Chasm Provincial Park, Chasm, Cariboo, BC

Chasm Provincial Park protects the painted chasm carved out of the Fraser Plateau along Chasm Creek, adjacent to the Cariboo Highway.

The park conserves forests of ponderosa pine at the northern limit of its range, and diverse low elevation lakes and marshes. The uplands, marshes, and lakes are rich ecosystems supporting abundant wildlife.

A spectacular display of colour illustrates the park's rich geology in the Chasm Creek Valley and part of the Bonaparte River Valley. Successive lava flows form layers in varying tones of red, brown, yellow and purple, which have been revealed in the steep lava-layered canyon walls through erosion over the past 10 million years.

Chasm Provincial Park, Chasm, Cariboo, BC

At the end of the last ice age, 10,000 years ago, water from the melting glaciers carried so much silt that it carved the 8 km long, 600-metre wide and 300-metre deep Chasm. An esker (ridge of gravel) formed by the glacier stretches 40 km upstream, northwest from the head of the Chasm.

The 3,067-hectare Chasm Provincial Park is a day-use park providing scenic views for all. Facilities include a pull out viewing area providing a great view of the impressive painted chasm.

Hiking is popular in the park, and photographers are drawn by the spectacular landscape, colourful geological formations, steep cliffs and dramatic backdrops found in the park. Wildlife in the park includes moose, mule deer, black bear, coyote, small mammals, songbirds and various birds of prey.

Chasm Provincial Park, Chasm, Cariboo, BC

Chasm Provincial Park is located 12.5 miles (20 km) northeast of Clinton and 10 miles (15 km) south of 70 Mile House off the Cariboo Highway 97 in the Cariboo region of British Columbia. The park can be accessed by taking Highway 97 to 16 km north of Clinton, and then driving 4 km to the park on a paved road east of Highway 97.

Chasm Park can also be accessed from further north off Highway 97 about 15 km southwest of 70 Mile House.