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The drive to Hell’s Gate AirTram will be half the adventure and fun of your trip to the Fraser Canyon. This section of the Trans-Canada Highway is incredibly scenic, and the Fraser Canyon Tunnels add to the experience.
Credit:Hell’s Gate AirTram
Simon Fraser, the British Columbia river’s namesake, was the first British explorer to make their way across the province’s interior. His journey would follow the now Fraser River. Along the way, he would document the incredible scenery, landscapes, and wildlife. In these reports, he mentions the “awesome gorge” or “Hell’s Gate.” And it wouldn’t only be the look of the area which would give it this name. Hell’s Gate and the towering cliffs above, the large rocks in the water, and the narrow width of the passage, make this a roaring and thundering part of the Fraser River.
Close to 100 years later, construction began on the Hell’s Gate Air Tram. For over 50 years, this attraction has enabled visitors to witness the power of the Fraser River from above while travelling from cliff to cliff. The Hell’s Gate experience includes much more than the Air Tram ride!
The Hell’s Gate Experience
The Hell’s Gate Airtram tickets include a round-trip ride and access to the area’s other attractions. The Airtram tram hold 22 people and traverses a 475-meter track, supported by 40mm ropes with a breaking strength of 151 tons. It moves at 2.6 meters per second, while providing stunning views of the Fraser River thundering through with 200 million gallons of water per minute.
- The Airtram Ride brings you on a descent from the Upper to the Lower Terminal while crossing the Fraser River Valley, offering a breathtaking journey nearly 1,000 feet down into the gorge.
- The rest of the Hell’s Gate experience is located at the Lower Terminal.
- You’ll have access to the Fisheries Display, interpretive signage and art displays, the gift shop, and places to dine.
- Choose between sweets from the Fudge Factory or snacks from Simon’s Café.
- From here, you may cross back on a return Air Tram ride or via the Suspension Bridge, which spans the river.
Exploring Boston Bar
Hell’s Gate is within the Fraser Canyon community of Boston Bar. The centre of town is about 11km north of the Hell’s Gate parking lot on the Trans-Canada, and provides even more attractions to see, a few local dining or takeout options, and accommodations.
- The Tuckkwiowhum Heritage Village is on the reservation of the same name located between Hell’s Gate and Boston Bar’s town centre. Learn about the Nlaka’pamux through a self-guided tour of the historic village, or the regularly scheduled workshops and live entertainment.
- The Tuckkwiowhum Heritage Village also operate a campground with options for tipi camping, tent sites, or RV sites. These include river- and creek-side campsites.
- Boston Bar’s local restaurants include the Old Towne Inn Chuckwagon Bar & Grill, JB’s Drive In, and Fetch Panda Kitchen. Find more options further north on the Trans-Canada in Canyon Alpine.
- Frances Harrington Park has a unique local artefact on display. At one point, visitors and locals could cross the Fraser River on the North Bend Aerial Ferry. Now decommissioned, the ferry cart is on display at Frances Harrington Park.
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Picnic at the Alexandra Bridge
The Alexandra Bridge Provincial Park is south of the Hell’s Gate Airtram along the Trans-Canada. The day use park, open May to October, has scenic picnic spots along the banks of the river with access to washrooms and a parking lot. There are short trails around the park which provide access to the Old Alexandra Bridge and follow the route of the Old Caribou Highway. From the Old Bridge there are more incredible views of the Fraser. The new Alexandra Bridge is now part of the Trans-Canada Highway.
Planning your Trip – Hell’s Gate Airtram
What: An air tram which brings visitors across the the narrow channel of Fraser River that is only 110 feet wide. The Hell’s Gate is a name for the towering rock formations which surround this part of the Fraser River Valley. This section of the Fraser River is also vital to annual salmon spawning and runs.
Credit: Thomas Quine/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
Location and how to get there: 43111 Trans-Canada Hwy, Boston Bar, BC
55km north of Hope on the Trans Canada/Highway BC-1
Approximately 205 km from Vancouver
Approximately 293 km from Kelowna
Best time to go: May-October
Cost: $32.99 to $36.99 per person; children 5 and under are free
For more information:
