What to See & Do along the Coquihalla Highway?
This route was originally a toll-highway, built to get Canadians to Vancouver’s Expo 86, and divert heavy truck traffic from the at-capacity Trans-Canada route through the Fraser Canyon. East of Hope, detour to the Hope Slide (6 km east on Highway 3). The Coquihalla has some amazing rest stops, valley views, river crossings, and even an avalanche snow shed. At the north end the highway drops rapidly drop into Kamloops.
Here is the itinerary for the 204 km along the #5 Coquihalla (toll) Highway between Hope, BC and Kamloops, BC:
Coquihalla River and Coquihalla Pass
Being a divided highway its generally faster than the #1 route between Kamloops and Hope. But with the high elevation of Coquihalla Pass, sometimes snowier in winter.
Travellers can save 75 minutes driving time between Kamloops and Hope. The road is fast, twinned (ie Interstate/Autobahn standards) and passes through spectacular rugged mountain scenery. Travelling northbound from Hope, Highway 5 follows the Coquihalla River until near the toll booth, then follows the Coldwater River to Merritt.
The Coquihalla Highway climbs to the summit of 1240 metre high (4068 ft) Coquihalla Pass and then crosses the top of the Thompson Plateau. Avalanche chutes scar the mountainsides and are a visible reminder of the steep terrain that surrounds the highway. Avalanche guns mounted on platforms beside the highway battle the elements to keep the highway open in winter, just like at Rogers Pass and at Revelstoke, to the east.
The forests here are home to Engelmann spruce, lodgepole pine, and sub-alpine fir at higher elevations, with Douglas fir and ponderosa pine at lower elevations and on benchlands. The forests and the high plateau grasslands support moose, mule deer, bears, and grouse, with some elk and mountain goats in the south. There are lots of hiking trails for travelers to get out an enjoy the surrounding nature.
NOTE: This section of the Coquihalla was badly damanged during torrential flooding in November of 2021. This l;ower section of the Coquihalla was closed for several months while breidge reconstruction was begun. Much reconstruction of the bridges has taken (and continues to be taking) place, making better allowances for any future rains and flooding.
The High Plateau above Merritt
Merritt is a hub where three highways converge the 5, 5A, and 8. Using 5A, you can access highway 97C (the Kelowna Connector) to and from the Okanagan, at Peachland, just southwest of Kelowna.
As you continue driving north of Merritt, the highway climbs into the Thompson Plateau., and you pass some pretty lakes along the way beside the highway (Surrey Lake, Walloper Lake , and Lac Le Jeune, from S to N). As you approach Kamloops, there is a steep drop, and you pass a massive open pit mine at the side of the highway. You continue dropping elevation into Kamloops, first passing the Aberdeen Heights area of Kamloops (with shopping mall and visitor center) and dropping even further to the Downtown and Valleyview areas along the South Thompson River.
Elevation Chart: Coquihalla Hope to Kamloops
Trans-Canada Highway History
Trans-Canada Highway Itinerary Map
Use mouse to drag/move map. Click on “+” or “–” to zoom in or out. “Satellite” combines map & photo.
