Located in the Great Bear Rainforest, award-winning Tweedsmuir Park Lodge offers sensational grizzly bear safaris
Not only is Tweedsmuir Park Lodge recognised for its superb grizzly bear safaris, but it is also a member of the Magnificent 7 Luxury Wilderness Lodges of Canada. The lodge is situated at the junction of three valleys, and is surrounded by impressive mountains, with views of Mount Stupendous and Mount Melikan. The area has been continuously inhabited by local First Nations people for centuries, and the lodge is also known as “Stuie” – meaning “nice place to rest” in the Nuxalk dialect.
The main lodge boasts a large living and dining room as well as a well-stocked bar and superb river rock fireplace. There is also a games room, perfect for socialising with a billiards table, foosball and hockey tables and a TV. Other facilities at the lodge include a spa/wellness centre, massage rooms, yoga room, small gym and a sensational outdoor hot tub overlooking the grounds and Coast Range.
The lodge offers 10 ensuite timber guest chalets, that can accommodate between 2 and 4 people in a variety of different configurations. All the chalets feature air-conditioners and are placed surrounding a giant central lawn with excellent views of the surrounding mountains.
Great Bear Rainforest
The world’s largest coastal temperate rainforest, the Great Bear Rainforest is one of the earth’s most important wilderness areas. It covers 6.4 million hectares of pristine British Columbia wilderness, and also consists of the largest ford system in the Americas, a vital habitat for grizzly bears. The lodge is nestled within the park in the Bella Cool Valley amongst the surreal Coast Mountains.
Grizzly Bear Viewing
One of Tweedsnuir Park Lodge’s signature experiences, grizzly bear tours run between 1 September and 16 October when bear activity is at its peak. Group sizes are small (just 3-6 people) and are either a half or full day in length. Tours are either done on foot, by raft (6 guests) or in the private McKenzie Drift Boat (4 guests), slowly floating down the Atnarko River. Alternatively, there are also a few wildlife viewing platforms (the closest just 200 metres from the lodge) while bears can also be seen occasionally walking past the lodge or napping on the main lawn out the front!
Activities
Though grizzly bears are the main attraction (particularly during bear viewing season 1 Sep to 16 Oct) there are also plenty of other activities available at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge. E-mountain bikes are available for guests as are lawn games such as croquet, bocce and volleyball. There is also an archery range and a frisbee golf course set amongst the old growth fir forests. For those looking to get a birds-eye view, heli-sightseing and heli-hiking are also possible. First Nations tours are also popular (June-October), where guests can learn about local legends and traditions of the Nuxalk First Nations people. Highlights include the Petroglyph Gardens, an ancient archaeological site, the Copper Sun Art Gallery and Walker Island Park.
Accommodation Details
- Exciting grizzly bear tours on foot or by boat
- Wildlife platforms
- Explore by e-mountain bike
- Lawn games including bocce, croquet and volleyball
- Archery
- Frisbee golf course
- Heli-sightseeing and heli-hiking
- First Nations cultural tours
- Games room with billiards table
*Some activities may be seasonal or at additional cost
- An award-winning lodge in the renowned Great Bear Rainforest
- Exciting grizzly bear tours on foot or by boat
- A wide range of activities for guests of all ages
- Insightful First Nations cultural tours
- Just 10 ensuite timber chalets
- Extensive facilities including spa, gym and hot tub
Though accessible by road, the easiest way to reach Tweedsmuir Park Lodge is by air, with direct flights between Vancouver and Bella Coola. The journey is a very scenic 70-minute flight along the Coast Range. From Bella Coola airport it is a 45-minute transfer by road to the lodge.
Canada Wilderness Lodges
Below are some of our other recommended Canadian wilderness lodge accommodation options, carefully selected for their superior location, incredible wildlife and wilderness experiences, service and level of comfort.
Farewell Harbour Lodge
Family-run Farewell Harbour Lodge offers privileged access to the untouched temperate rainforests and rich marine life of the Broughton Archipelago.
Great Bear Lodge
Great Bear Lodge is situated in a location of outstanding beauty in British Columbia's aptly named Great Bear Rainforest.
Khutzeymateen Wilderness Lodge
Khutzeymateen Wilderness Lodge is one of the most unique bear viewing lodges in Canada’s British Columbia.
Knight Inlet Lodge
A secluded lodge with a well-established reputation for excellent grizzly bear viewing from special tree stands or by boat depending on the season.
Sonora Resort
This Relais & Chateaux resort offers gourmet meals and a wealth of outdoor adventures in the heart of pristine wilderness without compromising at all on luxury.
Spirit Bear Lodge
Deep inside the Great Bear Rainforest, Spirit Bear Lodge provides visitors with a chance to view unique spirit bears, a rare subspecies of black bear sporting a white or cream-coloured coat.
Tweedsmuir Park Lodge
Located in the Great Bear Rainforest, award-winning Tweedsmuir Park Lodge offers sensational grizzly bear safaris