Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail

Traversing desert orchards, world-class vineyards, and stunning scenery, the multi-use trails and world-class regional trail network in the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys take you through a tour of some of the most diverse and unique landscapes in the province.

KVR Corridor

snpink’tn Indian Band, City of Penticton, District of Summerland, and RDOS confirm closure of KVR Corridor

snpink’tn Indian Band confirms that the Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) corridor on Band-owned lands between Summerland and Banbury Green will remain closed to public access due to serious safety hazards and ongoing unauthorized access.

The Channel walkway is not part of the KVR corridor and remains open for public use. The closure area is shown on the map below.

Click here to view the joint information release.

snpink’tn Indian Band, the RDOS, the City of Penticton, the District of Summerland, Trans Canada Trail, and other partners are working together to develop a long-term plan for the corridor that addresses safety, trail rehabilitation, access management, and cultural and environmental protection. Updates will be provided as this work advances.

The public is reminded: Keeping this corridor safe is a shared responsibility.

Support for temporary closure - Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)

"We fully support the decision to temporarily close this section of the KVR Trail, acknowledging that the current safety risks require immediate action to reopen safely. While we recognize the corridor's immense value to local residents, visitors, and the interconnected trail network, safety remains paramount. Moving forward, we are committed to collaborating respectfully with PIB and our regional partners to address these hazards. Our goal is to support a sustainable, safe reopening that completely respects PIB’s jurisdiction, lands, and decision-making process."

Support for temporary closure - Trail of the Okanagans

"Our Society supports the decision to close the corridor due to the hazards identified. To assist in your efforts, we have in the past and will continue to repost your notices on our official Facebook page informing our followers that these specific trail sections are closed and dangerous. We will continue to use our platform to amplify your warnings.

We fully understand and share the frustration expressed by the Band. It is deeply concerning to hear of the continued unlawful access and property damage, and we particularly condemn the inappropriate and aggressive behavior directed at Band staff. No one should face harassment while performing their duties to protect public safety."

Message from RDOS Chair Mark Pendergraft

“The RDOS stands alongside the snpink’tn Indian Band, the City of Penticton, and the District of Summerland in supporting the closure of the KVR corridor due to serious safety hazards. This coordinated approach reflects our shared responsibility to protect people, the land, and our commitment to working together collaboratively as we develop a long-term plan for the corridor.”

Quotes

snpink’tn Indian Band Chief Greg Gabriel stated, “This land is part of our territory and we take that responsibility seriously. We have a duty to protect the people who use this corridor, including our own community members, and right now the conditions are not safe. We also have a responsibility to our community to make sure that any decisions about the future of this corridor reflect what our people want. snpink’tn, the RDOS, Penticton, and Summerland are working together on a long-term plan, and when it is ready, we will bring it to our community for consideration. In the meantime, we are asking everyone to please respect the closure.”

Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield stated, “Public safety has to come first. The hazards identified along this section of the KVR corridor are serious and ongoing, and we strongly support the snpink’tn Indian Band’s decision to close the area. We’re asking residents and visitors to respect the closure and stay within open, designated routes. This work is rooted in strong community collaboration, and we are committed to continuing that partnership with snpink’tn, Summerland and the RDOS as we develop a long-term solution that protects both people and this important landscape.”

Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes stated, “Summerland residents are welcome to go onto the Trout Creek Trestle to enjoy the views but are being asked not to proceed further onto snpink’tn reserve lands. Not only do the unstable banks and cracks in bedrock pose a safety risk to mountain bikers and hikers, it is disrespectful and illegal to trespass on reserve lands.”