Spatsizi: British Columbia's African Savanna
There's a piece of Africa hidden in northern British Columbia. The Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness stretches across nearly 700,000 hectares of rolling grasslands, alpine tundra, and forested valleys that early explorers compared to the Serengeti. The resemblance isn't precise - this is sub-Arctic, not tropical - but the scale of wildlife is comparable. Caribou migrate across the plateau in herds of thousands; wolves follow them in packs; grizzlies fatten on the alpine meadows. There are no roads into Spatsizi, no towns, no services - just wilderness accessible by floatplane or weeks of horseback travel. This is British Columbia before development, preserved by remoteness in a province where remoteness is getting harder to find.
The Land
The Spatsizi Plateau occupies the northern interior of British Columbia, between the Coast Mountains and the Rocky Mountain Trench. The name comes from the Tahltan word meaning 'red goat' - the mountain goats here are stained red by rolling in iron-rich dust. The landscape alternates between rolling alpine plateaus, forested river valleys, and rugged mountain peaks exceeding 2,400 meters. The Stikine River, one of the last major undammed rivers in North America, drains the park. The terrain is vast, monotonous in its grandeur, challenging to traverse on foot.
The Wildlife
Spatsizi supports some of British Columbia's largest concentrations of big game. The Spatsizi Caribou herd, part of the larger Finlay herd, numbers in the thousands and migrates seasonally across the plateau. Grizzly bears are common; black bears more so. Wolves follow the caribou; wolverines scavenge what's left. Mountain goats occupy the high ridges; Stone sheep populate specific mountain ranges. Moose browse the valley bottoms. The diversity and density recall African savannas; the comparison isn't accidental. The area was protected partly because its wildlife reminded conservationists of wildlands being lost elsewhere.
The Access
Getting to Spatsizi requires commitment. There are no roads; the nearest highway is 100+ kilometers away. Most visitors arrive by floatplane, landing on lakes scattered across the park. Others travel by horseback on multi-week expeditions from surrounding ranches. Hiking is possible but challenging - the distances are enormous, river crossings are numerous, and rescue is far away. This isn't backcountry adjacent to roads; it's genuine wilderness where self-sufficiency isn't optional. The difficulty of access is the primary protection - development hasn't reached Spatsizi because development can't reach Spatsizi.
The Experience
Those who reach Spatsizi find wilderness on a scale that's hard to comprehend from maps. The plateau extends to horizons; the valleys stretch beyond sight; the silence is profound. Guided hunting has historically been the primary human use, with outfitters holding tenures throughout the park. Wildlife viewing, photography, and backcountry recreation are growing interests, though the infrastructure supporting them remains minimal. The experience is closer to African safari than typical North American park visit - vast landscapes, big animals, and the constant awareness that you're far from help.
Visiting Spatsizi
Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Provincial Park is located in north-central British Columbia, accessible by floatplane from Smithers, Dease Lake, or other regional airports. Charter flights are the standard access; budget accordingly. Guided services - hunting outfitters, wilderness lodges, horse-packing operators - provide the most practical access for visitors without backcountry expertise. Independent backpacking is possible but requires extensive preparation, navigation skills, and self-rescue capability. The nearest services are in Dease Lake (north) or Smithers (south), both several hours by road from the park's edges. Best season is July through September; winter is brutal. BC Parks provides minimal facilities - this is wilderness, not developed parkland.
From the Air
Located at 57.45°N, 128.50°W in north-central British Columbia. From altitude, Spatsizi appears as an immense expanse of plateau, mountain, and valley - largely untouched by human infrastructure. The landscape shows typical northern BC patterns: forested valleys, alpine meadows, and barren peaks, but on a scale that's difficult to grasp. The Stikine River valley is visible cutting through the park. There are no roads, no settlements, no structures visible except possibly a few remote cabins. The terrain looks like wilderness because it is wilderness - one of the largest roadless areas remaining in British Columbia.