In the early 1960s, the provincial government reduced its size by 98% due to pressure exerted by the forestry industry, planned hydroelectric developments along the upper Columbia River and the re-routing of the Trans-Canada Highway away from the park.

He envisioned that a substantial increase in the national park system's coverage of western Canada's mountainous terrain would boost tourism revenue.

Part of this economic benefit was anticipated to derive from improved access to the region made possible by federal support for road infrastructure within a nationalized Hamber park.

The Canadian federal government, whose attention was directed towards World War II, expressed little interest in Pattullo's idea.

Moreover, Prime Minister Mackenzie King preferred that national parks be spread throughout the country and not be concentrated only in the mountains of western Canada.

Sawmills and logging companies based in Revelstoke and Golden lobbied the provincial government to allow exploitation of Hamber's timber resources.

No tourist resorts, campgrounds, trails or scenic lookouts were constructed within the park even though a considerable section of the highway which in 1962 would be officially designated the Trans-Canada passed through it.

In light of these circumstances, provincial officials concluded that the park no longer had a legitimate reason to exist in its current form.

A commercial fly-in fishing camp operates on Chisel Creek Fan on the shore of Fortress Lake during the summer months.

[13] Despite providing numerous recreation opportunities, lack of access prevents similar levels of hiking and camping found in other mountain parks.