10 Crowd-free Easy Hiking Trails in Vancouver: Social Distancing Outdoors

Canceled travel plans, rescheduled vacations, work from home, closed schools, closed National Parks and historic sites, the requirement for social distancing… as if this isn’t bad enough, we ask ourselves: do we really have to be stuck indoors on those beautiful spring days? Not at all! (provided all the precautions are taken care of obviously). In this post, I present to you a list of easy hiking trails in Vancouver that are absolutely crowd-free and in compliance with the social distancing recommendations! Even on a good summer day, you will hardly meet a few dozen people here. So if you want to let your kids run around in fresh air a bit, but would not risk your regular playground for health concerns, or if you need to walk your dog and would prefer to stay away from crowded dog parks – check these out!

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Easy Hiking Trails in Vancouver, Crowd-free, Social Distancing Outdoors

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To help our active parents who can't seem to figure out how to get their kids to enjoy hiking, we have prepared this post: Five Tried-And-True Outdoor Activities To Get Kids to Absolutely Love Hiking – find many creative ideas, kids outdoor activities, treasure hunts, and nature experiments within!

Cypress Falls Park

Cypress Falls Park, not to be mixed with Cypress Mountain, is located in West Vancouver and is easily accessible right off the 99 highway.

Just as at Capilano or Lynn Valley, you'll find yourself in one of the most impressive Pacific NorthWest forests. The difference is – you can actually enjoy the serenity of the wilderness with almost no interruptions. Cypress Falls is much less known and not a touristy hiking destination that West Vancouver locals keep in secret. Spectacular Vancouver waterfalls, some of the biggest and oldest trees in British Columbia, and a Secret Car Wreck mystery to solve!

The hike is NOT stroller-accessible but is dogs-friendly. Depending on the season, however, you may not be able to do the full loop. If the weather conditions are snowy or wet, we recommend you only stick to the west-side half-loop, and everyone should wear proper non-slip hiking shoes, including your kids.

Check out our detailed post about Cypress Falls easy hiking trail in Vancouver: Cypress Falls Hiking Adventure: Find West Vancouver Mystery Car Wreck!

Lighthouse Park

Point Atkinson Lighthouse Trail within the famous West Vancouver's Lighthouse Park may be just the perfect spot for you to check out! The Park is open and is much enjoyable all year round and is a popular tourist destination. However if you visit here on a weekday September through May – you will hardly find any people around. Perfect for complying with social distancing requirements over the flu-season.

Beautiful kids-friendly (but NOT stroller-friendly) easy hike across a rocky peninsula offers spectacular ocean views of Burrard Inlet! Here is our recent article about Lighthouse Park easy hiking trail in Vancouver: Lighthouse Park & Point Atkinson – Canadian History & Spectacular Views

Jug Island Beach Trail

Jug Island Beach hiking trail is located at Belcarra, a short drive from Port Moody and Coquitlam.

It is much less popular than other Belcarra trails, such as Admiralty Point.

Park at the far end of the parking lot – North East corner is closest to the trailhead. This way you will avoid all the unnecessary interactions with other visitors and can access the trail crowd-free.

I don't think any pictures can relate to the beauty of the Jug Island Trail. Tall centuries-old pine trees and gigantic boulders, the greenery of the trees and bushes, the oxygen-rich warm almost-summer air, spectacular views of the Indian Arm and Deep Cove.

Careful, however, although the trail is well-maintained, still depending on the weather it could be slippery and tricky. Good hiking footwear is recommended at all times. Jug Island Beach hiking trail is NOT stroller-friendly, but can be easily tackled by toddlers and pets alike.

Check out Jug Island Beach Trail recent post on this easy hiking trail near Vancouver: Jug Island Trail – Belcarra’s Enchanted Forest Kids-Friendly Day Hike

Woodhaven Swamp

Another quick and easy crow-free hike around Belcarra is Woodhaven Swamp. It is a short and nice stroller-friendly loop – the trailhead is located half-way between Belcarra Picnic Area and Sasamat Lake – HERE. We do not have a detailed post about this specific hike, but here is a link to a popular hiking site for directions. If you are looking for a social distancing option when outdoors – Woodhaven Swamp easy hike near Vancouver is perfect for you!

Sasamat Lake Trail Loop

Sasamat Lake, located near Port Moody, is one of the most peaceful, serene, clearest lakes in BC. The air is so fresh, and the energy of the place so strong, you get instantly recharged and rejuvenated the minute you step out of your car!

On a good summer day the famous White Pine Beach is always crowded. No wonder, as Sasamat Lake has the warmest water we've experienced at a BC lake so far, and the lake boasts one of the softest sandy beaches found near Vancouver.

October through April, however, both the beach and the trail around the lake is almost abandoned. We've visited mid-March and haven't seen more than a dozen others on the trail.

Five Tried-And-True Outdoor Activities To Get Kids to Absolutely Love Hiking - facebook — Kids Outdoor Activities: includes Nature Treasure Hunts FREE download

Buntzen Lake

Buntzen Lake, located in Anmore, is one of the most peaceful, serene, clearest lakes in BC. The air is so fresh, and the energy of the place so strong, you get instantly recharged and rejuvenated the minute you step out of your car!

On a good summer day the beach itself could be a bit crowded. September to May, however, both the beach and the trail around the lake is literally abandoned… Parts of Buntzen lake trail are wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly. In addition there is a large off-leash dog area where your pet can have some fun!

