Ts’ilʔos (pronounced “sigh-loss”) Park comprises rugged mountains, clear blue lakes, glaciers, alpine meadows, and waterfalls. It is bordered by the rugged peaks of the coast mountains to the west, and the dry interior plateau to the east. The diversity and contrast in landscapes and vegetation are a result of a rainshadow effect on the east side of the mountains. While the northern and eastern portions of the park are relatively dry, the south end of Chilko Lake is characterized by moist areas of the coastal western hemlock zone.
The park was established in February of 1994 as a wilderness area set aside to protect vegetation, wildlife and fish habitats, cultural values, and special features.
The diverse ecosystems in the park remain largely undisturbed by human activity, making this park an ecologically significant area in the province. Chilko Lake, the largest, natural high-elevation freshwater lake in Canada, dominates the park.
Stunningly beautiful, due to its blue-green hues and dramatic mountain backdrops, Chilko Lake is popular with boaters, kayakers, and anglers. Backcountry hiking and camping is also a cornerstone of the recreational opportunities offered by this remote park.
Established Date: February 12, 1994
Park Size: 233,240 hectares
Note: Ts’ilʔos Park is co-managed through a Memorandum of Understanding between BC Parks and the Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government.
This park offers vehicle accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis; campsite reservations are not accepted. There is a variety of shaded, treed, and open sites at each campground and parking is available for extra vehicles.
The Nu Chugh Beniz campground has 16 campsites, one of which is a large pull-through, three double, and the rest are single vehicle sites. There are also four tent pads at this campground. This very scenic but often windy campground on the east side of Chilko Lake is accessed via Highway 20 to Hanceville, then 121km on gravel from Hanceville via Konni Lake and the Nemiah Valley. Supplies are available near the campground at the Nemiah Valley Tl’ebayi community centre: gas, propane, laundry, and internet service.
The Gwe Da Ts’ih campground has eight single vehicle sites. To reach this small, rustic campground at the north end of Chilko Lake, take Highway 20 to Tatla Lake, then drive 63km on a gravel road from Tatla Lake to the Gwe Da Ts’ih campground. Follow signs for Chilko Lake. Lodges nearby may offer meals and some basic supplies.
These campgrounds run on a self-registration system and drop boxes are in place so people can pay their overnight fee. There are no pay phones at either campground.
Due to bear hazards, Gwa Da Ts’ih campground may be closed during salmon spawning season (mid-August to mid-September).
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $18.00 per party/night
A concrete boat launch is available for trailerized boats at Gwe Da Ts’ih Campground. This boat launch closes annually on September 15th.
A natural launch, suitable for cartop boats, is located at Nu Chugh Beniz.
Ts’ilʔos offers a variety of hiking opportunities from short day hikes, to extended wilderness backpacking trips. Experienced mountaineers can plan rigorous excursions leading to the Homathko Icefields and major peaks of the Coast Mountains.
The backcountry of Ts’ilʔos Park is recommended for experienced travelers only who are equipped for trail finding, first aid, and survival situations. Maintenance of hiking routes is minimal and there are no facilities.
The backcountry of Ts’ilʔos Park is recommended for experienced travellers only who are equipped for trail finding, first aid, and survival situations. Hiking routes are not maintained and there are no facilities.
In order to meet budget targets, trail maintenance has been reduced on the Yohetta/Tzchaikazan loop trail in this park. Although this trail will remain open, users may encounter fallen trees and/or trail wash-outs. Extra caution is advised.
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.
In order to meet budget targets, trail maintenance has been reduced on the Yohetta/Tzchaikazan Loop Trail in this park. Although this trail will remain open, users may encounter fallen trees, overgrown sections and/or trail wash-outs. Extra caution is advised, and route finding is considered challenging. 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.
Accessing the Yohetta Tchaikazan trail heads is via a rough 4wd only Wilderness road. Expect windfallen trees, brushy road conditions and 4+ hours to travel the approximate 50km distance to the Tchaikazan trail head. Being equipped with a chainsaw is recommended. While the trail is a popular five to seven day trek that takes hikers on loop trail from Yohetta valley, over Spectrum pass into the Tchaikazan river valley, conditions are variable and maintenance is minimal.
