Amelia HallThere’s nothing like kicking back for the weekend and going somewhere to keep life interesting. Now, Vancouver has numerous lakes to choose from, whether you’re there for a family picnic or a solitary trek away from the bustling city.
We’ve curated this list to appeal to everyone, from the touristy spots to the ones less-frequented. Just remember to be well-prepared for the trip, and leave the lakes cleaner than you found them!
Sasamat Lake
Location: Belcarra Regional Park, British Columbia
Average depth: 18 meters (59 feet)
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Sasamat Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes near Vancouver with pristine, clear waters reflecting the tall trees of Belcarra Regional Park. It has White Pine Beach, a sandy spot famous for drawing in hordes of summer visitors.
A path lets you go through the area for peaceful strolls around the lake while swimming, fishing, and hiking are popular activities. Known for its warmth, Sasamat Lake is perfect for you to go swimming alone, with family, or in small groups.
The surrounding scenery invites leisurely walks along trails circling the lake, easily accomplished within an hour. Close proximity to Buntzen Lake allows for convenient exploration of both in a single day.
| Pro Tip: Parking at Sasamat fills quickly, especially on sunny summer weekends. Arriving earlier in the day ensures you secure a spot for your visit. |
Rice Lake
– Media credit: jayciedotin
Location: Lynn Headwaters Regional Park, North Vancouver
Average depth: 8.23 meters (27 feet)
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
At Rice Lake, situated in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, you’ll find yourself lost in the splendor of the natural world. If you love fishing, then this is the spot for you.
Here, you’ll find the opportunity to fish for beautifully colored Rainbow trout, making it a prime destination for fishing enthusiasts.
Are birds more your thing? Long-legged herons and a variety of colorful ducks populate the area, with the occasional sighting of an eagle soaring high above.
| Pro Tip: Prime fishing at Rice Lake occurs in spring and fall when rainbow trout are stocked. Get a freshwater fishing license to avoid fines, costing $36 to $80 annually or $10 to $20 for a one-day permit. |
Capilano Lake
– Media credit: destination_vancouver
Location: British Columbia
Average depth: 87 meters (285 feet)
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Capilano Lake was formed in 1954 with the construction of the Cleveland Dam over the Capilano River. From the dam, you can take in panoramic views of the lake.
Also, you can capture stunning photography while hiking along the 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) of trails in Capilano River Regional Park.
| Pro Tip: Bring a well-stocked picnic basket to share with friends and family. Clean up and avoid leaving trash and food behind. |
Alice Lake
– Media credit: aotepi_taeidia
Location: BC-99, Squamish, BC V0N 1H0, Canada
Average depth: 12 meters (39 feet)
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours from Saturday to Sunday
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Alice Lake can be found 71 kilometers (44 miles) north of the Lions Gate Bridge in North Vancouver. It’s known for its scenic surroundings around a campground and is a favorite destination for mountain bikers.
You can swim, canoe, kayak, hike, and fish to your heart’s content here. Keep an eye out for small mammals like squirrels, chipmunks, and raccoons, as well as birds such as Stellar’s jays, crows, and osprey.
| Pro Tip: Whether daylight or nightfall, a stroll around the lake is quite romantic for couples looking for a more natural and peaceful setting. |
Garibaldi Lake
– Media credit: garibaldi.lake
Location: British Columbia 99, Brackendale, BC V0N 1H0, Canada
Average depth: 119 meters (390 feet)
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
At Garibaldi Provincial Park, named after Mount Garibaldi, you’ll find a rich geological history, diverse vegetation, snow-capped mountains, iridescent waters, abundant wildlife, and scenic vistas.
With over 90 kilometers (56 miles) of established hiking trails, it’s a favorite year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
| Pro Tip: You’ll want to bring along hiking poles and sturdy hiking shoes for your trek. The trails are known for their rocky terrain and technical challenges. |
Beaver Lake
– Media credit: maryangel.socal
Location: Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC V6G 1Z4, Canada
Average depth: 0.5 meters (1.6 feet)
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
At the center of Stanley Park lies Beaver Lake, a popular recreational site in Vancouver. Surrounded by forest and local wildlife, it’s the perfect setting for strolling in the very heart of the city.
The 1.5-kilometer (0.93 miles) Beaver Lake trail provides an easy walk with virtually no incline. However, swimming and boating are not permitted on the lake.
| Pro Tip: If you’re interested in catching the sight of beavers with your eyes or your camera, dusk and dawn are your best bets. |
Cabin Lake
– Media credit: goddess_of_travel
Location: British Columbia
Average depth: 3 meters (10 feet)
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Considered among the best lakes close to Vancouver, Cabin Lake is one of the scenic lakes along the Black Mountain and its namesake trail in Cypress Provincial Park.
It’s a great spot for adventure seekers, providing opportunities like hiking, running, swimming, and skiing. If this is you, then this lake is a must-visit all year round.
