McDonald Beach Park Loop

McDonald Beach Park Loop in Richmond, BC is a quick, low-stress walk that’s really all about the river and the dogs. This 2.6 km loop is flat, easy, and usually done in about 30 minutes, so it’s more of a relaxed stroll than a serious hike. If you’re looking for a casual walk by the water close to the city and airport, this is a solid go-to.

The loop follows the Fraser River shoreline on the north side of Sea Island, with open views of the water, boats, and planes coming and going from YVR. The path is wide, mostly compact gravel and grass, with almost no elevation gain, topping out around 8 metres. It’s a simple, scenic circuit where the main attractions are the sandy riverbank, boat launch area, and watching dogs tear around the off leash beach.

Right now, the highlight of McDonald Beach Park Loop is easily the off leash dog beach, which many locals call one of the best in the region. The inland southern paths are no longer well maintained and are getting choked with blackberry bushes, so most people stick to the riverfront and turn it into an out-and-back or partial loop. The trail is open year-round, but it can get muddy after rain and busy on sunny weekends, so bring a towel for the dog, shoes you don’t mind getting dirty, and be ready to share the space with a lot of very happy pups.