by Elizabeth Snerle, Chilliwack River Valley Riverbend Guest House B&B!
The City of Chilliwack and the outlying areas of Chilliwack River Valley, Cultus Lake and Harrison Hot Springs consists of some 70,000 residents and millions of visitors who come to the area to enjoy the beauty of nature, excitement of world class fishing, river rafting and more!
Located 100 km east of the City of Vancouver, B.C., it is a most diverse and popular area, being a little bit of country, a little bit of city and whole lot of nature the outlying area of Chilliwack River Valley is a virtual nature retreat!
The mighty Fraser River and its tributaries such as 
Chilliwack and Vedder Rivers are part of a larger network that supports river sports fishing for sturgeon weighing hundreds of pounds. A record 1,000-pound Sturgeon was caught on the Fraser River in 2005 and it is almost daily routine, in season, to pull in Sturgeon weighing between 75 and 300 pounds or a 30- or 40-pound salmon when fishing by boat with qualified guides.
Harrison Hot Springs provides a sandy beach where an annual Sand Sculpture Contest draws artists from around the globe and gets press coverage! Soak in the Hot Springs, walk the beach or visit one of the many quaint shops full of mementoes and works of art! For the children drop by Bridal Falls, a popular dinosaur theme park located at the base of Mt Cheam. Also in the Bridal Falls area the every popular Trans Canada Water Slides!
Cultus Lake is also popular with families whose little ones love to visit the Giggle ride or small wave pool or slides while older children, teens and even adults love the excitement of the GIANT water slides or a good round of golf!
Chilliwack has a strong native population with traditional dress and ceremonies performed at Cultus and other local areas and many traditional native artefacts and souvenirs are to be found. Chilliwack is a strong fishing and farming community with historical buildings, farm tours, fish hatcheries and of course a local Corn Maize to explore!
Locals and tourists alike love to fish, ride the white rapids on a River Rafting Expedition, visit Chilliwack Lake or tour the fish hatchery on Chilliwack Lake Road.
On the route of the Canadian wilderness trails and surrounded by valley, mountain, river and lakes as well as considerable forested areas one can find many nice short hikes or if you are an avid hiker try taking a Hike up Slesse Mountain to the site of a 1960s plane crash, the monument of which can be found on Slesse Road going into Slesse Park.
If you are a bird lover be sure to visit the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve, best viewed in the spring nesting season. You are a garden/ flower lover? Then don't miss Minter Gardens and if you wander further up the Fraser Valley be sure to try the Hells Gate Sky Tram or visit Manning Park!
Central to both the city life of Vancouver and the beauty of nature Chilliwack is a diverse and enjoyable area of incredible beauty. For a semi-wilderness flavour be sure to visit the Chilliwack River Valley area, of which the best kept secret is the little hamlet of Slesse Park and continue on up to Chilliwack Lake!
Getting there
Chilliwack is located 90 minutes from Vancouver, B.C. and 30 min from the Sumas Crossing of the Canada/U.S. border. When exiting the Airport, City of Vancouver by car or returning by ferries from Vancouver Island just take Hwy 1 East towards Hope and exit at the Chilliwack, Sardis exit just past the city of Abbotsford. To reach the Chilliwack River Valley take the Sardis exit to the right and drive to the end of Vedder Road (just past the old Army Base) and turn left onto Chilliwack Lake Road at the bridge driving 10 KM to the River Rafting facility and turning left onto Slesse Road, past the monument and take O'Byrne at the top of the road. To visit Cultus Lake just cross the bridge on Vedder Road and take the next left. To visit the little Mennonite Community of Yarrow just cross the bridge and drive strait ahead until you hit the Eco Farm, the community living of the future. Much is to be seen along the route so enjoy!
What to do
The area is the natural habitat of bald eagles, herons, geese, swallows, Wood Peckers and Humming Birds as well as many other creatures of nature such as racoons, squirrels, deer and wild rabbits.
Walk the rotary trails or visit Blue Heron Nature Reserve (best viewed in the spring nesting season). Fishing for Salmon and Sturgeon from the banks or by boat draws world wide attention of the most avid fishermen as fish are abundant and BIG!
Other popular pastimes include swimming, river rafting, kayaking, boating and hiking. We have a large new Sports Center (Prospera), connecting indoor pool and skating rinks on the Chilliwack (downtown) side and Heritage Park (Horse or Dog Shows, Antique Shows Craft Fairs etc.) on the Sardis side of town.
If you are a churchgoer we have a wide variety of local churches to visit and many events that are church related. In the evening you can find some fine dining, visit a local pub, take in a movie shop or just relax and enjoy all the beauties of the area!
Where to stay CanadaBBHosts recommends
Eating well
Chilliwack has a wide variety of local eating establishments including Greek, Chinese, Italian, British and traditional Canadian foods including the ever-popular ones such as Tim Horton's, McDonald's, Burger King, White Spot, Boston Pizza, Earls, and the local favourites, two of which are Dakota's and Jackson's Steak House.
Come and enjoy, Chilliwack and area has something to suit everyone from the thrill seeker to the sun bather or nature retreat lover!