The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Tantalus Provincial Park

Spit Road is a flat, gravel route leading through the Squamish Estuary to the tip of the Squamish Spit. Following the dyke, it passes tidal wetlands and slow-moving channels with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains before reaching the shoreline at the mouth of Howe Sound. It’s a popular path for hiking and cycling, with excellent opportunities to spot birds and other wildlife.

Squamish River Estuary is a vast mosaic of tidal marshes, mudflats, and channels where the Squamish River meets Howe Sound. It’s an ecologically important area spanning 673 hectares that provides habitat for salmon, harbour seals, and other wildlife, including over 200 migratory bird species, making it one of the best birdwatching destinations in British Columbia.

The Squamish River flows from the Coast Mountains to Howe Sound through one of British Columbia’s most scenic valleys. Along its lower reaches, the expansive river is framed by tall mountain peaks and supports a rich salmon habitat that attracts eagles, seals, and other wildlife, including bears. It’s a prime destination for fishing and whitewater rafting, and from this spot, you might see an eagle two flying overhead if you’re lucky.

Great short hike around Stump lake which is perfect for a hot day as it’s in the shade through a lovely forest trail . Dog swim off the logs to cool down .

Coho Park is beautiful, tucked between the Garibaldi Estates and Garibaldi Highlands neighbourhoods at the northeastern edge of the city. It’s a rare example of an urban temperate rainforest, where the forest floor is filled with ferns, mosses, and small plants, with a canopy of tall conifers that shuts out much of the sky above. The park gets its name from the coho salmon that spawn in Meighan Creek, which flows through the park on its way to the Squamish River, and is a popular spot for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking.

Copperbush Trail is a popular forest trail open to mountain bikers, hikers, and trail runners. The trail consists of singletrack, smooth rooty sections, and a mix of smooth climbs and short descents. The trail winds through second-growth cedar and fir forest, with occasional openings for views of the surrounding hillsides. There is a short side trail where visitors can check out Copperpush Pond, a tiny body of water deep in the forest.

Evans Lake is a scenic mountain lake, surrounded by thick forest. It is popular with hikers, campers, paddlers, and picnickers. In the summer, visitors will find swimming, canoeing, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding the best way to enjoy the lake. There is a forest campground right on the lake shore that offers rustic camping, with tent sites nestled among trees, lake views, fire rings, and picnic tables.

Levette Lake is a small mountain lake tucked into the Paradise Valley, with clear, calm waters and a mountain backdrop of the Tantalus Range. The lake is popular with locals and visitors alike for swimming, paddleboarding, and camping. On a calm day with no wind, the peaks of Alpha and Zenith Mountains are reflected on the water. To park next to the lake, drive a high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicle, or you can hike there via the Skyline Trail or Copperbush Trail to Levette Lake Forest Service Road.