Steelhead Falls Trail

Steelhead Falls Trail in Mission, BC is one of those quick hits that feels way more rewarding than the stats suggest. It’s only about 1.8 km out and back with around 57 m of gain, usually done in under 40 minutes, but you get a powerful waterfall, cool forest, and a solid little workout on the way back up.

The trail starts from the small parking lot and drops gently through shady trees, ferns, roots, and gravel, with a couple of neat bridges along the way. As you get closer to Steelhead Falls, you’ll find several viewpoints at different heights, including a platform right near the water where the mist hits you on a warm day. The falls are surprisingly strong for such a short walk, and you’ll often hear birds around you, with the forest staying cool even on hot afternoons.

Right now, the Steelhead Falls Trail is in good shape and well maintained, though the loose dirt and gravel can be slippery on the steeper downhill sections, especially near the waterfall where it can get muddy. The fence posts on the path down to the waterfall face aren’t very solid, so take your time and use extra care with kids or anyone unsteady on their feet. Expect an easy walk down and a mostly uphill grind back to the parking lot, bring bug spray in warmer months for mosquitoes, and plan to arrive early since parking by Steelhead Falls in Mission is limited and fills fast on nice days.