Hope guide
Free Things to Do in Hope, BC, 2026
Hope is a small town with an outsized free list: historic railway tunnels, a famous landslide viewpoint, more than 80 chainsaw carvings on the downtown streets, and a waterfall at the end of a short forest trail. Every item below was...
Written by Hope Local Desk
Intro
Hope is a small town with an outsized free list: historic railway tunnels, a famous landslide viewpoint, more than 80 chainsaw carvings on the downtown streets, and a waterfall at the end of a short forest trail. Every item below was checked as free at the time of writing. Two of the headline sights are seasonal, so the dates that matter are stated plainly.
At a glance
- Othello Tunnels: Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, free, closed November to April
- Hope Lookout Trail: steep hike to views over Hope, free
- Hope Slide Viewpoint: Highway 3, about 18 km east of Hope, free
- Rotary Nature Trail and Fraser River beach: off Wardle Street, free
- Memorial Park and Japanese Friendship Garden: 3rd Avenue, downtown, free
- Flood Falls: off Flood Hope Road, free, limited parking
- Chainsaw carvings self-guided walk: downtown, free
- Hope Museum: 919 Water Avenue, free, admission by donation
- Hope Arts Gallery: 349 Fort Street, free entry
- Alexandra Bridge Provincial Park: Highway 1, about 40 km north of Hope, free, seasonal
- Hope Library: 1005A 6 Avenue, free programs
Parks and trails
Othello Tunnels, Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park
Five historic Kettle Valley Railway tunnels, built in 1914, carved through solid granite above the Coquihalla River, linked by bridges on a flat gravel path, and part of the Trans Canada Trail. The address is Tunnels Road, Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, off Highway 5 at exit 183, about 12 km from Hope. There are no fees for day-use access, per BC Parks. Seasonal: the tunnels are closed November to April. The park gate runs April 1 to October 31, and the tunnels usually open early to mid May once the ice thaws. The Kettle Valley Rail Trail is closed past tunnel 5 due to stabilization work, per an advisory dated September 28, 2026. Check BC Parks before going. There is no drinking water in the park. Dogs on leash are allowed.
Hope Lookout Trail
A steep but rewarding hike, about 1 hour up, to panoramic views over Hope, the Fraser River, and the surrounding mountains, with a bench and a logbook at the summit. It is a free public access trail with no permits or fees. It is steep with switchbacks, so wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Open year round during daylight hours, and hiking in the dark is not recommended.
Hope Slide Viewpoint
A viewpoint and memorial at the site of the January 9, 1965 landslide, one of the largest in Canadian history, with interpretive plaques, picnic tables, and pit toilets, on Highway 3, the Crowsnest Highway, about 18 km east of Hope. It is a public highway rest area and viewpoint with no fee. The EV charging stations there are free to use, with no network membership needed. Open year round as a rest area, and best visited in daylight. There is no running water.
Rotary Nature Trail and Fraser River beach
A 1 km shaded forest trail where the Coquihalla River meets the Fraser River, off Wardle Street, with a pebbled river beach for rock hounding and views of the two rivers merging. It is a free public trail with no admission. Dogs are seen off leash in the area. River levels vary, so use care near the water.
Memorial Park and Japanese Friendship Garden
A central downtown park on 3rd Avenue with a playground, sports courts, an amphitheatre, picnic space, chainsaw carvings, and a Japanese style garden. It is a public park with no entry fee, and the playground and courts are free to use. Generally open dawn to dusk. Special events or organized league play may carry fees.
Flood Falls
A tall waterfall at the end of a short forest trail, about 1 km round trip and 20 to 30 minutes, with quirky art nailed to trees along the path. The trail is off Flood Hope Road, just off Highway 1 west of Hope. It is a natural attraction with no entrance fee, and free roadside parking. Parking is limited, about 10 cars. The trail can be slippery when wet. The falls can nearly dry up by late summer, so spring or after rain is best. There are no washrooms. Do not leave valuables visible in your vehicle.
Arts, culture and history
Chainsaw carvings self-guided walk
More than 80 chainsaw carvings of wildlife, historic figures, and fantasy creatures displayed along downtown streets and in Memorial Park. Hope is known as the chainsaw carving capital. A self-guided tour map is available at the visitor centre. The carvings are public art with no admission, viewable any time, and best in daylight. Hope holds a bi-annual carving competition, a good time to visit and watch artists at work, so check dates.
Hope Museum
A museum of Hope history at 919 Water Avenue, with the visitor centre, covering First Nations culture, Fort Hope, the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush, the Kettle Valley Railway, early pioneers, logging, and mining. Period rooms include a kitchen, parlour, school room, and blacksmith shop. Admission is by donation. Seasonal hours are unclear in the sources, with one saying open May to September and another saying open year round with the visitor centre, so confirm hours before going.
Hope Arts Gallery
A volunteer-run gallery at 349 Fort Street showing local artists: paintings, sculpture, pottery, jewellery, photography, and fabric arts, plus a gift shop. Entry is free, and there is a donation box at the front door. Hours vary by season, generally Wednesday to Sunday 11 am to 3 pm, daily in summer. Closed in January and December 24 to 31.
Alexandra Bridge Provincial Park
A day-use park at the site of the original Cariboo Wagon Road crossing, on Highway 1, about 2 km north of Spuzzum and 40 km north of Hope. Walk across the historic 1926 Alexandra Bridge over the Fraser River, with picnic tables and interpretive displays. There are no fees for day-use access, and no ticket is needed. The day-use area is open May 15 to October 15, and the gate is closed in the off-season. There is no potable water, so bring drinking water. Use caution entering and exiting from Highway 1.
Indoor and rainy day options
Hope Library
The public library at 1005A 6 Avenue, Hope, BC V0X 1L4, with free WiFi, public internet stations, and free programs such as Toddler Time, Builder's Club, and Parent Child Mother Goose. Programs are free, though some need registration. Closed Mondays, per the listed hours. Check the FVRL site for current program times.
Practical notes
The Othello Tunnels are the big seasonal note: they are closed November to April, with the park gate running April 1 to October 31 and the tunnels usually opening early to mid May. Alexandra Bridge is also seasonal, open May 15 to October 15, with the gate closed in the off-season. Neither park has drinking water, so bring your own. Flood Falls has room for about 10 cars and can nearly dry up by late summer, so go in spring or after rain. Hope Museum hours conflict between sources, so confirm before going.
