Marble Canyon Park

This park is popular with fishermen and birders. Spanning 2,500 hectares, it is nestled in the rugged Pavilion Mountain Range. The limestone canyon in which Marble Canyon Provincial Park is located is a rather rare geological formation in British Columbia. That’s what makes picnicking here such an unusual experience.

You can sense there’s something different; the white, chalk-faced slopes are certainly not composed of granite, as are the nearby Coast Mountains. And the weathered peaks, surmounted by the remarkable Chimney Rock, have the appearance of a crumbling castle wall. This canyon was once part of a Pacific island chain, another section of which lies in the northwest corner of the province. A waterfall on the far side of suitably named Turquoise Lake reminds you of the power of the elements to eventually wear all things down. Many activities are available in this park including rock climbing, ice climbing, fishin, camping, hiking, boating and swimming. There are many archaeological sites, pictographs, and traditional aboriginal trails. This Class A park was enlarged from the previous 550 hectares.

Issues:

• Need for right-of-way improvements for highway 99 and access for private land owners
• Need for protection of water quality and microbialite formations
• A water license diverts water from a tributary of Pavilion Lake

Goals:

• Protection of the microbialite formations
• Management of the area for appropriate recreation and tourism uses
• Allow non-destructive scientific research and studies
• Include meaningful consultation with local community residents and First Nations communities