Family Friendly Hiking Trails in Western Canada

Looking for new ways to enjoy the warm weather and The Great Outdoors this summer with your family? Take a hike! Hiking with family is an excellent way to get outside and be active together. It's suitable for all ages and skill levels, and doesn't require any special equipment or cost a thing.

With so much spectacular natural beauty and geographical diversity in western Canada, family hiking trails are also some of the best ways to explore while staying physically distant. Whether you’re looking for trails with soaring mountains, alpine lakes, old-growth forests, waterfalls, or even dinosaurs, one of these kid friendly hikes is sure to be the perfect one!

Family Friendly Hiking Trails in British Columbia

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, Victoria

Visiting this nature sanctuary is like scoring a two-for-one deal. There are two unique areas, both with kid-friendly hiking trails: Swan Lake, the low-lying wetlands with a relaxed 2.5-kilometer loop trail, and Christmas Hill, a densely-forested area with more challenging (but still short!) trails around the summit. The areas are connected by a 0.8-kilometer trail. Sweeping views of Victoria await you at the top, but don’t miss the interactive Nature House on the way.

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is open year-round from dawn to dusk, and admission is donation-based.

Kenna Cartwright Nature Park, Kamloops

As British Columbia’s largest municipal park, Kenna Cartwright Nature Park has something for everyone. It’s just 10 minutes from downtown Kamloops, so most of the 40-plus kilometers of family hiking trails offer excellent views of the city, Kamloops Lake, and the Thompson River. Most of the trails are easy to moderate, though there are a few more difficult routes.

It doesn’t cost anything to hike at the park, and well-behaved dogs are welcome off-leash. Note that although the park is open year-round, snow may accumulate on the trails during the winter season.

Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver

West Vancouver’s Lighthouse Park offers a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of big-city life — without even leaving the city. The park has several short accessible and kid -friendly hiking trails, all with beautiful views. Whether you’re hiking with family or solo, you’ll enjoy the old-growth forest, rocky coastline, and the Point Atkinson Lighthouse, a national historic site.

Lighthouse Park is open year-round and the restrooms are open daily from 7:00am to 9:00pm.. Off-leash dogs are welcome and the park is free to enter.

Mystery Lake, Mount Seymour Provincial Park

Mystery Lake lies just an hour from downtown Vancouver, yet makes you feel as if you’re hours from civilization. It’s one of the best hikes for kids in Vancouver because it’s short and scenic, and you can jump in the lake for a refreshing swim when it’s hot out. The easy three-kilometer trail starts behind The Bear’s Den Cafe at Mt. Seymour Ski Resort and connects to Mount Seymour Trail if you want a longer hike.

Mount Seymour Provincial Park is open year-round. Note that snow is often present on trails through the end of June.

Broken Bridge Trail, Mount Revelstoke National Park

It’s not often you encounter a waterfall hike that clocks in at just two kilometers round-trip. Yet, that’s exactly what you’ll get on Broken Bridge Trail inside Revelstoke National Park. Whether you’re hiking with kids or not, the waterfall — along with the namesake twisted, broken bridge — at the end of the trail make this one of the best family hiking trails in BC.

Because of the heavy snowfall near Revelstoke, Meadows in the Sky Parkway, which is required to access Broken Bridge Trail, is only open during the summer months. You will also need a Parks Canada Discovery Pass to visit.

Family Friendly Hiking Trails in Alberta

Grassi Lakes Trail, Canmore

It’s easy to see why this is one of Canmore’s most popular family hiking trails. There are two routes, an easy one and a more challenging option, and both are just shy of four kilometers round-trip. The easier trail follows a gravel road to an impossibly blue lake, while the harder trail passes directly by a waterfall and offers sweeping views of Bow Valley.

The Grassi Lakes trail is best hiked in the summer, as the trail is often closed due to icy conditions. Also note that beginning June 1, 2021, a Kananaskis Conservation Pass will be required.

Johnston Canyon, Banff National Park

The entire Lake Louise and Banff National Park area is breathtakingly beautiful but fortunately, you don’t have to be a thrillseeker to experience it up close. The easily-accessible, paved trail is one of the best hikes for kids anywhere, offering dramatic scenery (including several waterfalls!) and a smooth, manageable incline.

Johnston Canyon is accessible all year. Be prepared for winter conditions from October through early June, and be sure to have a Parks Canada Discovery Pass.

Tunnel Mountain, Banff

Who ever said you needed to head out of town to summit a mountain? Situated right in the heart of Banff, Tunnel Mountain is an excellent option for when you’re hiking with kids. The 4.3-kilometer round-trip trail climbs very gradually up the mountain, so it’s manageable for almost anyone. Bring a picnic and enjoy it at the top while taking in panoramic views of Bow Valley.

Tunnel Mountain is free to hike and easily accessible year-round from anywhere in town. You can even walk from downtown!

Jurassic Forest, Gibbons

What says kid friendly hikes more than an amusement park? Jurassic Forest has about two kilometers of boardwalk “Discovery Trails” that run through picturesque old-growth forest. Along the way, little ones will enjoy interacting with life-size animatronic dinosaurs or digging for fossils. In addition to the kid friendly hiking trails, the park has a mini-golf course, concession stand, and play park.

Jurassic Forest is just north of Edmonton and open in the summer and fall. New for 2021, all visitors must purchase tickets and reserve a date and time in advance.

Indian Battle Loop, Lethbridge

Located in popular Indian Battle Park, this loop trail is excellent for hiking with family. The main Indian Battle Loop Trail totals 2.2 kilometers and a section of it runs right along the Oldman River, though there’s a network of several other trails as well. Nearby, you can also enjoy Fort Whoop-Up Interpretive Centre, a playground, and a climbing wall.

Indian Battle Park is open year-round and the hiking trails are always free to access.

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