2025 Bookings begin April 1.
See our Visit page for more info.
For all visit-related enquiries please email bookings@birken.ca
Getting Here…
Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery (‘Birken’) is located approximately 40 kilometres south of Kamloops, between Kamloops and Merritt, BC. Our logging road is a rough and bumpy ride through the forest – getting here is half the fun!
*Important Driving Alerts:
Some GPS navigation programs may give you incorrect directions and/or stop working on your way to Birken. That said, typing “Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery” into Google or Apple maps should bring you to the correct location.
PLEASE follow the rustic ‘Birken’ signs along both Roche Lake Road and Smith Lake Forest Service Road. Our driveway is on the left with a sign that reads “Birken/Private Property/Guests only”. Smith Lake Forest Service Road is marked with yellow kilometer signs. Our entrance is between km 6 & 7. If you have reached km 7, you have gone too far. There is a decomissioned Birken driveway just past km 7. Please don’t use that one.
Please email (bookings@birken.ca) or call us (778-785-6059 – voicemail only) from Kamloops or Merritt if you are delayed past the expected arrival time you indicated in your registration form.
Birken is situated in a remote rural location. If driving, it is strongly recommended that you refill your gas tank in Kamloops or Merritt before arriving as there are no other gas stations on the way to or from Birken. Please also be aware that cell phone reception is intermittent between Merritt / Kamloops and Birken.
During certain periods of winter and spring, driving along the logging roads near the monastery can be especially challenging and potentially dangerous. Please plan to arrive at the monastery no later than 4:00pm during these seasons. Vehicles not equipped for rugged, off-road winter conditions are VERY LIKELY to get stuck or risk sliding down steep icy hills. While we cannot predict weather conditions on any given day, snow tires are mandatory in this area of BC from October 1 to March 31, and either four-wheel drive or chains are STRONGLY recommended.
7000 Smith Lake Forest Service Road – Knutsford, British Columbia – Canada
Driving from Kamloops…
- From the TransCanada Highway/BC-1 West/BC-5 South, take Exit 368 onto HIGHWAY 5A (Princeton-Kamloops Highway).
- Continue South on Highway 5A for about 25 km and watch for ‘Roche Lake Resort’ signs.
- Turn Left at ROCHE LAKE ROAD.
- Follow Roche Lake Road for about 7 km (gravel road).
- Then turn Right at SMITH LAKE FOREST SERVICE ROAD (you will see a ‘Birken’ sign indicating the turn).
- Follow the ‘Birken’ signs up Smith Lake road for another 7 km. until you reach the monastery.
- IMPORTANT: Some GPS navigation programs may give you incorrect directions and/or stop working on your way to Birken. PLEASE follow the rustic ‘Birken’ signs along both Roche Lake Road and Smith Lake Forest Service Road.
Driving from Vancouver / Merritt…
- Leaving Vancouver, head east on Hwy 1 towards Hope.
- Continue onto HIGHWAY BC-5 NORTH (Coquihalla Highway) towards MERRITT.
- From Merritt, take Exit 290 onto HIGHWAY 5A towards Quilchena (Princeton-Kamloops Highway) which heads north to Kamloops [Note: do not follow BC-5 North all the way to Kamloops as the turnoff to the monastery is off Highway 5A, halfway between Merritt and Kamloops].
- Drive about 70 km on Highway 5A and look out for signs to ‘Roche Lake Resort’.
- Turn Right on ROCHE LAKE ROAD.
- Follow Roche Lake Road for about 7 km (gravel road).
- Then turn Right at SMITH LAKE FOREST SERVICE ROAD (you will see a ‘Birken’ sign indicating the turn).
- Follow the ‘Birken’ signs up Smith Lake road for another 7 km. until you reach the monastery.
- IMPORTANT: Some GPS navigation programs may give you incorrect directions and/or stop working on your way to Birken. PLEASE follow the rustic ‘Birken’ signs along both Roche Lake Road and Smith Lake Forest Service Road.
Monastery Arrivals
As of 2023, we no longer offer pickups/drop-offs in Kamloops. Guests may arrive via the following:
- Car: For those who can, the simplest way is to drive. There has been local logging in the area the last few years, so the road is in better shape than in years past.
- Carpooling: If you plan on carpooling with someone, all members should mention this in their retreat application. Please note: the Birken office is unable to set up carpools to the monastery.
- Cab: Companies that have driven guests to Birken previously are listed on this page.
Bus & Air Travel
Ebus:
1-877-769-3287 (Service between Kamloops, Kelowna, and Vancouver). Please see the Ebus BC Locations webpage concerning their Kamloops drop-off and pick-up locations.
Rider Express:
1-306-209-3636 (Service between Calgary, Kamloops and Vancouver)
Air Canada:
1-888-247-2262
West Jet Airlines:
1-800-538-5696
Taxi & Shuttle Service
For informational purposes only. Please confirm with the company that they will drive all the way to the monastery.
Kami cabs:
1-888-526-9663 or 250-374-9999 or bookings@kamicabs.ca
Yellow cabs:
877-360-9852
Car Rentals/Car Sharing/Shuttles from Kamloops Airport
Check with individual shuttle companies for details if they will drive all the way to Birken.
For any visit-related enquiries: bookings@birken.ca
Support the Monastery
Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery is a registered Canadian charitable society and is supported entirely by donations or ‘dāna’ (generosity). All teachings, accommodations, and meals are offered free of charge. It is left to the good will and discretion of visitors and well-wishers to decide how they might support the work of the monastery.
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Contact
Visit Enquiries:
General Enquiries:
Mailing Address:
Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery
7000 Smith Lake Forest Srv Rd.
Knutsford, BC | V0E 2A0 | Canada