Summary

• Cathedral Park is fully open, restoring access to the core area as the first phase of wildfire restoration nears completion
• The Ashnola River vehicle bridge has been replaced, along with small bridges and culverts on the main service road.
• All trails affected by the Crater Creek wildfire have been assessed and cleared of hazardous trees
• Reconstruction continues at Lake of the Woods and Pyramid Lake backcountry campgrounds, along with other backcountry trail facilities destroyed by wildfire

__________

People can once again enjoy full access to the dramatic alpine scenery in Cathedral Park as the first phase of wildfire restoration nears completion.

In August 2023, the Crater Creek wildfire burned most of the park, causing significant damage to several trails, the main 16-kilometre service road, and two backcountry campgrounds: Lake of the Woods and Pyramid Lake. It also destroyed the Ashnola River bridge, which provides vehicle access to the core area of the park.

Restoring damaged areas complex work

The park partially reopened in June 2025 for hiking and backcountry camping in select areas while restoration continued in other areas. The work included:

• replacing the Ashnola River bridge, along with small bridges and culverts on the main service road
• assessing and clearing hazardous trees from all trails impacted by the wildfire
• restoring the staging area that provides parking for guests of Cathedral Lakes Lodge

In the core area of the park, backcountry campsites at Lake of the Woods and Pyramid Lake campgrounds continue to be rebuilt, along with other backcountry trail facilities that were destroyed by wildfire. The total cost of the complete restoration is an estimated $6.5 million and is mainly covered by federal funding through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program.

Backcountry camping available at Quiniscoe Lake

Located southwest of Keremeos, Cathedral Park is an approximately 33,300-hectare wilderness area between the Cascade Mountains and the Okanagan Valley. The park is an expanse of jagged mountain peaks, azure lakes and colourful alpine meadows.

In the core area of the park, backcountry camping is available at Quiniscoe Lake campground. Reservations are required for the 30 tent pads at the campground from June 27, 2026, to Sept. 12, 2026, and can be reserved online here: https://bcparks.ca/reservations/

Outside of peak season, people will need to register and pay online for camping at Quiniscoe Lake. Camping is also available at the vehicle-accessible Buckhorn and Lakeview campgrounds.

Learn More:

• For more information about Cathedral Park, visit: https://bcparks.ca/cathedral-park/
• For more information about backcountry reservations and permits, visit: https://bcparks.ca/reservations/backcountry-camping/