Atna River Park is a remote BC Parks site in the Skeena East region, about 100 kilometres southwest of Houston. BC Parks says access is by air or by Morice River Forest Service Road to Morice Lake, then by canoe to Atna Bay and three short portage trails to Atna Lake.
Glacial water gives Atna Lake its emerald green colour.
Atna River Park is a wilderness paddling and portage destination with mountain views, wildlife, wetlands, and cold glacial water. BC Parks says the park includes the Atna River, Atna Lake, and most of the surrounding area to the height of land.
The park protects a broad subalpine valley with vegetation transitional between coastal and interior ecosystems. It also protects important grizzly bear and mountain goat habitat, an extensive wetland complex along the Atna River, fish habitat, and sockeye salmon spawning habitat.
Canoeists reach Atna Lake from Morice Lake using three short portages, including a 200 metre route called the Corkscrew, another 200 metre portage around a waterfall, and a final 320 metre portage at the river outlet. Other activities include hiking on portage trails, mountaineering, fishing, hunting, swimming for short cold-water dips, and wildlife viewing.
Plan around canoeing, kayaking, portage travel, cold-water awareness, lake trout, Dolly Varden and whitefish fishing, hiking, climbing, hunting in season, wetland observation, and remote wilderness photography.
Strong winds are common, so paddle early and stay close to shore. Morice Lake access uses a radio-controlled logging road where loaded trucks have the right of way. Confirm maps, weather, regulations, and BC Parks updates.
