Cultus Lake Provincial Park and Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park near Chilliwack offer dynamic scenery and myriad recreation options including camping, hiking, biking and more.
Cultus Lake Provincial Park
Cultus Lake Provincial Park is one of the biggest summer resort destinations in British Columbia. Located 10km/6.2mi south of Chilliwack (take Exit 119 off the Trans-Canada Highway), the 2,561-hectare (6,330-acre) region was designated as a provincial park in 1948. It centers on a huge freshwater lake lined with sandy beaches and forests. Cultus Lake is popular for trout fishing, and also accommodates swimming, water skiing, jet skiing, windsurfing, canoeing, and boating. Boats can be launched from ramps at Maple Bay and Jade Bay. Lakeside picnic grounds with adjacent parking are located at Maple Bay, as well as Entrance Bay and Spring Bay. Camping and Trails
There are four campgrounds situated near the lake. Dates of operation vary for each, but visitors can camp at Cultus Lake between late March and mid-October. Rental properties and private homes, many of the luxurious variety, are also available.Five hiking trails amid Douglas fir and Western hemlock trees offer treks that take anywhere between 30 minutes and five hours. The longest trail is the Cultus Lake Horse Trail, whose 20km/12.4mi round-trip circuit connects the park's north and south ends, and is popular among horseback riders.
Golfers can play at the Cultus Lake Golf Club, head to an 18-hole putting course, or try some mini-golf. The Cultus Lake Waterpark (open from Victoria Day in mid-May to Labour Day in early September) includes a huge array of waterslides, including a 22m/72ft "freefall" experience, and also has snack bars, a grill, and a swimwear shop. Children can enjoy themselves at nearby Funland with train rides, treehouses, water pistols, and more.
Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park
Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park is best-known as the home of Canada's sixth-largest waterfall, Bridal Falls, which stands an imposing 122m/400ft high. The park is situated 16km/10mi east of Chilliwack (take Exit 135 off the Trans-Canada Highway). Originally, a native village called Popkum existed here, with settlement records that go back to the 18th century. Today, hikers stroll through 32 ha/79ac of forested terrain that includes red cedar trees, maples, and alders, as well as local songbirds. There is on-site picnicking in the summer. Since Bridal Falls tends to freeze in cold weather, causing unstable icy conditions at the base of the falls, the park is officially closed in the winter.
Summertime fun abounds at attractions near the provincial park. The Bridal Falls Waterpark features waterslides like the Black Hole and Rapids River Ride. There's also the Dinotown theme park for kids, two golf courses, paragliding, paintball, an RV park and a motel.