Fall is a great time to hit the trails around Metro Vancouver.
The weather is cooler, there are fewer mosquitoes, the trails are usually quieter, and the changing leaves make everything feel a little more scenic.
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Plus, you definitely don’t have to tackle a huge mountain to get those fall views. There are plenty of fall hikes near Vancouver that are easy, family-friendly and worth exploring.
If you’re ready to trade beach days for colourful trails, here are some fall hikes worth checking out.
Deer Lake Park
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If you have younger children or simply want a walk where nobody is asking “are we there yet?” five minutes in, Deer Lake is an easy choice. The trails wind around the lake through boardwalks, meadows and forest, with plenty of places to stop along the way.
Fall is especially pretty here when the trees around the lake start changing colour and reflecting off the water. Keep an eye out for blue herons, turtles and even beavers. There’s also a playground and beach area at the east end, so you can easily turn a short walk into a longer afternoon outside.
Location: 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Hours: Dawn to dusk, year-round. Parking lots close at 10 p.m.
Parking reservation: No. Parking is first come, first served in designated lots.
Gold Creek Falls
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Sometimes a waterfall at the end is all the motivation little ones need. The Lower Falls Trail follows Gold Creek through the forest for about 2.6 km each way and is mostly flat. BC Parks currently lists the trail as open and in good condition, and it’s especially pretty after some fall rain.
Location: Gold Creek parking lot, Golden Ears Provincial Park, Maple Ridge
Hours: Seasonal gate hours apply; generally 7 a.m.–11 p.m. in warmer months and 7 a.m.–7 p.m. in winter
Parking reservation: A free BC Parks vehicle pass is required Friday to Monday and holidays until September 7, 2026. No pass is required starting September 8.
Lighthouse Park
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This one feels more like a little forest adventure than a regular walk in the park. You’ll wander through huge old-growth trees before reaching rocky viewpoints overlooking the ocean and Point Atkinson Lighthouse. The trails are fairly short, so you can pick a route that works for your family—just keep little ones close near the shoreline and lookout areas, where there are some steep drop-offs.
Location: Lighthouse Park, Beacon Lane off Marine Drive, West Vancouver
Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Parking Reservation: No reservation required. Paid parking is $5.08/hour, year-round.
Kanaka Creek
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One of my favourite things to do in the fall is watch the salmon return at Kanaka Creek. From late September into early December, you can spot chum, coho and pink salmon near the fish fence and Bell-Irving Hatchery. If you want to make a walk out of it, the Canyon Trail to Cliff Falls is about 1.2 km one way and passes through a pretty sandstone canyon with waterfalls.
Location: Kanaka Creek Regional Park, Cliff Falls/Bell-Irving Hatchery area, Maple Ridge
Hours: Open during daylight hours; closing times vary by season.
Parking reservation: No parking reservation required.
George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary
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Not every fall adventure has to involve climbing a mountain. Reifel is such a fun fall outing because you never know what you’ll spot along the way. Nearly 300 bird species have been recorded here, and fall through spring is when you’re most likely to see the biggest variety. There are flat trails, ponds, marshes, lookout areas and even a viewing tower.
It’s especially fun with children because you can turn the whole walk into a scavenger hunt—ducks, chickadees, geese, shorebirds and whatever else happens to show up that day.
Location: 5191 Robertson Road, Delta
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Mondays except for certain statutory holidays. All visitors must leave by 4 p.m.
Parking Reservation: Reservation required. Book up to 3 days in advance; parking is included.
Bowen Lookout
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If your family is ready for a real mountain hike, Bowen Lookout is a great next step. You’ll get beautiful views of Howe Sound, Bowen Island and the surrounding mountains, plus that big “we actually climbed somewhere” feeling without committing to one of the much longer backcountry routes. It’s still mountain terrain, though, and weather can change quickly at Cypress, so I’d save this one for a clear, dry fall day and skip it once snow or ice starts settling on the trail.
Location: Cypress Provincial Park, West Vancouver
Hours: Open year-round; hike during daylight
Parking Reservation: No reservation required in fall; free parking is available in designated BC Parks lots. From November 1, a free BAC tag is required for winter access.
Dog Mountain
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Dog Mountain doesn’t have a huge elevation gain, but the roots, rocks and muddy sections make it feel more adventurous. The trail passes First Lake before reaching a rocky viewpoint over Greater Vancouver and the Seymour River Valley. It’s best for active school-age children who already enjoy hiking.
Location: Mount Seymour Provincial Park, North Vancouver
Hours: Open for hiking May to October; upper vehicle gate closes dusk to dawn
Parking Reservation: Free, first come, first served; no reservation required
Eagle Bluffs
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Eagle Bluffs is better for families with older children or teens who already enjoy hiking. The trail heads through Cypress toward Black Mountain before reaching wide views of Howe Sound, Bowen Island and the Lower Mainland. It’s a longer, more challenging hike, so I’d save this one for experienced hikers who are comfortable on mountain trails.
Location: Cypress Provincial Park, West Vancouver
Hours: Hike during daylight and give yourself enough time to get back before dark
Parking Reservation: Not required; free parking is available in designated BC Parks lots
Before You Head Out
Fall weather can change quickly, especially in the mountains, so check trail conditions before you go. Stick with easier trails for little ones, and save hikes like Eagle Bluffs for experienced older children and clear, dry days.
