» Seven Sisters Provincial Park & Protected Area
Seven Sisters Provincial Park & Protected Area
About This Park
Seven Sisters Provincial Park and Seven Sisters Protected Area are named for the spectacular set of peaks visible from Highway 16 between Hazelton and Terrace.
Seven Sisters Provincial Park and Protected Area offer an exceptional, natural setting for a wide variety of existing and potential recreational activities. Hiking and snowmobiling are two popular frontcountry and backcountry activities.
Park Size: 39,206 hectares
Special Notes:
Trails are to be respected. Please do not damage or destroy any wildlife or vegetation. Please do not litter and pack out what you pack in.
Location and Maps
Seven Sisters Provincial Park and Protected Area are located just south of Kitwanga, between Terrace and Hazelton. Most visitors access the park by trails originating near Highway 16.
Maps and Brochures
Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
Activities Available at this Park
Canoeing
There are canoeing and kayaking opportunities in this park. Visitors must be prepared to portage their boat.
Cycling
Mountain biking is allowed in the Seven Sisters Park and Protected Area, but only on hardened trails including the Flint Creek road and the lower Oliver Creek trail. Otherwise, bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Fishing
Watson Lake has been stocked with Rainbow trout in the past and the three small lakes along the Watson Lakes Trail are used for fishing.
Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC Society
of BC.
Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate
licence.
Hiking
Day Hikes Watson Lakes Trail - An easy 3 km hike (200m elev. gain) on a scenic, well maintained trail that passes three small lakes with picnic sites and fishing. Families with small children and novice hikers can easily reach the scenic lakeside picnic/camping site 1km along the 3km trail.
Hiking – Multi-Day Hikes Whiskey Creek Trail - A 7.2 km trail that starts out relatively level and traverses pleasant mature forest for the first 3 km before a difficult creek crossing at Whiskey Creek then ascends steeply through mixed forest types to join up with the upper reaches of the creek below a headwall and glacier, providing spectacular scenery and access for mountaineering.
Hiking - Multi-Day Hikes Oliver Creek Trail - An old mining road that begins behind a gravel pit on Hwy 16, about 6 km north of Oliver Ck. It is 17 km long and climbs 1500 metres over its entire length, passing through wide a variety of forest types and ending in a spectacular alpine basin. It is ideal for overnight backpacking trips, connecting with both Flint Creek and Coyote Creek roads and passing two old trapper cabins and beautiful subalpine meadows. Provides access to alpine hiking and the Seven Sisters peaks.
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.
Trail Information.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is allowed.
Hunting
Pets on Leash
Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. 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.
Swimming
Swimming is available but there are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
Wildlife Viewing
The Seven Sisters Park and Protected Area offers many excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Resident mountain goat herds use the Seven Sisters peaks and ridges during the summer and winter in the forests near Oliver Creek and Hells Bells Creek. Grizzly (blue-listed) and black bears, raptors and other birds use the entire Protected Area. Wolverines are little known and rarely seen predators living in and suspected to be breeding in the Seven Sisters Park. In the low elevation forested area, marten and fisher (blue-listed) use the older forests, while moose, mule deer, coyotes and wolves tend to use the area around natural openings, burned areas and old cut blocks. The low elevation forest between Hells Bells Creek and Oliver Creek provides mule deer winter range. High elevation wetlands in the Upper Price Creek drainage are likely important for migratory waterfowl in spring and fall. Tailed frogs (blue-listed) have been found across the Skeena River from Oliver Creek, and may live in small tributaries within the Protected Area. High breeding populations of rough-skinned newts live in small ponds near Coyote Creek at the northern extent of their range. Salmon pass through the lower reaches of all creeks; trout live within most lakes and creeks.
Winter Recreation
Visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing on existing hiking trails, there are no set tracks. Visitors can enjoy snowshoeing on existing hiking trails.
Facilities Available at this Park
Campfires
While campfires are allowed in this backcountry area, we encourage visitors to use campstoves for cooking purposes. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don't gather wood for fires from the area unless required for emergency situations. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.
Picnic Areas
Seven Sisters Park and Protected Area offers a pleasant and quiet picnicking opportunity. Families with small children and novice hikers can easily reach the scenic lakeside picnic/camping site 1km along the 3km Watson Lakes Trail.
Walk-In/Wilderness Camping
Backcountry and wilderness camping is allowed in the Seven Sisters Park and Protected Area with limited facilities provided. There are picnic tables and fire rings available along the Watson Lakes trail. Two old trappers' cabins are located along the Oliver Creek trail.