Difficulty: EASY

Rating: 2.5/5

Duration: 1hr / 3km

Accessibility: Car

Bear Creek

Description:

Bear Creek is one of those great hikes that can be done before work, or if you're keen, on your lunch break. It's an excellent choice for a jog or a dog walk.

The trail network is essentially a loop with several different offshoots to make the hike longer or shorter as desired. The hike begins with an ascent up a long set of wooden stairs heading alongside the canyon's edge. The path will often break with fenced off viewpoints of Bear Creek and the canyon. You will eventually head down into the canyon where you have access to Bear Creek itself and if you're not afraid of getting wet, you can carefully make your way downstream to get a close-up view of the waterfalls. The path will gradually rise back up to the other side of the canyon where it will split into the "Mid Canyon Trail" or "Canyon Rim Trail" which will shortly merge up again a short distance from your starting location and the parking lot.

The trail is set at a relatively low elevation making it accessible nearly year-round depending on snow levels, there is nearly always a visible trail in the winter.

Directions:

This hike is approximately 10 minutes drive from downtown Kelowna.

  1. Coming from Kelowna drive over the bridge towards West Kelowna.
  2. Take a right at the overpass onto Westside Rd.
  3. Follow Westside Rd for 7.1km until you see signs for "Bear Creek Provincial Park. Park your vehicle here.
  4. The hiking trails are clearly labeled on the left side of the road.

*This route is now available on GoogleMaps!

GPS Coordinates:

  • Bear Creek parking: 49.927261, -119.512281

features:

  • Waterfall
  • Creek
  • Cliffsides
  • Canyon
  • Lake views
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Jogging trail