Living in
Hedley, BC
Tucked between two mountains in the canyon carved by Hedley Creek, this gold-rush village refuses to disappear. It’s fiercely beautiful, genuinely small, and utterly its own thing. If you want real Similkameen life — not a simulation of it — Hedley is where to look.
📜 Snaza’ist — The Striped Rock Place
Gold, Ochre & 7,000 Years
Long before the miners arrived, the Smelqmix People called this canyon home. The striped cliffs that drew prospectors to their fortunes had already been read, painted, and honoured for thousands of years.
The Hedley area sits on the traditional, unceded territory of the Upper Similkameen Indian Band — the Smelqmix People. Their name for this place is Snaza’ist (sna-za-ee-st), meaning “striped rock place,” a reference to the vivid coloured strata on the canyon walls. According to oral tradition, those stripes were made when a sasquatch swiped at the rocks while chasing a teasing chipmunk. The Chuchuwayha ancestral village (“many creeks”) once stood near the present townsite. Archaeological evidence confirms human presence here for over 7,000 years, and the surrounding valley holds one of the densest concentrations of pictographs in all of British Columbia.
The Smelqmix were skilled miners long before any prospector set foot in the canyon — harvesting ochre, chert, and even gold using hand tools, then trading widely across the Interior. When non-native prospectors entered the Similkameen Valley in the 1850s, they were guided by Similkameen people who already knew every crease of this landscape. Gold was first discovered at Twenty Mile Creek in 1897, and hard-rock mining on Nickel Plate Mountain began in earnest by 1904.
The town took its name from Robert R. Hedley, manager of the Hall Smelter in Nelson, who grubstaked several of the original prospectors. By 1902 the population had surged past 1,000 — the town boasted five hotels, a bank (the first in the Similkameen Valley), a newspaper, and the full chaos of a frontier boomtown. The Great Northern Railroad arrived in 1909, linking Hedley to the wider world and sustaining the Nickel Plate and Mascot mines for decades.
The ore body was exhausted by 1955 and the railroad pulled out in 1954, triggering a rapid decline. Fires took most of the hotels and a city block in 1957. Today Hedley has stabilized at around 250-400 residents — a tight-knit mix of long-timers, retirees, artists, and newcomers drawn by the scenery, the solitude, and property prices that still reflect the town’s off-the-radar status.
BC
Smelqmix Presence
The Similkameen people establish themselves in the canyon, mining ochre and trading across BC’s Interior.
Gold Discovered
Prospectors strike gold at Twenty Mile (Hedley) Creek, triggering a rush to Nickel Plate Mountain.
Hard Rock Mining Begins
Industrial gold extraction commences on Nickel Plate Mountain; Hedley booms to 1,000+ residents.
Railroad Arrives
The Great Northern Railway connects Hedley, sustaining mining output and linking the canyon to wider markets.
Mascot Mine Opens
The dramatic cliff-face Mascot Mine begins production, adding silver and copper alongside gold.
Mines Close
Ore exhausted, the railroad withdraws, and Hedley transitions from mining town to heritage village.
Hedley Today
A quietly resilient community of ~300, home to artists, retirees, and adventurers who love the Similkameen on their own terms.
☀️ Canyon Climate
The Hedley Climate
Tucked into a canyon at 578 metres, Hedley gets the warmth of a Similkameen summer with winters that are mild by BC Interior standards — and over 300 days of sunshine a year to enjoy it all.
Wildflowers push through the canyon slopes in April, the Similkameen River runs high with snowmelt, and the hiking season kicks off by May. Still cool at night, but reliably sunny.
Hot, dry, and gorgeous. The canyon amplifies the heat and keeps rain away — perfect for river swimming, gold panning, and Cathedral Park day trips. Evenings cool nicely.
Arguably the most beautiful season. The canyon walls turn amber and rust, the crowds are gone, and the air is crisp. Prime time for hiking the Nickel Plate trails.
Mild by BC standards. Snow falls but doesn’t linger long at valley elevation. Apex Mountain Resort is about an hour away for powder days. A quiet, reflective time in Hedley.
🏔️ Mountains, River & Wild Sky
Surrounded by Wilderness
Hedley sits at the bottom of a canyon flanked by Nickel Plate Mountain to the east and Stemwinder Mountain to the west, with the Similkameen River running right through town. The wilderness here isn’t a backdrop — it’s the whole point.
One of BC’s best-kept secrets for serious hikers. Located due south of Hedley, this alpine wilderness park features turquoise lakes — Quiniscoe, Ladyslipper, Pyramid — tucked into granite basins at high elevation. Wildlife including bighorn sheep, black bears, and mountain goats roam freely. No vehicles in the core area means real backcountry solitude.
The Similkameen runs cold and clear right through the centre of Hedley, and it’s been a source of gold, food, and life for thousands of years. Today it’s the town’s swimming hole, fishing spot, and gold-panning ground. Active claims still exist along the creek and river — pan your own piece of history at the mouth of Hedley Creek.
🥾 Outdoors & Adventure
Trails, Rivers & Open Roads
Hedley doesn’t have a rec centre — it has a canyon, an alpine park, a gold-bearing river, and dozens of old mining roads that go somewhere new every weekend. The outdoors here is the facility.
⛏️ Gold Rush Legacy
The Mines That Built a Legend
Between 1904 and 1996, the mines of Hedley pulled over 86 tonnes of gold from the mountain. The infrastructure they left behind — clinging to cliff faces, tunnelled through peaks — is one of the most dramatic mining landscapes in all of Canada.
