Trail Closures This Summer As BC Hydro Works On East And West Sides Of Puntledge River

BC Hydro is getting ready for trail improvements within its Puntledge River Recreation Area - along the east and west sides of the Puntledge River.

Work will include resurfacing trails and replacing aging bridges, culverts, and boardwalks, extending the life of the trails and making them safer.

Spokesperson Karla Louwers says crews will be making every effort to keep as many trails open as possible during construction.

However, some sections will be temporarily closed for the duration of construction,  to ensure public and crew safety.

A large portion of River Trail East will be closed from June 9th to October 31st. Palm Beach Trail will be closed between Bevan Trail and Palm Beach.

Bevan Trail will remain open from Palm Beach Trail to Comox Dam for the duration of construction.

The northwest portion of River Trail West and Bear Bait Trail will be closed for most of the summer - there will be no access between Forbidden Plateau Road and Comox Dam during construction.

Louwers says completing the work during the drier months minimizes further trail degradation from construction equipment.

BC Hydro is asking trail users to be cautious, remain alert to construction activities and obey personnel and barriers in place.

Maps will be posted at trailheads to illustrate the temporary trail closures and detours.

BC Hydro maintains its Puntledge River Public Use Management Area, which includes a series of recreation trails on both sides of the Puntledge River, as well as the Comox Dam Picnic Site on the north side of the dam.

Additional improvements on the west side of the river are planned to begin in April 2026.