About

Hell’s Gate is a scenic attraction, its roots in history, its future based on a monumental project to reclaim the channel for the great Fraser River Salmon run. The airtram carries 25 visitors and an operator in complete comfort and safety to the opposite shores of the mighty, raging Fraser River.

The first recorded written history of hell’s gate is found in the explorer Simon Fraser’s journal, 1808 – where he stated that “this was a place where no human being should venture”.

In 1913, while CN was blasting for the passage of the railway, rock disposal partially blocked hell’s gate. A dramatic drop in the salmon run resulted. The International Fishways were built in 1944 to help repair man’s damage.

History and ecology enthusiasts will be fascinated by the educational displays and exhibits found at the lower terminal. You can even ‘strike it rich’ when you pan for Fraser River gold.

Souvenir seekers, hearty shoppers and bookworms will be delighted to find some honest-to-goodness Canadiana in the Gold Panner Gift Shop.

Refreshments and homemade salmon chowder are available in Simon’s Café.

Sample the sweet delights of our Fudge Factory with over 100 flavours made right here on site. Clean your palate with some smooth creamy treats from the Ice Cream Parlour.

Hell’s gate is located in the Scenic Fraser Canyon on the Trans-Canada Highway #1, just 52 kms north of Hope and 48 kms south of Lytton, B.C. Being only a 2 ½ hour drive from Vancouver on Highway #1 puts it easily within the realm of a day trip for adventurous lower mainland families. Open mid April through mid October.