Tatlatui Provincial Park

Tatlatui

This remote wilderness area of approximately 105,800 hectares in north central British Columbia is located on the eastern fringe of the Skeena Mountains and on the southern end of the Spatsizi Plateau, a division of the Stikine Plateau. The boundary of Tatlatui Provincial Park completely encloses the headwaters of the Firesteel River, whose waters eventually reach the Arctic Ocean about 3800 km away.

Boreal white and black spruce is found at the lowest elevations in the Firesteel Valley as well as Englemann spruce and subalpine fir. The alpine tundra is comprised of rock shattered by frost, of scree slopes, fine soils and large expanses of dwarfed plants. The Park has an abundance of wildlife: mountain caribou, moose, stone sheep, mountain goat, beaver, arctic ground squirrels, grizzly bears and wolves can all be found here. There are angling opportunities for rainbow trout as well.

The park has multiple lakes which are popular spots for canoeing and fishing, and offers a variety of hiking trails.

History:
After a hard and dangerous journey up the Finlay River, Samuel Black and his crew arrived at Thutade Lake in 1824. The first official surveys were carried out by Frank Swannell and R.G. McConnell in 1913. Many of the park place names were taken from the names of early surveyors and explorers. Thutade, however, means "long, slender lake."

Camping:
Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided (no toilets, showers, sani-station or electrical hook-ups). Fires should be used sparingly. Always carry a stove.

Hiking:
Tatlatui Provincial Park offers good backpacking opportunities. Trails may be followed to several areas of interest, but they are not marked or regularly maintained. Locating the starting point of some trails may be difficult. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Visitors are asked not to use short cuts as they destroy plant life and soil structure.

Location:
Tatlatui Provincial Park is located 240 km north of Smithers and approximately 180 km southeast of Hwy no. 37 at Eddontenajon Lake.

Access:
There is no road access to Tatlatui Provincial Park. All major lakes are accessible by float plane. Other access alternatives would be horseback or helicopter.