• Easy drive from Greater Vancouver on a plowed and sanded highway.
• Usually low avalanche risk. 
• Better weather and fluffier snow than the coast. 
• No stupidly steep climbs. Gorgeous mountain views.
• TONS of trails ranging from super flat beginner routes to all-day epics in the backcountry that climb mountains.

I mean, what else do  you need? In this guide I’ll give you all the details you need to choose the right trail for snowshoeing in Manning Park, plus tips to keep you safe on the trail.

This guide to snowshoeing in Manning Park includes:

• Quick reference guide: An easy overview of the stats for all the trails
• Snowshoeing safety: key info to help get you prepared to snowshoe in Vancouver
• Where to rent snowshoes in Manning Park including which shops have the best price
• Snowshoe trails in Manning Park: details for 9 trails
• No-go trails: summer trails that aren’t safe for snowshoeing

Psst! Looking for even more places to snowshoe in British Columbia? Check out these Vancouver-area snowshoe guides:

• Snowshoeing in Vancouver
• Snowshoeing in the Fraser Valley
• Snowshoeing in Whistler
• Snowshoeing in Squamish

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

Snowshoeing in Manning Park Quick Reference Guide

But First… Be Prepared

• Make a trip plan: While these trails may be steps from busy ski areas, they access serious wilderness. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. Use the great trip planning tools from Adventure Smart.
• Check the weather, trail conditions, and avalanche forecast: If the weather and trail conditions don’t look good, don’t go. Use my list of the best weather apps for hiking. Check the avalanche forecast. Unless you have taken an avalanche safety course, you probably shouldn’t go out unless the forecast is rated “Low”.
• Wear winter clothing and pack the essentials: Prepare for emergencies by packing the 10 essentials. Read my recommendations for what to wear snowshoeing and tips for winter hiking and snowshoeing.
• Use safe snowshoeing techniques: Snowshoes keep you from sinking into deep snow, but they aren’t great for walking sideways or downhill – it’s easy to slip and injure yourself. Read up on snowshoeing safety and check out my guide to choosing snowshoes.) They also have crampons and other traction aids underfoot to help grip icy snow.
• Take an avalanche safety course: If you plan to stray from flat terrain, you need avalanche safety training. great FREE online beginner tutorial on Avalanche.ca. You should also take a 2.5 day AST1 course with avalanche Canada.

READ NEXT: Snowshoeing Safety: 14 Ways to Get into Trouble and How to Prevent Them

Join: Snowshoeing in Vancouver Facebook Group

Snowshoeing on the Skagit River Trail at Sumallo Grove

Note: The bridge across the river at the beginning of the trail is washed out. The river doesn’t reliably freeze over, making this trail impassable until the bridge is fixed.

The Trail: The Skagit River trail runs 15km down the banks of the… you guessed it: Skagit River. In winter Delacey camp at the 4km mark makes a good place to turn around. Along the way you’ll pass through the large old growth trees of Sumallo Grove. Be sure to take the side trail around the 2km mark to visit an old abandoned mining truck.

Since the access road is gated in the winter you’ll add an extra 0.5km each way to walk in to the summer parking lot. 

Note that this trail is at a much lower elevation than the rest of the snowshoeing trails in Manning Park (only 650m) so it will not receive as much snow and may be snow-free in warmer weather.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: Watch for open creeks and narrow snow-covered bridges along the trail. There is no immediate avalanche danger on the trail, but there are some substantial avalanche slopes up the hill from the trail. If the avalanche forecast is above low, it may not be smart to be down in this valley.

Trail Map/Guide: You can find info on the Manning Provincial Park website.

Permits/Fees: None.

Dogs: Permitted on leash.

Driving Directions: From Hope drive 30 minutes to the Sumallo Grove picnic area turn off on your right. Click here for driving directions. The gate to the parking lot is locked in the winter so you’ll have to park on the shoulder of the highway and walk in. There is space for a few cars outside the gate. Winter tires or chains are required to drive Highway 3 in winter.

Snowshoeing Mount Kelly

Distance: 7 km

Time Needed: 3.5-5 hours

Elevation Gain: 560 m

Rating: Challenging

The Trail: This trail has grown in popularity for snowshoeing in the last few years. The trail follows an old road in the lower sections and a trail up higher as it steadily gains elevation. The route is almost entirely through the forest. The summit doesn’t have a great view, but there are a few peek-a-boo views lower down on the trail. Experienced snowshoers can also explore off-trail along the ridge towards Nordheim Peak to the northwest for better views.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: The kilometre of the trail has some moderate avalanche exposure, but since it is in the trees, the risk is usually fairly low. Use caution and check the avalanche forecast before you go. There are a few steep sections of trail where you will need to watch your step – poles or an ice axe can help. After the trail leaves the logging road, it can be hard to find in fresh snow so you will need route-finding experience. If you choose to explore the ridge towards Nordheim, you must be experienced in off-trail route finding.

Trail Map/Guide: There’s a good write-up on Best Hikes BC.

Permits/Fees: None.

Dogs: Allowed on leash.

Driving Directions: From Hope drive 45 minutes to Allison Pass Summit. Turn right through the gate into the Highway works yard. You are allowed to park here as long as you park off to the side away from any Highway works vehicles. Click here for driving directions. Winter tires or chains are required to drive Highway 3 in winter.

Snowshoeing Cambie Creek Loop

The Trail: There are two interconnected cross country ski loop trails along the banks of the of the Similkameen River, collectively known as the Cambie Creek Loop. The trails are relatively flat and make a great snowshoe trip for beginners. The trails are un-groomed, but be prepared to share the trail with cross country skiers – don’t walk in their ski tracks.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: For many years one of the bridges on this trail was washed out and you couldn’t complete the loop. However, that is no longer a problem. The trail is down in the valley bottom and there are a few very steep slopes immediately uphill of the trail. Use caution and check the avalanche forecast before you go.

