Canyon Falls via Kuipers Park
Individual Trail
Central Okanagan / Crawford
22 min driving from Downtown Kelowna
Crawford/Canyon falls is an absolute gem of Kelowna and is a must-see for everyone. Prior to the end of Summer 2014, this trail required a very steep descent down ropes. However, the City of Kelowna has gone in and completely revamped the trail. It is now substantially less steep and doesn't require any ropes. Though, due to flooding in 2017, the trail was closed due to instability of the cliffside. It remains closed now in July 2018.
This trail begins at Kuipers Park and follows a variety of 4x4ing roads past Jack Smith Lake to finally arrive just next to the gravel pit near the Canyon Falls descent. There are countless forks in the trail. Please prepare yourself by bringing the GPS map. You have two options once you get on the trail. The first option is to continue up and to your left to some buildings, resulting in an hour long leisurely walk starting with a great view of the city.
The second and more difficult option is to take the trail straight forward and down after climbing the first little hill. At the bottom, keep left and follow it past the lake.
Eventually, you will come to a bridge with signs for No Trespassing just beyond it. Continue across and past these signs, but take an immediate LEFT fork. Follow it, taking all the forward-moving RIGHT forks until you come to the trailhead.
After arriving at the first waterfall, continue up the boulder in-front of you (unfortunately the ropes have been removed), and continue walking along the river for another 100 meters or so. This will take you to the bigger waterfall. The top of this final waterfall can also be accessed via a short rope descent further down the trail at the top of the hill.
Basics
Features
| Creator: | Josh Hoggan |
|---|---|
| Duration Class: | Medium Hike |
| Seasons: | Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall |
| Difficulty Description: | Some steeper up and down hill, and one tricky ascent over a boulder. |
| Dogs: | OK on Leash |
| Children: | Ages 10+ |
| Cell Service: | Excellent along the main trail; no service in the valley. |
| First Listed: | 2011-Aug-21 |
| Last Updated: | 2018-Jul-07 |
| Duration One-Way (solo): | 60 min |
|---|---|
| Duration Round-Trip (solo): | 60 min |
| Trailhead GPS: | 49.797150000,-119.481155000 |
| Trailend GPS: | 49.801594000,-119.454018000 |
| Distance: | 6.30 km (one-way) |
| Elevation at Start: | 595 meters |
| Elevation at End: | 595 meters |
| Elevation Maximum: | 639 meters |
| Elevation Gain: | 273 meters (one-way) |
| Elevation Loss: | -273 meters (one-way) |
| Slope Up: | 8.50% (one-way) |