Outdoor Adventure Itinerary

Be in the Wild
Outdoor Adventure

(3 nights and 4 days)

Day 1

Let’s hike!
Hiking is an unscripted experience where exploration and spontaneity meet. It’s natural medicine! Seratonin levels are boosted, creating a sense of serenity, and increased dopamine will have you feeling great. 

West coast-like of course…grab your warmest toque and flannel plaid shirt, fave Lululemons, comfortable hiking boots, and a recyclable and refillable glass water bottle. 

“The greatest friend of the soul is the unknown.” So, while we are all for self exploring, we can’t resist sharing our favourite trails. Explore on your own or book a guided hike with Harrison Eco Tours.

Whether you are looking for a family-friendly walk or to hit the mountain hard, you’ll find a variety of hiking options. 

SPIRIT TRAIL WALK

Spirit Trail is a short 30-minute walk through a serene cedar forest that is very accessible from the Village of Harrison Hot Springs. What makes this trail so special is that a local resident and artist has decorated many of the cedars along the trail with beautiful masks.

HICKS LAKE LOOP

This family-friendly hike completes a loop around Hicks Lake in Sasquatch Provincial Park. Hicks Lake can be found just 20 minutes east of the Village of Harrison Hot Springs.

SPIRIT TRAIL AND BRIDLE TRAIL LOOP

Add the Bridal Trail in for a 5.5 km, 1.5-hour hike allowing hikers to get back to nature and be surrounded by flora, wetlands, cliffs, and wildlife.

SANDY COVE AND WHIPPOORWILL TAIL

Only 4 kms long, this 1.5-hour moderate hike take hikers past the source of Harrison’s hot springs and brings sandy beaches and panoramic lake views.

CAMPBELL LAKE (HARRISON GRIND)

This hike is for the more experienced at 10 kms and 6 hours long. Harrison Grind takes hikers through rock, forest, and past Campbell Lake.

BEAR MOUNTAIN

Not for the faint of heart, this 18-km, 7-hour hike, east of Harrison Lake, leads visitors past small waterfalls and beautiful views of the Fraser Valley, Fraser River, and Cheam Mountains. You’ll see a great photo opp at the summit on the helicopter pad.

Arrive in Harrison early and get your day on the mountain in before checking in to your suite. We have a variety of accommodations to choose from – campgrounds and RV parks, resorts, cabins, motels, and Bed and Breakfasts. Grab some groceries from the Super Value in Agassiz and stock your kitchen or choose different dining spots each day. Be sure to check out our Foodie Itinerary, too!

To discover trails in Agassiz, visit our website!

Day 2

Soul-soothing goodness

You may already be familiar with the fact we have magical healing hot springs, but there is a whole free-spirit side to Harrison that you may not be aware of. Harrison is also a kayaking mecca. From Harrison Mills to where the Harrison River meets Harrison Hot Springs, the scenery remains untouched, the water is calming, and the exploration routes are endless. 

Kayakers come to Harrison to embrace the serene and be held in suspense, watching nature’s version of Netflix–bird sightings, scenic wilderness, wildlife, and breathtaking views, and waterfalls. Paddle it out with our top picks.

1. DABBLE WITH A PADDLE: This is the perfect trip for the novice or experienced kayaker. Leaving twice daily from the Harrison Lakeshore, this tour includes safety orientation and a two-hour paddle on Harrison Lake and part-way down the Harrison River.

2. MIAMI RIVER IS FAMILY FRIENDLY: Bring along the littles. This is an easy paddle suited for families with young children. The Miami River is a super-fun route where you’ll paddle right through the Village. Scenic and full of wildlife and a variety of birds. 

3. HARRISON HISTORY THAT REMAINS A SECRET: Paddle past the First Nations’ petroglyphs, burial sites, and the historic “Bubble and Squeak” sunken steamship. Abundant wildlife and scenic beauty, 4-5 hours long.

4. OVER THE RAINBOW: Accessible only by boat and a full day trip in your kayak that you will never forget. Pack a picnic lunch and take a guided paddle to Rainbow Falls. Stretch your legs as you take a short hike up to the falls. 8-hour round trip. 

5. FROM LAKE TO RIVER: Harrison Hot Springs to Harrison Mills. Come with a friend and bring two cars. Leave one in Harrison Mills, at either Kilby Historic Site or Sandpiper Resort, and take the other to Harrison Hot Springs. This is gorgeous year-round but, especially, in the fall when bald eagles gather. Be sure to explore Weaver Creek and Morris Creek along the way to catch the salmon run.

6. SASQUATCH PROVINCIAL PARK: Touches on four lakes, two of which –Deer and Hicks –are well suited to explore in smaller boats. (Electric motors are only meant for Deer Lake and 10 hp is the maximum permitted speed on Hicks.) Paddle to the isolated Sandy Beach at Hick Lake’s south end.

