Skeena East. 
Know before you go
Advisories
Visitor guidelines
Expect rugged terrain
Tatshenshini-Alsek Park is a wild, rugged area. Always bring appropriate clothing and gear, as well as sufficient supplies. Look below for general safety instructions. For the latest information, see advisories.
Prepare for the trail conditions
If you are planning a hiking trip, remember conditions in the summer are highly variable. A day may start with clear skies, but it can quickly change. Snow is possible any time of year.
High winds are frequent and there are often long spells of cold, wet weather. For more information on hazards you may encounter, see the hiking section of this page.
Stay safe on the water
If you are planning a kayaking or river-rafting trip, remember this park is very remote. There are several rapids to navigate. Turnback Canyon on the Alsek River is extremely hazardous. It is not recommended even for the most skilled kayaker or rafter.
For more information on hazards in this park, visit the Tatshenshini-Alsek Park: River-rafting and kayaking page. For general information on staying safe on the water in BC parks, see our marine visitor guide.
Stay safe around wildlife
Potentially dangerous animals live in this park. On trails, make noise to prevent unexpected encounters. Be aware that food waste and other scents will attract wildlife.
The only food caches in the park are at Chuck Creek trailhead. If you are staying overnight in the backcountry, please bring certified bear-resistant storage devices.
For information on certified devices, visit the IGBC website. To learn how to avoid encounters and ensure unavoidable encounters do not escalate, see the wildlife safety page.
Leave No Trace
Always follow Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. Minimize impacts on plant and animal life and be considerate of other visitors. Dispose of waste properly.
For detailed information on outdoor ethics, visit the Leave No Trace Canada website.
Respect Indigenous cultural sites
Archaeological studies of the Alsek and Tatshenshini river corridors are in progress. If you discover a possible cultural site or natural or cultural artifact, do not disturb it.
Please take pictures of any findings and note the location (with GPS, if possible). Report your findings to the BC Parks office in Atlin at 1-250-651-7634.
It is an offence to damage or remove any natural or cultural resource from a BC Park.
No motor vehicles
No roads run through Tatshenshini-Alsek Park. The park cannot be accessed by road vehicles. The Haines Highway parallels the park. All hiking trails are accessed from this highway.
While the park has exceptional biodiversity, many of its inhabitants are fragile. Between long winters and short growing seasons, damaged vegetation rehabilitates slowly.
Therefore, off-road motor vehicles are not allowed, with two exceptions:
- In winter, snowmobiling is allowed within a specified area (see winter recreation for details)
- Citizens of Champagne and Aishihk First Nations have the right to use motor vehicles for harvesting
No drones
Operating drones without permission is illegal in BC Parks. In the rare cases when we grant permission, you must keep your drone away from wildlife and other visitors.
No harvesting
Harvesting mushrooms or any other crops is forbidden in all BC Parks. The only exceptions are for Indigenous Peoples and harvesting permit holders.
Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.
Visit responsibly
Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:
Maps and location
Getting there
Tatshenshini-Alsek Park is in the extreme northwestern corner of British Columbia. The park is next to parks in the Yukon and Alaska, forming a large, continuous protected area. The Haines Highway parallels the park. All hiking trails are accessed from this highway.
Camping
Wilderness camping
Wilderness camping is allowed in Tatshenshini-Alsek Park. The term ‘wilderness’ refers to an area with no facilities, which is more than 1 km from any road. Therefore, no formal campgrounds or other services are provided.
Anyone camping along the Tatshenshini and Alsek river corridors must pay the BC Parks river fee. For information, see the Tatshenshini-Alsek Park: River-rafting and kayaking page.
We do not charge any fees for camping in other wilderness areas of Tatshenshini-Alsek Park. For information on suggested wilderness camping areas in this park, see maps and location.
When visiting the backcountry, always follow Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. To learn more about staying safe in the backcountry, read our backcountry guide.
Things to do
There are nearly endless hiking opportunities in Tatshenshini-Alsek Park. However, the Chuck Creek Trail is the only properly maintained hiking trail anywhere in this park.
