Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Park is within the Nass Valley located 90 kilometres north of Terrace, B.C. The park can be viewed and explored by a self guided auto tour following the yellow "Auto Tour Stop" signs posted along the highway. Some of the stops continue to explore further on foot down hiking trails leading to lava formations and redirected rivers and lakes. Although to reach the rim of the crater one must book with one of the authorized tour groups in the area.

The Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Park is a reminder of how powerful nature can really be. The lava eruption covered over 18,000 hectares and included a 10 kilometre lava flow. The lava followed a destructive path following a creek bed into Lava Lake continuing down the Kii Sii Aks River to the Nass River bed. Here the lava pooled and cooled forming a 10 kilometre long and 3 kilometre wide lava plain pushing the Nass River way north.

It was over 250 years ago the volcano erupted, killing 2000 Nisga'a ancestors from two First Nation Villages. Today the lava fields is a Nisga'a spiritual resting place and burial ground. Hence why the Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Park has a significant spiritual importance to the Nisga'a community. It was 1992 when the Lava Park finally was established as a park. The first provincial park managed by, both, a First Nation community and BC Parks.

The lava eruption altered the landscape tremendously pushing rivers north, demolishing villages, clearing trees, causing forest fires and covering lakes. Hiking some of the trails reveals many altered landscapes and volcanic formations like lava tubes and ridges, underground streams and lava rope.

In the park there is an Information Centre with picnic tables, campground and outhouses. When exploring by vehicle following the "Auto Tour Stop" signs there are also outhouses at Vetter Falls, picnic tables and a boat launch at Lava Lake.

Most explorers are amazed at the wide scope of different scenery enjoyed in this park. Besides the giant slabs of harden lave there are the beautiful lakes, the rumbling creeks and the waterfalls. Some are surprised at the number and size of the many lakes on the route but, more are excited by the aqua and turquoise color of the lakes. Some of the key stops enjoyed by most when exploring Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Park are at Lava Lake, Vetter Falls, Tree Mould Trail and Beaupre Falls.

Wildlife also has returned to the area since the massive lava flowed through this country. Throughout the park there are opportunities to view grizzly and black bears, wolves, mountain goats, moose, deer, eagles, ravens and more.

Legend of the Nisga'a Lava Flow
The Nisga'a people, like most First Nation cultures, respect the land. From the land came food, tools and supplies. The respect for nature by the Nisga is often a theme in many of their stories told by the elders to the younger generation.

Over 250 years ago thou, the youth of the Nisga'a people did not take nature seriously, nor the warnings put forth by the elders. The youth, at that time, often went out and killed small wild animals leaving their bones to rot. Again, the elders warned them that the "Chief in the Sky" would not look kindly on the youth.

But then, during a strong salmon season when the salmon were migrating up river a child from the Wolf Clan started catching the fish and cutting slits in their backs. This was not done for food but only to insert burning pitch pine so when they put them back into the river they looked like swimming candles. The elders caught word and, again, warnings were given on deaf ears.

One day, during the preparations for the winter ceremonies, a large drum began beating in the distance. This worried the elders. The youth making light of the incident were caught saying, "a ha, the ghosts wake up, they are going to have a feast too." The elders knew the cruelty to the fish brought this on their village.

The drums eventually died down... only to begin again a week later but many times louder. Now together, the elders and youth became worried. Soon later a thunder-like noise erupted, and the mountains burst open and fire roared down the river killing many of the Nisga'a people.

To this day, the Shamans said the spirit world was angered by the torture of the salmon.

How to get to Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Park: Travel through Terrace, BC, as if heading to Prince Rupert community on the west coast. On the outskirts of town on Hwy 16 heading west, turn right onto Kalum Lake Drive. Continue straight for 90-100 kilometres (60 mi) (Kalum Lake Dr. turns into the Nisga'a Highway) . Watch for signs.