Nuntsi Provincial Park

Nuntsi

Nuntsi Provincial Park benefits from two large river valleys, the Chilko and the Taseko, as well as the Elkin Creek watershed. The plateau and foothill country encompasses many areas, but the main reason for its wilderness preservation is the moose habitat. The extensive wetlands and small lakes are ideally suited to these large herbivores. Besides wetlands, the park represents sub-boreal pine, as well as Engelmann spruce, sub alpine fir, blue bunch wheatgrass and Douglas fir-aspen ecosystems. The rivers support salmon runs, with their attendant grizzly and black bears. There are also cougar, lynx, wolf packs, mule deer, and several bands of wild horses. Other animals to be found in the park include small furbearers such as marten, beaver, muskrat and hare. Waterfowl populate the creeks and wetlands during the summer.
While it represents only 13% of the Brittany Triangle (an area bounded by the Chilko and Taseko rivers, totally 155,000 ha) Nuntsi Provincial Park (22,898 ha) occupies a zone in the immediate foothills of the Coast Mountains and is an important aspect of the British Columbia park system. The park is within the larger traditional territory of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation, known as the Nemaiah Aboriginal Wilderness Preserve. The park was identified for protection in the Cariboo-Chilcotin Land-Use Plan of 1995. The park is in the traditional territory of the Ts'ilhqot'in (Chilcotin) First Nation.

Activities in the park are restricted by difficult access and inhospitable terrain. Backcountry hiking and horseback riding remain the best options. Activities permitted before 1995 continue in the park. These include livestock grazing, hunting, trapping and guiding. The park was subjected to a significant forest fire in 2004.

Wilderness camping is the only option. There are no facilities provided.

Location and access:
Nuntsi Provincial Park is located south of the junction of the Taseko and Chilko Rivers. It is centered on Nuntsi Creek and extends eastwards from the creek's headwaters near Brittany Lake to the canyon of the Taseko River. Highway 20 provides access to the area. Travel east from Williams Lake towards Tatla Lake. The closest communities are Hanceville and Alexis Creek.