Coquihalla Canyon Park’s Northern Section to Reopen June 27, 2025

BC Parks has announced the reopening of the northern portion of Coquihalla Canyon Park on Friday, June 27, 2025, restoring access to three of the five historic Othello Tunnels.

The reopening follows extensive work completed during Phase 2 of restoration, including the installation of a new north bridge, resurfacing of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, additional parking, and canyon slope stabilization. These improvements are part of a long-term effort to rebuild infrastructure more resilient to the effects of climate change.

Repairs were needed after the park sustained major damage during the November 2021 atmospheric river event, which impacted more than 30 sites and all of the Othello Tunnels. Restoration has been undertaken in phases due to the complex nature of the work, with special care given to the park’s historic structures, navigating challenging terrain, and geotechnical risks. BC Parks continues to work closely with First Nations, heritage specialists, and engineers to ensure culturally sensitive and sustainable recovery.

The first phase of park reopening was completed by August 19, 2024, and provided access from the parking lot to the end of the second tunnel. Infrastructure is being rebuilt to better withstand the impacts of severe weather due to climate change.

The rest of the park will remain temporarily closed as work continues through summer and fall 2025. The remaining work includes redecking the south bridge and stabilizing the inside of the fifth tunnel, and sprayed concrete wherever the rock is significantly deteriorated. All work is anticipated to finish prior to the park reopening in spring 2026.

Read the full news release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025ENV0025-000575