Bridal Veil Falls Park is a scenic BC Parks day-use area 16 kilometres east of Chilliwack on the south side of the Fraser River. BC Parks describes low-elevation valleys, lush rounded mountains, picnicking, hiking, and a waterfall that tumbles 60 metres over a smooth rock face.
The park is reached from exit 135 on Highway 1.
Bridal Veil Falls is a short, accessible-feeling Fraser Valley waterfall stop with a strong visual payoff. A loop trail reaches the viewing platform near the base of the falls in about half an hour return.
The falling water creates the veil-like effect that gives the park its name. BC Parks also notes that the falls can freeze during colder winters, creating an unstable ice wall and hazardous conditions at the base.
The park has cultural and natural context as well. It is located at the site of the ancient village of Popkum, with settlement records dating to the 1700s. Before provincial park status in 1965, the falls generated electricity in the early 1900s for the Bridal Falls Chalet. The surrounding forest is in the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone, with western red cedar, western hemlock, broadleaf maple, red alder, sword fern, and spiny wood fern.
Plan around the loop trail, waterfall viewing platform, picnicking, photography, songbird watching, pets on leash, and a short Highway 1 day-use break near Bridal Falls and Chilliwack.
Stay on posted trails, watch for slippery footing, falling rock, and falling ice, and keep pets leashed. The base of the falls can be especially hazardous during freeze-thaw conditions.
