Cathedral Park will partially reopen to the public on June 20, 2025, after nearly a year of closure due to the devastating Crater Creek wildfire. The reopening will allow visitors limited access to specific hiking trails and backcountry camping areas within the park’s core zone.
One of the major highlights of the reopening is the restoration of access to the Quiniscoe Lake backcountry campground. The site, which features 30 tent pads, will require reservations during the peak season, which runs from June 27 to September 20. Campers can begin booking online starting at 7 a.m. (PT) on June 3. Outside the peak season, visitors must still register and pay online before setting up camp.
Quiniscoe Lake can be reached by hiking either the 14-kilometre Lakeview Trail or the longer 20-kilometre Centennial (Wall Creek) Trail, both offering scenic yet challenging routes into the heart of the park.
In addition to backcountry camping, Cathedral Park will reopen vehicle-accessible campgrounds at Buckhorn and Lakeview. These campgrounds, along with five hiking trails—Scout Lake, Diamond, Glacier Lake, Ladyslipper, and Rim Trails—will be accessible without the need for reservations, allowing greater flexibility for day-trippers and spontaneous adventurers.
Located southwest of Keremeos, Cathedral Park covers an expansive area of approximately 33,000 hectares (82,200 acres), nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Okanagan Valley. The region is known for its dramatic alpine landscapes, rich biodiversity, and outdoor recreational opportunities.
The Crater Creek wildfire, which broke out in August 2023, left significant damage in its wake. It destroyed two of the park’s core-area campgrounds—Lake of the Woods and Pyramid—and heavily damaged several trails. The fire also destroyed the bridge that once provided vehicle access to the core area. Park officials have announced that the bridge is slated to be rebuilt later this summer.
Despite the progress in recovery, some trails and areas of the park will remain closed while restoration efforts continue. Park authorities are urging visitors to respect all signage and closures to ensure their safety and to help protect fragile recovering ecosystems.
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