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If you don’t have the time (or budget) for a long holiday, we have the perfect solution: a day trip to the Harrison River Valley! Less than two hours from Vancouver, and even a shorter drive from the towns and cities that dot the Fraser Valley, our spectacular resort village and the surrounding communities and countryside offer an easy and fun day trip experience. Whether you choose to pack your day full of activities or plant yourself beachside and relax, here are some ideas for memorable “daycations” in the Harrison River Valley.
THE BEACH LIFE
The beach in Harrison Hot Springs is the beating heart of summer fun! To fuel up for a busy day, start with a hearty breakfast at Harrison Corner Café. From the Cowboy’s Big Breakfast to their Vegan Breakfast, Chicken and Waffles to the Quiche of the Day, and an incredible variety of Eggs Benny dishes, you’ll leave feeling satisfied (and dreaming of your next visit). Now that you’re fully fuelled, check out the variety of activities offered by Harrison Watersports! Rent a sea-doo, bumper boat, a BBQ boat, or take a speedboat tour. Or, enjoy the ultimate activity for a hot summer day: the floating waterpark! Buy your tickets for a two-hour slot of pure, uninhibited fun that will make you feel like a kid again! The waterpark features an obstacle course, swings, teeter-totters, monkey bars, adult-sized hamster balls, and so much more.
After a few hours of heart-racing activity, you’ll want to settle down with a cool treat and sit on the beach. You’ll find many spots for a tasty ice cream or gelato along the lakefront, such as Baskin Robbins, Chantilly Gelato & Café, and Rocky Mountain Chocolate. Next, spend a few hours just relaxing and enjoying the sights and sounds of the beach, maybe a cooling dip in the lake, a walk around the lagoon, and before you know it, it’s supper time! Head out to one of our many patios for a satisfying bite. Within walking distance of the beach, you’ll find breezy patios at Milos Greek Taverna, Morgan’s Bistro, Old Settler Pub, and Yukia Sushi, to name a few. Click here for a list of our local eateries.
GOLFING BUDDIES
If golfing is your thing, we’ve got you covered! Choose from a quick nine holes at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort Golf Course or 18 holes at Sandpiper Golf Course! Both offer meticulous greens, excellent pro shops and stunning panoramic views. And brand new this year, you’ll find Disc Golf at Sasquatch Mountain Resort! Once you’re finished your round at Harrison Hot Springs Resort Golf Course, we recommend a delicious meal and icy cold margarita just down the road at Taco Rio. If you’re playing the ‘Piper, you’ll find a sublime patio at The River’s Edge Clubhouse, located right within the Sandpiper Resort. Or, if you’re frisbee golfing, you’ll want to have an after-round drink and tasty bite at Molly Hogan’s Bar and Grill, right on the hill at Sasquatch Mountain Resort.
CIRCLE FARM TOURING
Checking out the farms, shops, and eateries on the Circle Farm Tour is a lively way to spend the day in the Harrison River Valley! Add some adventure to your tour by renting an e-bike from Harrison Eco Tours or a regular two-wheeler from Jamie’s Quadricycle Rentals. Following is just a sampling of what you can experience on the Agassiz-Harrison Circle Farm Tour, but there’s so much more to experience – download the complete guide here for all the stops on the tour.
Harrison Lavender, 3777 Wildwood Drive, Agassiz. This lavender farm offers hand-crafted lavender products for body, mind and spirit, from bath bombs and candles to culinary creations.
Back Porch, 6116 Golf Road, Agassiz. Dan and Lynda invite you to their pottery and basketry studio. Watch coffee beans roasting in a circa 1919 flame roaster (and purchase some to take home), and browse their antiques and collectibles.
Earthwise Society Agassiz Farm 6031 Golf Road, Agassiz. Tour the organic farm, demonstration gardens, and streamside trails and shop the seasonal farm stand.
Farmhouse Natural Cheeses 5634 McCallum Road. Shop fresh dairy and cheese products crafted from the farm’s own cows and goats. They also carry gift items and locally sourced goods.
Creekside Cheese + Creamery 3990 Chaplin Road, Agassiz. Certified organic creamery offering handcrafted artisan cheese, cream-top whole milk, grass-fed beef, and other farm-fresh products.
Muddy Waters Café 328 Esplanade Avenue, Harrison Hot Springs. This family-operated business utilizes ingredients from many other Circle Farm Tour members, including the Back Porch coffee and Farmhouse Natural Cheeses, to craft their flavourful fare.
Morgan’s Bistro 160 Esplanade Avenue, Harrison Hot Springs. Morgan’s Bistro offers an array of creative west coast entrees and fantastic daily specials, all beautifully plated and presented.
HIKE YOUR HEART OUT
Our wide range of hikes means you can do a few hikes on every day trip you take. With a range of skill levels from easy to difficult, we have something for everyone, but one thing they all have in common is wild, natural beauty. Breathe in the wild of the Harrison River Valley, and reap all the mental and physical benefits. Before you head out, pack a picnic, or order a picnic lunch from Harrison Corner Café. From a leisurely stroll on the Lagoon Trail with a Muddy Waters coffee in hand, work your way up. The Spirit Trail is a favourite of many – the trail winds its way through a stunning cedar forest; and many trees are adorned with hand-crafted clay masks made by a local artist – how many will you spot? The trail is only about 1km in length but features dozens of masks. Make your hike longer by adding the Bridle Trail, which lengthens your walk to approximately 5km.
Another trail that is perfect for daytrippers is the Hicks Lake Loop. As its name implies, this trail loops around Hicks Lake in a 6km round trip. Halfway through the loop, you’ll find a secluded sandy beach, perfect for taking a rest or a cool dip. Once you complete the loop, head to the day use area to relax on the beach and go for a swim. This is a popular lake for swimmers as the water is warmer than the glacier-fed Harrison Lake.
The Sandy Cove/Whippoorwill Point Trail is another excellent option. Leaving from the Harrison Resort area, the trailhead is about 30 metres past the hot spring source on the left side. A short switchback will take you to the main trail that climbs the mountain. Follow the path as it winds around the mountain until you hit a “T” intersection. Go right to head to Sandy Cove. Here you’ll find a secluded beach that’s perfect for a picnic. If you want to continue further, continue to the far end of the beach, and the trail continues to Whippoorwill Point, an outcropping that marks the entrance to the Harrison River. The trail follows the Harrison River until it brings you back around to the T intersection where you turned right. Take the right fork, which will lead you back to the village.
These are just a few suggestions, but for a more detailed list of hikes, click here. And for our complete Trail Guide detailing all the hikes in the Harrison River Valley, click here.
We invite you to come or a drive #justuptheroad – there’s so much for both day trippers and vacationers to experience! For more information on these or other Harrison River Valley activities, stop by the Visitor Centre at 102, 160 Lillooet Avenue, in the heart of Harrison Hot Springs, or follow us on Facebook or Instagram. Don’t forget to tag your Harrison River Valley photos with #HarrisonRiverValley or #BreatheInTheWild to share them with us!
