Artlish Caves Provincial Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Artlish Caves Provincial Park |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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Artlish River Cave
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 Artlish Caves Provincial Park
Location in British Columbia
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| Location | Strathcona RD, British Columbia |
| Nearest city | Woss |
| Area | 285 ha (700 acres) |
| Designation | Provincial Park |
| Created | 30 April 1996 |
| Governing body | BC Parks |
Artlish Caves Provincial Park is a special protected area. It is a provincial park located on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. This park is famous for its amazing caves and important wildlife.
Contents
Exploring Artlish Caves Provincial Park
A Look at the Park's Past
The name "Artlish River" comes from the A'licath (Artlish) people. They are part of the Kyuquot group of First Nations. People knew about these caves for a long time. The first official mention of the caves was in a report from 1932. This report was for the Canadian Geological Survey.
However, local hunters, miners, and forest workers already knew about them. Between 1974 and 1978, experts explored and mapped the caves. They created detailed maps called cave surveys. The two main caves are named Artlish River Cave and The Black Hole. Their passages are about 396 meters and 740 meters long.
Why the Park Was Created
More people learned about the caves, and there was worry about them getting damaged. This was mainly due to tree cutting nearby. So, in 1977, the BC Forest Service set aside the area around the caves. This protected them from harm.
Later, in 1996, this protected area became a full provincial park. Artlish Caves Provincial Park helps protect a unique natural area. It is the last untouched "karst unit" on Vancouver Island. A karst unit is a type of landscape made of soluble rock, like limestone, where caves and sinkholes form. This area includes a major river cave.
Wildlife and Nature in the Park
The park is a vital home for many animals. Roosevelt elk use it as a place to stay in winter and as a path for migration. Many types of salmon, like sockeye, Coho, Chinook, and pink salmon, live here. Steelhead and rainbow trout also call these waters home.
The park also protects beautiful forests. You can find coastal western hemlock and western red cedar trees. There are also some amabilis fir and Sitka spruce trees.
Finding Your Way to the Park
Artlish Caves Provincial Park is about 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Port McNeill, British Columbia. It is also about 78 kilometers (48 miles) northwest of Woss. You can find it along the Zeballos road.
A road that used to lead into the park was closed in 2009. Now, you need to hike to reach the park boundary. This hike is about 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) long. After that, you will hike further through old-growth forests to reach the amazing caves.
How Big is the Park?
The park covers an area of 285 hectares (about 704 acres).
