Across the road from the Bear Creek Provincial Campground on the west side of Okanagan Lake you will find trails that lead you in a loop up and over the falls on Bear Creek. The trails are clearly marked and there are stairs for the steeper portions of the trail. On the trails you will find vantage points to see the falls from above.
The loop will typically take you one hour, some may do it faster or slower depending on their speed and in the summer, good shoes, sunscreen, water and a hat are a must.
View of the trails on the left side of the loop if you head right at the trail head (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)
Bear Creek Fall from one of hte lookouts on the trail (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)
For those that want to get up close to the falls this will require that you leave the groomed trails. You should NOT try this during high water and you will need proper attire, mainly good footwear that can get wet as you will be in and out of the creek. This is back country so be prepared for wildlife encounters and you should be in good physical shape and be able to swim as a small portion of the trip will require swimming.
At the trail head, if you go right and make your way along you will find the second bridge. At the second bridge there is a path to the creek, from there you will need to make your way along the bank and this will require you to cross the creek several times. Remember to be mindful of vegitation growing in the area and do your best to keep on the trail.
The second bridge (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)
Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com
You will come to a canyon with a rocks faces on both sides that will require you to swim if you wish to visit the falls. You will be swimming in water that you cannot see in and as you approach the end, there is a ledge that you will need to feel for.
The swim portion. This family was there enjoying the falls and was swimming back to go down to the trail head. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)
The Falls (Photo Credit:KelownaNow.com)
Slo-mo video of the falls taken with an iPhone. We do not recommend crawling up the falls as this young person did. They had a very tough time figuring out how to get down as the rocks are very slippery.
To see more photos click the image and please leave your comments on your experience with Bear Creek below.
Click the map image for a live link to a google map.
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