Bridal Veil Falls isn’t one of BC’s mightiest falls, but it’s far more unique than many others. Legend has it that it got its name from a hopeless romantic who envisioned a bridal veil capturing its waters. It doesn’t take much imagination to visualize this. The water appears very delicate even though it’s rushing down with such force you can hear the waterfall long before you see it.
Planning considerations
- Highlights: waterfall, old growth forest
- Hike-in required: No
- Trail difficulty: Easy
- Parking: Free
- Washrooms: Yes
- Picnic tables: Yes
- Dogs: Yes, but on a leash
- Wheelchair access: No
Where is the Bridal Veil Falls and how do I get there?
The waterfall is located in Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park east of Chilliwack in British Columbia. The best way to get there is by driving and it should only take you around 15 minutes from Chilliwack, and around 1.5 hours from downtown Vancouver. Google Maps has the location accurately labelled so you can easily navigate there – just enter Bridal Falls, BC V0X 1X0 as your destination.
Being near the highway, these falls make a great stop when driving to the interior BC. Parking is free, and there are washrooms and picnic tables so you can relax for a bit before continuing your adventure.
Why is it worth visiting Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park?
Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park is definitely worth a visit for a couple of reasons. The first reason is the beautiful waterfall, of course. As you approach it, you’ll be surrounded by ancient trees and the sound of the rushing water. The way the water cascades down the rocks creates a delicate and intricate look similar to a bridal veil, which is what makes this waterfall so unique.
The second reason is what many people ignore – the mosses that grow here. If you don’t know much about these little creatures, they are plants that don’t have roots and can attach themselves to pretty much anything. They absorb all the nutrients they need through their leaves like a sponge. This means they also absorb air pollutants and provide clean air. In fact, they provide more carbon offset than all the trees in the world, so they are pretty important for humans.
Over 250 species of different mosses grow in Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park, some of which are so unique that they can only be found here and nowhere else in North America. So when you visit, be sure to take look around you and try to spot the different colours, shapes and sizes of the mosses growing on rocks and trees.
How tall is Bridal Veil Falls?
Bridal Veil Falls is over 120 meters tall and the sixth highest waterfall in Canada, but you can only see the bottom half from the viewing area. Despite that, you will feel very small when you stand at the base and watch the water fall toward you.
How long does it take to hike to Bridal Veil Falls?
This is a short 300 meter trail with a slight incline, so it’s not really a hike. Right before you start there’s a sign saying it will take you 15 minutes, but most people do it in 5-10 minutes. This is along a well-maintained trail through an old-growth forest. In fact there are two trails but they run next to each other. One has some stairs and the other one doesn’t.
How much time do I need to visit?
You could spend just half an hour at Bridal Veil Falls, walking to the trail and snapping a couple of photos. If you’re not in a rush, you should definitely allow yourself a bit more time to admire the waterfall, take some more photos, and enjoy a nice lunch at one of the picnic tables.
How busy is Bridal Veil Falls?
You should expect to share the falls with others when you visit. We went in February 2024 when the parking lot was closed for the season, but that didn’t stop people from coming. We arrived around 9 am and there was only one other couple there with us. But as the morning went on, more and more people showed up. By 10 am, there were around 15 people at the falls, and we could see that it was getting busier. We can imagine it getting even busier here on the weekends during summer.
I’ve seen photos of people standing close to the falls. How do I do that and is it dangerous?
You can get great photos from the viewing area, especially with a longer lens, but it’s very tempting to go beyond the wooden fence and get closer to the waterfall. There used to be a warning sign here telling visitors not to do it, but it wasn’t there when we visited (February 2024). We went up three quarters of the way and took some great photos, but in hindsight, we shouldn’t have done it. The ground and rocks were VERY slippery and the waterfall actually looks much better from a distance. We later read that in cold winters, the waterfall becomes a wall of ice and it’s dangerous to stand below it because of falling rocks and ice. This is why the parking lot is closed between Nov and March every year.
Be sure to check out our other articles for more tips for your BC visit.
