Abbotsford has no shortage of great places to walk a dog, from paved riverside paths to forested trails with real elevation. Whichever kind of walk you and your dog prefer, there’s likely a spot nearby — though a few of them come with a trade-off: a fair amount of mud, dust, or debris to deal with once you’re home. Here’s a roundup of local favourites, along with how to handle the cleanup afterward.
Mill Lake Park
A local favourite and one of the most popular dog-walking spots in Abbotsford, Mill Lake has a well-maintained trail that’s great for a solid stretch of exercise. It’s flat, accessible, and well-trafficked, making it an easy choice for daily walks year-round.
After-walk tip: The paved sections stay fairly clean, but the grassy edges and lakeside areas can get muddy after rain — a quick paw check is usually all that’s needed.
Discovery Trail
If you want distance, Discovery Trail offers over 30 km of paved paths running through Abbotsford, making it one of the best options for longer walks or runs with your dog. Being paved end-to-end, it’s also one of the cleaner trail options in the city.
After-walk tip: Paved trails mean less mud, but on hot days, check paw pads for heat irritation from the pavement, especially at midday.
Matsqui Trail
For something more scenic, Matsqui Trail runs along the Fraser River, making it an excellent riverside dog-walking option — and it’s one of the longest trails in the area, stretching well over ten miles. It’s a great pick if your dog needs a longer, more immersive walk.
After-walk tip: Riverside trails mean soft, often damp ground — expect muddy paws and a dusty or damp coat, especially near the water’s edge.
Stoney Creek Park
Stoney Creek offers a few designated off-leash areas, a fenced dog park, and walking paths along the creek, making it a solid choice if you want a mix of on- and off-leash time in one visit.
After-walk tip: Creek-side paths mean higher odds of a wet, muddy dog, especially if your dog can’t resist wading in — a good one to plan a bath around.
Wilband Park
Wilband is a local favourite with both short and long trail options, suitable for dogs of all sizes, making it flexible whether you’re after a quick loop or a longer outing.
After-walk tip: With varied trail lengths through more natural terrain, expect some dirt and light debris pickup, especially on the longer routes.
Clayburn Creek Trail
For a more forested walk, Clayburn Creek Trail follows the creek through wooded terrain, though it’s worth knowing that it tends to run muddy given how close it sits to the water. It’s a beautiful walk, but plan for a genuinely dirty dog afterward.
After-walk tip: This is one of the muddier trails on this list — a full paw rinse and a coat check for burrs or debris is worth doing before your dog comes inside.
McKee Peak Trail
For something with more of a workout, McKee Peak Trail is a roughly 5.6-km out-and-back route through meadows and forest, generally considered easy to moderate and suitable for most dogs. It’s a nice option if your dog needs more than a flat park loop.
After-walk tip: Forest and meadow terrain often means grass seeds, burrs, and dirt worked into the coat — a thorough brush-out is worth doing the same day, before anything has a chance to mat.
Sumas Mountain
For dogs (and owners) who want a bigger outing, Sumas Mountain offers scenic trails with varied terrain and some genuinely beautiful views. It’s a step up in difficulty and distance from most of the walks on this list.
After-walk tip: Varied terrain means more of everything — mud, dirt, and debris. This is the kind of walk that often calls for a full bath, not just a paw wipe.
Keeping Your Dog Clean After a Trail Day
However clean the trail, dogs tend to come home with something — mud on the belly and legs, dust worked into the coat, or debris caught between the paws. A few habits go a long way between grooming appointments:
- Rinse and dry paws as soon as you’re home, especially after muddier trails like Clayburn Creek or Sumas Mountain
- Brush out debris the same day, before it has a chance to work into a mat
- Do a quick skin and paw check, especially after longer or more overgrown trails, for scratches, ticks, or irritation
For a deeper trail day — or if it’s been a few weeks since the last proper wash — a Bath & Brush is usually enough to reset a dirty coat. If mud or debris has had time to mat into the fur, a Full Groom with a de-matting pass is the better call.
Just got back from a muddy trail day? → Book a Bath & Brush
Coat matted from a few too many trail adventures? → Book a Full Groom