Cultus Lake

1890s – 1930s

Logging days.

Before it was a tourist hotspot, Cultus Lake was a hotspot for logging. In the 1890s, nearby Columbia Valley was settled, leading to the development of farms and logging camps. You can still see bits of this legacy today, because many roads follow old logging trails and traces of logging routes still dot the forests.

Tourists started showing up to appreciate the natural beauty of the lake at around the turn of the 20th century. This led to joint management agreement between the City of Chilliwack and the Township of Chilliwhack (as it was spelled at the time), and Cultus Lake Park opened in 1924. That proved to be quite the job, so in 1932 the north end of the lake, where Cultus Lake Town now resides, was handed over to the City of Chilliwack.
The nearby community of Yarrow began to spring up around the late 1920s as well. Initially settled by Dutch-German Mennonites from the Soviet Union in 1928, they established farms and a small community in the area. While many Mennonites would later move elsewhere, Yarrow’s farming roots can still be seen today. The Yarrow Mennonite Brethren Church also dates from this time and continues to host community programs.

Still, Cultus Lake itself remained primarily a place for tourists, and there weren’t many permanent residents yet. In the 1930s, logging increased and many old-growth trees were knocked down. Its popularity as a vacation destination slowly increased, too.

Post war – 1980

Cultus Lake Provincial Park.

Eventually, the management situation of Cultus Lake proved too much for Chilliwack to handle, and in 1948 Cultus Lake Provincial Park was established. Around the same time, in 1947, Cultus Lake Community School opened in its current location. The post-war period saw a surge of tourists and the beginning of permanent residents at the lake.

These permanent residents started by converting their lake cabins and cottages into year-round dwellings. Some of these homes remain today, but many have been replaced by purpose-built homes.

The population of Cultus Lake grew slowly over the years, and primarily saw detached homes being built. Because the area is managed by the Cultus Lake Park Board, the properties in Cultus Lake proper are 21-year-long leaseholds. That also means garbage pickup is done by the Park Board, but certain other utilities, such as water and sewer, are through the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD).

1980 – Today

Permanent population.

Cultus Lake Waterpark, a popular attraction, opened in 1984. It remains a big draw for seasonal visitors, along with the lake itself, the surrounding mountain trails and forests.

Due to its tourist-focused nature, Cultus Lake is home to some notable restaurants. Some of these include the Lakeside Beach Club, opened in 2015 and the Legends Bistro, part of the Cultus Lake Golf Club.

Despite being small and tourist-focused, that doesn’t mean Cultus Lake isn’t considering its future. A study published in 2023 explored some options for the town, including merging with Chilliwack, becoming part of the FVRD and other ideas.

Given its history, it seems Cultus Lake will remain a destination for many people. And the nearby areas will likely see some new developments and added amenities.