Note that Cabin Lake tends to get quite busy during summer. It’s perfect for a refreshing swim and has earned its reputation as one of the best swimming lakes near Vancouver.
| Pro Tip: It’s not an isolated lake by any means since it’s easy to access, pretty, and great for swimming. After you’re done enjoying the lake, try hiking up a little further to a viewpoint on Black Mountain. |
Deeks Lake
– Media credit: alexwilks26
Location: Highway 99 just south of Porteau Cove, Squamish-Lillooet D, BC, Canada
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Deeks Lake can be found along the Howe Sound Crest Trail from Cypress Mountain to Porteau Cove and offers a day hike option without committing to the entire trail.
If you don’t mind the length of time, the hike takes about 7 hours and is rated moderate-strenuous due to its steep sections, particularly at the beginning.
| Pro Tip: If you’re after solitary and peaceful hikes (but with good exercise), then this less-frequented trail gives you a quieter outdoor escape. |
Wedgemount Trail Lake
– Media credit: willow_faith
Location: North of Whistler on Highway 99, BC-99, British Columbia, Canada
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
The lake offers breathtaking beauty, but you’ll need to put in some effort for those views. The trail to Wedgemount Lake is known for its steep and grueling nature.
However, the reward awaits at the end: turquoise waters that make the journey worthwhile. Camping at the lake is an option to break up the challenging hike, but reservations are required in advance.
| Pro Tip: Be sure to bring ample water and food. This hike is not recommended for children; it’s more suitable for experienced hikers. |
Lillooet Lake
– Media credit: cbcvancouver
Location: 160 Brooksbank Ave, North Vancouver, BC V7J 2H5, Canada
Average depth: 91 meters (300 feet)
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Just off the Sea to Sky highway, Lillooet Lake is a popular destination for weekend camping trips among people from the Lower Mainland. Though busy, you can find a spot to pitch a tent, although it might not be the biggest or most picturesque.
| Pro Tip: You can select from the four designated campsites, which include picnic benches. Walk-in sites or dispersed spots along the lakeside lack these amenities. |
Lake Lovely Water
– Media credit: travellerknowsmore
Location: Southwestern British Columbia
Average depth: 70 to 125 meters (230 to 410 feet), depending on areas
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Lake Lovely Water lies within the Tantalus Mountain Range near Squamish. Accessible solely by boat or helicopter, you’ll find a remote and pristine wilderness experience once you get there.
After a canoe or boat trip across the Squamish River, you get on a fairly steep hike up to the lake. Once there, you’ll have options for accommodation such as a hut operated by the Vancouver Section of The Alpine Club of Canada or designated camping tent pads.
| Pro Tip: At Lake Lovely Water, you can swim in a cool alpine lake as there’s no roped-off area for swimming. |
Petgill Lake
– Media credit: amberbirch48
Location: Alongside the Sea To Sky Highway near Murrin Provincial Park
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
For Petgill Lake along the Sea to Sky highway, you’ll find parking near Murrin Lake. After carefully crossing the highway, you get to a small wooden sign that marks the trail’s start to Petgill Lake, leading you up steep banks you need to scramble for a bit.
Along the trail, you’ll encounter several viewpoints of Howe Sound. After approximately 30 – 45 minutes, the descent begins, followed by a stretch along an old forest road. The terrain goes up and down until you reach the lake.
| Pro Tip: Petgill Lake offers serene beauty, but just a 10-minute walk further lies another viewpoint, providing a sweeping panorama of Howe Sound below. |
Elfin Lakes
– Media credit: vancouvertrails
Location: Southern area of Garibaldi Provincial Park near the town of Squamish
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Hiking to Elfin Lakes offers a rewarding experience, often split into an overnight trip. You can choose to stay in the Elfin Shelter or camp. In winter, camping directly on the snow allows for closer proximity to the lakes, offering a view directly from your tent.
| Pro Tip: The first, larger lake provides a refreshing swimming spot on hot summer days. However, swimming is prohibited in the second lake, which serves as a source of drinking water. |
Joffre Lakes
– Media credit: joffrelakes
Website: https://bcparks.ca/joffre-lakes-park/
Location: Duffey, Lake Road, Mount Currie, BC V0N 2K0, Canada
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Nope, it’s not named after the fictional boy king. Rather, the lake is named after the World War I general Joseph Jacques Césaire Joffre.
From Lower Joffre Lake, you’ll catch sight of glacier-laden peaks rising steeply, easily visible from a viewpoint just 500 meters from the parking lot.