All other routes listed below follow old mining roads that predate the establishment of the park. These are hiking routes rather than maintained trails. Prepare for difficult conditions and carry navigational aids.
Summer weather is highly variable in Tatshenshini-Alsek Park. Although a day may start with clear skies and sunshine, it can quickly change. Snow is possible any day of the year.
High winds are frequent and there are often long spells of cold, wet weather. Fog can be a particular challenge for hikers. It may roll in at any time, making route finding difficult.
See below for information on these routes:
Chuck Creek Trail
The trailhead for the Chuck Creek Trail is 140 km south of Haines Junction, on the Haines Highway. It’s in a small pullout, and has an outhouse, information kiosks, garbage bins, and bear-proof food caches for overnight users.
This is the only maintained hiking trail in Tatshenshini-Alsek Park. The trail is 12 km one-way, for a 24 km return trip. Recent trail work was carried out to improve sightlines and prevent further braiding and widening.
This is a moderate difficulty trail. However, conditions are frequently wet along this trail, which has multiple creek crossings. Be prepared to get your feet wet. Consider bringing hiking sandals or an old pair of runners for the crossings.
We recommend bringing the relevant 1:50,000-scale map for this trip (# 114 P/10 – Nadahini Creek). If you intend to leave the maintained trail, we recommend taking a waypoint on a GPS. The trail can be hard to relocate if visibility is poor.
The trail starts in a sub-alpine valley. After roughly 3 km, Mineral Lakes comes into view on your left. If you decide to continue further along this trail, you will come across Chuck Creek.
Around the 7 km point, the trail drops to Clear Creek, where the spectacular Samuel Glacier comes into view. From here, the views keep improving as you walk closer to the glacier.
Parton River route
The Parton River route is an abandoned access road and horse trail. It is unmaintained. There is no signage either at the start of the trail or anywhere along it.
We recommend bringing the relevant 1:50,000-scale maps for this trip (# 114 P/10 – Nadahini Creek, # 114 P/11 – Carmine Mountain and # 114 P/15 – Parton River).
When driving in, you can access the trail by taking a gravel road that turns off the Haines Highway. This is roughly 112 km south of Haines Junction on the highway, just past Stanley Creek. Park here and hike in.
It is a relatively easy hike as you cross the Tatshenshini and Parton rivers. After this you reach a rockslide area with three washouts, which can present significant obstacles. The approximate GPS coordinates of these are:
- 59.880090, -136.843697
- 59.875913-136.848370
- 59.871007, -136.848548
After the third obstacle, you cross a prominent gully. Here, the hiking becomes easier as it follows an old mining road. At the next creek, it is very easy to lose the trail and end up bushwhacking.
Pay attention after passing an old wagon. Keep to the right fork, away from the Parton River. The hiking is good up to an old cabin by the junction in the road. The junction is at 59.810957, -136.894288.
Going west from the junction puts you on the Shini Lakes route, which has spectacular scenery throughout. The trail has good hiking, following an old mining road and horse trail.
Mountain biking is not recommended past the first lake, as the route follows a very narrow, soft horse trail. This lake is suitable for swimming because it has little vegetation and a gravel beach at the east end.
Going east from the junction, across the creek, puts you on the O’Conner route. This is a roughly 16 km hike to an old airstrip. There is a steep climb for about 3 km. Then it slopes off to a rockslide.
This rockslide presents a serious obstacle. It covers the road completely, with treacherous detours going above and below. Use extreme caution when negotiating these detours.
After the rockslide, there is another steep climb before the trail levels off. The trail follows along the valley below, which presents spectacular scenery. Then, the trail leads down into the valley and through to the old airstrip, where it ends.
Copper Butte route
The Copper Butte hiking route is an abandoned access road roughly 160 km south of Haines Junction on the Haines Highway. It is approximately 3 km south of Three Guardsmen Lake.
Park your vehicle in the pull-off at 59.584022, -136.467244. Begin by walking down the old Haines Road. This abandoned access road is unmaintained and there is no signage at the start of the route or anywhere along it.
