How to Visit Alice the T-Rex in Penticton

Move over Ogopogo! Did you know that Penticton is home to a 7700kg (1700lb), 7 metre (22 feet) tall T-Rex dinosaur? Her name is Alice and she sits on a property just above the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, looking out to Okanagan Lake.

Made of stainless steel, Alice is an impressive sculpture to visit. And, fortunately, it is completely free to do so! In this post, I’ll explain exactly how to visit Penticton’s metal Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Last updated May 2024

Introducing Alice the T-Rex

Alice is Canada’s largest metal T-Rex, custom-built by sculptor Kevin Stone for internet investor Frank Schilling.

Modelled on the largest complete version of a T-Rex found, the design and construction process was around two years long. Every piece of Alice was carefully made by hand.

Once finished and mirror-polished, Alice was moved to Penticton on two large flatbed trucks in three separate sections – head, torso and tail.

Frank Schilling grew up in the Okanagan Valley and always loved dinosaurs. He initially tried to find a public place to display Alice, but when that didn’t work out, he decided to install the dinosaur on the edge of his 13-acre property above Okanagan Lake.

Looking up at metal Alice the T-Rex sculpture over metal fence from the KVR Trail in Penticton — Alice the T-Rex from the KVR Trail

The assembly process on Lower Bench Road took approximately six hours, with two cranes required and twelve 40cm (16 inch) anchors.

Alice was installed at the edge of Schilling’s vacation property, purposely within easy sight of the KVR Trail. Although there is no public access to the actual dinosaur sculpture, Alice is well-positioned for passing cyclists and walkers to spot from a distance.

Quick Alice facts:

Weight estimates vary a little, but Alice’s owner states that she is around 1700lb (7700kg)
22 feet tall (7m), 51 feet long (15.5m) and 15 feet across at the hips (4.5m)
Work began in July 2021, installed on 19th September 2023
The project cost approximately $400,000 in labour and materials

How to visit Alice the T-Rex in Penticton

Ready to check out Alice? Keep reading to discover the best ways to visit Alice yourself.

Looking down dirt Kettle Valley Rail Trail with metal dinosaur looming above path — Alice the T-Rex from further up the Kettle Valley Rail Trail

Walk the Kettle Valley Rail Trail

Alice the T-Rex is most easily viewed from the Kettle Valley Rail Trail that sits directly below the private property where she is located.

For those unaware, the Kettle Valley Rail Trail (KVR) is a multi-use path along a former rail route. The trail is therefore very wide and flat. Bikes are allowed and it is also stroller-friendly.

The quickest way to access Alice is to park on Vancouver Place, a residential street not far from Penticton’s downtown. The KVR Trail starts from the northern end of Vancouver Place and leads along the high bluffs above Okanagan Lake. Use the below Google Map to help find the KVR trailhead.

Google Map with Alice the T-Rex location

Alice is 600m, or around 10 minutes walk, from Vancouver Place. The T-Rex dinosaur is located on higher ground, above the right-hand side of the path.

Look for a brown metal fence on the right, which leads to a gate with a wide dirt path behind it. Turn around and Alice is behind you! For the best full-body views of Alice the T-Rex, continue along the KVR for another minute or so and turn around again.

Looking ahead to gravel KVR Trail with sun setting to left, behind Okanagan Lake — KVR Trail shortly before sunset

It is also possible to access the KVR Trail from multiple other points in Penticton, such as Carder Place (1.7km) and Poplar Grove Road (3.3km). Vancouver Place is, by far, the easiest and quickest way.

If you have the time, I’d recommend continuing along the KVR Trail past Alice. The sweeping views of Okanagan Lake are simply gorgeous. The trail continues through vineyards (a short hilly section) and to McCulloch Trestle, a beautiful wooden bridge. This is a good turnaround point for a 5km long walk or cycle.

Quick tips

Although the KVR is a family-friendly trail, I would still be careful to keep young children close. The path follows the top of some very steep cliffs
With young children, expect the walk to Alice to take longer (20 minutes or more)
Please remember to Leave No Trace of your visit. That means staying on the trail and using available trash bins
Leashed dogs are welcome on the KVR Trail. Please pick up after them and use the trash bins to dispose of waste
Be mindful of local residents when parking on Vancouver Place. If you are able, consider parking closer to downtown Penticton and walking up Vancouver Avenue instead. There is a free parking lot in Marina Way Park, by the Art Gallery
Alice the T-Rex can also be spotted from the top of nearby Munson Mountain

Munson Mountain view over Penticton tith Alice the T-Rex circled — Alice the T-Rex as seen from Munson Mountain

Stay in the adjacent vacation rental

If you’d like to see Alice the T-Rex from an up close and personal angle, consider a stay at the Eden Park Lakehouse.

This luxury vacation property is located on the same 13-acre piece of land as Alice and features three individual cottage rentals as well. There is a helipad for quick access from Vancouver. Prices start at $1,600 a night.

For more information, head to the property’s website or Airbnb listing.