pendleton Bay or Pinkut Creek) or for land access to the Park.
Learn more about this protected area
Protected area details
- Date established: July 6, 2000
- Size: 4835 hectares
Nature and culture
- History: Sutherland River Park was designated as a Class A Park in 2000 following recommendations of the Lakes Land and Resource Management Plan; the Protected Area was designated in 1999 under the Vanderhoof Land and Resource Management Plan.
- Cultural Heritage: Sutherland River Park and Protected Area lie within the asserted traditional territories of the Natooten and Sekanni-Carrier First Nations.
- Conservation: Sutherland River Park and Protected Area lie within the Babine Uplands Ecosection and protect a major unregulated river and a large inland river delta with extensive wetlands.
- Wildlife: The Sutherland River is an important spawning river for sockeye, kokanee and steelhead in Babine Lake. The Park and Protected Area also provide important habitat for moose, grizzly bears and wolves.
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.