Walk roughly 2.5 km down the old Haines Road until you come to Schulz Creek. This will be the second creek you encounter. From here, head north (right) and begin a moderately strenuous hike through the alder.
This goes on for about 100 m until it opens to the old Copper Butte mining road. Follow this to the old mines. It is a very scenic abandoned road with many visible remains from past mining activities.
Remnant mine shafts are unstable and should not be entered.
Once you reach the first plateau, the terrain opens. You are greeted by mountainous vistas and get a bird’s-eye view of Inspector Creek. From the Copper Butte Plateau, you can continue north-northwest to Mineral Lakes.
There are beautiful camping opportunities on the shores of these alpine lakes. From Mineral Lakes, you can head towards the Chuck Creek Trail, which makes for an easy walk back to the highway.
Tatshenshini-Alsek Park offers world-class canoeing, river-rafting, and kayaking opportunities. The BC Parks River Fee is in effect in this park. For full details of the opportunities available and fees charged, see the Tatshenshini-Alsek Park: River-rafting and kayaking page.
Tatshenshini-Alsek Park offers world-class canoeing, river-rafting, and kayaking opportunities. The BC Parks River Fee is in effect in this park. For full details of the opportunities available and fees charged, see the Tatshenshini-Alsek Park: River-rafting and kayaking page.
Fishing is allowed in Tatshenshini-Alsek Park.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Tatshenshini-Alsek Park provides many extraordinary wildlife viewing opportunities. For detailed information about the animals and birds who live in this park, see the wildlife section.
For your own safety and to protect wildlife, never feed or approach bears or other animals. For detailed information, see the wildlife safety page.
Dogs and other domestic animals are welcome in Tatshenshini-Alsek Park but must be kept under control. Please dispose of their waste appropriately.
Authorized horseback riding is allowed in Tatshenshini-Alsek Park. You must get a letter of permission before bringing horses into the park. Submit your request for a letter of permission online.
Hunting is allowed in Tatshenshini-Alsek Park if conducted according to provincial regulations. Please consult the current hunting and trapping regulations synopsis for detailed information.
Anyone hunting in British Columbia must comply with BC hunting regulations. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Tatshenshini-Alsek Park is a popular destination for a range of winter activities. The park attracts backcountry skiers, snowboarders, and kite skiers. However, it is best known for its snowmobiling opportunities. See below for details of where snowmobiling is allowed.
Snowmobiling
Tatshenshini-Alsek is one of very few BC Parks where any snowmobiling is allowed. A snowmobile zone was established during Tatshenshini-Alsek Park's creation in 1993.
Snowmobiling outside the snowmobile zone is a violation of the Park Act and is subject to a $575 fine. This is strictly enforced.
The snowmobile zone
Tatshenshini-Alsek Park has two management areas:
- The Natural Environment Zone (also known as the snowmobile zone)
- The Wilderness Recreation Zone
Snowmobiling is allowed only in the Natural Environment Zone. Snowmobile use is not allowed in the Wilderness Recreation Zone. Anyone found snowmobiling in the Wilderness Recreation Zone may be fined under the Park Act.
For information on the boundaries of these zone, see the following resources:
- Google Earth file of the snowmobile zone boundary [KMZ]
- Snowmobile zone [PDF]
- Snowmobiling brochure [PDF]
Extra planning is essential for winter recreation. For information, visit the winter safety page.
Studies have shown that snowmobile activity negatively impacts a wide variety of wildlife. Most snowmobiling activity occurs at a time when wild animals are at their most vulnerable (the end of winter and the beginning of spring).
When snowmobiling within the zone, give animals the space they need and deserve. Any snowmobilers who are disturbing or endangering wildlife may be evicted from the park.
We ask all visitors to help us protect local wildlife and keep this rare and exciting snowmobiling opportunity alive. Together, we can ensure everyone is able to enjoy this extraordinary park, safely and responsibly, for generations to come.
For more details of how you can enjoy the snowmobile zone without harming wildlife, see responsible snowmobiling, below.
