Attractions

OTHELLO TUNNELS

Nestled within the stunning landscape of Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park and typically open from April 1 to October 31, the Othello Tunnels showcase a striking blend of natural landscapes and human ingenuity. Carved in the early 20th century to link the Kootenay Region with British Columbia’s coast, these granite passageways, named after Shakespearean characters by engineer Andrew McCullough, offer a unique blend of history and natural beauty. Visitors are invited to traverse the scenic 3.5km round-trip journey, where dramatic canyon and cave views unfold at each step. A flashlight is a must-have to navigate the dimly-lit tunnels, ensuring a safe passage through this historic route. Pet lovers will be delighted to know their furry companions can join them on their adventure, provided they remain on a leash. Cyclists, too, can enjoy the surroundings, but please walk your bikes through the tunnels, preserving the serene and safe atmosphere for all. The tunnels also hold a place in cinematic history as a location for the iconic film “Rambo: First Blood,” adding an element of Hollywood allure to their rugged charm.

#ExploreHCC – Capture your ‘tunnel vision’ at Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park and share it with us!

HELL’S GATE AIRTRAM

The Hell’s Gate Airtram was opened on July 21, 1971. Before its construction, the only way to the observation deck at the lower terminal was to hike down the canyon to the pedestrian suspension bridge that crosses the canyon.

The upper terminal, is 244 metres above the Fraser River and is where you board the airtram. The lower terminal features educational displays about the history as well as a theatre which plays short video clips teaching visitors about Simon Fraser, the Fraser River Gold Rush and the life cycle of the salmon.

Ride the Hell’s Gate Airtram

FRASER RIVER GOLD RUSH

N’laka’pamux First Nations had been pulling gold out of the river for nearly a decade prior to the European ‘discovery’ of gold. At the time, access to gold (along with furs and salmon), superior knowledge of the land and a higher population led to the N’laka’pamux holding significant political power in the Fraser Canyon.

Places to Pan: Hope from the confluence of the Fraser and Coquihalla rivers to the Fraser River bridge

If you want to try gold panning without purchasing the equipment, visit Hell’s Gate at the lower terminal, where you can test your skills at their awesome gold panning station.

BRIDAL FALLS WATERPARK

A great water slide park that is popular with young families, because of their kiddie slides and waterplay area. However, they do offer thrilling slides for the teenagers in the family, including the Kamikaze, Black Hole and the River Rapids tube slide.

Plan your day at Bridal Falls Waterpark

waterfall cascading down mountainside in forest

BRIDAL VEIL FALLS PARK

Bridal Veil Falls Park is a day-use area just east of Chilliwack. Enjoy picnicking, hiking and viewing the spectacular Bridal Veil Falls. There are two short trails from the parking lot to the waterfall. Use caution as rocks can be very slippery at the falls. Adhere to all warnings and information signs within the park

site showing where side of mountain collapsed to valley floor

HOPE SLIDE

In the early morning hours of January 9, 1965 – a mere sixteen years after it opened – Highway 3 was suddenly and unexpectedly blocked when a slab of rock fractured away from the face of Johnson Peak, resulting in the Hope Slide. It was one of the largest recorded landslides in Canadian history. Today, visitors travelling along Highway 3 are actually driving 55 metres above the original highway surface. At the Hope Slide viewpoint, visitors can see the scars that were left on Johnson Peak and Mt. Coulter by the slide.

ALEXANDRA BRIDGE

The Alexandra Bridge, located in the Fraser Canyon, is a historic suspension bridge that spans the Fraser River. Built in 1926, it replaced an earlier structure dating back to the Cariboo Gold Rush era. The bridge is an iconic example of early 20th-century engineering, featuring classic suspension design elements that blend harmoniously with the rugged canyon landscape. Although no longer in use for vehicular traffic, the bridge remains a popular site for hikers and history enthusiasts, offering stunning views of the river below and a tangible connection to the region’s rich history. The Alexandra Bridge is not only a testament to the engineering feats of its time but also a cherished landmark that continues to draw visitors to the Fraser Canyon.

Indigenous guide standing by river pointing

S’ÓLH TÉMÈXW,

S’ólh Témèxw, “Our Land, Our World” “Bad Rock” is an early historical reference to Lady Franklin Rock located in the middle of the Fraser River just upriver of the town of Yale B.C. Xéylxelamós was a shxwla:m (medicine man) who used his power to benefit himself and so was transformed by Xexá:ls, the Transformers, into this large rock named Xéylxelamós, but also known as lady Franklin Rock.