Note:
Itinerary Details
| KM | (metres) |
|
| 0 | Exit #374 Junction Yellowhead Highway (5) (Kamloops) | 402 |
|
Shuswap Nation Tribal Council Tkemlups of the Secwepemc band of the Shuswap First Nation Access to downtown Kamloops, on exit further, Valleyview Rd (east) and Battle St/Columbia St (west into downtown) |
||
| 4 | Peterson Creek, Glenfair Peterson Creek Park (Kamloops) | 448.1 |
|
webcam facing north |
||
| 6 | Exit #370 Summit Dr underpass, Exit WB only (Kamloops) | 549.2 |
| 8 | Exit #369 Columbia Way (N) Exit EB only (Kamloops) | 590.4 |
| multiple gas stations north of highway, on Columbia St
Access to downtown, via Columbia Street, about 3 km from highway Kamloops photos south access to Royal Inland Hospital (Interior Health District) about 2.7 km NE of highway |
||
| 9 | Exit #368 Junction Princeton Kamloops Hwy (5A) (S), Hillside Way (N) (Kamloops) | 630.9 |
|
Kamloops Visitor Centre, just north of highway Aberdeen Mall, Kamloops 8 screen multiplex cinemas Dream Lodge, just south of highway Four Points Sheraton Hotel, just south of highway Comfort Inn & Suites, just south of highway Best Western Kamloops, just south of Highway Aberdeen Inn, just south of highway Travelodge Mountainview, just south of highway Esso, Petro-Canada gas stations, south of highway Maverick Motor Inn, just north of highway Aberdeen Mall, north side of highway |
||
| 10 | Exit #367 Pacific Way, exit to Kenna Cartwright Park (N) (Kamloops) | 669.3 |
|
Greyhound-Kamloops Terminal, just north of highway Grandview Motel, 1.3 km north of highway Argus Motor Inn, 1.2 km north of highway Alpine Motor Inn, south of highway Pantry & Shell gas stations to south of highway Access to Kenna Cartwright Park, natural area in the City of Kamloops |
||
| 12 | Exit #366 Copperhead Dr (S) Hillside Rd (N) (Kamloops) | 699.8 |
|
Access to Kenna Cartwright Park, natural area in the City of Kamloops Petro-Canada Station, south side (EB) of highway |
||
| 13 | Bridge over Coquihalla River (Hope) | 211.5 |
|
Coquihalla River photos |
||
| 16 | Exit #362 Junction Highway 1 WB | 744 |
|
Trans-Canada Highway Access west to Cache Creek, Lytton and Hope |
||
| 19 | Sugarloaf Rd underpass | 769.9 |
| 23 | Exit #355 Sugarloaf Rd, tails to Sugarloaf Mountain E of hwy | 840.3 |
| 28 | Desmond Lake to W of highway | 1402.1 |
| 30 | Chuwheis Mountain Rd (W) Lac Le Jeune Rd (E) underpass (no access), Stake Lake to E of hwy, W to Lac Le Jeune PP, camping | 1350.3 |
|
Lac Le Jeune Provincial Park, camping, day use, water sports, scenic views McConnell Lake Provincial Park day use, with water sports and hiking |
||
| 35 | Exit #336 Meadow Creek Rd W to Surrey & Sussex Lakes, E to Walloper Lake PP, camping | 1321.6 |
|
Walloper Lake Provincial Park, day use with water sports |
||
| 44 | Surrey-Sussex Lakes to E of hwy | 1415.2 |
| 64 | Helmer Rd underpass | 1361.8 |
| 64 | Exit # 315 Helmer Rd & U-turn view of Helmer Lake to W of hwy | 1390.5 |
|
webcam looking north |
||
| 80 | Exit #290 Junction Highway 5A (Voght St) Merritt, E to Merritt Airfield (1 kn), Nicola Lake (9 km), Zoht Indian Reserve 4 (10 km), Monk Lake PP (20 km) (Merritt) | 613.3 |
|
Zoht Indian Reserve 4, member of the Lower Nicola Band |
||
| 90 | Exit #286 Junction Highway 5A & 97C (Nicola Ave), W to town of Merritt (2 km), all services, access to Joeyaska Indian Reserve 2 (1 km), Nicola Mameet Indian Reserve 1 (8 km) (Merritt) | 681.5 |
|
Joeyaska Indian Reserve 2, member of the Lower Nicola Band |
||
| 96 | Exit #276 Comstock Rd access to Coldwater Indian Reserve 1 (10 km), and hiking trails | 987.9 |
