Protected area overview
These protected areas encompass 20,379 hectares around Thinahtea Lake and sections of the creek both north and south of the lake.
Thinahtea contains riparian habitats, wetlands and upland forests with important habitat for moose and waterfowl, including trumpeter swans.
Advisories
Camping
Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
Facilities
Keep fires small in the back country. Campfires are permitted, however, no campfire pits are provided at this time.
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.
Activities
There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this protected area.
There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this protected area.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
There are wildlife viewing opportunities for moose, grizzly bear, black bear, caribou and wolves.
Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or 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.
The protected area is open to hunting. All hunters to the area should refer to the current BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis.
Thinahtea Protected Area is located in the north east corner of the province near the confluence of Thinahtea Creek and the Petitot River, 170 km northeast of Fort Nelson. There are no designated roads near to the protected area.
Protected area and activity maps
Learn more about this protected area
Protected area details
- Date established: January 25, 2001
- Size: 16,705 hectares
Nature and culture
Cultural Heritage
Thinahtea Protected Area overlaps with traditional use areas of the Slavey, Cree and Beaver cultures of the Dene Tha and Fort Nelson First Nations. Thinahtea means where the giants laid down.
Conservation
The protected area represents features of the Petitot Plain Ecosection in the boreal white and black spruce biogeoclimatic zone. There are significant jackpine stands mixed amongst the muskeg.
Wildlife
The area contains important habitat for caribou, moose wolf, black bear and several other mammals and waterfowl. There are also endangered, threatened and vulnerable species which include trumpeter swans and water hemlock. The Petitot River and Thinahtea Lake contain several fish species such as Northern pike, walleye, burbot, longnose sucker, troutperch, longnose dace, and slimy sculpin.
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.