We've already talked about our local Municipal Park, Fraser Valley Heritage Park (see a few blog posts back), but it's definitley work mentioning and encouraging you to go check it out.
We also have a number of beautiful local Regional Parks.
At Cascade Falls Regional Park, the main sight is the eponymous 30m/98ft waterfall, which tumbles romantically into a big green pool. Enjoy the sight after a 15-minute climb up wooden stairs to a viewing platform amid tall cedars. Visitors can hike the Upper Pools Trail for another 1km/0.6mi, or head down to the picnic area by Cascade Creek. (Not suitable for swimming!)
Dewdney Nature Regional Park offers access to the Fraser River with a free boat launch ramp. Adjoining Dewdney Slough, the 7ha/17ac park is popular with salmon fishers, and also hosts bird species from herons to bald eagles. Both of these regional parks are east of Mission off the Lougheed Highway.
And then, we have our Provincial Parks!
Located 23km/14mi northwest of Mission, Rolley Lake Provincial Park was once a logging area, but now serves as an 115ha/284ac wilderness playground. Camp at one of the 64 campsites, with flush toilets and hot showers nearby. Swim, canoe, or fish for trout at Rolley Lake. Or go hiking on the Lakeside Loop or Rolley Falls trails.
One of BC's biggest provincial parks at 62,540ha/154,540ac, Golden Ears Provincial Park is named after the twin peaks of Mount Blanchard, and has been protected as parkland for more than 80 years. It's laden with exciting backcountry experiences. (Allouette Lake, located in the park is suitable for swimming!)
Explore different climactic zones at different elevations on long hikes, including Alpine Tundra, Mountain Hemlock, and Coastal Hemlock. Watch out for mountain goats, deer, and beavers, and even the occasional black bear. Numerous water activities spice up Alouette Lake, the site of one of the three campgrounds at Golden Ears Provincial Park.
And lastly, for a fun outing with the family, check out Hayward Lake. This man-man lake, adjacent to the historic Power House at Stave Falls, is a beautiful spot for swimming or canoeing on a sunny day. Hayward Lake also offers easy-access hiking and biking trails, washrooms, and picnic facilities, including a gazebo that made a cameo in the 1989 movie We're No Angels (Robert De Niro, Sean Penn) - Fun Fact!For a more detailed list, visit the District of Mission website HERE.