|
Coldwater Indian Reserve 1, part of Nicola Band, 10 km from highway |
||
| 115 | Exit #256 Coldwater Rd (N/W) access to Paul’s Basin Indian Reserve (15 km), Brookmere Rd (S/E) | 838.8 |
| 115 | Road overpass | 880.6 |
| 118 | Exit #250 Brodie Siding Rd (SE) & Fig Lake Rd (NW) observe sharp twist in rail track E of hwy | 999.4 |
|
webcam facing north |
||
| 121 | Connecting Rd, access to Coldwater River PP, camping | 1012.2 |
| Coldwater River Provincial Park, with hiking and fishing | ||
| 132 | Crossing Coldwater River bridge, rapids N of hwy | 988.8 |
| 133 | Murray Lake Rd Exit WB/SB only | 1005.8 |
| 134 | Juliet Creek Exits, access to Juliet Station airfield | 1062.5 |
| 138 | Juliet Creek Rd overpass | 1060.4 |
| 141 | Exit to Nicola Provincial Forest | 1080.5 |
| 142 | Coldwater Lake, to West of hwy | 1176.8 |
| 144 | Exit #228 WB: Coquihalla Lakes Rest Area | 1111.9 |
| Nicolla Lakes Rest Area, with scenic views | ||
| 145 | Exit #228 EB: Coquihalla Lakes Rest Area | 1120.7 |
| 146 | Coquihalla [former] Toll Booth | 1129.6 |
|
webcam facing south webcam facing north Coquihalla Highway Toll Plaza Rest Area with bathrooms |
||
| 150 | Exit #221 Coquihalla Summit Rec Area | 1171.3 |
| 153 | Coquihalla Summit | 1280.2 |
|
webcam facing south |
||
| 169 | Chain Up Area, Pull off | 1218 |
| 171 | Exit #202, Portia and U-turn | 584.6 |
|
Kicking Horse Bridge |
||
| 173 | Exit #200 | 536.8 |
| 177 | Exit #195 Caroline Mines Rd, turnaround | 374 |
| 179 | Exit #192 turnaround WB Exit, to Kettle Creek Railway trails at Boston Bar Creek | 349.3 |
|
Kettle Creek Railway – the segment still operating is short stretch west of Summerland, in the southern Okanagan Kettle Valley Railway railtrail, hiking and mountain biking |
||
| 180 | Exit #192 turnaround EB Exit, to Kettle Creek Railway trails at Boston Bar Creek | 327.1 |
| access to Kettle Creek Railway, recreational pathway and railway trestle bridge | ||
| 181 | Crossing Coquihalla River | 318.2 |
| 183 | Bridge over Deneau Creek | 320 |
| 185 | 10 Mile Creek crossing | 277.4 |
| 190 | Peers Creek Rd underpass | 214.6 |
| 190 | Exit #183 Othello Rd exit, W to Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park and Othello Tunnels | 217 |
| Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, picnic area, hiking trails, about 2 km southwest of highway
access to Kawkawa Lake Resort, about 7 km E of highway |
||
| 196 | Exit #177, junction with #5 Coquihalla Southbound interchange with Highway 3, Crowsnest Highway | 263.3 |
| Complex intersection. South-westbound traffic wishing to visit Hope Slide exist west and then loop-around to head eastbound on the #3
Complex intersection. South-westbound traffic wishing to visit Hope Slide exist west (toward Hope) and then loop-around to head eastbound on the #3 |
||
| 197 | EB Exit #177, Highway #3 junction with Coquihalla Highway | 274.3 |
| Crowsnest Highway #3, east to Princeton, Osoyoos and Penticton
Nicolum River Provincial Park, fishing, hiking, biking, about 5 km E Hope Slide 1965 natural disaster, 10.7 km E, (access best westbound, tricky eastbound) |
||
| 201 | Exit #173 Old Yale Rd (Hope) | 128.3 |
| East Access to Hope, all services | ||
| 204 | Junction Highway 1 and Highway 3 (Hope) | 72.2 |
| 204 | Exit #170 WB, to Old Yale Rd, and Trans-Canada 1 North (Hope) | 144.5 |
|
Access to town of Hope Community of Hope, BC Panoramic VR image along Fraser River from Centennial Park (park in town, on east side of highway) Hope photos |
||
