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Paradise Valley is a quiet, forested valley just north of Squamish, along the Cheakamus River. It’s only a short drive off Highway 99 but feels a world away. With rivers to throw rocks into and lakes nearby, it’s a great base for a slower family getaway.
This is our local guide to Paradise Valley in Squamish with a baby or toddler: how to get there, where to stay, what to do with little ones, and the gear that makes a valley trip easier.
Paradise Valley sits about 12 km north of downtown Squamish, past Brackendale. From Highway 99, turn west onto Squamish Valley Road and drive about 3.5 km. Keep right onto Paradise Valley Road and follow it as it runs up the valley beside the Cheakamus River.
From Vancouver, plan on roughly an hour and a quarter to the Squamish Valley Road turnoff, plus another 10 to 15 minutes up the valley. It’s an easy drive for a nap in the car seat. The road is paved but narrow in places, with a single-lane bridge near the campground, so take it slowly, especially towing a trailer.
There are no grocery stores in the valley. Stock up in Squamish or Brackendale on the way in.
Paradise Valley Campground is the main place to stay in the valley. It’s a family-run, music-free campground on about 28 acres of coastal rainforest, with riverside trails along the Cheakamus. There are private sites, tent sites and full-service RV sites, plus washrooms with pay showers.
The on-site general store is a big win with kids. It sells ice cream, milkshakes and coffee, along with ice, propane and basic supplies, so a forgotten item doesn’t mean a drive back to town.
The campground is seasonal, usually from late April to early October. Book online through the campground’s website or by phone, and book early for summer weekends. Check-in is after 1 pm, which works nicely if you time the drive around a morning nap.
There are private cabins and farm stays scattered through the valley and nearby Brackendale. They’re a good choice with a baby if you want a real bed, a fridge and walls between you and the night noises. Ask whether your rental has a crib or high chair before you book. If it doesn’t, we can deliver one.
For a more rustic stay, Squamish Valley Campground is further up Squamish Valley Road on the Squamish River, with a big sandy beach and views of the Tantalus Range. It has outhouses and no showers or power, so it suits families who are comfortable roughing it a little.
Comparing campgrounds? See our full guide to camping in Squamish with kids.
The riverside trails are the heart of a Paradise Valley trip. Little ones can throw rocks, look for salmon and watch the water rush by. The Cheakamus is fast and very cold, even in August, so stick to the banks, keep toddlers within arm’s reach and skip swimming in the main river. Gravel bars that look calm can drop off quickly.
Just off Paradise Valley Road on Midnight Way, the Tenderfoot Creek Hatchery is a free, self-guided stop that kids love. Information signs walk you through how coho, chinook, chum and pink salmon are raised for the Squamish River watershed, and juvenile coho and chinook are in the ponds year-round. Adult chinook return from July to September, coho from November to January and chum in November. The hatchery is usually open daily from 8 am to 3 pm. Call ahead if you’re hoping for a guided tour.
The Cheakamus Centre is an outdoor education centre on Paradise Valley Road, run by the North Vancouver School District on 165 hectares of ecological reserve. It’s mostly used for school programs, but it opens to the public for events like its annual open house, when families can see the salmon hatchery, farm, Salish longhouse and forest. Check their website for dates.
Brohm Lake is just off Highway 99 and has an easy forest loop and a lake for summer swims. A hiking carrier works better than a stroller on the rootier sections. Fit families can also hike up to Brohm from the campground, but it’s steep, so most parents with little ones drive around.
Alice Lake is about 15 minutes away, with sandy beaches, a playground and a pump track. The Four Lakes Trail loops past four lakes and is a classic carrier hike.
Visiting in winter? Hundreds of bald eagles gather along the Squamish River to feed on spawning salmon. Read our guide to the Brackendale eagle count for the best viewing spots. The hatchery is also a good place to look for eagles in the colder months.
After a night or two of camp food, Fergie’s Cafe at Sunwolf is our favourite stop on the way out of the valley. It’s on Squamish Valley Road, right on your route back to Highway 99, in a forest setting beside the Cheakamus River. Brunch is the specialty, with local ingredients, good coffee and gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options.
There’s a big lawn where kids can run around while you finish your coffee. Fergie’s is open daily from 9 am to 3 pm and doesn’t take reservations, so expect a wait on summer weekends. If there is one, take the kids for a wander down to the river.
Staying in a cabin? We deliver anywhere in the Squamish Valley and Paradise Valley for $50, and pick everything up when you leave. Camping? We don’t deliver to campsites, but you can pick up your gear free from our Squamish porch on the way.
See Squamish Valley Delivery →
Where is Paradise Valley?
Just north of Squamish, past Brackendale. Turn off Highway 99 onto Squamish Valley Road, then keep right onto Paradise Valley Road.
How far is Paradise Valley from Vancouver?
About an hour and a half by car, depending on traffic on the Sea to Sky Highway.
Is Paradise Valley good for families?
Yes, especially for a quieter camping trip. Just keep a close eye on kids near the river.
Can you swim in the Cheakamus River?
It isn’t a good swimming river for kids. It’s fast and very cold. For swimming, head to Brohm Lake or Alice Lake.
When is Paradise Valley Campground open?
It’s seasonal, usually from late April to early October. Check the campground’s website for this year’s dates.
When can you see salmon in Paradise Valley?
Adult chinook return from July to September, and coho and chum in November. Juvenile salmon are at the Tenderfoot Creek Hatchery year-round.
Packing for the trip? See what to pack vs. rent, or browse crib rentals.