Responsible snowmobiling
We work with Champagne and Aishihik First Nations and Klondike Snowmobile Association to promote responsible snowmobiling. Here’s how you can help:
- Ride straight
Do not operate a snowmobile while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Safe snowmobile operation requires a clear head. - Be respectful of wildlife
Stick to the designated snowmobile zone. Take extra care to give wild animals and birds the space they need and deserve. - Be respectful of others
Snowmobiles can present a danger to other park visitors, especially backcountry skiers, snowboarders, and kite skiers. - Be prepared for the conditions
Check the forecast for adverse weather conditions, which are common in this area. - Be aware of avalanche risk
Be capable and equipped for self-rescue. Know how to identify risky areas. Avoid glaciers, cornices, gullies, and creek beds.
Before heading out, check with Avalanche Canada for information on avalanche conditions.
- Slow it down
Maintain responsible speeds. Use a lower speed in adverse weather conditions or in the evening when visibility is lower. - Leave No Trace
Pack out any litter or other waste. For information on Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, see our backcountry guide. - Spread the word
Make sure your fellow snowmobile enthusiasts are aware of appropriate and responsible snowmobiling practices.
Facilities
To minimize wildfire risk, campfires are not allowed in most parts of Tatshenshini-Alsek Park. Campfires are allowed only along the Tatshenshini and Alsek river corridors. You must use a fire pan for any campfires you light.
If you are camping away from the river corridors, please use a camping stove for cooking. For detailed information on campfire safety, visit our responsible recreation page.
To preserve plants and ground cover, do not gather firewood in the park. It is an offence under the Park Act. Buy firewood locally. Wood from other areas can spread invasive species. To learn more, visit Buy Local, Burn Local.
Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.
Two outhouses are available along the eastern edge of the park, on the west side of the Haines Highway. One is at the small roadside hut just south of West Nadahini Creek. The second is at the pullout for the Chuck Creek trailhead.
About this park
The park is on the traditional lands of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. First Nation fishing villages were located along the Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers, although only Klukshu, Yukon is still occupied. Visit Klukshu to learn something of the area's rich First Nations cultural heritage.
Visitors stopping at Shäwshe (Dalton Post) are reminded that they are on lands legally owned by the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. Please respect their land use regulations and requirements. For more information, visit the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations website.
Archaeological studies of the Alsek and Tatshenshini River corridors are ongoing. If you come across a site or artifact of cultural significance, report its location to the BC Parks office in Atlin at 1-250-651-7634. It is an offence to damage or remove any natural or cultural resource from a BC Park.
One of the earliest European travelers in what is now called Tatshenshini-Alsek Park was Edward Glave from Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper. In 1890 Glave set out to explore the Tatshenshini-Alsek area, with a party that included a Tlingit man called Shank.
At the turn of the century there was a brief gold rush on Porcupine Creek, near Rainy Hollow. In 1927 another small gold discovery was made at Dollis (Ts’ach’än Chù) Creek by Paddy Duncan, a Neskatahin native.
The Haines Highway was built during the Second World War by the United States Army to provide tidewater access to the Alcan Highway. It followed an early Tutchone-Tlingit trade route between the coast and interior nations.
In the late 1970s, a huge, high-quality deposit of copper was found. It quickly became apparent that mining this would pose serious environmental hazards to the area.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, river users and environmentalists led a high-profile international campaign to secure protection for the area. The BC Government officially declared it a Class "A" provincial park in October 1993.
The valley of the upper Tatshenshini has open sub-alpine forests, with extensive poplar stands and alpine tundra. The poplar stands are unusual because of their dense alder thickets and carpets of northern ground cone. This parasitic plant, rarely found in the province, is an important grizzly bear food.
The broad middle reaches of the Tatshenshini flow past gravel bars, alluvial fans, and the ridges of the Alsek Ranges. The sloping fans and gravel bars are carpeted in meadows of flowers at a scale uncommon elsewhere in British Columbia.
Below the mouth of the O’Connor River, the Tatshenshini is dramatically different. It pours through a channel over 1 km wide. Views of the glacier-covered Saint Elias Ranges dominate the west. The mixed spruce-willow-birch forest along this stretch of the river is unique in B.C.
