Area C Provincial Parks

Area C offers three provincial parks for your enjoyment.

Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park

Area C Parks Birkenhead Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park was first established in 1963 to provide lakeside camping and other recreation experiences for travellers between Whistler and Lillooet. The park was expanded in 1996 from 3,642 hectares to 9,755 hectares, adding significant conservation values of the Sockeye Creek watershed. The park was again expanded by 684 hectares in 2008 to include more of the alpine headwaters of the western side of the Sockeye Creek watershed.

The park protects important habitat for a variety of wildlife, including spotted owls, mountain goats, black bears and grizzly bears. Old growth forests, sub-alpine and alpine environments, large and small lakes all contribute to the park's diversity.

Park Size: 10,439 hectares.

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park

Steeply rising from Lower Joffre Lake, the glacier-laden peaks are visible from an easily accessible viewpoint 500 metres from the parking lot. If you carry on, the trail becomes a rough, rocky and steep hike through the Coast Mountain range.

Evidence of the park's glacial history can be found in the U-shaped valleys, glacial silts and lateral moraines. This magnificent area of jagged peaks, ice-fields, cold rushing streams and turquoise blue lakes was established as a recreation area in 1988 and became a Class A park in 1996. A highlight of the park is the turquoise blue waters of Lower, Middle and Upper Joffre lakes, all three of which are located along the trail, and each more stunning than the last. Their striking, saturated blue colour is caused by "rockflour" - or glacial silt - that is suspended in the water and reflects green and blue wavelengths of sunlight. Joffre Lakes Provincial Park has opportunities for hiking, camping, mountaineering, wildlife viewing, and fishing.

Park Size: 1,460 hectares.

Nairn Falls Provincial Park

Area C Provincial Park Nairn Falls Just 20 minutes north of Whistler is Nairn Falls Park. This park provides a good base camp for exploring Whistler, the Pemberton Valley or nearby Garibaldi Provincial Park.

It is an excellent overnight stop before continuing onto the Duffey Lake Road or points north or south. The falls are 60 m high and a 1.5 km hiking trail will take you to the viewpoint.

Park Size: 170 hectares.

Upper Lillooet Provincial Park

Upper Lillooet Provincial Park was established on July 28, 1997, and is composed of valley bottom old-growth forests, wetland habitat, high alpine ridges and glaciers.

This is a remote backcountry area with no developed trails or any other facilities, so access is limited.

This park is a great destination for those seeking to experience the remote wilderness through backcountry hiking and wilderness camping.

Park Size: 19,996 hectares.

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