Atlin Provincial Park and Recreation Area

Infobox_protected_area | name = Atlin Provincial Park and Recreation Area
iucn_category =

---

caption = Location of "Atlin Provincial Park" in British Columbia
locator_x = 51
locator_y = 30
location = British Columbia, Canada
nearest_city = Atlin, Whitehorse
lat_degrees = 59
lat_minutes = 31
lat_seconds = 21
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 133
long_minutes = 45
long_seconds = 35
long_direction = W
area = 3,011.40 km²
established = 1973
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = BC Parks

Atlin Provincial Park and Recreation Area is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada.

History

Atlin is a corruption of "Áa Tlein", the Tlingit word for "big body of water". The area has been used by the Taku River Tlingit for many years. There are several archeological sites and cultural sites within the park.

It was gold that gave Atlin its reason for existence. The gold rush came to Atlin Lake country in 1898 and was one of the richest offshoots of the Klondike Gold Rush. By the end of the mining season of 1899 about 5000 people flocked to the region, and Atlin was a busy and important town. Although creeks in the present day park must have been prospected, none bore any gold. Although production was greatest in the early years, the Atlin field still produces today. Total placer gold production has exceeded $23 million.

The park was created in 1973.

Conservation

Approximately one third of the park's area is occupied by glaciers. The Llewellyn Glacier, considered the source of the Yukon River, is the most prominent.

The parks aims to protect habitat for grizzly and black bear, mountain goat, caribou, moose, Stone sheep, and various wolf populations. There are many small mammals such as hoary marmots, Arctic ground squirrels, pikas, beavers and otters. Birds also inhabit the park area, such as the arctic tern, blue-grouse, ruffed-grouse and the rock, willow and white-tailed ptarmigan.

Location and Size

Located 20 kilometres south of Atlin, British Columbia, surrounding Atlin Lake. Visitors cannot access the park by vehicle, but by boat or aircraft only. The park is 301,140 hectares (1,163 square miles) in size.

ee also

*List of British Columbia Provincial Parks
*List of Canadian provincial parks

External links

* [http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/atlin.html Atlin Provincial Park and Recreation Area]
*BCGNIS|40236