Tweedsmuir Park Lodge is situated on the banks of the Atnarko River in the village of Stuie, British Columbia, on the traditional territory of the Ulkatcho and Nuxalk First Nations. According to Indigenous legend, the village of Stuie was created when a wolf dropped a small box-shaped object on the ground that miraculously transformed into a village. The lodge is located in a unique area where the world's most interconnected fjord system, the world's largest temperate rainforest, and a dramatic mountain landscape of glaciers, pristine rivers, plunging creeks, and granite cliffs converge.
Guests of the lodge have the opportunity to select either a small group or a private package. Both packages include local ground transportation, accommodation, meals, alcohol, guided experiences, professional wilderness guides, adventure equipment, and massage therapy. Please note that packages do not include the cost of travel to and from Bella Coola, premium alcohol, custom trip enhancements, or gratuities. Most guests access the region on a 70-minute journey with Pacific Coastal Airlines from Vancouver's South Terminal. For those guests looking to experience more of supernatural British Columbia on a longer road trip, it is also possible to access the Bella Coolaby Car via BCFerries from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island or via Highway 21 from Williams Lake.
The Main Lodge: The main lodge building is the central location for socializing. There is a large living and dining room complete with a well-stocked bar and river rock fireplace; a games area with a billiards table, a foosball table, a dart board, a satellite TV, and a retail shop. There is complimentary satellite Wi-Fi access throughout the lodge and chalets. In addition to the main lodge and chalets, there is a 1,200-square-foot spa building with a yoga stretching room, weights and stationary bikes, a massage room, a cedar sauna, showers, and a 12-person covered outdoor hot tub overlooking the lawn and the Coast Range beyond.
Dining: Dining at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge is a culinary journey through the flavors of the Pacific Northwest. The talented chefs craft gourmet meals that tantalize the taste buds and showcase the region's finest ingredients. Whether you're enjoying a hearty breakfast before a day of adventure or savoring a candlelit dinner under the stars, each dining experience is a celebration of local cuisine.
Rooms
Loft Chalets
Elevate your British Columbia wilderness experience with the chalets' modern amenities, all harmoniously integrated into the natural elegance of our surroundings. Each chalet, adorned with locally sourced artwork and exquisite wood paneling, offers air conditioning, individual in-room climate control, and complimentary satellite wireless internet, ensuring your stay is as comfortable as it is memorable. Additional features, such as a small refrigerator and coffee maker, cater to your every need.
Ground floor: 1 x Queen bed
Loft: 1 x Double bed
Pika Duplex
The Pika Duplex offers a modern take on wilderness luxury with a Scandinavian flair. The two separate, self-contained suites of the Pika Duplex make it perfect for families or groups of friends, but the units can also be booked individually. Large windows make it easy to admire the spectacular scenery, and the Atnarko River and our wildlife viewing platforms are steps away. Both units are tastefully decorated with original art and wood, and they have all the modern amenities to ensure an enjoyable stay, including air conditioning, an in-room thermostat, complimentary satellite wireless internet, an iPod docking station, a small fridge, and a coffee maker.
Side A: 1 x King bed
Side B: 2 x Queen bed
Log Chalets
The chalet has a handcrafted log-style king bed on the main floor and a single bed in the loft, making it ideal for couples on a romantic getaway or a small family. Designed with comfort in mind, the Grizzly Log Chalet is decorated with the work of local artists and has top-quality amenities to ensure an enjoyable stay. Enjoy the spa-style slate-tiled ensuite bathroom with a double-headed shower and biodegradable shampoo and body care products by Eco. Then relax by the gas fireplace in your plush cotton robes and slippers.
Tweedsmuir Park Activities
Tweedsmuir Park Lodge offers a variety of outdoor activities for guests to enjoy. There are guided nature walks that let visitors explore Tweedsmuir Park's old-growth forests with a naturalist guide. The lodge offers guided grizzly hikes to learn how to spot signs of grizzly activity and extended hikes along sub-alpine ridgelines for stunning views of the surrounding area. In addition to hiking, the lodge offers a Via Ferrata, which is an assisted rock-climbing experience with metal rungs and ladders. Heli-hiking and scenic flights are also available, providing guests with breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness. Fishing trips are available for those interested in fly-fishing in the pristine Atnarko River, which borders the lodge's property. During late summer and fall, visitors may have the chance to witness bears strolling past the lodge or taking naps on the lawn, as the lodge is situated in one of the world's most pristine grizzly bear habitats.
