Park overview
Located east of Chilliwack, Bridal Veil Falls Park is a scenic day-use area. The landscape encompassing the park is characterized by low elevation valleys and lush, rounded mountains. Visitors can enjoy picnicking, hiking, and viewing the spectacular Bridal Veil Falls, which tumbles 60 metres over a smooth rock face, creating a veil-like effect.
Advisories
Safety info
Bridal Veil Falls is prone to freezing during colder winters, which results in the formation of an unstable wall of ice. During these periods, the base of the falls is an extremely hazardous area. Please use caution at the base of the falls as it may be subject to slippery footing and falling rock or ice.
Special notes
- The park is open from 8am to dusk.
- Gate is closed from November 1 to March 31 annually.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
This park has a day-use and picnic area. There are no public shelters available. The park is closed during the winter due to hazardous conditions and the gate is closed and locked from approximately mid-October to early April.
Cold-water taps are located in the day-use area. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
Activities
There is a one loop trail that will take you to the viewing platform near the base of the falls (half an hour return). For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
Pets and other domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.
Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
Maps and location
The park is on the south side of the Fraser River, 16km east of Chilliwack. Take exit 135 off Highway 1 and follow the signs. The nearest communities are Bridal Falls and Chilliwack.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: February 9, 1965
- Size: 33 hectares
Park contact
Sea to Sky Park Services Ltd.
604-986-9371
info@seatoskyparks.com
seatoskyparks.com
Nature and culture
History
Prior to the park attaining Provincial Park status in 1965, Bridal Veil Falls was used to generate electricity in the early 1900s for the Bridal Falls Chalet. Today, only traces of the concrete foundation for the power generator can be found.
Cultural heritage
Bridal Veil Falls Park is located at the site of the ancient village of Popkum, which has settlement records dating back to the 1700s. Popkum is a First Nations word meaning 'puff ball', a plant which grows in the area in abundance.
Conservation
The park is situated in the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone. Western red cedar, western hemlock, broadleaf maple, and red alder form a dense canopy over a sparse understory of western sword fern and spiny wood ferns.
Wildlife
The significant wildlife species in the park are primarily songbirds and small mammals. Songbird species include the varied thrush, black-throated gray warbler, and red-breasted nuthatch. Transient species include porcupine, Columbia blacktail deer, and black bear.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.