Great Glacier Park
About this Park
Great Glacier Park is a remote area in northwestern British Columbia. The only way to access this area is by water. Motorboaters, canoers, kayakers, and river-rafters all visit the park via the Stikine River.
Great Glacier itself is the largest glacier found along the entire length of the Stikine River. A short trail provides outstanding views of the glacier and its outwash lake. The trail passes through lush old-growth forest containing unusual plant life.
The park is 120 km downstream of Telegraph Creek on the Stikine River. It sits across the river from Choquette Hot Springs Park. The southwestern end of the park borders Alaska.
Safety information
- Great Glacier Park is a remote area, accessible only by water. See our backcountry guide to learn about safe, ethical recreation in remote areas.
- Weather conditions can change quickly in this park. We recommend packing rain gear and a tarp as part of your essentials.
- Do not take your boat onto the channel that connects the river to the glacial outwash lake. Portage using the hiking trail instead.
- Use extreme caution if paddling on the glacial lake. Large waves can appear without warning when pieces of the glacier break off into the water.
- We ask motorboat users to be aware of and courteous to paddlers when travelling on the river.
Special notes
Hunting is not allowed anywhere in this park.
Location notes
Great Glacier Park is approximately 120 km southwest of Telegraph Creek. The park’s southwestern end borders Alaska. The only way to access this park is by boat on the Stikine River. The most popular boat launch for accessing Great Glacier Park is in Glenora.
Activities
- 431:Canoeing The only access to Great Glacier Park is via the Stikine River. The Stikine offers the fastest flowing navigable water in North America. Canoeing, kayaking, rafting, and motorboating are popular ways to visit the park.There are serious hazards that must be avoided when boating in this park. For more information, see know before you go.
- 431:Hiking Great Glacier Park offers a short hiking trail, which is 1 km one-way. This leads to an excellent view of Great Glacier and its glacial outwash lake. This lake is often covered with icebergs. The water is tinted turquoise by rock flour.The trail takes you through the glacial succession process. It begins at the campground in an old-growth forest with lush soil and vegetation. Then it travels over rock flour (made by glacial movement) to the lake.
- 431:Fishing Fishing is allowed in Great Glacier Park. You must have the appropriate licence to fish in this park. We suggest getting a licence before leaving home, as there are few opportunities to get one in the area. Please conserve your catch and only keep what you intend to eat.
- 431:Kayaking The only access to Great Glacier Park is via the Stikine River. The Stikine offers the fastest flowing navigable water in North America. Canoeing, kayaking, rafting, and motorboating are popular ways to visit the park.There are serious hazards that must be avoided when boating in this park. For more information, see the know before you go section.
Facilities
- 431:Pit or flush toilets A pit toilet is available at the Great Glacier Park campground. There are no flush toilets or other pit toilets anywhere in the park. Please bring your own toilet paper, as it is not provided at the campground.
- 431:Campfires Campfires are allowed at the campground, but only in the two fire rings provided. We encourage you to minimize the use of fire and bring a camping stove for cooking. Fires are not allowed anywhere else in the park.We recommend gathering dead wood from the riverbank just outside the park. Dry wood is very limited near the campground. Also, gathering wood within a BC Park is an offence under the Park Act.
Location
56.84353, -131.85064 · Stikine
