Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park Park

Address: Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada

Website: https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/coquihalla_canyon/

Hours: Park open daily; Othello Tunnels viewpoint accessible daylight hours

Admission: Free entry (no general vehicle fee); day-use fees may apply for some campgrounds

Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia noted for a narrow granite gorge on the Coquihalla River and the set of former railway tunnels that pass through it. The park protects the canyon and the historic rail structures.

The tunnels and bridges were constructed for the Kettle Valley Railway in the early 20th century to provide a rail route through the region; after the railway was abandoned the canyon and its structures were preserved as a park and interpretive site. The rail infrastructure is now a recreational walkway rather than an active railway.

The park is located in southern British Columbia near the community of Hope, within the provincial interior where the Coquihalla River has cut a narrow granite gorge.

• Othello Tunnels access: The site preserves a set of former Kettle Valley Railway tunnels and bridges running through a narrow granite canyon - the easiest viewing is from the maintained walking path and boardwalk that follows the old rail alignment.
• Visitor safety and access: Trail surfaces can be wet and slippery; sections close seasonally for safety and maintenance so check local park advisories before visiting.

What to See#

• Othello Tunnels: A sequence of former railway tunnels and steel-and-concrete bridges cut through a granite gorge on the Coquihalla River; the structures were part of the Kettle Valley Railway and are accessed via short walking paths and a riverside boardwalk.

From Hope, British Columbia, drive north on Highway 5 (Coquihalla Highway) and take the exit toward Coquihalla Canyon. The main Othello Tunnels trailhead is accessed from the parking area off the old highway near Bridal Falls; clear signage points to the trail.

• Wear sturdy shoes for the jagged rockwork of the Othello Tunnels and keep to marked paths - the canyon edges are steep.
• The Othello Tunnels are popular on weekends; arrive early or late afternoon to avoid crowds.
• Combine a visit with a drive along the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) and stop at the nearby Bridal Veil Falls for more photo opportunities.