10 Best Road Trips Near Vancouver

The ski resort town of Whistler is a 90-minute drive north from Vancouver, and the journey there is half the pleasure with beautiful views to enjoy along the 120-km stretch of Sea to Sky Highway. Those not in a hurry could stop at Furry Creek Beach, Porteau Cove Provincial Park, Shannon Falls, Brandywine Falls, and numerous other scenic sights along the way.

Whistler’s breathtaking beauty has become well known since it was showcased to the world in the 2010 Winter Olympics, and there’s plenty to do here even if you’re not an avid skier. Off the slopes, visitors could spend a restorative day in the spa, or enjoy shopping, dining, and exploring Whistler’s art galleries and museums. Summer activities include hiking, lakeside picnics, fishing, kayaking and stand-up paddle.

Harrison Hot Springs is a pretty lakeside town in the Fraser Valley found about 130 km east of Vancouver. There are 2 ways to get there, either by taking the quick route on Highway 1 or through the rural landscape along Highway 7 for a leisurely, scenic journey.

On arrival, many visitors head to the town’s public pool for a relaxing soak in the mineral-rich hot springs water, followed by a day of swimming, fishing or boating on the lake, exploring the town’s charming shops and art studios, or hitting the hiking trails and lakes in nearby Sasquatch Provincial Park. Those needing a full revitalising weekend could book into Harrison Hot Springs Resort, which has its own indoor and outdoor hot spring-fed pools available only to resort guests.

The Sunshine Coast offers a beautiful drive through a landscape dotted with rainforest, lakes, beaches, coves, and small, artsy towns. Along the Sunshine Coast’s 170-km length north of Vancouver, numerous hiking and biking trails, boating adventures, kayak trips and wildlife sightings await. To get there, road trippers must first catch the ferry at Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver for a 40-minute trip to Langdale Ferry Terminal.

First stop for most is Gibsons Landing, where you could enjoy a meal overlooking Howe Sound and browse the Gibsons Public Market. From there, the Sunshine Coast Highway takes you along a stunning coastline to such places as the town of Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, and Smuggler Cove with beautiful hiking trails. Take another ferry to reach the north coast with such scenic sights as Desolation Sound and Saltery Bay Provincial Park.

Squamish is a town set halfway between Vancouver and Whistler that’s become a popular destination for rock climbers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. The 64-km drive to Squamish up the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver winds through a landscape of mountains and forest, offering spectacular views over Howe Sound.

Those exploring Squamish will find bike and hiking trails, the Sea to Sky Gondola, and a huge granite monolith for rock climbers to tackle. There's backcountry snowshoeing and skiing in winter and, in warmer months, there’s kayaking, windsurfing, paddleboarding and kiteboarding. In the summer, the streets of Squamish come alive with buskers, festivals and a farmer’s market, and there are several murals and public art installations to check out around downtown.

Garibaldi Provincial Park is a mountain wilderness found 64 km north of Vancouver, covering a large area from Squamish up north past Whistler. Along the spectacular drive up the Sea to Sky Highway, you’ll find 5 well-signed access points to the park including Diamond Head, Rubble Creek and Black Tusk/Garibaldi Lake. The park has more than 90 km of hiking trails to explore, along with opportunities for canoeing, climbing, camping, cycling, fishing, and taking an icy dip into one of the glacier-fed lakes.

In the park’s Diamond Head area sits the 2,678-metre Mount Garibaldi, Atwell Peak, and Mamquam Lake, and in summer the ground is carpeted with white and pink heather flowers. Garibaldi Provincial Park is open year-round, but backcountry skiers and snowshoers should note that, in winter, you’ll need a 4-wheel drive vehicle with tire chains to navigate the steep road to the Diamond Head area.

Deep Cove is a kayaker’s dream destination, with calm waters to explore while taking in beautiful views of the mountain surrounds. Found just a 40-minute drive east from Vancouver, Deep Cove offers city dwellers a serene escape, whether they spend the day paddling on the water or taking a leisurely hike up to Quarry Rock. Road trippers heading to Deep Cove could expand their trip and make a stop at Lynn Canyon Park to find more hiking trails and see its impressive suspension bridge that towers 50 metres over the canyon.

Deep Cove’s village has some charming little shops and eateries, including the tasty snack stop Honey's Doughnuts. Finding car parking during the busy summer months can be a challenge, so it's best to go very early to ensure you find a spot.

Bowen Island sits 30 km northwest of downtown Vancouver, but it’s a world away from city life with its nature trails, rocky beaches and country roads offering panoramic views over Howe Sound. To get there, take the car ferry for a 20-minute journey from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Bowen Island’s Snug Cove.

You could linger at Snug Cove to relax in a café and take in the view of the marina or take a 15-minute walk up the hill to Artisan Square to meet some local artists, browse the galleries and shops, or book a spa treatment. The island’s easy to explore by car – only 6 km by 12 km in size – with good roads that lead to places to enjoy hiking, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, horseback riding, or even a round of golf. During the summer months of May through October, Bowen Island hosts a farmer’s market every Saturday and numerous festivals and events.

Abbotsford is a small city set in the Fraser Valley that sits about an hour’s drive southeast from Vancouver, with Washington State just across the US border to the south. The Abbotsford area has a lovely rural landscape with lakes and parks like Mill Lake Park to explore, as well as scenic hiking and biking trails up in nearby Sumas Mountain. Several wineries are sprinkled around the area, with many open for tastings and tours.

If visiting Abbotsford on a Sunday, you could check out the Abbotsford Flea Market and browse for vintage goods in a festive atmosphere. For families, there’s Castle Fun Park with amusement rides and arcade games, and also Maan Farms where you could pick up some wine and strawberries while the kids enjoy the petting zoo and corn maze.

Fort Langley National Historic Site is a landmark that’s older than the nation of Canada and is the place where British Columbia was proclaimed a British Colony in 1858. Built as a fur trading outpost by the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1827, the Fort Langley site lies about 50 km southeast of downtown Vancouver. Once you get beyond the city limits, the drive here takes you past rolling hills, farms, and forests.

The fort offers interpretive exhibits and activities like gold panning that take you back into the life of the fur-trading settlement 2 centuries ago. There’s free entry for kids aged 17 and under. Beyond the historic site, it’s worth wandering around Fort Langley village, which has a surprisingly good range of dining spots, shops, art galleries, and cafés.

Mission is a small city found about 70 km east of Vancouver that offers plenty for outdoor lovers to enjoy like fishing for sturgeon in the Fraser River, hiking, wildlife watching and mountain biking. Stop by Cascade Falls Regional Park to see the glittering 30-metre waterfall that flows into an emerald pool. At Rolley Lake Provincial Park, you could relax on the sandy beach at the lake, paddle a canoe or check out the hiking trails.

Mission is home to several cultural sites like the Stave Lake Historic Pumphouse, the X̲á:ytem Longhouse Interpretive Centre (pronounced Haytem), and Westminster Abbey. Out of town, you could visit some farms and pick your own fruit, go horseback riding or try some wine tasting.