Trail Map/Guide: Surprisingly there is very little information online about this trail. There is a good map posted at trailhead.

Permits/Fees: None.

Dogs: Allowed on leash.

Driving Directions: From Hope drive 45 minutes to the Cambie Creek Winter Group Campsite turn off on your left. Click here for driving directions. There is a large plowed parking area. Winter tires or chains are required to drive Highway 3 in winter.

Snowshoeing the Fat Dog Trail

The Trail: This trail climbs up high into the alpine and on a clear day you can get some great views. Despite all the elevation gain, the trail is on an old road so it never gets too steep. The trail is also popular with backcountry skiers so be sure to walk outside their ski tracks. The Fat Dog Trail doesn’t have a definite end point – it peters out in the high alpine meadows so turn around when ever you’ve had enough of the views.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: The first few kilometres of the trail are down in the valley bottom and there are a few very steep slopes immediately uphill of the trail. Use caution and check the avalanche forecast before you go. The remainder of the trail is in much more mellow terrain. Be careful of cornices along the ridge at the top.

Trail Map/Guide: There’s a map and a little bit of information on All Trails.

Permits/Fees: None.

Dogs: Allowed on leash.

Driving Directions: From Hope drive 45 minutes to the Cambie Creek Winter Group Campsite turn off on your left. Click here for driving directions. There is a large plowed parking area. Winter tires or chains are required to drive Highway 3 in winter.

Lodge Area Snowshoe Trails

The Trail: Manning Park Resort maintains a small network of snowshoe trails right next to their cabins. If you stay there you can snowshoe right out your front door. The trails are flat and well marked.  Various loops are possible and there’s even a small lookout.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: None.

Trail Map/Guide: There’s info on Manning Park Resort’s website and they will also give you a map when you buy your trail pass.

Permits/Fees: You need a Manning Park Resort Snowshoe Trail pass for these trails. A day pass costs $10 and you can buy one at the Nordic Centre near the Lodge.

Dogs: Allowed on leash.

Driving Directions: From Hope drive 50 minutes to the Manning Park Lodge turn off on your right. Click here for driving directions. There is a large plowed parking area at the Lodge. Winter tires or chains are required to drive Highway 3 in winter.

Join: Snowshoeing in Vancouver Facebook Group

Snowshoeing the Canyon Nature Trail

The Trail: This short nature trail follows the banks of the Similkameen River as it winds through a mini-canyon. You’ll walk up one side of the river to a bridge near the Coldspring Campground, cross it and come back down the other side of the river.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: In some areas the trail gets close to the river bank. Use caution. This trail doesn’t have winter markings so it could be difficult to follow if no one has walked there recently. However, the trail stays down in the canyon so it shouldn’t be too hard to stay on track.

Trail Map/Guide: There’s trail information and a map on the Manning Provincial Park website.

Permits/Fees: None. While this trail starts next to Manning Park Resort’s Nordic Ski Trails, which do require a paid trail pass, this trail is strictly within BC Park’s jurisdiction and is free to use.

Dogs: Allowed on leash.

Driving Directions: From Hope drive 50 minutes to the Manning Park Lodge turn off on your right. Turn down Gibson Road and follow it for a couple minutes. Immediately after crossing a bridge you’ll see the trailhead on your right. Click here for driving directions. There is a small plowed pull out on the side of the road. Winter tires or chains are required to drive Highway 3 in winter.

Snowshoeing to Windy Joe Mountain

The Trail: This trail climbs Windy Joe Mountain on an old road. Thankfully the grade is never too steep. At the top you can explore an old fire lookout tower, last used in the 1960s. Be sure to climb up into the loft where a sign helps you identify all the peaks you are looking at.

Distance: 16km round trip

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: The trail traverses mostly mild terrain, but there it does cross a steep slope on the first switchback so use caution in this area and check the avalanche forecast before you go.

Trail Map/Guide: There’s a good trail guide on the Manning Provincial Park website. There’s a map as well.

Permits/Fees: None.

Dogs: Allowed on leash.

Driving Directions: From Hope drive 50 minutes to the Manning Park Lodge turn off on your right. Turn down Gibson Road and follow it for a couple minutes. Immediately after crossing a bridge you’ll see the trailhead on your left. Click here for driving directions. There is a small plowed pull out on the side of the road. Winter tires or chains are required to drive Highway 3 in winter.

Snowshoeing the Lightning Lakes Loop

The Trail: In the summer the Lightning Lakes trail is THE hike in Manning Park. So of course in winter this is THE place to go snowshoeing in Manning Park. The loop around Lightning Lake is a wonderful mellow trail, and if you want to make it even flatter, you can walk on the lake itself. The highlight is visiting the Rainbow Bridge when it’s all covered in snow.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: There is no major avalanche danger on the trail. If the lake is sufficiently frozen you can take a shortcut on the ice across the mouth of Lone Duck Bay. Be careful and don’t try this late or early in the season. If you can’t take the shortcut across the ice, you’ll have to go around the long way on the Lone Duck Trail. The Lone Duck trail is technically a cross country ski trail in the winter. Stay well to the side of the trail and don’t walk in the ski tracks.

Trail Map/Guide: You can find trail info and a map on the Manning Provincial Park website.

Permits/Fees: None.

Dogs: Allowed on leash.

