North Island · Cape Scott
Claud Elliott Lake Park
About this Park
Claud Elliott Lake Park is one of three protected areas nestled along the upper Tsitika watershed. The area is part of a river system ranked among the 10 most important fish streams on Vancouver Island.
Adjacent to the park along its western boundary is Claud Elliott Creek Ecological Reserve, which protects representative montane forest communities and critical deer and Roosevelt elk winter range. Two kilometers to the east is Mount Elliott Ecological Reserve, featuring a small, self contained subalpine drainage and hanging valley.
The park contains two lakes, Claud Elliott Lake and Fickle Lake. Both popular destinations for sport fishing and nature appreciation.
This remote, undeveloped park has provincially significant conservation and recreational values that typify old-growth valley bottom forest and wetlands. The park contains some interesting geological features related to an adjacent basalt pillar reserve. Large boulders and remnants of a large rock slide can be found at the northern end of the park, downstream of Fickle Lake.
Safety information
- Access to this park is by active logging roads. The chance of encountering loaded logging trucks while traveling these roads is highly likely. Logging trucks have the right of way at all times. Drivers should use caution and yield to logging trucks, using pullouts whenever possible.
- Bring your own water, as potable water is not available in the park. All surface water must be boiled, filtered or treated prior to consumption.
Location notes
Claud Elliott Lake on northeastern Vancouver Island is located 8 km north of the Woss Camp turnoff, south of the community of Woss, and 50 km southeast of Port McNeill. The park is accessed via a well maintained gravel road connecting Canadian Forest Products Lukwa Main logging road and Highway 19. The chances of encountering loaded logging trucks while traveling the Lukwa Main and Elliott Main is highly likely. Vehicles may park just off Claude Elliott Main near the park boundary sign. From there, a 150 meter deactivated road leads to the Claude Elliott Lake trailhead. Drivers should be very cautious. Logging trucks have the right of way.
Activities
- 9469:Hiking This park has a short, maintained access trail leading visitors down to Claud Elliott Lake, with an average walking time of 10 minutes. This trail is suitable for transporting canoes, kayaks or float tubes down to the lake.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.
- 9469:Canoeing The 1 km long Claud Elliott Lake, provides an ideal location for canoeing and kayaking. A short length of deactivated road and a short trail (walking time approximately 10 minutes) provides canoe, kayak and float tube access to the lake.
- 9469:Swimming There is no designated swimming area at this park, however Claud Elliott Lake is suitable for swimming.
- 9469:Fishing Both Claud Elliott Lake and Fickle Lake are known for high quality recreational angling. Lakes contain coho salmon, cutthroat, Dolly Varden, kokanee, rainbow trout and steelhead. The most easily accessible of these lakes is Claud Elliott Lake. More adventurous fishers can go to Fickle Lake, further downstream in the valley. This lake is harder to access and will require lining canoes or kayaks back upstream to Claud Elliott Lake.All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing.
- 9469:Wildlife viewing Claud Elliott Lake Park offers good opportunities to view wildlife, such as black tailed deer, Roosevelt elk, black bears, bald eagles and a variety of birdlife.
- 9469:Pets on leash Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash and under control at all times. 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.
- 9469:Hunting Portions of this park are open to hunting for specific species. Hunters must have valid licences and tags. The discharge and carrying of firearms is permitted in this park for the purposes of hunting during open season. Please consult the BC Government Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information. Contact BC Parks at parkinfo@gov.bc.ca with any specific questions.
- 9469:Kayaking The 1 km long Claud Elliott Lake, provides an ideal location for canoeing and kayaking. A short length of deactivated road and a short trail (walking time approximately 10 minutes) provides canoe, kayak and float tube access to the lake.
Facilities
- 9469:Campfires While fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. If you must use a campfire, please practice “Leave No Trace” camping ethics.
Location
50.31543, -126.55133 · Cape Scott