Park overview
White Pelican Park is managed exclusively to support the provincial pelican population. Stum Lake, within White Pelican Park, is closed to the public from March 1 - August 31 every year to protect the pelican nesting colony.
This colony of American White Pelicans is the only nesting colony in British Columbia. They are very sensitive to disturbance, which can result in the loss of all young.
Pelican viewing opportunities exist at Nazko Lake Park and in other lakes in the Chilcotin.
Advisories
Safety info
- Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
Special notes
- Canoeing, boating, hunting, trapping, discharge of firearms, aircraft operation below 600 metres in elevation, and aircraft landing are prohibited on Stum Lake (located within the park) from March 1 to August 31 every year due to the American White Pelican nesting there.
White Pelican Park is located approximately 60 km northwest of Williams Lake on the Chilcotin Plateau.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: April 8, 1971
- Size: 2,762.8 hectares
Nature and culture
History
White Pelican became a Class A park in 1971, and was expanded as a result of recommendations in the Cariboo-Chilcotin Land Use Plan.
Conservation
The American White Pelican has been legally designated as an Endangered Species in British Columbia. The park provides a critical buffer to the only nesting colony in B.C. At other nesting locations in North America, disturbances caused by boats, low flying aircraft or people walking through the colonies have resulted in serious losses, even complete abandonment of the nests.
In addition to providing security for the pelican nesting sites, the park also protects moose and aquatic fur-bearing habitat.
The park will continue to be managed exclusively to support the provincial pelican population.
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.