Driving Directions: From Hope drive 50 minutes to the Manning Park Lodge turn off on your right. Turn down Gibson Road and follow it for 5 minutes. Take the signed turn off to the left for the Lightning Lakes Day Use Area. Click here for driving directions. There is a large plowed parking lot at the end of the road. Winter tires or chains are required to drive Highway 3 in winter.

Snowshoeing to Poland Lake

The Trail: Poland Lake is one of the less visited areas in Manning Park in both summer and winter, despite the fact that it’s only a short drive from the lodge.

Manning Park used to offer a $10 lift ticket for snowshoers to get to the top of the lift but they cancelled that in March 2021.

The old winter route followed ski runs up to the ridge, but starting in 2022, Manning Park Resort has opened a snowshoe trail that avoids the ski runs but is much longer. You also must get a free trail ticket at Alpine Guest Services to use this route.

The trail starts at Strawberry Flats parking area and follows an old road on the north side of the Gibsons Pass Road. After about 1.5km, it leaves the road on a flagged route.

About 2.5km from the trailhead, the route crosses the Manning Park Ski area. You need to get a trail ticket at guest services here, then cross the ski area.

The next section is a big climb in the woods to the west of the Blue Chair, gaining about 300 m over the next 1.5 km. The flagged route ends on the top of the ridge about 4 km from the trailhead, where the route joins the Poland Lake Trail. Turn left and follow this trail, which is an old road, along the top of an undulating ridge all the way to pretty little Poland Lake.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: The first part of the trail passes below avalanche slopes. Check the avalanche forecast before your trip. Use caution crossing the ski runs.

Trail Map/Guide: You can find info and a map of the winter route on the Manning Park Resort website.

Permits/Fees: Free

Dogs: Dogs are not allowed on the lift or in the ski area.

Driving Directions: Unfortunately, snowshoers are no longer allowed to park at the downhill ski area. Instead, you’ll need to park about 2.5 km earlier at Strawberry Flats. From Hope drive 50 minutes to the Manning Park Lodge turn off on your right. Turn down Gibson Road and follow it for 10 minutes to the Strawberry Flats parking area. Click here for driving directions. There is a large plowed parking lot at the end of the road. Winter tires or chains are required to drive Highway 3 in winter.

Join: Snowshoeing in Vancouver Facebook Group

No-Go Trails for Snowshoeing in Manning Park

There are a few summer hiking trails in Manning Park that may sound like a fun snowshoe adventure in winter. However, many of them have significant avalanche danger, are closed in winter, or just don’t have enough consistent snow for good snowshoeing.

• Heather Trail: The road to trailhead is actually groomed as a cross-country ski trail and snowshoeing is not allowed.
• Lightning Lakes Chain (Flash and Strike Lakes): Experienced snowshoers can continue past the end of Lightning Lake to Flash and Strike Lakes. However, there is significant overhead avalanche hazard and the trails are not well-marked.
• Frosty Mountain: This trail is very long (21 km round-trip) and it is not easy to find the trail in the winter, so only very experienced snowshoers should tackle this trail.
• Skyline II and II: These trails are difficult to find in the winter. As well, they have some very steep slopes where a slip could be fatal. The trails are also in prime avalanche start zones.

Final Thoughts

How many of these Manning Park trails have you snowshoed? Have questions about snowshoeing in Manning Park? Hit me up in the comments.

READ NEXT:

More Snowshoeing Guides:

• Snowshoeing in Vancouver
• Snowshoeing in Squamish
• Snowshoeing in Whistler
• Snowshoeing in Vancouver’s Fraser Valley

Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking Advice

• How to Choose Snowshoes: A Complete Guide
• The Best Boots For Snowshoeing
• Best Gifts for Snowshoers (20+ Ideas)
• Snowshoeing Safety: 14 Ways to Get into Trouble and How to Prevent Them
• What to Wear Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing
• 9 Tips for Winter Hiking (You Don’t Have to Freeze!)
• 100+ Snow-Free Hikes in Vancouver: Trails You Can Hike Year Round

The post Where to Go Snowshoeing in Manning Park, BC appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I’ve done all of these trips, some of them multiple times. I’ve also done lots of other backpacking trips across BC that didn’t make the list, so you can rest assured that these are the best of the best.

For each trip, I’ve got all the details you need to make it happen: difficulty, duration, distance, best time to go, fees, reservations, and links to trail guides.

The trips on this list are:

• Vacation-worthy – you won’t mind travelling a bit to get there
• Located all over BC including near Vancouver, on Vancouver Island, and in Eastern BC including the Rocky Mountains.
• For hikers of all abilities – there are trips for both beginners and experts, and lots in between. (I’ve also got a whole list of Easy Backpacking Trips In BC For Beginners.)
• Great for any vacation length from quick overnighters to long-weekend-length trips to week long epics.
• Great for planners or last-minute trips: A few of these trips require reservations, but most do not.

Here’s a handy map I made for you that shows the locations for each of my picks for the best backpacking trips in BC.

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Best Backpacking Trips Near Vancouver

Howe Sound Crest Trail

Duration: 2-4 days

Distance: 31.7 km traverse

Difficulty: Very Challenging

Fees and Reservations: None.

The Trail: The Howe Sound Crest Trail is very rough and difficult. Honestly, it is more like a route in some places and requires occasional hands-on scrambling moves as you traverse a chain of rocky summits high above Howe Sound near Vancouver. If you’re up for the challenge, the views are worth it.

More Info:

• Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

Watersprite Lake

Duration: 2 days

Distance: 17 km round-trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Both the hut and campground require reservations and fees.

