Plan Swan Lake Kispiox River Park near Hazelton with Brown Bear Lake access, canoe portages, warm swimming, fishing, wildlife, grizzly habitat, and wind safety.
Swan Lake Kispiox River Park is about 75 kilometres northwest of Hazelton, reached from Highway 37 by Brown Bear Forest Service Road. BC Parks describes an old-growth wilderness park for planned backcountry adventure, solitude, and isolation.
Most of the park is inaccessible by foot or vehicle.
Why Visit Swan Lake Kispiox River Park
This is a serious canoe-portage destination. From the north end of Brown Bear Lake, paddlers travel 8.5 kilometres to a 1.4-kilometre portage with canoe rests leading to Swan Lake. A short rapid connects Swan Lake to Club Lake, while travel onward to Stephens Lake and the upper Kispiox River is challenging because of log jams and bushwhacking.
The park protects a unique chain of undeveloped lakes, rivers, and swamps that supports salmon-rich Kispiox River flows. BC Parks notes grizzly bears, black bears, mountain goats, wolves, moose, beaver, river otter, mink, bald eagles, osprey, loons, swans, and other waterfowl.
Things To Do
Canoe or kayak the lake chain, use the Brown Bear Lake to Swan Lake portage, swim in warm northern lake water, fish for resident trout and char or Kispiox steelhead under current rules, view wildlife, and hunt during open seasons.
Planning Notes
Swan Lake has unpredictable weather and frequent strong winds. Watch for dangerous rocks at the entrance to Club Lake and submerged reefs around Swan Lake islands. Brown Bear and Swan lakes permit electric motors only, and there is no boat launch. Campsites along the lakes have no facilities and are not mapped. Pets must be controlled, and grizzly habitat requires strict food storage and distance.