Check out the details on visiting Buntzen Lake easy hiking trail near Vancouver: Buntzen Lake – True Zen & Best Swimming Lake Near Vancouver

Bert Flinn Park

While all kids playgrounds in Coquitlam, Vancouver and all around British Columbia are closed, we have found an amazing wilderness playground right in the middle of a forest 10 min from our home! Check it out!

Almost no people: we hardly met a dozen, mostly bikers or dog walkers. In the time of mandatory social distancing, Bert Flinn Park is a perfect place for your kids to get fresh air and run wild for a bit.

Minnekhada

Minnekhada Regional Park, just 10 min away from Coquitlam, is another easy crowd-free kids-friendly hike accessible all year round. No matter the time of year, or which direction you'd start, stunning serene scenery is guaranteed!

Minnekhada trails are somewhat stroller-friendly too, and all are dog-friendly.

If you are visiting September to May, do not expect to see many other visitors around. As such a caution: beware of bear activity in the area and bear safety measures. Don’t worry, they only have black bears there!

Detailed post on checking out Minnekhada easy hiking trail near Vancouver: Minnekhada – All Year Round Kids-Friendly True Serenity Hiking Trail

Stroller-friendly hikes & wheelchair-accessible nature trails collection for Vancouver parents with infant babies and toddlers to enjoy Beautiful British Columbia nature facebook

Cliff Falls & Kanaka Creek

Kanaka Creek Easy Hiking Trails in Vancouver, Crowd-free, Social Distancing Outdoors

Kanaka Creek's Cliff Falls trail in Maple Ridge is one of our absolute favourite family all-season hikes, one of the rare snow-free winter finds and a great place to have a summer picnic. Regardless when you visit, there are hardly ever any people around. You can enjoy stress-free parking, always available picnic tables, the shade of humongous trees along the creek, quietude and fresh air of the trail, and the reward of one stunning waterfall – Cliff Falls – at the end of your walk.

The trail is kids-friendly and dogs-friendly, but not stroller-accessible.

Check out our post about Kanaka Creek easy hiking trail near Vancouver: Cliff Falls at Kanaka Creek – Awesome All Seasons Family Hike.

And while you are at it, make sure to stop by the Bell-Irving Salmon Hatchery that is just off the parking lot. There are outdoor signs all around teaching kids about pacific salmon life cycle all around, and the Kanaka Creek Watershed Stewardship Center, when open, offers cool exhibits on salmon habitats across British Columbia.

Gold Creek Falls

Golden Ears Provincial Park, is one of British Columbia's treasure-boxes when it comes to inspiring nature experiences. Gold Creek Falls is one of the very best of them, awarding you with one of the most striking waterfalls experiences near Maple Ridge! …and what is completely awesome is that anyone can enjoy the unbelievable scenery on the native BC wilderness hiking Gold Creek trail, as this easy hike near Vancouver is 100% stroller-friendly and wheelchair accessible!

If you visit between September and May, you will hardly find any people on the trail. On weekdays it is literally abandoned! Which is perfect if you are looking to distance yourself from others for health concerns, yet still want an amazing outdoor adventure!

Read our post about Gold Creek Falls easy hiking trail near Vancouver: Gold Creek Falls: Golden Ears Park’s Super-Star 100% Accessible Trail. Truly Gold Star Experience!

Fort to Fort and Derby Reach Park

Derby Reach - Easy Hiking Trails in Vancouver, Crowd-free, Social Distancing Outdoors

Fort to Fort is a beautiful park trail that starts at Derby Reach Regional Park and runs to Fort Langley National Historical Museum. While it is not recommended to be visiting popular locations and historical sites during the flu-season, you can start this hike half-way and have a completely crowd-free experience!

A guaranteed social distancing option: start at Edge Farm Trail all the way to Derby Reach Park, but not further to Fort Langley. This easy hike near Vancouver is 100% stroller-friendly, wheelchair accessible and dogs-friendly.

Even though you are in close proximity to Langley City and Surrey – while on this trail with no crowds (literally no people), tall trees, fresh air, wild berries, spectacular views of Fraser River – it doesn't feel like you are next to a large megapolis at all!

Check out more info about Derby Reach Park easy hiking trail near Vancouver: Fort to Fort – Fun & Easy Bike Trail Near Langley Even a Toddler Can Do!

Rolley Lake

Rolley Lake, located near Mission, BC is a small charming pool of water, day rest area, campgrounds and few fun family-friendly, accessible hiking trails + a harder trail to Rolley Falls.

On a good summer day you’ll find many families enjoying the beach. However between September and May, the lake and the trail are almost abandoned.

The loop-hike around Rolley Lake is an easy pleasant walk during any season, and is somewhat stroller-friendly if you have heavy duty wheels. Do NOT try to score the Waterfalls hike other than on a hot dry summer day – it is outright dangerous.

Here is more info on visiting Rolley Lake easy hiking trail near Vancouver: Rolley Lake – Best Kept Secret Spot for Family Time Near Vancouver

Stay Safe

With this post we tried to give our fellow outdoor enthusiasts a bit of hope!

You CAN be outdoors and abide by social distancing recommendations at the same time. Just make sure to jump into your car and go directly to the trailhead, no stopping anywhere on your way in and out – and you got a winner! A common sense, but I will mention it here anyways, go outside only if you feel well with no symptoms of any illness.

As always, please always abide by hiking safety rules and the 7 principles of Leave No Trace:

One last tip to help you get your kids interested in exploring the Great Outdoors: download our FREE Outdoor Treasure Hunt printable Sheets.