Scenic River Drifts
- Atnarko Scenic River Drift: Drift down the meandering Atnarko River between lush green forests and with the snow-capped peaks of the Coast Range Mountains towering overhead.
Grizzly Bear Viewing
- Grizzly Bear Viewing River Drift: Gently float down the Atnarko River in the presence of grizzly bears. Observe them in their natural environment, foraging for food, and looking after their young. This once-in-a-lifetime travel experience is recognized by Destination Canada as a Canadian Signature Experience.
- Grizzly Bear Ecology Walking Tour: In autumn, Tweedsmuir Park Lodge is all about bears, and a highlight activity is to venture out on foot with a guide to discover these majestic animals in their natural habitat. Guests learn about bear ecology and how to cohabitate safely amongst these magnificent creatures.
Assisted Climbing Adventures
- Via Ferrata: This assisted climbing experience provides participants with a spectacular self-propelled mountain adventure, amazing scenery, and an exciting feeling of exposure with low risk.
History, Geography, and Culture
- Highlights of the Bella Coola Valley: The Bella Coola Valley is located at the heart of an extraordinary area where the world’s most extensive interconnected fjord system, the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest, and a very dramatic mountain landscape of glaciers, plunging creeks, pristine rivers, and granite cliffs converge.
Helicopter Adventures
- 15-Minute Heli-Sightseeing Tour: On this introductory 15-minute flight, guests will soar over glacier-capped peaks, icefields, and spectacular rock cliffs while flying up and around Mt. Saugstad, the highest peak visible from the bottom of the Bella Coola Valley.
- 30 Minute Heli-Sightseeing Tour: This flight encompasses the same highlights as the 15-minute flight, but the additional 15 minutes of flight time allows for an expanded aerial experience. After flying past Mt. Saugstad, the helicopter will head towards the fjords for spectacular marine views before heading back to the heliport.
- 4-Mile Ridge Heli-Hike: For the ultimate Bella Coola hiking experience, climb into a nimble A-Star helicopter and fly up to 4-Mile Ridge. Overlooking the fjords of the Bella Coola Valley and the glacier-capped Coast Range Mountains, this hike offers epic panoramic views otherwise inaccessible without the assistance of a helicopter.
Interpretive Walks and Hikes
- Guided Interpretive Nature Walks: To gain a full appreciation of this magnificent part of the world, it is best to venture out with a local guide who will draw on their own personal experiences and knowledge of the area to share information about the various temperate climate zones and their ecology. Together, these factors make the Bella Coola Valley one of the most interesting and biodiverse places to visit in the world.
- Guided Bella Coola Valley Hikes: Discover extraordinary hikes with the support of a local guide. These hikes are a step above your ordinary walk in the park. The scenery is jaw-dropping, and the forests and rivers remain pristine.
- Guided Hike in the Rainbow Range: The Rainbow Range hike is a 14-kilometer round-trip hike offering panoramic views of an eight-million-year-old peralkaline shield volcano. This hike has the advantage of starting at approximately 1400 meters of elevation. This allows guests to access trails above the treeline in the open alpine without first exhausting themselves by climbing hundreds of feet/meters on a gnarly approach trail.
River Fishing
- Introduction to River Fishing: Simply the best and most enjoyable way to fish in Bella Coola is from a McKenzie Drift Boat. These stable platforms provide efficient access to the entire river system. Fish from the boat, anchor, or fish from shore at some of the best fishing holes otherwise inaccessible without a boat.
Complimentary Outdoor Activities
Adventure awaits beyond the lodge's doorstep, and the lodge provides everything guests need to explore Tweedsmuir Provincial Park and beyond. Visitors can gear up for outdoor excursions with the lodge's equipment rental services, offering everything from hiking gear to fishing equipment. Knowledgeable guides are available to lead guests on unforgettable wilderness experiences, from bear-viewing tours to guided hikes through ancient forests.