| KM | (metres) |
| KM | (metres) |
|
| 0 | Junction Highway 1 and Highway 3 (Hope) | 72.2 |
| 0 | Exit #170 WB, to Old Yale Rd, and Trans-Canada 1 North (Hope) | 144.5 |
|
Access to town of Hope Community of Hope, BC Panoramic VR image along Fraser River from Centennial Park (park in town, on east side of highway) Hope photos |
||
| 3 | Exit #173 Old Yale Rd (Hope) | 128.3 |
| East Access to Hope, all services | ||
| 7 | EB Exit #177, Highway #3 junction with Coquihalla Highway | 274.3 |
| Crowsnest Highway #3, east to Princeton, Osoyoos and Penticton
Nicolum River Provincial Park, fishing, hiking, biking, about 5 km E Hope Slide 1965 natural disaster, 10.7 km E, (access best westbound, tricky eastbound) |
||
| 8 | Exit #177, junction with #5 Coquihalla Southbound interchange with Highway 3, Crowsnest Highway | 263.3 |
| Complex intersection. South-westbound traffic wishing to visit Hope Slide exist west and then loop-around to head eastbound on the #3
Complex intersection. South-westbound traffic wishing to visit Hope Slide exist west (toward Hope) and then loop-around to head eastbound on the #3 |
||
| 14 | Peers Creek Rd underpass | 214.6 |
| 14 | Exit #183 Othello Rd exit, W to Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park and Othello Tunnels | 217 |
| Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, picnic area, hiking trails, about 2 km southwest of highway
access to Kawkawa Lake Resort, about 7 km E of highway |
||
| 19 | 10 Mile Creek crossing | 277.4 |
| 21 | Bridge over Deneau Creek | 320 |
| 23 | Crossing Coquihalla River | 318.2 |
| 24 | Exit #192 turnaround EB Exit, to Kettle Creek Railway trails at Boston Bar Creek | 327.1 |
| access to Kettle Creek Railway, recreational pathway and railway trestle bridge | ||
| 25 | Exit #192 turnaround WB Exit, to Kettle Creek Railway trails at Boston Bar Creek | 349.3 |
|
Kettle Creek Railway – the segment still operating is short stretch west of Summerland, in the southern Okanagan Kettle Valley Railway railtrail, hiking and mountain biking |
||
| 27 | Exit #195 Caroline Mines Rd, turnaround | 374 |
| 31 | Exit #200 | 536.8 |
| 33 | Exit #202, Portia and U-turn | 584.6 |
|
Kicking Horse Bridge |
||
| 35 | Chain Up Area, Pull off | 1218 |
| 51 | Coquihalla Summit | 1280.2 |
|
webcam facing south |
||
| 54 | Exit #221 Coquihalla Summit Rec Area | 1171.3 |
| 58 | Coquihalla [former] Toll Booth | 1129.6 |
|
webcam facing south webcam facing north Coquihalla Highway Toll Plaza Rest Area with bathrooms |
||
| 59 | Exit #228 EB: Coquihalla Lakes Rest Area | 1120.7 |
| 60 | Exit #228 WB: Coquihalla Lakes Rest Area | 1111.9 |
| Nicolla Lakes Rest Area, with scenic views | ||
| 62 | Coldwater Lake, to West of hwy | 1176.8 |
| 63 | Exit to Nicola Provincial Forest | 1080.5 |
| 66 | Juliet Creek Rd overpass | 1060.4 |
| 70 | Juliet Creek Exits, access to Juliet Station airfield | 1062.5 |
| 71 | Murray Lake Rd Exit WB/SB only | 1005.8 |
| 72 | Crossing Coldwater River bridge, rapids N of hwy | 988.8 |
| 83 | Connecting Rd, access to Coldwater River PP, camping | 1012.2 |
| Coldwater River Provincial Park, with hiking and fishing | ||
| 86 | Exit #250 Brodie Siding Rd (SE) & Fig Lake Rd (NW) observe sharp twist in rail track E of hwy | 999.4 |
|
webcam facing north |
||
| 89 | Exit #256 Coldwater Rd (N/W) access to Paul’s Basin Indian Reserve (15 km), Brookmere Rd (S/E) | 838.8 |
| 89 | Road overpass | 880.6 |
| 108 | Exit #276 Comstock Rd access to Coldwater Indian Reserve 1 (10 km), and hiking trails | 987.9 |
|
