A trip to the Okanagan is a classic B.C. road trip, but Cathedral Park in Keremeos is well worth the trip alone. Situated between the Cascade Mountains and the Okanagan Valley, the stunning provincial park was nearly wiped out by a 2023 wildfire, but local wildlife has since recovered, and its forest canopy has now opened to reveal even more fascinating ecology.
Today, it contains 14 protected plant species, three protected mammals, and two protected bird species.
Multiple turquoise lakes offer hikers and campers a refreshing, scenic dip, including Haystack Lakes, which are within a day’s hike away.
Park-goers get to enjoy views of jagged mountain peaks, wander through alpine meadows and dense forests, and learn about the diverse array of flora and fauna that call the area home.
Cathedral Park also has a pretty interesting geological history, containing a “jumble of columnar-jointed basalt forms and massive, wind-eroded quartz monzonite towers.”
Popular park activities include hiking, mountain climbing, and fishing, according to BC Parks.
Note that all park trails impacted by the fire have now been assessed, cleared, and are open to visitors in 2026, though there is more windfall than normal expected as a result.
There are three well-defined hiking trails that lead into the park (Lakeview, Wall Creek, and Ewart Creek), all requiring at least a full day to hike one-way into the park’s “core area.”
The park also consists of several cross-country routes that are unmarked and should only be attempted by experienced hikers with proper map-reading and route-finding skills.
Backcountry campers can head to the Quiniscoe Lake campground, with reservations required from June 27 to Sept. 12, 2026.
Front country camping is available at Buckhorn on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pets are not allowed anywhere in the park, and there is no cell service, so make sure to prepare ahead of your trip.
How to get there: Drive four hours and 45 minutes from Vancouver to Cathedral Park via Trans-Canada Highway/BC-1 E and BC-3 E.
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