If you’re wondering if Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge in Malakwa, BC is worth the entry fee, the short answer is… Yes. Even though the walk itself only takes 7 to 10 minutes, we ended up spending about 1.5 hours there.
Between the close-up waterfall views, multiple viewing platforms, a suspension bridge our boys ran back and forth across more times than we could count, and a family-friendly hangout area with games, a play area, picnic tables, washrooms, and ice cream, we think it’s a worthwhile stop for families on a road trip along the Trans-Canada Highway.
Quick Facts: Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge
- Location: Crazy Creek Resort, Malakwa, BC, right off the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1), west of Revelstoke
- Hours: Open daily, 10am to 6pm, May through September
- Admission: $15 adults, $10 children, kids under 5 free
- Parking: Free, dedicated lot right off Hwy 1
- Walk time: 7 to 10 minutes for the main loop, plus about the same again if you continue up the gorge trail
- Time to budget: 1 to 1.5 hours for families
- Dog-friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Multiple viewing platforms, play area, games, picnic tables, washrooms, ice cream and cold drinks
We almost talked ourselves out of going because of comments we’d seen that the price wasn’t worth it. Here’s our full Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge review, including why we changed our minds and everything you need to know before you go.
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Where Is Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge?
Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge is right off the Trans-Canada Highway in Malakwa, BC, west of Revelstoke and roughly midway between Vancouver and Calgary. It sits at Crazy Creek Resort, and the waterfall and bridge can be accessed by a pedestrian overpass that carries you above the highway itself.
If you’re staying at the resort or camping at Crazy Creek (we were, right before Canada Day), getting there is easy. You just walk across the overpass bridge from the resort grounds and you’re at the entrance in a couple of minutes.
Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge Ticket Prices
Here’s the breakdown of what you’ll pay for Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge tickets:
- Adults: $15
- Children: $10
- Kids under 5: Free
Dogs are welcome too, which was a nice surprise. This would have otherwise been a deal-breaker for us.
For a family of four with two kids over 5, you’re looking at around $50. That was the number that made us pause going in, given the walk itself is short (we did however have one kiddo under 5). Keep reading, because our math changed once we were actually there.
Parking at Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge
If you’re not staying at Crazy Creek Resort and Campground, there’s a dedicated parking area right off the highway that gets you to the same entrance (or you can park at Crazy Creek Resort and walk over the highway).
Parking at Crazy Creek Waterfall is free and ample, located immediately adjacent to the highway. You’ll see the turnoff clearly marked as you’re driving through Malakwa, BC on Highway 1. If you’re coming from the resort or campground side, you won’t need your vehicle at all since the overpass bridge gets you there on foot.
What to See and Do at Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge
The short version is that the entry fee isn’t paying for a hike, it’s paying for access to an impressive natural feature and fun spot to hang out.
The waterfall itself is a two-stage drop through a narrow gorge, and the 240-foot suspension bridge runs directly in front of it, close enough that you feel the spray on your face. There are multiple viewing platforms along the boardwalk, including one tucked underneath the suspension bridge itself where the temperature drops dramatically.
Another viewing platform is down a few flights of stairs off to the side of the hangout area. Both are easy to miss if you’re moving quickly, so slow down and look for them. If you’re browsing Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge photos online before you visit, these platforms are where most of the best shots come from.
Once you’re across the bridge, there’s a whole family-friendly area to hang out in. Here you’ll find games, a kids’ play area, several picnic tables, washrooms, and a staff selling ice cream and cold drinks at prices that felt reasonable rather than tourist-trap inflated.
If you want more than the core loop, there’s also a trail that continues up along the gorge past the bridge, adding roughly the same amount of time again if you walk it. We’d recommend building that into your visit if you’re not in a rush.
Is the Entry Fee Worth It?
For families, yes. Here’s our take:
The walk from entrance to bridge is only 5 to 10 minutes depending on your pace. On paper, that’s not a lot of trail for the price. But we didn’t spend 10 minutes there, we spent about an hour and a half, and none of it felt like we were killing time.
The viewing platforms give you reasons to stop and linger rather than just pass through, and the bridge itself is fun for everyone between the views and the thrill. Then the hangout area on the far side gives you a real reason to stay rather than turn around immediately.
