nisga'a memorial lava bed park

This was an amazing place to visit. How did I not know about a 270 year-old lava flow in Northern BC? The park has several short walks that are listed on the map that you can get at the visitor centre. You will pass most of them on the way to the visitor centre. We stopped at lava lake and took a photo of the map with my phone and then did all the walks along the way. The walks are beautiful and the scenery is awesome. Mountains, lava and more waterfalls than you would expect.If you have ever been to Craters of the Moon, Idaho, you know what lava fields are like. But this one is far newer (270 years old) and different due to the rainy climate of Northern BC (much more lichen and other succession). The place obviously has caves running under it too, but there are no developed trails to caves. Approximately 2000 people died here and I suspect that not much more development will occur. The place feels sacred.The Highway to and through the park is all paved. This Nisga'a totems and bridges make this a beautiful drive all the way to the new Nisga'a museum. This was the highlight of our trip across Northern BC.Note: We didn't get to go on the cinder cone tour because it only goes on Tuesdays and Thursdays

They have a map that you should get - it will guide you through the tour. The area has a sacred feeling to it - the larva rocks are now covered by moss and lichen. Fascinating scenery.

The lava beds were interesting but the nearby Nisga'a Museum in Laxgalts'ap was exceptional. The museum had unbelievable artifacts of a quality that is never seen in a small museum. Many of the artifacts were repatriated to the Nasga'a people from other national and regional museums. The museum is new and the staff is still working to install text descriptions of the artifacts, but personal tours from docents are available upon request.

How often do you get to walk on a Lava Bed. Great tour and walk. Family enjoyment

I went over 2 days to the Memorial park - the interpretive tour in my car was a real treat, but be brave and explore past the perimetres of the park too. It is chilling to think of 2000 Nisga'a souls buried beneath the lava - with only a handful of survivors. The waterfalls and pools were beautiful and the suspension bridge in Canyon City not for the faint (or weak) hearted!!The second day I did the volcano cone hike with Nisga'a guide Steve. His great grandmother was one of the few survivors and he talked with passion and knowledge about the eruption. He also pointed out wildlife on the 4 hour trip. You have to book this tour at the visitor centre.The best point was the amazing scenery and we saw lots of black bears of all shapes and sizes from the safety of the car.The down side is the lack of places to eat and not much available in the only store we found in New Aiansh. Pack a picnic is my best tip.

An interesting feaure in a part of the park that seems to be overlooked is the H tree . It is located just west of the Beaupre creek logging road on the right hand side of the Nisga Hiway. It is two cottonwood trees that are growing beside each other with a large set of limbs that are growing together. When our family started travelling the old gravel road in the 1960s, it was a landmark my Dad who was raised in the Nass Valley referred to as the siamese twins.

The most recent site of volcanic erruptions in British Columbia (350 years ago). The Nisga'a Highway travels through the Nisga'a Lava Beds Memorial Park 90 kms north of Terrace BC. There is a self-guided tour of some of the sights including several waterfalls and viewpoints of the spectacular lava beds.The BC Provincial Parks Branch and the Nisga'a Nation administer the park.http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/nisgaa/The Nisga'a Commercial Groups run several tours which give more details and can take you to the 4 villages or to the volcano's core.A very scenic and unique opportunity to see the results of recent volcanic activity. Well worth the trip.