Myra
Bellevue Provincial Park & Protected Area is
a recreation destination located south of the community of Kelowna,
BC in the Okanagan Valley. The park is best known for the amazing
scenery in and around Myra Canyon and the Kettle
Valley Rail Trail (KVR).
The Myra Bellevue Provincial Park is 7,829 hectares
of wilderness. The park protects the Okanagan Basin and Highlands
of the Okanagan Valley. The Kettle Valley Rail Trail is the main
trail in the park but not the only trail. Beside the KVR, there
is the Crawford Trail, Pink Hwy, Lost Lake Trail and Bellevue
Access Trail.
The trail system in the park, the historical
artifacts found along the trail system and the wilderness scenery
attract many people to the park who enjoy hiking, mountain biking,
birdwatching, sightseeing and horseback riding in the summer.
In the winter months, the trails become cross country ski and
snowshoe routes.
The Myra Bellevue Provincial Park is home to
many historic artifacts dating back to the railway days. There
are "rock ovens", built by the railway workers, hidden
in the bush away from the trails that were used for baking bread.
Irrigation flumes, water towers, building foundations, railway
station sites and train wreck sites are located in various parts
of the park - most are located near the KVR.
There is an 8 kilometre stretch on the Kettle
Valley Rail Trail in the Myra Bellevue Provincial Park that some
say is the most scenic part of the entire trail. The 8 kilometre
section of the trail includes 16 wood trestles, two mountain tunnels,
a few steel bridges and lots of scenery.
Some of the other "Points of Interest"
to take note in the park include Little White Mountain, Bellevue
Creek Corridor, Crawford Falls, Devil's Elbow and the sink holes
and caves near Angel Springs.
In 2003 there was a major forest fire in the
park leaving some parts scared and many of the KVR trestles destroyed.
Today, the trestles are rebuilt and nature is making a big come
back. However, evidence of the fire is still visible in the burnt
black trees still pointing skyward.
Wildlife in the park provides an opportunity
for birdwatching and self guided wildlife tours. Some of the wildlife
visiting and living in the park includes the cougar, elk, moose,
mountain goat, grizzly, woodpecker, owl and bat.
How
to Get to Myra Bellevue
Park :
There are three access points into the Myra Bellevue
Provincial Park - Myra, June Springs and Stewart Road East access:
Myra Access: This is considered
the most popular access point into the park. Travel Hwy #97 into
the community of Kelowna. Near the main bridge that crosses over
Okanagan Lake take Richter Road. Travel south on Richter to KLO
Road. Then travel east on KLO to McCulloch Road. Continue driving
on McCulloch, over KLO Creek, and take a right onto the Myra Forest
Service Road (FSR). Continue on the rough gravel road for 8.5
kilometres to the large parking lot and two pit toilets.
June Springs Access: Travel
Hwy #97 into the community of Kelowna. Near the main bridge that
crosses over Okanagan Lake take Richter Road. Travel south on
Richter to KLO Road. Then travel east on KLO to McCulloch Road.
Continue driving on McCulloch Road for a short distance to June
Springs Road which will be on your right. Take a right on June
Springs Road and continue for 6 kilometres to the Little White
FSR. Travel the rough gravel road for 5 kilometres to a parking
lot and one pit toilet.
Stewart Rd East Access: When
in Kelowna travel down Benvoulin Road to Casorso Road to Bedford
Road to Stewart Road East. Continue on Stewart Road East to a
parking lot and two pit toilets.
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Myra
Bellevue 
Kelowna