⛏️ Did you know? The mines of Hedley produced gold valued at roughly $2.7 billion CAD in 2010 dollars — from a town that, at its peak, had only 1,000 residents and five hotels. Hollywood noticed too: Jack Nicholson filmed scenes from The Pledge here, and Burt Reynolds shot Malone in these streets.
🍽️ Eat & Drink Local
Coffee, Provisions & Local Gems
Hedley’s food scene is exactly what you’d expect from a town of 300 in a stunning canyon — small, personal, and surprisingly good. Stock up here for the trail, or sit down and hear a story.
🎓 Education
Schools & Learning
Hedley is served by School District 53 (Okanagan Similkameen). Younger children attend school in Keremeos, a 20-minute drive east, while Penticton is the nearest city with post-secondary options.
🐾 For Dog Lovers
Trail Dogs & River Dogs
Hedley doesn’t have a formal off-leash park — it has something better: a canyon full of trails, a wide gravel river bar, and open space in every direction. If your dog loves to run, sniff, and explore, this is their kind of town.
✈️ Getting Here
How to Get to Hedley
Hedley sits on Highway 3 between Princeton and Keremeos — about an hour from Penticton and 3.5 hours from Vancouver. It’s a scenic drive no matter which direction you come from.
Penticton Regional Airport (YYF) is the closest option, about 75 km east of Hedley. Air Canada offers direct flights from Vancouver. From the airport, it’s a scenic hour-long drive along Highway 3 through Keremeos. Kelowna Airport (YLW) is also an option for more flight choices, about 1.5 hours away.
Drive — Highway 3 (Crowsnest)Hedley is 3.5 hours from Vancouver via the Hope–Princeton Highway, one of BC’s most scenic drives through mountain passes and river canyons. From Penticton, take Highway 97 south to Keremeos, then Highway 3 west — about 50 minutes. Check DriveBC for real-time road conditions, especially in winter.
Bus — ebus Intercity Serviceebus operates intercity coach service along Highway 3 connecting Vancouver, Hope, Princeton, and Penticton. Hedley is a small stop on this route. Local transit options within the Similkameen are limited — a car is effectively essential for day-to-day life in Hedley.
Flying from Abroad?Connect through Vancouver International (YVR) for the widest international flight options. From YVR, rent a car and drive the stunning 3.5-hour route via the Coquihalla and Hope–Princeton highways. Alternatively, fly to YYC Calgary and drive the 6-hour scenic route through the Crowsnest Pass.
❓ Common Questions
Your Hedley Questions, Answered
Thinking about visiting, moving to, or buying property in Hedley? Here are the questions people actually search for — answered honestly.
Identity
What is Hedley, BC known for?
Hedley is best known for its gold mining history. The Mascot Mine and Nickel Plate Mine together produced over 86 tonnes of gold between 1904 and 1996. Today the town is also recognized for its artisan community, stunning canyon scenery, gold panning in the Similkameen River, and access to Cathedral Provincial Park.
Lifestyle
Is Hedley, BC a good place to live?
Hedley suits people who crave a true small-town lifestyle with outdoor adventure at the doorstep. The community is tight-knit with around 250–400 residents, a growing artisan scene, and access to world-class hiking and fishing. It’s especially popular with retirees and remote workers who want quiet, scenic living at an affordable price.
Distance
How far is Hedley from Penticton?
Hedley is about 74 kilometres southwest of Penticton along Highway 3, making it roughly a 50–60 minute drive. The route follows the scenic Similkameen Valley through Keremeos. Penticton is the nearest city for major shopping, medical services, and the Penticton Regional Airport.
Population
What is the population of Hedley, BC?
Hedley is a very small community with a population of approximately 250–400 people, depending on the season. The 2016 census counted 242 residents. At its gold-mining peak in the early 1900s, the town had over 1,000 residents and five hotels. Today it’s a quiet hamlet with a resilient, community-minded spirit.
Outdoors
What outdoor activities are near Hedley, BC?
Hedley is surrounded by exceptional outdoor recreation. Cathedral Provincial Park, located just south, offers 85 km of trails through alpine wilderness. The Similkameen River is popular for gold panning and fishing. Hiking trails around Nickel Plate Mountain, Stemwinder Provincial Park camping, and ATV routes on old mining roads round out the options.
Cost of Living
Is Hedley, BC expensive to live in?
Hedley is one of the most affordable communities in the Okanagan-Similkameen region. Real estate prices are significantly lower than Penticton or Keremeos, and the rural lifestyle keeps day-to-day costs modest. The trade-off is limited local services — residents typically drive to Keremeos or Penticton for groceries, healthcare, and major shopping.
Mining History
What is the Mascot Mine in Hedley?
The Mascot Mine is a historic gold mine dramatically perched on the cliff face of Nickel Plate Mountain above Hedley. Active from 1936 to 1955, it’s now managed by the Upper Similkameen Indian Band. The site received an $800,000 provincial grant for restoration. Check with the Hedley Museum for current access information before visiting.
First Nations
What First Nation is Hedley on?
Hedley sits on the traditional territory of the Upper Similkameen Indian Band, known as the Smelqmix People. Their name for the Hedley area is Snaza’ist (sna-za-ee-st), meaning “striped rock place.” The Chuchuwayha Reserve borders the town, and the band’s office is located in Hedley along Snaza’ist Drive.
🏡 Find Your Place
Ready to Call Hedley Home?
I’m Riccardo Manazza — a licensed REALTOR® with eXp Realty and a proud South Okanagan local. Hedley is one of those places you either discover by accident or chase for years. If you’re thinking about buying or selling in the Similkameen Valley, I know this territory — the canyon towns, the rural properties, and the real estate that doesn’t always make it onto the big listing sites. Let’s talk.