Trail maintenance has been limited to trail clearing from the Yohetta trail head to Dorothy lake in 2022.
At the north end of Chilko Lake, the Tullin Trail begins from Gwa Da Ts’ih campground and ascends Tullin Mountain. This trail affords day hikers with some excellent views of the park (3-5 hours, one way).
Hiking trails are also open to horseback riding, although trails in some areas may not be suitable due to difficult terrain and the potential for blowdown. All horse users are encouraged to use weed-free feed pellets, particularly for large groups.
There are no lifeguards on duty at parks. There is no developed sandy beach, and the water is very cold.
Kayaking is popular on Chilko Lake. Canoeing on Chilko Lake is not recommended.
Chilko Lake provides high-quality angling opportunities, and is one of the leading large-lake fishery resources in the Cariboo Chilcotin. The lake has long been recognized as a producer of bull-trout and rainbow trout, and has gained recognition for its spectacular scenery and high catch success of native sport fish.
Chilko Lake supports rainbow trout, bull trout, and productive spawning areas for chinook and sockeye salmon. Bull-trout, a blue-listed species, is late-maturing and doesn’t spawn until after its sixth year. As an aggressive feeder, the species is also fairly easy to catch. These two traits, combined with the difficulty in accurately inventorying stocks, make the bull-trout susceptible to over-harvesting. The species’ slow growth and late maturity could result in a recovery period as long as 20 years.
BC Parks is taking a conservative approach to managing fish stocks in the park. Respect gear restrictions and lowered catch limits on bull-trout. Anglers are encouraged to carefully release fish whenever possible.
The Chilko River is similarly highly regarded for its fisheries values, and recognized as one of the leading wilderness trout rivers in the west Chilcotin. The river supports spawning and rearing habitat for resident rainbow trout, bull trout, Rocky Mountain whitefish, and steelhead trout.
The Chilko River is a classified water. This means that a Classified Waters Licence must be purchased before fishing in the river. To conserve stocks, the current regulations on the river include single barbless hooks, flyfishing only, a bait ban, and a catch-and-release policy.
The Ts’ilʔos management plan provides opportunities for mountain biking on designated roads and low elevation trails so that there is minimal impact on the environment or conflict with other users. Please see designated areas below:
Mountain biking is permitted on:
At all times horses and hikers have priority.
Mountain biking is not permitted in the following areas:
Please view the attached map for the different Ts’ilʔos Management Units [PDF] .
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Ts’ilʔos Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
There is horseback riding at this park, although trails are neither maintained nor marked.
Tsylos Park Lodge offers a number of recreational opportunities in this park (including horseback riding expeditions, hunting trips, and flyfishing).
Ts’ilʔos Park is located in a relatively undeveloped and isolated part of the Chilcotin. As the crow flies, the park is approximately 160 km southwest of Williams Lake, or 250 km north of Vancouver. There are two main vehicle access routes into the park, and two campgrounds, one at the end of each route. Both routes take 4 to 6 hours from Williams Lake, though travel time varies considerably depending on weather conditions. Roads are rough, and conditions vary considerably. Drive carefully and with lights on. The nearest communities to the park are Nemiah Valley, Hanceville, Tatla Lake and Williams Lake.
No scheduled flights serve the park. Several airstrips are located outside the park boundary; a Park Use Permit is required for commercial air access within the park.
Topographical map numbers 1:50,000 92N/1, 92N/8, 92O/4, 92O/5, 92N/9, 92J/13 and 92K/16 cover the park. These are necessary for hikers, horseback riders and other backcountry travellers.
xeni-gwetin.ca
Park Operator – Campground Operations
250-394-7023
Ts’ilʔos Ranger – Park patrol
250-394-7023
Learn about the history, conservation, and wildlife in the park.
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.