National park · Canada
Tweedsmuir Provincial ParkTweedsmuir South Provincial Park
Drive in on Highway 20 and you pay nothing to enter — the only real costs are $5 per person per night backcountry camping and $20–$26 per night at the two vehicle campgrounds; walk the Hunlen Falls trail (4–5 h one way) or, if you only have an afternoon, stop at the Belarko bear platform in September.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
9,810 km² (3,788 sq mi)3,788 sq mi (9,810 km²)
approximate
Established
1938
Best months
Jul–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 9,810 km² (3,788 sq mi)3,788 sq mi (9,810 km²)
- About 981,000 ha when created in 1938; the park was later split into north and south operating units and the Entiako area was removed in 1956 (check current published figure).
- Established
- 1938
- Best months
- Jul–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Williams Lake
Tweedsmuir is British Columbia's largest provincial park, split into a road-accessible south unit on Highway 20 and a boat-and-floatplane-only north unit. The south side holds the Rainbow Range, Hunlen Falls and the Atnarko valley, where grizzlies fish the salmon runs in autumn. There is no gate, no entry fee and almost no visitor infrastructure: you come self-sufficient, with bear spray, and you accept that snow can fall in any month in the mountains.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1938.
Size and age
9,810 km² (3,788 sq mi)3,788 sq mi (9,810 km²) · national park since 1938
About 981,000 ha when created in 1938; the park was later split into north and south operating units and the Entiako area was removed in 1956 (check current published figure).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Williams Lake.
Why go
- Hunlen Falls drops roughly 260 m in one unbroken plunge — among the highest single drops in Canada.
- The Rainbow Range is a volcanic plateau of mineral-stained peaks that shifts colour in low light.
- The Atnarko and Bella Coola valleys concentrate grizzly and black bears on the salmon run from May to October.
- It is a genuine wilderness park with no gate, no queue and no entry fee, 50 km (31 mi) east of Bella Coola.It is a genuine wilderness park with no gate, no queue and no entry fee, 31 mi (50 km) east of Bella Coola.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanDeep snow; −40°C (−40°F) possible in the south unitDeep snow; −40°F (−40°C) possible in the south unit
- FebSnow; Highway 20 conditions uncertain
- MarSnow at altitude; services closed
- AprThaw; mud and avalanche debris
- MayBears arrive on the rivers; trails still wet
- JunWettest month; long daylight
- JulWarmest, driest; up to 30°C (86°F)Warmest, driest; up to 86°F (30°C)
- AugBest window for the Hunlen Falls trail
- SepBelarko bear platform open; salmon run
- OctWet; bears still on the rivers
- NovSnow line drops; short days
- DecWinter conditions; backcountry only
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzly bears on the Atnarko, Dean and Bella Coola riversMay–Oct · They follow the salmon run; keep 100 m and carry bear spray. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Black bears throughout the parkMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Salmon spawning in the AtnarkoAug–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Mountain goats and alpine birdsJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Bella Coola
Highway 20 east; the Belarko platform is about 13 km (8.1 mi) inside the west boundary.Highway 20 east; the Belarko platform is about 8.1 mi (13 km) inside the west boundary.
1 h
From Williams Lake
Highway 20 west through the Chilcotin plateau to the park's east side.
5–6 h
From Vancouver Island
BC Ferries Discovery Coast or Inside Passage route from Port Hardy to Bella Coola, then drive Highway 20.
1 day
Open the page →
From Nimpo Lake, Anahim Lake or Bella Coola
Floatplane charter into Turner Lake or the north unit.