The Trail: Watersprite Lake is an Instagram sensation thanks to its ice blue water and dramatic rock tower. We can credit the BC Mountaineering Club for building the trail to the lake along with a cabin and campground. I think it’s one of the best hikes in Squamish.

More Info:

• Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
• Make cabin reservations through the BCMC.

Elfin Lakes

Heads up: Day passes are required at Garibaldi Lake in summer and early fall. However, if you have a backcountry camping reservation, you don’t need a day pass. Learn more in my guide to BC Parks day passes.

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Distance: 22 km round-trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required.

The Trail: Even though the hike to Elfin Lakes is on an old road, it’s worth doing since the views are so incredible. You can see Mount Garibaldi/Nch’kay and lots of glaciers. Its worth spending more than one night at the Elfin Lakes campground or Elfin Lakes Shelter to do some of the great day hikes.

More Info:

• Find details on this hike in my Elfin Lakes hiking guide and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
• Booking camping and the hut through BC Parks.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.

• 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
• Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Garibaldi Lake

Heads up: Day passes are required at Garibaldi Lake in summer and early fall. However, if you have a backcountry camping reservation, you don’t need a day pass. Learn more in my guide to BC Parks day passes.

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Distance: 18 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and fees are required for camping.

The Trail: Located just north of Squamish, Garibaldi Lake is one of the most popular backpacking trips in BC. But it’s also one of the most picturesque with tumbling glaciers, alpine meadows, and unique volcanic geology. From the lake, you can tackle incredible day hikes like Black Tusk and Panorama Ridge.

More Info:

• Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
• Booking camping and through BC Parks.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.

Russet Lake

Duration: 2 days

Distance: 25 to 29 km round trip

Difficulty: Challenging

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and fees are required for camping and the hut.

The Trail: Nestled into the mountains above Whistler, Russet Lake is home to a backcountry campground and a luxurious hut. There are two ways to get there: a steep trail from the village or an undulating traverse across mountain summits from the top of the Whistler Gondola via the High Note Trail.

More Info:

• Find details on this hike in my guide to hiking and backpacking at Russet Lake and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
• Booking camping and through BC Parks.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
• For hut reservations, see the Spearhead Huts Society.
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Joffre Lakes

Heads up: Day passes are required at Joffre Lakes in summer and early fall. However, if you have a backcountry camping reservation, you don’t need a day pass. Learn more in my guide to BC Parks day passes.

Duration: 2 days

Distance: 10 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and fees are required for camping.

The Trail: The chain of three Joffre Lakes near Pemberton make up one of the Vancouver area’s most popular day hikes. But leave the day-time crowds behind by scoring a coveted reservation to camp at the Upper Lake. Listen for chunks of glacier crashing down the rocks on warm days. This is also one of my picks for the best easy backpacking trips in BC.

More Info:

• Find details on this hike in my Joffre Lakes hiking guide and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
• Booking camping and through BC Parks.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.

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Sunshine Coast Trail

Duration: 8-14 days

Distance: 180 km traverse

Difficulty: Challenging

Fees and Reservations: None.

The Trail: The Sunshine Coast Trail winds through the forests along the length of the upper Sunshine Coast near the town of Powell River. Hike by the ocean, through old-growth forest, and across mountain tops, staying in rustic backcountry huts along the way.

More Info:

• Find details on shorter backpacking trips you can do on sections of the SCT in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
• For full details on the trail, pick up a copy of The Sunshine Coast Trail Guide Book by R. E. Walz or visit the Sunshine Coast Trail website.
• Some sections of the Sunshine Coast Trail are hikeable all year and made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia.
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Heather Trail

Duration: 2 to 5 days

Distance: 45 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and fees are required for Buckhorn and Kicking Horse campgrounds. Nicomen Lake Campground is first-come, first-served and fees are required.

The Trail: The Heather Trail is Manning Park’s signature trail. With a start high in the alpine, you stay above treeline in meadows of wildflowers for nearly the entire length. Take a side trip to summit Three Brothers Mountain and dip in chilly Nicomen Lake.

More Info:

• Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
• Booking camping and pay fees and through BC Parks.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.

Frosty Mountain

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Distance: 14 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees are required year-round. Reservations are required between late July and late October.

The Trail: Frosty Mountain is the highest mountain in Manning Park and it has panoramic views. Break up your hike by camping at Frosty Creek camp. Plan your visit for fall when the larch tree needles turn golden.

More Info:

• Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia, and my Frosty Mountain trail guide.
• Booking camping and pay fees through BC Parks.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.

• 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
• Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Best Backpacking Trips on Vancouver Island

Juan de Fuca Trail

Heads up: The Juan de Fuca Trail will be closed in 2025 due to significant storm damage. It is not possible to hike the entire trail, but you can visit and camp at Mystic Beach and East Sombrio Beach.

Duration: 3 to 5 days

Distance: 47 km

Difficulty: Challenging

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees are required. All campsites are first-come, first-served.

The Trail: The Juan de Fuca Trail is a gorgeous coastal trail is easier to access than the West Coast Trail thanks to first-come, first-served camping and trailheads close to Victoria. But the hike is just as challenging and spectacular, making it easy to include on a list of the best backpacking trips in BC.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my Juan de Fuca Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• Pay fees through BC Parks.
• The JDF is hikeable all year and made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia.
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

West Coast Trail

Duration: 5-8 days

Distance: 75 km

Difficulty: Challenging

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required. You will also need to pay National Park entry fees.

