Kelowna 
Many British Columbia parks are dedicated to protecting and showcasing those parts that make it “Beautiful British Columbia.”
Credit: Emanuel Smedbol/ Destination BC
Additionally, a few of BC’s designated parks and conservation areas also help protect First Nations culture, history, and culturally significant natural areas. Among the first of the BC Parks that involved input from and close coordination with local First Nations was the development of the Anhluut’ukwsim Laxmihl Angwinga’asanskwhl Nisga’a Park, also known as the Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park. With this, visitors get to embrace the local mountain scenery, the interesting lava and volcanic features, as well as the Nisga’a culture.
The Lava Bed’s Cultural & Natural Significance
The Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park’s is surrounded by four Nisga’a villages: Gitlaxt’aamiks (New Aiyansh), Gingolx (Kincolith), Gitwinksihlkw (Canyon City), and Laxgaltsap (Greenville). The park’s ease of access from all the villages and its proximity to Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park give visitors a chance to explore local culture through shopping, dining, events, or a walk around town.
The Nisga’a Nation help to operate and maintain the park while offering historical and cultural context for visitors. Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park was the first provincial park in BC to include the land’s First Nations in park development and management. The park’s Visitor Centre at the Vetter Creek Campground is a great place to start when getting to know the area’s First Nations history and culture, or the Nisga’a Nation stories about the lava and volcano.
Geologically speaking, these natural wonders are quite young and relatively new to the Earth’s surface. It is estimated that the volcano erupted about 250 years ago to form the modern-day lava bed that surrounds the park, one of BC’s biggest rivers, the Nass, and the crater that is only accessible on guided tours.
Lava Cone Trail Guided Hikes
The park’s Volcanic Cone Trail is only accessible with park staff on a guided tour and hike. With these guided hikes, you’ll get a great deal of historical or natural context and information about this unique geological feature.
- The 6km/4-hour guided volcanic tours lead through an old-growth forest, past several different volcanic features, and out to a viewpoint from where there are great views of the volcanic crater and Crater Creek.
- Some of those volcanic features include a lava bed that formed about 250 years ago, along with other cool or interesting features of the lava bed.
- Hikers meet at the Cone Trail access road and are advised to bring along their best hiking shoes, water, snacks, sunscreen, and bug spray.
- Plenty more evidence of the lava flow surrounds the Nass River, Visitor Centre, and the Vetter Creek Campground.
Self-Guided Hiking around Crater Creek & the Nass River
Vetter Falls/Credit: Northern BC Tourism/Andrew Strain
There are many beautiful hiking trails around Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park, offering hikers a chance to see the area’s rich natural diversity.
- The Crater Creek trail is convenient to explore on your way in or out of the guided Lava Cone tours. The 10-15-minute walk offers a close look at lichen growth on some of the old lava rocks and views of the forests.
- Beaupre Falls and Vetter Falls are both accessible from Highway BC-113 via quick walks from the parking areas.
- The Tree Mould, Vetter Creek, and Fish Wheel trails are all quick hikes that are close to the campground. Each trail leads to a new and exciting viewpoint over the park.
Fun & Adventures on Lava Lake or the Nass River
The park operates boat launches on both Lava Lake in the south and the Nass River at the north end of the park. And while the Tseax River connects these two bodies of water, the Tseax River is better appreciated from hiking trails, as it contains two waterfalls along the corridor between the Nass and Lava.
- The small beach and picnic area at the north tip of Lava Lake provide an incredible view of the surrounding mountains over the blue waters, and a small space for swimming.
- Canoeing, kayaking, or paddleboarding are permitted on both the river and the lake; the wide mountain river is better suited for more experienced canoers and kayakers.
- The best of Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park’s fishing is found on the Tseax River, where anglers take their time to catch the steelhead or salmon.
The Wildlife of Nisg̱a’a Memorial Lava Bed Park
Nass river Eulachon Run/ Credit: Northern BC Tourism/Jeanine Philippe
While on a hike, camping trip, boating trip, or picnic, always be aware of the wildlife that may be around you. Part of the Nisga’a Highway is closed during the winter, which helps wildlife thrive without all the vehicles.
- The park is home to the more common moose, goats, marmots, grizzly bears, and black bears, as well as many other elusive species of wildlife.
- The Skeena West region of BC is also home to a vast array of bird species, including a few bigger and easier to spot species like eagles, great blue herons, or trumpeter swans.
Camping and More in Nisg̱a’a
Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park’s Vetter Creek Campground is a small collection of 16 sites. Each site has a bit of privacy and shade, too, from the surrounding trees, as well as a picnic table and firepit. Campers can also access firewood, running water, and outhouses. Vetter Creek Campground is near the banks of the Nass River, and in the same area of the park as the Visitor Centre: about 18km north of the Lava Lake picnic site.
- The Nass Valley Bed & Breakfast is a short drive from the Vetter Creek Campground, which offers full cabin or single-room rentals.
- Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park could be an excellent, scenic day-trip destination from Terrace, 100km to the south, where there are over a dozen more accommodation options.
Planning Your Trip – Nisg̱a’a Memorial Lava Bed Park
What: The Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park surrounds one of BC’s youngest and newest volcanic features. The volcanic features around the province provide evidence of past eruptions, such as the volcano that erupted near the Nass River about 250 years ago. The old volcanic crater is a more heavily protected part of the park (on the south side), but is accessible to the public via guided tours. The rest of the park’s wilderness and established trails are open to hikers and backcountry campers. Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park also operates a small riverside campground on the north side of the park.
Location and how to get there: 100km north of Terrace via Hwy 113/Nisga’a Hwy; 65km south of Cranberry Junction via the Cranberry Connector (a continuation of Hwy 113/Nisga’a Hwy).
Best time to go: May -September
Cost: camping $20 per night
For more information:
Nisg̱a’a Memorial Lava Bed Park
