Maple Ridge: Discover Nature, Water and Culture

In Maple Ridge, vacation activities range from cycling and hiking to water activities, local history and performing arts. The local trail network includes more than 100 km of cycling and hiking trails. There are also parks with their own distinctive attractions: Whonnock Lake, for example, offers swimming, trails and a playground, while the large Kanaka Creek Regional Park, with its creek, provides a different natural setting. When planning your trip, you can decide which experiences you and your family would most like to enjoy.

Trails, Lake and Parks

More than 100 km of cycling and hiking trails offer opportunities in Maple Ridge for days when outdoor exercise is part of your vacation. The trail network is designated for cycling and hiking; which activity you choose depends on the outing you have planned. The network’s length makes it a destination in its own right, alongside the individual park and water experiences.

Whonnock Lake Park brings together several specific amenities in one place: a small sandy beach, a swimming area, hiking trails and a new playground. If you’re travelling with children, you can plan a visit to the playground as a separate outing; the beach and swimming area offer a different focus. Stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and boating are also possible at Whonnock Lake. This means that, in addition to spending time on the shore, activities on the water are another option for your vacation.

Kanaka Creek Regional Park offers a large-scale natural setting. The wilderness park covers 400 hectares and extends along 12 kilometres of Kanaka Creek. Cliff Falls is the focal point of the park and is suitable for picnics. The park’s size and the stretch along the creek give this destination a different character from Whonnock Lake Park, with its beach, swimming area and playground. When planning your trip, you can therefore weigh up water activities at the lake against a visit to the wilderness park.

Jerry Sulina Park has a historic dyke trail system and an off-leash dog park area with access to water. These are two different reasons to include the park in your plans: its historic trail system or its designated area for dogs. Allco Fish Hatchery teaches visitors about the conservation of sockeye salmon and their release into the Alouette River. If you’re interested in nature and fish conservation, this offers another topic to explore alongside the trails and park landscapes.

History and Culture in Maple Ridge

The Fraser River Heritage Walk connects important historic sites in Port Haney via a paved walking path. Here, history is linked to a walk through Port Haney. Haney House has furnished rooms on both the ground floor and upper floor. The Maple Ridge Museum is housed in the former residence of the superintendent of the Port Haney Brick and Tile Company, built in 1907. Its permanent ground-floor exhibition covers the Katzie First Nation, the pioneer settlement period and local industry. The topics therefore span the history of the Katzie First Nation, the pioneer settlement period and local industrial development.

The ACT (Arts, Culture, Theatre) Arts Centre also brings together a range of performing arts. Events include local school bands and dance performances, as well as major productions and concerts. The calendar features theatre, dance and comedy performances as well as music events throughout the year. If you’d like to include culture in your stay, this mix of events offers a distinct focus alongside nature outings and history. When choosing a vacation rental in Maple Ridge, you can first consider whether you’d prefer to explore trails and parks, spend time by the water or include cultural activities in your trip.

If you’d like to discover more destinations, you can also find Pitt Meadows, New Westminster, Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Surrey, Delta, Bowen Island and Burnaby here.

For the wider travel overview: Metro Vancouver.