The Trail: The West Coast Trail is Canada’s premier multi-day backpacking trip. It follows the wild coastline for 75 kilometres, up and down ladders, across cable cars, through mud holes, and along beautiful beaches as it travels between the isolated towns of Port Renfrew and Bamfield.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my West Coast Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• Make reservations and pay fees with Parks Canada.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
• The West Coast Trail opens in May and made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia.
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Della Falls Trail

Duration: 2-5 days

Distance: 32 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: No reservations or fees are needed for camping. But if you want to take a water taxi to the trailhead, you’ll need to book in advance.

The Trail: Della Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in BC at 440 m tall. (Some sources claim it’s the tallest waterfall in Canada, but that’s not true.)

The hike starts with a boat trip across Great Central Lake. From there you hike up a river valley to the base of the falls. Allow time for the 6 km side trip to Love Lake where there is an incredible view of the entire waterfall from above.

More Info:

• Get all the details in my Della Falls Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Get My Book…

Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips

• 25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
• Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Wild Side Trail

Duration: 2 days

Distance: 22 km round trip

Difficulty: Easy

Fees and Reservations: No reservations required but you must pay trail fees and water taxi fees.

The Trail: The Wild Side Trail takes you along the shoreline of Flores Island in Ahousaht First Nation territory. Most of the hike is along incredible sandy beaches. The trail is a short water taxi ride from Tofino. This off-the-beaten-path hike doesn’t get many visitors, making it one of the quietest hikes on this list of the best backpacking trips in BC.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my Wild Side Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• The Wild Side Trail opens in May and made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia
• It’s also on my list of the best easy backpacking trips in BC.
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Circlet Lake and Mount Albert Edward

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Distance: 31 km round trip

Difficulty: Challenging

Fees and Reservations: No reservations required (all campsites are first-come, first-served) but you must pay camping fees.

The Trail: Summit Mount Albert Edward, one of the highest peaks on Vancouver Island. On the way, you’ll stay at tiny Circlet Lake. This Strathcona Provincial Park trip starts at Mount Washington and is a rite of passage for many Vancouver Island hikers.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• Pay fees through BC Parks.
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Bedwell Lakes

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Distance: 22 km round trip

Difficulty: Challenging

Fees and Reservations: No reservations required (all campsites are first-come, first-served) but you must pay camping fees.

The Trail: Climb steeply up through the forest to emerge on the granite shores of Bedwell and Baby Bedwell Lakes, each with their own campground. Intrepid hikers can continue to isolated Cream Lake, which makes a great day trip destination. The trailhead is in a remote area near Buttle Lake in Strathcona Provincial Park.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• Pay fees through BC Parks.

Elk River Trail and Landslide Lake

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Distance: 22 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: No reservations required (all campsites are first-come, first-served) but you must pay camping fees.

The Trail: Follow the trail through a beautiful forest alongside the shady Elk River to its terminus at picturesque Landslide Lake and great views of Mount Colonel Foster. There are two campgrounds along the river to choose from. Find the trailhead along the highway to Gold River.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• Pay fees through BC Parks.

Nootka Trail

Duration: 3 to 5 days

Distance: 35 km traverse

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: No reservations required. You must pay camping fees. You also need to book in advance for the water taxi or float plane.

The Trail: Arrange a water taxi or floatplane to shuttle you to the Nootka Trail on Nootka Island near Gold River. It’s a remote coastal hike that sees few visitors but has incredible scenery. Highlights include sandy beaches, wolf sightings, Calvin Falls, and the tiny Mowachaht First Nation village of Yuquot.

More Info:

• See my trip report from my Nootka Trail hike. Get details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• Pay camping fees to the Mowachaht/Muchalaht Nation
• The Nootka Trail made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia.

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Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips

• 25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
• Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

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North Coast Trail

Duration: 4 to 5 days

Distance: 43 to 59 km traverse

Difficulty: Very Challenging

Fees and Reservations: No reservations required (all campsites are first-come, first-served) but you must pay camping fees. You also need to book the water taxi in advance.

The Trail: The rough and rugged North Coast Trail follows the coastline around the northern tip of Vancouver Island. Start with a water taxi from Port Hardy, then get ready for lots of mud, steep hills with rope assists, and rocky beaches.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my North Coast Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• Join the Cape Scott Park Facebook group for the latest trail conditions.
• Pay fees through BC Parks.
• The North Coast Trail is a great destination between May and September, so it made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Cape Scott Trail

Duration: 3 days

Distance: 47 km

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: No reservations required (all campsites are first-come, first-served) but you must pay camping fees.

The Trail: The Cape Scott Trail follows an old settler’s route through the muddy forest to the wild beaches at the north end of Vancouver Island. Choose from several campsites on sandy beaches, then day hike out to the Cape Scott Lighthouse.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my Cape Scott Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• Join the Cape Scott Park Facebook group for the latest trail conditions. For camping fee info, see Cape Scott Provincial Park.
• Pay fees through BC Parks.
• The Cape Scott Trail is hikeable all year, so it made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

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Best Backpacking Trips in Eastern BC and the Rocky Mountains

Kaslo Lake

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Distance: 18 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: No reservations required for camping (all campsites are first-come, first-served) but you must pay camping fees. Reservations and fees required for the hut.

The Trail: Hike into the backcountry of Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park near Nelson to camp next to Kaslo Lake. Follow beautiful trails through the alpine to viewpoints and peaks. You can also book the palatial Kokanee Glacier Cabin nearby.

More Info:

• See Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park for trail info.
• Pay fees through BC Parks.
• See the Alpine Club of Canada for cabin reservations.

Eva and Jade Lakes

Duration: 2 days

Distance: 12 to 18 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required. You will also need to pay National Park entry fees.

The Trail: This alpine hike is easily accessible thanks to the paved Meadows in the Sky Parkway at Mount Revelstoke National Park. Walk through the alpine to a beautiful campsite on the shores of Eva Lake, an easy distance for beginners and made my list of beginner-friendly backpacking trips in BC. If you want more solitude, head over a pass to Jade Lake.