Coldwater Indian Reserve 1, part of Nicola Band, 10 km from highway |
||
| 114 | Exit #286 Junction Highway 5A & 97C (Nicola Ave), W to town of Merritt (2 km), all services, access to Joeyaska Indian Reserve 2 (1 km), Nicola Mameet Indian Reserve 1 (8 km) (Merritt) | 681.5 |
|
Joeyaska Indian Reserve 2, member of the Lower Nicola Band |
||
| 124 | Exit #290 Junction Highway 5A (Voght St) Merritt, E to Merritt Airfield (1 kn), Nicola Lake (9 km), Zoht Indian Reserve 4 (10 km), Monk Lake PP (20 km) (Merritt) | 613.3 |
|
Zoht Indian Reserve 4, member of the Lower Nicola Band |
||
| 140 | Helmer Rd underpass | 1361.8 |
| 140 | Exit # 315 Helmer Rd & U-turn view of Helmer Lake to W of hwy | 1390.5 |
|
webcam looking north |
||
| 160 | Surrey-Sussex Lakes to E of hwy | 1415.2 |
| 169 | Exit #336 Meadow Creek Rd W to Surrey & Sussex Lakes, E to Walloper Lake PP, camping | 1321.6 |
|
Walloper Lake Provincial Park, day use with water sports |
||
| 174 | Chuwheis Mountain Rd (W) Lac Le Jeune Rd (E) underpass (no access), Stake Lake to E of hwy, W to Lac Le Jeune PP, camping | 1350.3 |
|
Lac Le Jeune Provincial Park, camping, day use, water sports, scenic views McConnell Lake Provincial Park day use, with water sports and hiking |
||
| 176 | Desmond Lake to W of highway | 1402.1 |
| 181 | Exit #355 Sugarloaf Rd, tails to Sugarloaf Mountain E of hwy | 840.3 |
| 185 | Sugarloaf Rd underpass | 769.9 |
| 188 | Exit #362 Junction Highway 1 WB | 744 |
|
Trans-Canada Highway Access west to Cache Creek, Lytton and Hope |
||
| 191 | Bridge over Coquihalla River (Hope) | 211.5 |
|
Coquihalla River photos |
||
| 192 | Exit #366 Copperhead Dr (S) Hillside Rd (N) (Kamloops) | 699.8 |
|
Access to Kenna Cartwright Park, natural area in the City of Kamloops Petro-Canada Station, south side (EB) of highway |
||
| 194 | Exit #367 Pacific Way, exit to Kenna Cartwright Park (N) (Kamloops) | 669.3 |
|
Greyhound-Kamloops Terminal, just north of highway Grandview Motel, 1.3 km north of highway Argus Motor Inn, 1.2 km north of highway Alpine Motor Inn, south of highway Pantry & Shell gas stations to south of highway Access to Kenna Cartwright Park, natural area in the City of Kamloops |
||
| 195 | Exit #368 Junction Princeton Kamloops Hwy (5A) (S), Hillside Way (N) (Kamloops) | 630.9 |
|
Kamloops Visitor Centre, just north of highway Aberdeen Mall, Kamloops 8 screen multiplex cinemas Dream Lodge, just south of highway Four Points Sheraton Hotel, just south of highway Comfort Inn & Suites, just south of highway Best Western Kamloops, just south of Highway Aberdeen Inn, just south of highway Travelodge Mountainview, just south of highway Esso, Petro-Canada gas stations, south of highway Maverick Motor Inn, just north of highway Aberdeen Mall, north side of highway |
||
| 196 | Exit #369 Columbia Way (N) Exit EB only (Kamloops) | 590.4 |
| multiple gas stations north of highway, on Columbia St
Access to downtown, via Columbia Street, about 3 km from highway Kamloops photos south access to Royal Inland Hospital (Interior Health District) about 2.7 km NE of highway |
||
| 198 | Exit #370 Summit Dr underpass, Exit WB only (Kamloops) | 549.2 |
| 200 | Peterson Creek, Glenfair Peterson Creek Park (Kamloops) | 448.1 |
|
webcam facing north |
||
| 204 | Exit #374 Junction Yellowhead Highway (5) (Kamloops) | 402 |
|
Shuswap Nation Tribal Council Tkemlups of the Secwepemc band of theShuwap First Nation Access to downtown Kamloops, on exit further, Valleyview Rd (east) and Battle St/Columbia St (west into downtown) |
||
| KM | (metres) |