The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Kanaka Creek Regional Park

Shull Trailhead is the end of the residential 236th Street and the start of Shull Trail. There are no restrooms here or trash cans, just some roadside parking and the start of the dirt trail into the woods. Come prepared with your full bottle of water, and in the spring and early summer, there are lots of wild flowers, even right at the trailhead, you can see pops of colour.

Shoesmith Trail is part of Maple Ridge’s Silver Valley network, following a broad gravel trail through the forest with very little technical terrain. The east and west sections are each about a kilometre long and are shared by hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians, so keep an ear out for other users. It’s a useful connector through the network, especially if you’re linking into nearby trails towards Golden Ears Provincial Park.

Established in 1926, Maple Ridge Park is the city’s oldest public recreation area and is a lovely mix of mature forest, open green space, and riverside scenery. There are picnic shelters, a playground, a seasonal spray park, washrooms, and easy access to the South Alouette River, making it a popular spot for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

This is an easy walking trail that winds through towering cedars and Douglas firs, following a wide gravel path under a shady forest canopy. It’s mostly flat, and the beautiful views of the river along the way make it the perfect route for a relaxing stroll.

The Alouette River flows for around 21 kilometres from Alouette Lake to the Pitt River, and is an important waterway that supports annual runs of pink and chum salmon. This peaceful stretch borders the park, with clear water and moss-covered trees lining its banks, and is a great spot to pause and enjoy the sounds of the river.

Tent Trail is a peaceful singletrack through beautiful forest, with a few streamside sections that can turn muddy after rain. Mountain bikers use this trail often, so stay alert on bends and enjoy the quieter moments between the trees.

Originally built as part of Golden Ears Provincial Park's horseback riding network, Shoesmith Trail follows a wide forest corridor through the lower slopes of the park. The route winds beneath towering cedars and Douglas-firs, crossing small creeks and damp woodland typical of British Columbia's coastal rainforest. Unlike some of the park's steeper mountain trails, Shoesmith feels more secluded and relaxed, making it a great way to experience the forest without the crowds found around Alouette Lake and the main day-use areas.

Derby Reach stretches along a calm bend of the Fraser River, where open fields, quiet forests, and wide riverside trails make for easy wandering. You'll find a mix of flat shoreline paths and the hillier Houston Trail loop with some multi-use trails open to hikers, joggers, cyclists, and even horseback riders. A large campground sits right at the water’s edge, with picnic shelters, washrooms, drinking water, and plenty of space to settle in for the night. Dogs are welcome on‑leash throughout most of the park, with a large off‑leash zone near Edgewater Bar. In short, you'll find that Derby Reach delivers a peaceful break with all the essentials close at hand.