Discover Mission, BC: A Hidden Gem for Outdoor Lovers

Four tickets design, three in gold and one in silver, all labeled 'my return ticket' with 'ADMIT ONE' heading.

VERDICT: WE GAVE 4 OUT OF 5 TICKETS AND HERE’S WHY!

This guide forms part of our complete Canada Travel Guide, featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across Canada.

This guide also forms part of our complete British Columbia Ultimate Travel Guide, bringing together our firsthand city guides, road trips and experiences from across the province.

Fraser River views, mountain scenery, heritage and outdoor adventures in the Fraser Valley

Why Visit Mission?

Mission is close enough to Metro Vancouver to make an easy day trip, but once you cross the Fraser River and start climbing into the hills, the landscape changes quickly.

We know Mission through our travels around the Fraser Valley, and it is a destination that is sometimes overlooked by visitors rushing east toward Harrison Hot Springs or the mountains. That’s a mistake. Mission has remarkable Fraser River views, forest trails, waterfalls, lakes, historic sites and one of the most distinctive religious landmarks in the region.

Downtown Mission retains an independent small-city feel, while just a few minutes away you’re surrounded by forest and mountains.

Mission is also an excellent example of why we enjoy exploring close to home. Some of British Columbia’s most rewarding places aren’t necessarily the ones on international bucket lists.

Did You Know?

Mission was incorporated in 1892, although the history of the area extends much further back through the Stó:lō – the People of the River – whose communities and trade routes were centred on the Fraser River.

For many years there were actually separate municipal entities here. The Town of Mission and Municipality of Mission eventually amalgamated in 1969.

Fraser River Heritage Park is now Mission’s largest park and occupies land with significant and complex history, including the former St. Mary’s Residential School site.

Aerial view of a serene lake with mist over the water, surrounded by green trees and a residential area with mobile homes along the shore.

A hiker walking along a wooden boardwalk beside a tranquil lake, surrounded by lush green trees and a clear blue sky.

Places to See in Mission

Westminster Abbey: One of Mission’s most remarkable landmarks. The Benedictine monastery sits high above the Fraser Valley and combines architecture, gardens and spectacular viewpoints.

Fraser River Heritage Park: Large open spaces, walking paths and some of the best Fraser Valley views in Mission.

Downtown Mission: Independent shops, cafés and local businesses give the old downtown area plenty of character.

Mission Museum: A useful introduction to the community’s development and local history.

Mission Raceway Park: A completely different side of the city and one of Mission’s best-known sporting venues.

Stave Lake: Forest, mountains and water combine to create some spectacular scenery north of the city.

Hayward Lake: Popular for walking, picnics and time beside the water.

Westminster Abbey

5 Places to Visit Near Mission

1. Cascade Falls Regional Park
A short walk leads to a suspension bridge and viewpoint overlooking an impressive waterfall.

2. Rolley Lake Provincial Park
A peaceful forest and lake destination that works particularly well for an easy outdoor day trip.

3. Abbotsford
Cross the Fraser River for restaurants, parks, aviation attractions, farms and a growing collection of our own Fraser Valley experiences.

4. Harrison Hot Springs
Continue east for lakefront scenery, mountain views and one of the Fraser Valley’s best-known resort communities.

5. Fort Langley
Historic buildings, independent shops and the National Historic Site make Fort Langley one of the most interesting heritage destinations in the Lower Mainland.

Explore Destinations Across BC

Nearby Attractions

Planning your trip?

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With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.

Mission, British Columbia, Canada ⎮ Ultimate City Guide