That all said, you’re not paying for a length of trail, you’re paying for access to a beautiful, well-maintained spot with a genuine “wow” moment at its centre, plus the amenities to make an hour or two of fun for the whole family.
If you’re travelling without kids and are short on time, you could reasonably see the highlights in 20 to 30 minutes and still feel it was worth the stop. But if you have kids in tow, plan to stay longer, because they may not want to leave.
Our Experience
We visited around noon, just before Canada Day, and it was quiet. Staff were friendly throughout, and at one point someone offered to take a family photo of us on the bridge. It turned out that person was the owner of the Crazy Creek property, which felt like a nice, personal touch you don’t often get at bigger attractions.
The setting itself is beautiful enough that we’d have been happy just standing at the main viewing platform for a while, but the extras (the play area, the picnic tables, the ice cream stand) are what turned it from a quick photo stop into a proper afternoon outing.
Camping and Staying Near Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge
If you’re on a road trip along the Trans-Canada and want to make more than a quick stop of it, Crazy Creek Resort sits right next door with camping, RV sites, and cabins, all connected to the waterfall and bridge by that same pedestrian overpass. We stayed on-site, which made it easy to pop over for a second look in the evening after the day-trip crowds had cleared out. Then of course there are the Crazy Creek Hot Pools. Be sure to check out our Crazy Creek Resort & Hot Pools review as well!
Tips for Visiting Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge
- Bring bug spray. Mosquitoes were bad in a few sections, especially near the entrance / ticket booth.
- Pack sunscreen and hats if you’re visiting on a hot day, since parts of the walk and the hangout area are exposed.
- Budget more time than you think you’ll need. The walk is short, but plan to hang out there rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.
- Don’t skip the viewing platform underneath the suspension bridge, and the one just off the side of the hangout area. Both are easy to walk past without noticing.
- Take time to read about the history of the Crazy Creek property just after you cross the suspension bridge.
- Walk the additional trail up along the gorge past the bridge if you have the time. It roughly doubles your visit and gives you a different perspective on the creek.
- Go first thing in the morning during busy season. We visited around noon just before Canada Day and it was quiet, but that was before the summer rush really picked up. If you’re visiting in peak July or August, an early start will likely mean fewer people and better photos.
Frequently Asked Questions about Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge
How much does it cost to visit Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge?
Adults are about $15, children are $10, and under 5 get in free.
How long does it take to walk the suspension bridge trail?
The core loop to the bridge and back takes about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on your pace. Adding the trail up along the gorge past the bridge adds roughly the same amount of time again.
Is Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge worth it for families?
We think so. While the walk itself is short, the close-up waterfall views, multiple viewing platforms, a suspension bridge kids love running across, and a hangout area with games, a play area, picnic tables, washrooms, and ice cream add up to a stop worth an hour or more.
Are dogs allowed at Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge?
Yes, dogs are welcome on the trail, bridge, and hang out area.
Where do you park for Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge?
There’s a dedicated parking area right off the Trans-Canada Highway. If you’re staying at Crazy Creek Resort, you can also access the falls on foot via the pedestrian overpass above the highway.
Can you camp near Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge?
Yes, Crazy Creek Resort is right next door and offers camping, RV sites, and cabins, connected to the waterfall and bridge by a pedestrian overpass.
When is the best time to visit to avoid crowds?
We visited around noon just before Canada Day and found it quiet, but during peak summer months, arriving first thing in the morning is likely your best bet for smaller crowds and better photos.
Final Words on Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge
We were pleasantly surprised at how much we enjoyed our visit to the Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge and are glad we didn’t let the entry fee sway our final decision to give it a go. Our boys had a great time and it was hard to pull them away when we felt like it was finally time to move on.
Staff were very friendly and the entire place, from pathways to bridge to hangout area, were very well maintained. It was definitely a fantastic place for waterfall photography as well! We definitely recommend stopping at Crazy Creek Waterfall & Suspension Bridge when passing through the area on a road trip or staying at Crazy Creek Resort.
If you’re looking for an easy but memorable stop on your family’s BC road trip, with a stunning waterfall and a fun suspension bridge for the kids, we hope this helps you plan your visit. Please consider pinning it on Pinterest, saving it for later, and sharing it with anyone else dreaming of a family trip through the Shuswap, Okanagan, or Revelstoke area.
In the end, kids won’t remember that fancy toy you bought them, they will remember the time you spent with them.
Kevin Heath