Consider taking a guided Bad Rock Tour. Enjoy the majestic mountains and waterways of the Fraser Canyon, while listening to an experienced narrator who has studied Halq’eméylem place names from fluent Halq’eméylem speaking Elders for over 30 years.

The tour departs from Chilliwack destined for the scenic Fraser Canyon above historic Yale. Listen and learn about the unique relationship between the Stó:lō, “the River People,” their land and their environment. For more information, visit stolotourism.com/tours.

weathered totem pole at historic interpretation site

TUCKKWIOWHUM VILLAGE

Tuckkwiowhum (Tuck-we-ohm) Village – adjacent to Anderson Creek Campground – is a First Nations heritage site and village located in Nlakapamux territory, five km south of Boston Bar.

Tuckkwiowhum Village was inspired by the desire to preserve and share the teachings of the Nlaka’pamux people. Visitors are given an opportunity to experience the tradtional lifestyle.

With breathtaking views, a full service longhouse / events pavilion, on-site restaurant, entertainment, cultural classes / workshops, and a traditional teepee campground guests will experience a relaxing break away from the everyday.

Activities include:

Guided tours
Self-guided tours
Museum and gift shop
Cultural classes and events
Teepee camping

display of canned goods in 1800s historical tent display

YALE HISTORIC SITE

Step back in time at the Yale Historic Site, where families and history buffs can discover a multifaceted past that includes Indigenous, Chinese immigrant, and European settler stories that together shape this region’s history. Here, history leaps from the pages of textbooks and becomes an interactive experience that captivates the imagination of every visitor, regardless of age. Venture into the age-old St. John the Divine Church to sense the spirituality of bygone days, feel the echo of diverse narratives within the walls of the Creighton House, or visit during a special festival or event. Enjoy hands-on experiences like gold panning, picture-taking at gold rush exhibits, and visiting a historic working post office. Proudly located within the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Nlakapamux and Stó:lō Peoples, the site is more than just a relic—it’s a living testament to the stories that continue to shape our collective heritage in profound and inspiring ways.

#ExploreHCC – Strike gold with your snapshots and share them with us!

TASHME MUSEUM

Dive into a poignant chapter of Canadian history at the Tashme Museum, located in the scenic Sunshine Valley. Housed in the original Tashme Butcher Shop, this museum unfolds over nearly 4000 sq ft, bringing to life the stories of the largest WWII Japanese Canadian internment site in Canada. With hundreds of artifacts, photographs, and items from internment sites across BC, visitors get an authentic glimpse of life from 1942 to 1946. Don’t miss the chance to step into a dimensional accurate replica tar-paper shack or watch history unfold in the 25-seat theatre room. The museum grounds extend the narrative, showcasing Tashme’s original RCMP administration building, the kindergarten schoolhouse, and beautiful memorial touches, including Akebono Sakura trees. Open for explorations on weekends, and accepting donations rather than an entrance fee, the Tashme Museum also offers private viewings and personalized tours by reservation. Pack your curiosity and journey through a vital part of history, nestled just 20 minutes from Hope. For those planning to visit during the cooler months, remember to gear up as snow tires are a must from October to April on the Hope-Princeton Highway.

#ExploreHCC – We’d love to see your Tashme Museum explorations take center stage on our social platforms.

chainsaw carver carving a bear out of a log

CHAINSAW CARVINGS

Carving artists from around the world converge in Hope’s Memorial Park, every other summer, to show off their skills with a chainsaw. Since the carving of a Douglas fir trunk in 1991, Hope’s worked tirelessly at solidifying itself as the world leader in chainsaw carvings.

In past years, renowned artists like Jesse Toso, Ryan Villiers, Mark Colp and Chris Foltz have competed at Hope’s World-Class Chainsaw Competition. This is where you can witness the carvers in action creating their masterpieces. Mark your calendar–the next competition will be in August 2025.

Pete Ryan, one of Hope’s original carvers, left a legacy of carvings all over the region, including Bart the Bear, that stands in downtown Hope. As well as marmots at East and West Gate in Manning Park, park benches in front of District Hall and many other carvings throughout the community. Pete was also known globally through two TV series, Saw Dogs and Carver Kings.

RAMBO FIRST BLOOD WALKING TOUR

In 1981, Sylvester Stallone and his film crew took over Hope to film Rambo: First Blood and introduced Hollywood to British Columbia. Every year, thousands of people visit Hope from around the world to see their favourite filming locations. See the map for a walking tour of the locations made famous by Rambo: First Blood.

View the Rambo First Blood Walking Tour online map or download the mobile app.