The Alsek River flows south out of the Kluane National Park and Reserve and the world’s largest non-polar icecap. In B.C., the Alsek Valley is very different from the Tatshenshini. It has been described as stepping back in time to the end of the last Ice Age.
The broad, braided, silt-grey river flows past dense groves of paper birch, willow, and aspen. Higher slopes are covered with shrubby willows and slide alder. Moist meadows are common, often coloured with wide swathes of fireweed. The backdrop to every scene is filled with snowy peaks, blue glaciers, and bare rock.
As the confluence of the Tatshenshini and Alsek nears, Mount Fairweather dominates the view. At 4,633 m, this is the highest peak in B.C. The mighty Alsek rolls past wide plains of river gravel backed by lush coastal vegetation. Nearby, hanging glaciers cover the flanks of the Noisy and Icefield Ranges.
Below the confluence, the river slices through the coastal ranges and enters Alaska. At Gateway Knob, the Alsek glacier flows into the river, creating an iceberg-filled lake. After 290 km, the Alsek finally reaches the Pacific Ocean at Dry Bay, Alaska.
Flowers, trees, and shrubs are part of the park’s natural heritage, please do not damage or remove them.
The landscape, climate, and vegetation of the Tatshenshini have produced an unusual diversity of wildlife species. Many of the area’s species are at the northern or southern limits of their geographic ranges. These edge-of-range populations are important for the long-term survival of species.
Because conditions at the edge of a range are different from the conditions at the center, adaptive evolution is encouraged. This results in a slightly different genetic pool that can help a species chances of survival through long-term environmental change.
About 200 Dall sheep live in Dollis Range (Ts’ach’än Dhäl) and Datlaska Range just west of the Haines Highway. They represent roughly half the provincial population. More than 300 mountain goats live on south-facing slopes between the highway and the Alsek Ranges to the west.
Grizzly bears live throughout the region. They are especially plentiful along the rivers when the salmon are running. Most river users see bears or bear tracks nearly every day. The Alsek Ranges between the Alsek and Tatshenshini Rivers are known to provide exceptionally productive grizzly habitat.
Tatshenshini-Alsek and its surrounding area are crucial to the long-term survival of grizzly bears. Black bears are also numerous along the rivers in the fall, and in the alpine and sub-alpine areas in summer. A rare colour phase of black bear, the bluish-coloured glacier bear, can be seen here.
Waterfowl, sandhill cranes and other bird species use the Alsek River as a migration route. These birds can be spotted migrating from the coast to the interior in the spring and fall. Eagles follow salmon up the Alsek in the fall. Rafters report seeing 50 or more at one time.
Other bird species of note: gyrfalcon; peregrine falcon; northern goshawk; golden eagle; northern harrier; trumpeter swan; willow ptarmigan; great grey owl’ short-eared owl; king eider; arctic tern; gray-cheeked thrush; lesser golden plover; Pacific loon; wandering tattler.
The Haines Highway provides an opportunity to see much of the same unusual plant and animal diversity that river users experience. The highway passes through coastal, sub-alpine, and alpine tundra environments. Over 82 species of birds have been recorded in the Chilkat Pass area.
Some of the small mammals found here are rare in British Columbia. These include the collared pika, the tundra vole, the arctic ground squirrel, and the meadow jumping mouse. Dall sheep are often seen on grassy, southwest-facing slopes and at a mineral lick in the Mount Mansfield area.
Mountain goats can be spotted near the Three Guardsmen. Moose can be seen in wet areas near the road. Grizzly and black bears are not as common as on the lower Tatshenshini. Still, they can be seen on the Blanchard River when salmon are spawning from July to September.
For your own safety and to protect wildlife, never feed or approach bears or other animals. For detailed information, see the wildlife safety page.
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.
Contact
| Champagne and Aishihik First Nations | |
|---|---|
| BC Parks regional office (Atlin) | |
| General questions and feedback for BC Parks | We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. |