Mountain Bikes: The mountain bikes are specially fitted with off-road tires and front suspension, making them the perfect tool for exploring the trails around the lodge and breaking a light sweat. Select from a variety of different route options depending on your skills and experience and the difficulty level of the trail. Previous mountain biking experience is highly recommended.
Quick Facts:
- Safety & Mobility Considerations:
- This activity requires light fitness, flexibility, and balance (guests should have previous experience riding a bike).
- Helmets must be worn at all times
- Minimum Age:
- Supervised 12+
- Unsupervised 16+
Lawn Games: Tweedsmuir Park Lodge features a gorgeous and well-manicured 1.2-acre, southwest-facing, front lawn with spectacular views of Mount Melikan and Mount Stupendous. The hospitality team will assist you in selecting one of your favorite lawn games or learning a new one. Options include croquet, bocce, a 9-hole frisbee golf course, archery, and more.
Quick Facts:
- Safety & Mobility Considerations:
- This activity is suitable for all fitness and ability levels.
- Visit reception to sign out games and equipment.
- Minimum Age:
- Supervised all ages
- Unsupervised all ages
Viewing Stand: A great way to view wildlife is from an elevated viewing platform. We are fortunate to be located right on the Atnarko River, a pristine, spring-fed waterway that connects to the Bella Coola River and the Pacific Ocean. Throughout the spring and summer, millions of fish navigate the Atnarko and its side channels, attracting an abundance of wildlife within view of the stand.
Quick Facts:
- Safety & Mobility Considerations:
- This activity is suitable for all fitness levels.
- The viewing stand is closed before sunrise and after sunset during Grizzly Bear season
- Minimum Age:
- Supervised 12+
- Unsupervised 16+
Complimentary Indoor Activities
For those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation, the lodge provides a range of wellness facilities to enhance their well-being. Guests can take a dip in the outdoor hot tub, nestled amidst towering trees and offering panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. They can treat themselves to a soothing massage or unwind with a yoga session, reconnecting with nature and finding inner balance
Hot Tub & Cedar Sauna:There is no better way to relax and unwind after a day exploring in nature than by soaking in the large outdoor hot tub and/or stretching the muscles and rehydrating in the ambiance of the cedar sauna. The hot tub can accommodate one large family or two small groups and features dramatic views of Mount Melikan and Mount Stupendous. This is the perfect place to watch the sun set on another amazing day in paradise.
Quick Facts:
- Safety & Mobility Considerations:
- To avoid nausea and dizziness, guests should limit their stay in both the hot tub and cedar sauna to less than 20 minutes at a time.
- The heating element in the cedar sauna gets incredibly hot and should never be touched
- Minimum Age:
- Supervised 4+
- Unsupervised 12+
Fitness Facilities: For those guests who like to maintain a regular exercise routine while away from home, we’ve got you covered! The fitness facility features a 20-foot vaulted ceiling with awe-inspiring views of nature. The gym is equipped with spin bikes, a rowing machine, an elliptical machine, free weights, bench press, chin-up bar, ping pong, yoga mats, + foam rollers for cooldown.
Quick Facts:
- Safety & Mobility Considerations:
- The facilities feature equipment that is suitable for guests of all mobility levels
- If unsure how to use the machines, please speak with reception prior to use
- Minimum Age:
- Supervised 6+
- Unsupervised 12+
Game Room: Adjacent to the dining room and bar, the Main Lodge features a separate and spacious games room with a large stone fireplace and entertainment center. This is a great place to make friends and socialize with other guests at the lodge. Rack up a game of billiards while studying the map of our impressive heli-skiing tenure, play a game of foosball, toss a few darts, or simply kick back and enjoy a game of cards.
Quick Facts:
- Safety & Mobility Considerations:
- This activity is suitable for all fitness and ability levels.
- Visit reception to sign out games and equipment
- Minimum Age:
- Supervised all ages
- Unsupervised 12+ (darts only)
Inquire
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
