Nitinat River Park protects a lush forested stretch of the Nitinat River above Nitinat Lake, northwest of Port Renfrew on southern Vancouver Island. BC Parks says the river system is important for wildlife, salmon, and local Indigenous communities.
The wilderness park has no developed camping or day-use facilities except for a rough, unmaintained route from the roadside to the river.
Nitinat River Park is for self-sufficient river, forest, and wildlife observation. The park protects rainforest and riparian habitat for rare and endangered plant species, including threatened plants such as Scouler's corydalis and tooth-leaved monkeyflower.
The river includes spawning grounds for summer steelhead, winter steelhead, sea-run cutthroat, rainbow trout, and chum, coho, and Chinook salmon. Nitinat River Falls protects old-growth Douglas-fir and western hemlock forest, deep river pools important for summer steelhead, and winter range for Roosevelt elk. The river cuts through the forest in falls and clear pools, but banks can be extremely steep.
Hike the rough access route, view rare plants and old-growth forest, watch wildlife, fish only where open under current regulations, canoe or wilderness camp if fully prepared, and study river pools, falls, and salmon habitat.
Access is by active logging roads from Port Alberni, Cowichan Lake, or Port Renfrew, and logging trucks have the right of way. Carry a full-sized spare tire. Fires are prohibited at all times, no fire rings are provided, and wilderness campers should use portable stoves. Pets must always remain leashed here.
