Hailed by CNN Travel as one of British Columbia's best luxury lodges, Tweedsmuir Park Lodge is a cosy destination located on the banks of the Atnarko River and surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. It's the perfect base from which to explore this beautiful wilderness area and one of the best places to spot grizzly bears fishing the rivers during salmon-spawning season. En-suite facilities, a hot tub and great views over the lawns where you often get grizzlies first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
Tweedsmuir Park Lodge is about 63km east of Bella Coola town at a junction off Highway 20. This area experiences its own micro-climate, and with 70% less precipitation than the surrounding area it is generally sunny and bright. This lodge is easily accessible, with no floatplanes, boat shuttles or extra hotel nights needed, which means extra bear-viewing time for you!
Tweedsmuir Park Lodge is a member of The Magnificent 7 Luxury Wilderness Lodges of Canada, so you can expect very high standards of accommodation. There are 9 guest chalets and cabins, all made from logs and simply decorated with a homely and warm feel, centred around the large landscaped gardens. Accommodation is en-suite, some of which are on two floors, and they can sleep between 2 and 4 guests depending on which chalet you choose. In the main lodge, there is a central area great for socialising, with a comfortable living room and a cosy dining room with a rock fireplace. The sports bar has a billiard table and an array of games as well as a satellite television. The 1,200 ft2 spa has weights and some gym machines, as well as a yoga area and a large 12-man covered hot tub looking out over the lawn.
From the lodge it is often possible to see the odd grizzly bear wandering past, or even taking a nap on the lawn. However there are bear river trips operated down the Atnarko River, where you will drift down in one of 4 boats in a small group; guests usually see about 15-20 bears on these trips. Here, groups are limited to a maximum of 6 guests to ensure intimate wildlife encounters. You can also chose to take a scenic drift down both the Atnarko and Bella Coola Rivers, or stop off to go fishing. Guests can also take part in fjord trips where they are able to set crab and prawn traps and visit the seaside hot springs. Additional activities include birdwatching, helicopter flights (at additional cost), valley tours and guided nature walks.
Tweedsmuir Park Lodge staff are friendly and welcoming and the gourmet cuisine, after what can be a chilly day on the river, is delectable and inspired! We were there for a week and we never ate the same thing twice! The menu is set everyday by the chef, however special requirements can be catered for if notified in advance. Menus generally feature fresh food and catches from Bella Coola’s wild waters, and are complimented by a well-stocked wine cellar.
Enjoy an exciting whale watching excursion, travelling through both protected and open-coast marine waters and make interpretive stops that feature coastal wildlife and rainforest. Explore the region around Nimmo Bay in search of wildlife and nature, with a choice of wilderness adventures. Activities which are included range from hiking, yoga, paddleboarding and snorkelling to waterfall plunge pool, destination picnics and relaxing in the floating sauna.
Take a private chartered Beaver seaplane flight to the Klahoose Wilderness Resort, at the edge of the Great Bear Rainforest. Journeying by covered boat past spectacular waterfalls, disembark at the Toba Inlet dock and take a short bus ride to the viewing platforms tucked amid lush rainforest and glacierblue river. Led by trained bear guides, you’ll spend hours watching for the majestic mammals as they wander their natural habitat.
From 14500 per person
Explore the Great Bear Rainforest, the largest piece of intact temperate rainforest in the world, and come face to face with the magnificent grizzly bears on the annual Salmon run. Watch for Grizzly and Black Bears passing through the grounds at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge. Set out each day on a variety of excursions, from drifting down the river watching grizzly bears as they fish, taking scenic helicopter flights over glaciated valleys, embarking on nature walks through the forests or just soaking in the hot tub.
From 6500 per person
