Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park Corridor Protected Area

Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park Corridor is a protected wilderness area spreading across about 202,000 hectares within the Purcell Mountains, broken into six major drainages. The terrain features high peaks, alpine meadows, and deep river valleys that shape this remote landscape.

The northern sections once served as a vital passageway for First Nations peoples, linking the Rocky Mountain Trench with Kootenay Lake through Toby Pass. This route held importance for travel across the mountain landscape for generations.

Mining relics scattered throughout the park tell stories of early 20th-century extraction efforts, when people sought minerals in these remote mountains.

Visitors need advanced wilderness navigation skills and must be completely self-sufficient, as this place has no facilities and prohibits mechanized access. Careful planning and experience in remote terrain are essential for safely traveling here.

Dewar Creek Hot Springs sits within the park boundaries, offering natural thermal waters surrounded by five different biogeoclimatic zones. These geothermal waters create an unexpected contrast in this otherwise icy mountain landscape.

Location: Regional District of Central Kootenay

GPS coordinates: 50.15000,-116.53300

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:05