More Info:

• Get the details in my Mount Revelstoke National Park guide.
• Make reservations and pay fees with Parks Canada.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.

Mount Assiniboine

Duration: 4 to 6 days

Distance: 52 to 55 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required. You will also need to pay National Park entry fees if you camp in Banff National Park on the way to the trail.

The Trail: The scenery at Mount Assiniboine is postcard-worthy, but getting there can be a challenge. The hike itself is long, but not too difficult and the camping at Lake Magog is gorgeous. But it requires reservations in both a BC Park and Banff National Park, which can be tough to arrange.

More Info:

• See my huge Mount Assiniboine hiking guide for trail info and reservation strategies.
• Make reservations and pay fees for camping in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park through BC Parks.
• Make reservations and pay fees for camping in Banff National Park on the way to Assiniboine with Parks Canada.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
• Join the Mount Assiniboine Facebook group for updates on trail conditions.
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
• It’s also on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.

Rockwall Trail

Duration: 4 to 5 days

Distance: 55 km traverse

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required. You will also need to pay National Park entry fees.

The Trail: The spectacular Rockwall Trail traverses the mountains of Kootenay National Park near Banff, climbing up and over several high passes. There are glacier views, alpine lakes, and the best wildflower meadows I’ve ever seen. I think it has the best effort to reward ratio of all the backpacking trips in BC.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my Rockwall Trail guide.
• Make reservations and pay fees for camping with Parks Canada.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
• Join the Rockwall Trail Facebook group for updates on trail conditions.

Yoho Valley Loop/Iceline and Whaleback Trails

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Distance: 29.4 km loop

Difficulty: Challenging

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required. You will also need to pay National Park entry fees.

The Trail: Combine several trails in Yoho National Park near Field to make an epic loop that takes in the spectacular Iceline and Whaleback Trails. The views of nearby peaks and waterfalls are breathtaking. Choose from two backcountry campgrounds along the way.

More Info:

• Get trail details in my Yoho Valley Loop backpacking guide.
• Make reservations and pay fees for camping with Parks Canada. Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
• This hike is on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.

Berg Lake

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Distance: 42 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required.

The Trail: The incredible Berg Lake Trail near Valemount follows the Robson River uphill to Berg Lake, named for the glaciers crashing into it from Mount Robson, the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Plan to spend a few days in the area to tackle spectacular day hikes.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my Berg Lake Trail guide.
• Make reservations and pay fees for camping through BC Parks. Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
• It’s also on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.

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Final Thoughts

So there you have it: 25 recommendations for the best backpacking trips in BC. How many of these trips have you done? Is there an amazing backpacking destination that I left off the list? Tell me in the comments.

Get My Books

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover BC’s best backpacking trips

• 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
• 35 backpacking trips and day hikes on Vancouver Island
• Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos

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MORE BC BACKPACKING DESTINATIONS:

• 24 Easy Backpacking Trips In BC For Beginners
• 11 Best Backpacking Trips in the Canadian Rockies
• 35+ Places to Go Backpacking in BC Without A Car
• 25 Spring Backpacking Trips in British Columbia
• Backcountry Huts in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies

BC BACKPACKING RESERVATION INFO:

• How to Go Backpacking in BC Without Reservations
• How to Make Backcountry Camping Reservations in BC
• BC Backpacking Reservation Dates You Need to Know

The post 25 Best Backpacking Trips in BC appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

For decades, the Fraser Canyon was the main travel corridor through BC for Indigenous people and then the fur trade, Gold Rush, railways, and the Trans Canada Highway. But that changed in the 1980s when a new, shorter highway was built through the Coquihalla Mountains.

Since then, the Fraser Canyon has quieted down and sees a fraction of the cars it used to. That means it makes an incredible road trip through tiny towns that used to be huge centres, to historic sites that let you step into the past, and to incredible viewpoints.

If you’re driving through southwestern BC, take a bit of extra time, skip the Coquihalla, and take a road trip through the Fraser Canyon instead. I have driven this stretch of highway countless times over the years, but I recently made time to slow down and take it in.

I’ve put together a complete Fraser Canyon road trip guide for you. It includes:

• A map of the Fraser Canyon that shows all the places I mention in this post.
• 10 Best things to do in the Fraser Canyon: small towns, historic sites, viewpoints, outdoor activities, and more
• Extending your trip: tips for road tripping further afield from the Fraser Canyon
• Where to eat in the Fraser Canyon: My picks for the best restaurants and cafes
• Where to stay in the Fraser Canyon: The places I stayed and recommend.
• Fraser Canyon road trip basics: How to get there? How long to spend? What’s the weather like? And lots more.

Hey there: Thanks so much to Destination BC: Vancouver, Coast, and Mountains for hosting some of my experiences on my recent trip. My previous trips were at my own expense. All opinions in this post are my own. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Fraser Canyon Map

To help you plan your trip and find your way around, I created a custom Google Map of the Fraser Canyon for you. It includes every place I mention in this post.

10 Best Things to Do on a Fraser Canyon Road Trip

Explore Downtown Hope

Hope is one of those towns where people stop for gas and fast food on the outskirts but miss the quaint downtown. I should know: I was one of those people.

But a few years ago, I started heading into downtown Hope to get coffee at Blue Moose Coffee on Wallace Street. I’d get my drink, then stroll through the towering conifers at Memorial Park. The tranquil Japanese-style Hope Friendship Garden in a corner of the park is a great place to take a break from hours in the car.