BONUS: The Indigenous interpretive kayaking tour is expected to start in May of 2021 with Harrison Eco Tours.

Note: Despite the, seemingly, calm waters, kayakers can experience strong gusts of winds without warning. Harrison Lake is also glacier-fed and is quite cold. Come prepared, use fitted good-quality life jackets, stay close to shore, and only venture out with a guide or if experienced. Bring your own kayak or rental one from Killer’s Cove.  Better yet, take a guided tour with Harrison Eco Tours.

7) HICKS LAKE: For a more tranquil experience, canoeing Hicks Lake in Sasquatch Park is wonderful way to spend the day. Canoe rentals are even available right at Hicks Lake.

Other water adventures to consider are watersurfing, parasailing, paddle boarding and, of course, the giant floating waterpark!

Please keep in mind as you explore Harrison Lake, that Harrison Lake is glacier fed and much longer than it appears at 60 kilometres long and covering over 200 square kilometres. 

Day 3

Ride it out in the country or in the mountains

The Harrison River Valley has a variety of biking trails, suited for the novice to the experienced. See our agricultural itinerary to learn about the 26-km country road trip filled with Circle Farm Tour stops, and our Top 3 list below.

LAKESIDE: Bike through Harrison Village, parallel to the esplanade*.
(Please watch out for vehicles as it is a narrow shoulder.)

HARRISON MILLS TO HARRISON HOT SPRINGS: (and back) – for the more intermediate riders –an hour ride there and back — stop at the springs on Mt. Woodside where you can fill up your water bottle with fresh spring water! (Note: there is an elevation gain on both sides.)

BEAR MOUNTAIN SIDE TRAIL LOOP: A total 7.5 km round-trip. This ride begins at Memorial Hall and turns into Mount Street Trail. You’ll see lots of farmland, leading into forest and over a bridge crossing at which point you’ll twist and turn a bit more before looping back.

Pedal then pool: Stay and soak in one of the hot spring pools or enjoy the healing springs spa at Harrison Resort.

Bonus suggestion:

SYÉXW CHÓ:LEQW ADVENTURE PARK: Owned and operated by Sq’ewá:lxw (Skawahlook) First Nation near Ruby Creek, this park features 33 acres of pristine wilderness. Designed with families in mind, you will be riding on smooth terrain. Now add a beginner level pump track, mountain bike skills area, mixed-use trail network for nature walks, and a 90,000 square-foot playground.

Day 4

Go Fish!

Trout, salmon, sturgeon… you name it. The Harrison River Valley is a sport fisher’s paradise. Situated on the largest freshwater lake in southwestern BC, the beautiful surroundings, immaculate rivers, and majestic wildlife attract anglers from across the world. 

Fraser River transports thousands of migrating salmon, between late August to December, and is home to our modern-day dinosaurs…the white sturgeon! These fish can grow up to 1,000 lbs and live up to 200 years old! Yes, we are being literal and are talking big fish. The Fraser feeds right into the Harrison River, which is home to Pacific Salmon species: King, Sockeye, Coho, Pink, and Chum. The vibrant phenomenon attracts tens of thousands of bald eagles and raptors, which has positioned the Harrison region as the world’s largest winter eagle gathering. Harrison River is now the first designated Salmon Stronghold in Canada.

Lillooet River, located at the top end of Harrison Lake, is renowned for superior ‘catch and release’ trout and char fishing –ideal for fly fishers! 

Fifteen minutes down the road in Harrison Mills, is the Chehalis River Enhancement Facility, providing insight into the lifecycle of salmon and trout. Visitors will learn about modern fish culture techniques to produce various salmon, steelhead, and sea-run cutthroat trout. 

While fishing has typically been enjoyed more by men, trends have changed. Women are known for loving this new girlfriend getaway idea or even as a date day! It’s about the lifestyle piece…the calm of the water and the endorphin-rush when the line starts to tug. A Harrison adventure guarantees fishing tales to be shared for years to come. 

How to get started?

• Obtain a fishing license and conservation stamps.
• Check out the Freshwater Fishing regulations
• Make sure you have the right equipment, fishing lines and hooks, and attire
• Choose the right bait for the type of fish you want to hook
• Take guidance from a knowledgeable friend or, better, yet, one of our experienced fishing guides.

While we can recommend a host of accommodation partners to choose from, the Fraser River Lodge and Kilby Lodge specialize in fishing trips. Fraser River Lodge’s rustic feels of the lodge invites couples to groups as you are surrounded by stunning mountain and river views.  And, fresh and seasonal is always on the menu. Retire in the evening by kicking back in your room or head to the games room and play pool or poker. You can even watch the game on the big screen TV.

For more information on fishing in the region, guided packages, boat rentals and guided tours, check out our website.