30–60 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 20 corridor (south unit) | The Atnarko valley, Belarko bear platform, two vehicle campgrounds and the lodge. | Open; no fee. |
| Rainbow Range | Volcanic peaks with mineral-coloured soil, reached on foot or by floatplane. | Backcountry; self-register. |
| Turner Lake and Hunlen Falls | The lake above the falls, with primitive campsites and a bear cache. | Trail from the Bella Coola valley or floatplane. |
| Tweedsmuir North | Roadless wilderness east of the Kitimat Ranges. | Boat or floatplane only; no facilities. |
Sketch map
- 1Belarko Wildlife Viewing Area · Viewpoint≈52.366, -126.054Map ↗
- 2Fisheries Pool Campground · Sleep≈52.379, -126.089Map ↗
- 3Atnarko Campground · Sleep≈52.405, -125.911Map ↗
- 4Tweedsmuir Park Lodge · Sleep≈52.370, -126.068Map ↗
- 5Hunlen Falls · Viewpoint≈52.283, -125.783Approximate.Map ↗
- 6Turner Lake · Beach≈52.300, -125.750Approximate; floatplane access.Map ↗
- 7Rainbow Range · Summit≈52.600, -125.900Approximate centre of the range.Map ↗
- 8Bella Coola · Town≈52.379, -126.755Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along Highway 20 and in the backcountry, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry to the park | Free | person | No gate fee for BC provincial parks; day use is free. |
| Backcountry camping | CAD 5 (≈ US$4) | person per night | Applies to ages 6 and over. |
| Vehicle-accessible campsite (Atnarko, Fisheries Pool) | CAD 20–26 (≈ US$15–19) | party per night | 2026 estimate; BC Parks front-country rates vary by facility (check). |
| Floatplane to Turner Lake or the north unit | CAD 400–900 (≈ US$300–700) | person | 2026 estimate; charter from Nimpo Lake, Anahim Lake or Bella Coola (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Backcountry camping permit or guide
Tweedsmuir North permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$5≈ US$4
- C$20–26≈ US$15–19
- C$400–900≈ US$300–700
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on BC Parks — Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park before you go.
Park rules
- Food storage
- Use bear caches and never leave food or fish scraps in a tent or at a campsite.
- Campfires
- Only in provided rings where posted; check for a BC Parks campfire ban before you light anything.
- Backcountry registration
- Self-register and pay the nightly fee; tell someone your route and return time.
- Drones
- Not permitted in BC provincial parks without a park use permit (check).check
- Fishing
- A valid BC freshwater fishing licence is required; regulations differ by river.
Where to stay
In the park
Atnarko Campground
15 sites in old-growth forest on the Atnarko River, at the bottom of the hill.
In the park
Fisheries Pool Campground
9 open sites and 2 tent sites near Stuie, popular with anglers.
In the park
Tweedsmuir Park Lodge
Riverside log cabins off Highway 20 with a bear viewing platform and guided trips.
Near the park
Bella Coola valley
Motels, campgrounds and shops about 50 km (31 mi) west of the park.Motels, campgrounds and shops about 31 mi (50 km) west of the park.
Safety
Bear encounters high
Weather swings high
Isolation high
Highway 20 driving medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Highway 20 pullouts and the Belarko platform involve short, level walks from a parking area.
- The Hunlen Falls trail and all backcountry routes are rough, unmarked and unsuitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out everything, including food waste, in a park with no bins in the backcountry.
- Keep the 100 m bear distance; a fed bear is usually a dead bear.
- Use established campsites and fire rings rather than clearing new ground.
- Book guided trips with operators licensed to work in the park.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tweedsmuir Provincial Park?
Nothing. BC provincial parks have no gate fee, so day use is free. You pay only if you camp: $5 per person per night in the backcountry (ages 6 and over) and roughly $20–$26 per night at the Atnarko or Fisheries Pool vehicle campgrounds (2026 estimate).
What are the best hikes in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park?
The Hunlen Falls trail is the classic: 4–5 hours one way from the Bella Coola valley to the falls and Turner Lake, hard and rough. Shorter options are the roadside walks at the Belarko Wildlife Viewing Area and the informal routes onto the Rainbow Range, which need navigation skills.
When is the best time to visit Tweedsmuir Provincial Park?
July to September. July and August are warmest and driest, September adds the salmon run and the Belarko bear platform. June, September and October are the wettest months, and snow can fall at altitude in any month.
Do I need a permit to camp in Tweedsmuir?
Yes for backcountry camping: self-register and pay the nightly fee before you go. The two vehicle campgrounds are first-come, first-served, so arrive early on summer weekends.
Can I see grizzly bears in Tweedsmuir?
Often, from May to October, when salmon are in the Atnarko, Dean and Bella Coola rivers. The Belarko platform is the safest roadside option; elsewhere keep 100 m, carry bear spray and never approach a bear for a photo.
How do I get to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park?
Drive Highway 20, about 50 km east of Bella Coola or 400 km west of Williams Lake. You can also reach Bella Coola by BC Ferries from Port Hardy, or fly into Turner Lake and the north unit by floatplane from Nimpo Lake, Anahim Lake or Bella Coola.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go