As I visited more often, I started to notice the chainsaw carvings dotted around town – apparently, there are over 80 of them! It became a fun game to find new ones on each visit.

I was also intrigued by the Rambo chainsaw sculpture outside City Hall. On my last visit to Hope, we actually spent the evening watching First Blood in our hotel room. Not only is the movie shot in Hope, but many of the locations in downtown Hope are still easily recognizable. The town even has a self-guided Rambo-themed walking tour you can take!

If you’re looking to shop, there are a few gift shops and second-hand shops worth a rummage. My favourite is Baker’s Books. They have tons of used books, and almost everything in the store costs just $2. I haven’t had time to visit, but I’ve also heard great things about the local and affordable art at Hope Arts Gallery.

Wander Through the Othello Tunnels

The Othello Tunnels are one of the most picturesque historical sites in BC. The tunnels were built in 1914 for the Kettle Valley Railway, which used to connect the Kootenays with the BC coast via a route that went through the Okanagan and what is now the Coquihalla Highway.

There are four tunnels connected by bridges inside the tight, granite canyon. It’s a flat and easy 10-minute walk to the tunnels along a path beside the Coquihalla River. The gravel path is smooth enough for wheelchairs and strollers. Plan to spend 30 minutes to an hour wandering through the tunnels and taking photos.

In 2021, huge floods damaged the site, and it was closed for a few years. The site finally reopened after major repairs in June 2025. Right now, the first two tunnels and the beginning of the third have reopened with plans to open the fourth tunnel and the rest of the third once more repairs are complete.

If it’s a warm day, don’t miss stopping at Kawkawa Lake on the way back from the tunnels. There is a small beach on Lakeview Crescent with a roped-off swimming area and rafts to jump off. We loved cooling down there on a super hot late summer day.

Go Back in Time at Yale Historic Site

As a kid growing up in BC, we spent a lot of time learning about the Gold Rush, so it was pretty cool to visit Yale Historic Site.

The site is a museum that includes a historic house, BC’s second-oldest church (built in 1863), and an outdoor tent city that replicates what life was like in Yale during the Gold Rush. There are exhibits and artifacts that explain the local history. I especially liked the first-hand stories about the old piano.

They also have a free gold panning station where I unearthed a microscopic flake of gold! (I was excited to find it, but didn’t know what I would do with it, so I put it back for others to find.)

While the town of Yale was home to about 15,000 people at the height of the Gold Rush, now it is quite sleepy with only about 160 residents. It’s worth taking a walk around the town and down to the riverbank.

You can also drive out to the end of Toll Road, just north of town, for great views of Lady Franklin Rock, a huge rock island in the middle of the river.

One of the outdoor tent exhibits.

Walk Across Historic Alexandra Bridge

Alexandra Bridge has been on my to-do list for a long time. I first saw this historic bridge on Instagram about ten years ago, but it took until this summer for me to finally visit.

These days, Highway 1 crosses the Fraser River on a recently updated arch and span steel bridge high above the water. But the historic suspension bridge lower in the canyon dates back to 1926 and is now part of a provincial park.

You can walk downhill on the former Highway, now a gravel road, to the bridge. Walking across the honeycomb steel bridge deck is a bit daunting since you can see the rushing waters of the Fraser River below your feet.

Allow about 10 minutes each way for the walk down to the bridge.

Ride the Hell’s Gate Airtram

I have been driving past Hell’s Gate Airtram since I was a kid. I remember whining to my parents that I wanted to stop, but we didn’t have time on our way to Kamloops to visit family. Recently, I finally made it happen!

Hell’s Gate is the narrowest part of the Fraser Canyon with the wildest rapids. This section posed the most problems for early road and rail builders, so there were many landslides. Today, the canyon is home to a series of fishways that provide a less strenuous path for migrating salmon. A suspension bridge, built in 1948, also stretches across the river.

The Hell’s Gate Airtram opened in 1970. It drops 157 metres (515 feet) into the canyon – that’s the steepest non-supported tram in North America. The ride down gives you a great view of the narrow gorge. At the bottom, there are viewing platforms, a restaurant, gift shops, and exhibits about the history of the fishways. You can also walk out onto the suspension bridge.

The view from the Airtram, viewing platforms, and suspension bridge is great. You really get a sense of what it was like to be an Indigenous fisher, perched on the rocks with a dip net, or a railway worker trying to build a track on the edge of a cliff.

However, the entire attraction is a bit dated. I can imagine it bustling in the heyday of Fraser Canyon travel in the 1970s and ’80s. If visit with the mindset that you are visiting a quirky tourist attraction from another era, it’s kind of fun. But if you expect a shiny, modern experience, you’ll be disappointed.

I should also note that you don’t have to pay for the Hell’s Gate Airtram to visit the bottom of the canyon. You can hike down a gated gravel road from a highway pullout just south of the Airtram. The road is 1.5 kilometres each way with a drop of 190 m. Allow 30 to 45 minutes round-trip for the hike.

Once you get to the bottom, you can access the suspension bridge, viewing platform, exhibits, shops, etc., for free.

Immerse Yourself in Indigenous Culture at Tuckkwiowhum Village

If you’re interested in learning more about Indigenous culture, visit Tuckkwiowhum Village near Boston Bar. Pronounced “Tuck-we-ohm”, the village’s name means “great berry picking place”.

The village includes lots of outdoor exhibits that explore what pre-contact Nlaka’pamux life was like. You can see a summer lodge, a winter pit-house, a smoke house, food caches, and more.

I found it interesting to see how the Nlaka’pamux culture compared with other nearby Indigenous cultures. For example, the pit house was similar to ones I had seen at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler and the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre in Osoyoos, but each pit house was differently adapted to the local climate and culture.

