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Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park

Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park is a fantastic unspoiled recreation zone with a rugged wilderness setting. This spectacular park is home to Douglas-fir, Amabilis fir, Yellow cedar, red cedar trees and old-growth coastal western hemlock forests, highly valuable for the environment.
This scenic area comprises Tlakwa Creek drainage and the slopes of the Karmutzen mountain range. Black bears, black-tailed deer and a variety of wildlife and small birds are among the inhabitants of this area.
Nimpkish Lake, the deepest lake on Vancouver Island, offers opportunities for watersports like swimming, fishing, windsurfing, and canoeing.


Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park Location

Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park has about 3,950 hectares (9760.6 acres) area. It is located on the southwestern side of Nimpkish Lake, south of Port McNeill on northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Nimpkish Lake is the deepest lake on Vancouver Island, reaching a depth of nearly 304 m (1,000 ft) below sea level. It has formed a vast, deep point along the 22.5 km (14 miles) of the Nimpkish River. Besides Nimpkish Lake, Anutz Lake and Bonanza Lake are among the closest lakes to Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park.
You have access to several ranges in the Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park area, including Karmutzen Range, Hankin Range, and the Bonanza Range.
The Maynard Lake Recreation Site is placed northwest of the park. From the south, two parks of Tahsish - Kwois Provincial Park and Artlish Caves Provincial Park can be your next choices to explore more recreational sites.
Going south of the park, at the top of Huson Lake, you have a chance to discover Little Huson Caves in Little Huson Cave Regional Park.


How to Get to Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park by Car

The easiest way to access the park is by boat from Nimpkish Lake. Getting the boat launch is at the Western Forest Products recreation site at Kim Creek, near the Nimpkish Service Station. It is located halfway between Wossand Port McNeill on Highway 19.

From Nanaimo:
The Fastest route from Nanaimo to Nimpkish Lake is via BC-19 N. It is 320 km (198.8 miles) and takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes.
Head west on Fitzwilliam St towards Wesley St for 800 m (2624.6 ft). Continue onto Third St for 1.9 km (1.18 miles) and drive on Jingle Pot Rd for 650 m (2132.5 ft). Turn right onto BC-19 N (signs for Campbell R) and go on for 317 km (197 miles).

From Victoria:
The Fastest route from Victoria to Nimpkish Lake is via BC-19 N. It is 430 km (267 miles) and takes about 4 hours and 40 minutes.
Head west on Pandora Ave towards Government St and go on for 99 m (324 ft). Turn right onto Government St and drive 1 km (0.6 miles). Slight right towards Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and go for 72 m (236 ft). Use any lane to turn left onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and drive 104 km (64.6 miles). Use the right 2 lanes to merge onto BC-19 N via the slip road to Parksville/Campbell River. Drive 325 km (201 miles) to reach the lake.


The Hike to Get to Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park

There is no designated hiking trail to reach the Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park. You can find several hiking trails in the park which offer spectacular views, but no facilities are provided.


History of Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park

Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park was established on July 12, 1995. Some domains of Nimpkish River and Nimpkish Lake used to be "Namgis" First Nation territory. Namgis's main village on the north side of the Nimpkish River's mouth was called Xwalkw, which in the Kwak'wala language is called Gwani.
This nation is the first one on northern Vancouver Island. It is located in the vicinity of islands in the southern Queen Charlotte Strait region. This region also includes the town of Alert Bay and the community of Sointula. Both communities are offshore across the Broughton Strait from the city of Port McNeil.


Things to do around the Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park Area

Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park features a great forest that is glorious with lots of plants and animals.
Nimpkish Lake, outside of Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park, offers water activities like swimming, fishing, windsurfing, and kayaking. For paddling enthusiasts, there is access to the place by boat from the lake via the boat launch at the Canadian Forest Products recreation site at Kim Creek. Based on the BC Act, Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park is one of the protected areas on Vancouver Island, where you are not allowed to hunt.

The Best Parks Near Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park

Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park

Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park

Little Huson Cave Regional Park

Little Huson Cave Regional Park

Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park

Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park

Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park Activities

Canoeing, Kayaking

Nimpkish Lake offers excellent opportunities for Canoeing and kayaking outside of Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park.

Wildlife Viewing, Bird Watching

Nimpkish Lake Park has spectacular scenery of the lake and the forest. It features a wide variety of species of flora and fauna.

Fishing

Freshwater fishing can be done in Nimpkish Lake and Tlakwa Creek. Remember that all anglers should have an appropriate license in British Columbia.

Hiking

There are several hiking trails in the park that offer spectacular views, but no facilities are provided.

Windsurfing

Windsurfing is a popular activity in Nimpkish Lake.

Swimming

Nimpkish Lake offers excellent opportunities for swimming outside of Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park. Be careful; there is no lifeguard on duty at provincial parks.

What you Can Expect to Do Near Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park

Port Hardy Whale Watching

Port Hardy Whale Watching

Telegraph Cove Whale Watching

Telegraph Cove Whale Watching

Camping in Cluxewe Resort

Camping in Cluxewe Resort

Camping in Telegraph Cove Campground

Camping in Telegraph Cove Campground

Camping in Broughton Strait Campsite

Camping in Broughton Strait Campsite

Camping in Wildwoods Campsite

Camping in Wildwoods Campsite

Camping in Quatse River Campground

Camping in Quatse River Campground

Camping in Port Hardy RV Resort and Log Cabins

Camping in Port Hardy RV Resort and Log Cabins

Telegraph Cove Kayaking

Telegraph Cove Kayaking

Port McNeill Kayaking and Canoeing

Port McNeill Kayaking and Canoeing

Port Hardy Kayaking and Canoeing

Port Hardy Kayaking and Canoeing

Quatsino Sound Kayaking

Quatsino Sound Kayaking

Wreck of the SS Themis Diving

Wreck of the SS Themis Diving

Browning Pass Diving

Browning Pass Diving

Camping in Cape Scott Provincial Park Campground

Camping in Cape Scott Provincial Park Campground

Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park Outline

Specifications

Climate

Timing

Trails


1- The numbers are estimated on average.


What you Can Expect to See Near Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park

Coal Harbour

Coal Harbour

Telegraph Cove

Telegraph Cove

Port Alice

Port Alice

Port McNeill

Port McNeill

Port Hardy

Port Hardy

Minigill Cave

Minigill Cave

Little Huson Caves

Little Huson Caves

Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park

Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park

Karmutzen Range

Karmutzen Range

Hankin Range

Hankin Range

Little Huson Cave Regional Park

Little Huson Cave Regional Park

Franklin Range

Franklin Range

Bonanza Range

Bonanza Range

Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park

Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park

Nimpkish River

Nimpkish River

Planning for Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park

Suitability

Camping & Resort

Services

Tips

Packing


1. The distances are estimated from Nimpkish Lake.

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