Campbell valley regional park is an ecological public garden preserved by the Metro Vancouver geographical parks committee.
The park is in season all year round and is perfect for family trips. Little Campbell river flows through the middle of the park, resulting in various types of terrains such as marshlands, meadows, forests, and hills.
The park covers an area of 535 hectares. The park is divided into three geographical regions – the South valley, the Equestrian, and the North valley. It is a particularly great area for picnicking in South Fraser Valley.
There are many activities to do in the park that can keep your whole family entertained for the day. Garibaldi Provincial Park is another choice for adventure seekers.
Campbell Valley Regional Park
1. Entrance
The two principal entries to the public garden are the Southern valley park gate on 8th Avenue and the Northern valley access on 16th Avenue.
The south valley entrance has access to group picnic tables, drinking water facilities, and the Campbell valley nature house. Camp Coyote is another entrance.
Drinking water is at hand at both entrances.
2. Trails
Campbell valley regional park also offers diverse walking trails, biking, horse riding, and hiking trails amid nature. There are a total of 29 km of trails. All of the trails are unpaved.
14 km of the trail is appointed for equestrians and 1 km is only for pedestrians and biking.
(a) The Little River Loop Trail
The Campbell Valley Little River loop trail which passes by the little Campbell river twice is a flat 1.4-mile river loop trail near Langley, British Columbia.
It has elevated boardwalks where you can take a rest or observe nature and wildlife. This trail is also wheelchair accessible.
This area is famous for bird watching, hiking, and running. April to October is the perfect time to go to this place.
(b) Shaggy Mane Trail
The 11 km long Shaggy Mane Trail connects the entire park and is the finest place to hike in Campbell Valley regional park. It is a sharp climb. It is recommended to go horse riding via this trail.
The Shaggy mane trail loop is the top dog walking trail in Campbell valley regional park. The trail is usually calm in the mornings and evenings but gets busier in the afternoons. Please wear waterproof boots, the trail is a bit muddy from time to time.
(c) Ravine Trail
The Ravine Trail is a 2.5 km forested trail loop located near Langley, British Columbia. Half an hour is enough time to complete the trail. A large part of the trail is forested so you will get ample shade.
A creek and a Nature House will fall on your way through the trail. Washroom facilities are also available.
(d) Perimeter Trail
The Perimeter Trail is 7.1 km long and considered one of the easy trails, it might take around one and a half hours to complete.
The Vine Maple trail of this route is often unavailable during the spring and fall seasons because of precautionary reasons since the boardwalks become a risk to step on. This trail is family-friendly.
Make sure to wear appropriate shoes. The connecting trails provide pleasant walking trails to the explorers touring the Campbell valley regional park.
(e) Deer Trail
The Deer trail makes its way through a lush open meadow and then goes through a group of trees, finally ending up on the former race track.
2. History
The Campbell valley regional park was founded from 6 ancient plantation holdings.
(a) Logging
Between the 19th and 20th centuries, logging companies cut down the entire rainforest. Railways for collecting the logs used to circle the entire park. You can find one of the rails on the Ravine trail.
3. Equestrian Centre
This place is famous for horse riding and is a must-visit for horse enthusiasts. It has a horse riding ring, horse barns, and horse riding trails.
The park has a Campbell Downs Equestrian Centre which is an NGO run by volunteers to improve the provisions in the park for horses.
There are many horseback riding stables and trails in and near Campbell valley regional park.
4. Timing
Campbell Valley park is open from 7 am to 8 pm. If you want to learn more about the park’s events, visit the Events Calendar on the Metro Vancouver website.
5. Historic Buildings
(a) Historic Langley Speedway
Campbell valley regional park houses the historic Langley speedway, a paved oval track where car races used to be held.
The Speedway was active between the 60s and early 80s. It is one of the race courses in British Columbia where Nascar events were hosted.
If you walk along the track, you will see the signs of damage on the walls that had been caused by crashes.
(b) Lochiel Schoolhouse and Annand Rowlatt Farmstead
The south end of Campbell valley regional park has two historic buildings – Lochiel schoolhouse, which was built in 1924, and the Annand Rowlatt farmstead, which dates back to 1898.
The farmstead is inhabited by a family but the fields and grounds are open to the public. The schoolhouse is named after École Élémentaire Lochiel.
6. Tourist Spots
Some places to eat near the park are – The Keg Mansion, Cactus Club Café, Hawksworth Restaurant, and Bauhaus.
(a) Mclean Pond
The Mclean pond is a lucky find of Campbell valley regional park. Fishing is barred in the pond to preserve the aquatic life there. The Mclean pond is appointed for canoeing.
(b) Nature House
The Nature House, a visitor center, is at the South valley entrance. It gives awareness of the ecology of the park. There is a gazebo and a pond beside it.
You can reserve passes for guided journeys of the entire park too.
7. Pets
(a) Dog Walking
Campbell valley regional park has both on-leash and off-leash dog-friendly areas for you to walk your dog.
You would be held accountable for your dog’s behavior. Make sure to collect all the garbage that your pets might create and keep the area clean.
8. Parking lot
South Carvolth is the circular parking lot allotted to Campbell valley regional park in Langley.
9. Wildlife Garden
Dotted with sun rays, and panoramic views of grasslands and wetlands, Campbell valley regional park is a significant wildlife garden.
There are numerous diverse types of trees such as maples and birches. Wandering through the forest of Campbell valley regional park is one of the most calming experiences you can have.
All sorts of songbirds, squirrels, and even salmon have made the Campbell valley regional park their home. The park has deer and coyotes. It is a request to not approach, disturb or try to feed any of the wildlife.
10. Cycling
The perimeter trail can be used for cycling. Start your cycling tour from the entrances on 16th or 8th Avenue. From there, you can ride through 200th Street to Zero Avenue, along the US-Canada border.
There is a dense forest on the path. To get onto Halls Prairie Road, you will have to cycle westwards from Zero Avenue to 184th street.
You will find a farmhouse standing on top of a hill, the view of the North shore from here is spectacular.
You can also cycle or hike for a distance of 3.5 km on the Perimeter trail starting from 20th Avenue to the Lochiel schoolhouse on 204th Street.
You might come across joggers, horses, and hikers on your way. Please be careful because horses have a tendency to get startled easily, which might put their riders at risk.
Make sure to remain calm and let equestrians pass by peacefully. Bicycles are not to be ridden on the trails of the park.
11. Reservable Facilities
Some indoor and outdoor spots can be booked. Camp Coyote Group Camp, Old Orchard picnic shelter, Rowlatt Farmstead, historic Langley Speedway, and riding rings are all available for booking.
12. Accessibility
The partially accessible washrooms with low toilet seats belong to the Nature House, the wildlife garden, the Old Orchard Group Picnic area, and Coyote Group Camp.
North valley main entrances and South valley entrance’s picnic tables and toilets are accessible too. The toilets in the Equestrian Centre are also accessible.
13. Fire Rings
Old Orchard Picnic Shelter and Camp Coyote Group Campsite have fire rings and they can be reserved or provided on a first come first serve basis. Certain restrictions and safety rules have to be kept in mind while lighting the fire.
14. Directions
The simplest route to Campbell valley regional park is to head east towards Highway #1 from Vancouver, onto the highway directed eastward, and then turn left and follow the park signs.
Carry on east through Burnaby, to the other side of the Port Mann Bridge into Surrey. If you are located in South Vancouver, it would be easier for you to go via Richmond.
You can arrive at the park via Highway 99 as well. You will have to go by the Eighth Avenue East Exit.