A highlight of the park lies in the turquoise blue waters of Lower, Middle, and Upper Joffre lakes, all along the trail and each more stunning than the last. Here, you get to hike, camp, mountaineer, fish, and view wildlife as much as you want.
| Pro Tip: Just bring your own drinking water as potable water isn’t available. No campfires are allowed and swimming isn’t recommended due to cold glacier-fed lakes. |
Watersprite Lake
– Media credit: mrkristianbruun
Location: Squamish-Lillooet D, BC V0N 1J0, Canada
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
At Watersprite Lake, you’ll encounter another stunning turquoise lake near Whistler. Accessible via a 4×4 vehicle, this destination offers amazing views of the Mamquam River and the peaks of southern Garibaldi Provincial Park.
The hike to Watersprite Lake follows old logging roads before crossing a boulder field and reaching the lake. Though it spans 17km, it’s not as steep as Wedgemount Lake.
| Pro Tip: Camping is permitted, providing an opportunity to break up the day. Remember to book your camping online in advance. |
Tenquille Lake
– Media credit: stephrusso3
Location: Pemberton, BC
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Tenquille Lake, located just north of Mount Currie in Pemberton, offers an adventure worth considering. Accessing the trailhead requires a 4×4 vehicle, but if you’re up for a longer hike and lack a 4×4, you can cover the last 5km on foot.
Once you’ve reached the trailhead, expect a 1-1.5 hour hike along a well-marked and maintained trail to reach Tenquille Lake. At the destination, you’ll find campsites, a cabin, and a swimming dock, perfect for relaxation and exploration.
| Pro Tip: Keep in mind that dogs are not permitted within the recreation site or on the trails leading to the lake. |
Rainbow Lake
Location: Whistler, British Columbia
Average depth: 7.1 meters (23.28 feet)
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Considered a Whistler classic, Rainbow Lake offers a moderate hike with decent elevation. It’s not too long, making it ideal for a day hike. You’ll encounter beautiful views typical of the Whistler area, and Rainbow Lake itself is stunning.
A round-trip hike will take about 5-6 hours, leaving you with enough time to enjoy the lake.
| Pro Tip: Swimming isn’t encouraged due to the cold temperature and because it serves as one of Whistler’s water sources. |
Russet Lake
Location: British Columbia 99, Brackendale, BC V0N 1H0, Canada
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Russet Lake may not boast the most breathtaking scenery itself, but its surroundings are what truly make it remarkable. You’ll fit it nestled at the base of the strikingly bronze-colored Fissile mountain, visible from Whistler Village.
Spotting the Fissile from Whistler Village is simple: just look towards the Peak to Peak cable car nestled between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. The distinctive pyramid shape you observe is the Fissile, marking the location of Russet Lake.
The Musical Bumps trail at Whistler is the preferred route to reach Russet Lake. As you hike, you’ll marvel at the bronze hue of the Fissile, the grandeur of surrounding mountains, lush green valleys, and the serene blue waters of Russet Lake.
| Pro Tip: For accommodations, camping at Russet Lake or staying in the Kees and Claire hut are both options, but reservations must be made in advance. |
Cirque Lake and Callaghan Lake
– Media credit: bcliffordg
Location: Callaghan Lake Provincial Park, Whistler, BC V0N 0A0, Canada
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
At Cirque Lake in Callaghan Lake Provincial Park near Whistler, you’re in for a unique experience. This beautiful lake stands out not just for its scenic surroundings but also for its unusual shape, which is almost a perfect circle, hence the name.
Getting to this lake isn’t the easiest, but that also means it’s usually deserted. After navigating a bumpy, pot-hole-ridden road, you’ll canoe for a couple of kilometers on Callaghan Lake before embarking on a hike for about an hour to reach Cirque Lake.
Essentially, you’re getting two lakes for the price of one on this adventure. Not only do you canoe on Callaghan Lake, but you also enjoy stunning views of it from the high points on the trail to Cirque Lake.
| Pro Tip: Just be mindful of sandflies in the sand and mosquitoes around the lake, especially during the time of year when snow is melting. |
Brohm Lake
– Media credit: stephanie_vuill
Location: Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
Average depth: 11 meters average, 24 meters maximum (36 feet average, 79 feet maximum)
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
At Brohm Lake, you can swim, jump, and swing from the rope swings into the water. It’s quite shallow and easily accessible from the Sea to Sky Highway.
| Pro Tip: Make sure you arrive early to secure parking, as spots are limited. |
Cat Lake
– Media credit: tourismsquamish
Location:
Average depth: 17 meters average, 43 meters maximum (56 feet average, 141 feet maximum)
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
At Cat Lake near Squamish, you’ll find a popular swimming spot equipped with a rope swing, wooden rafts, and trails for hiking and biking. Nearby, there are walk-in campsites available.
Remember, camp spots at Cat Lake can’t be reserved, so arriving early on Fridays is recommended, especially on long weekends.
The 1.4-kilometer loop trail offers a lightly trafficked path through a beautiful forest setting. Suitable for all skill levels, it’s primarily used for walking, camping, and nature trips.
| Pro Tip: Be mindful of bears, store food properly, and keep your campsite clean to respect the environment and wildlife. |