Guided tours and other cultural events are sometimes available, but if there isn’t anything scheduled, you can walk around on your own on a self-guided tour. Just check in at the gas station before you head into the village.

Get an Adrenaline Rush at Kumsheen Rafting

Until fairly recently, I was terrified of whitewater. I’m a tentative kayaker, and the moving water portion of the Bowron Lakes canoe circuit had me a little scared. But I went whitewater rafting in Squamish a few years ago and had a great time.

I was excited to go whitewater rafting on the Thompson River just outside of Lytton. The Thompson flows into the Fraser at Lytton, which is known as Kumsheen in the Nlaka’pamux language since it means “rivers meeting”. Many people consider the Thompson River Canyon a continuation of the Fraser Canyon since Highway 1 runs through it too.

I had driven through the Thompson Canyon lots of times, gazing down at its churning waters, so I knew rafting it would be fun… and a little terrifying. I booked a trip with Kumsheen Rafting, who have been running trips on this river for over 50 years. They are a family-owned business, with founder Bernie Fandrich still at the helm.

Our guide, Jasmine, is a Lytton local, and told us about her journey from a power-rafting guide to a paddle-rafting guide. I had no idea that the Thompson and Fraser Rivers (along with the Grand Canyon) were some of the only places to offer motorized whitewater rafting since the rapids are so big.

We opted for the paddle raft experience, which was exhilarating as we plunged into whirlpools and got slammed by big waves. We got soaked, but I welcomed the water since it was 38C!

Since we went in early September, we also got to paddle through thousands of salmon working their way upriver. It was one of the most unique ways to experience the salmon run – I really understood how hard they have to work to get to their spawning grounds!

Learn About the Past at the Lytton Chinese History Museum

Sadly, 90% of the town of Lytton burned in a devastating wildfire in June 2021. Today, the town is rebuilding. One of the first places to rebuild is the Lytton Chinese History Museum. Lorna Fandrich, wife of Kumsheen Rafting’s founder, runs the museum, which reopened in May 2025.

The little building sits on the site of an 1880s Chinese temple, built to serve Chinese railway workers. The museum uses historical artifacts, photographs, and quotes to tell the story of the everyday life of Chinese Canadians in Lytton and the Fraser Canyon from the 1850s to 1940.

The Lytton wildfire destroyed the museum’s entire collection in 2021. Thanks to donations, Lorna has rebuilt a great collection of artifacts that are now on display. The museum is open Thursdays through Mondays in the spring, summer, and fall.

Enjoy the Scenic Drive to Lillooet

Many people miss the upper part of the Fraser Canyon since they keep going east on Highway 1 along the Thompson River towards Kamloops. However, if you have the time, drive Highway 12 to Lillooet. It takes about 1 hour from Lytton.

It’s a beautiful drive high above the canyon, looking down to isolated ranches across the river. The road is very winding, and in one section, it narrows to one lane as it crosses a slide above a cliff.

Once you arrive in Lillooet, I recommend checking out the Fort Berens Estate Winery. Their tasting room has a great location overlooking the Fraser River and the town. My husband belongs to their wine club and enjoys their award-winning reds.

Lillooet has interesting geography since it sits at the intersection of the desert interior and the coastal rainforest. The views from town are quite desert-like, but if you drive 10 minutes out of town to Seton Lake Recreation Area, you’ll start to get into more coastal forest. The huge glacier-fed lake is also spectacular.

Go Hiking

As a hiker, most of my past trips to the Fraser Canyon have involved hiking. If you can spare the time, it’s worth devoting a day or two to hiking here. The scenery is spectacular, and the trails are never crowded.

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Here are a few of my fave hikes in the area (and a few that are still on my to-do list):

Serpent’s Back

Volunteers from the Hope Mountain Centre built the Serpent’s Back Trail in 2020. Located just west of Hope, the trail climbs to several viewpoints along a ridge. From the summit, you can see the town of Hope, the Fraser River, and many surrounding mountains.

The 5.5 km moderate trail has 435 m of elevation gain and takes about 2.5 hours to complete. As of September 2025, the trail is closed due to a nearby wildfire, but it should reopen soon.

Hope Lookout

The steep and moderately challenging Hope Lookout Trail is Hope’s answer to the Grouse Grind. The viewpoint at the top has interpretive signs and an incredible view of the town below.

It climbs 470 metres over 2.25 km (for a 4.5 km round trip) from the trailhead next to Highway 1 at the entrance to Hope. Plan to spend about 2.5 hours on this trail.

Thacker Mountain

If you’re looking for views of Hope with a bit less effort, try out the Thacker Mountain Loop on the north side of Hope. The first part of the trail is a climb to the top of the mountain. But after that, the terrain mellows out as you complete a loop around the peak, visiting several viewpoints.

The moderate trail is 4.3 km round-trip with 200 m of elevation. It takes about 1.5 hours to do this hike.

Spirit Caves

This Spirit Caves hike in Yale leads to an incredible viewpoint over the Fraser River. You can also visit some small hollows amongst large boulders, which is how it got its name. The trail is very steep with loose rocks and creek crossings, so it is best for experienced hikers.

The 7 km round-trip trail has 600 m of elevation gain and takes about 3.5 hours.

Tikwalus Heritage Trail

The Tikwalus Heritage Trail follows historic Indigenous and fur trade routes high into the mountains above the canyon near Alexandra Bridge. There are several viewpoints along the way and a backcountry campground at the end of the trail.

It’s 12.6 km round trip with 968 m of elevation gain, so it takes about 5 hours. This trail is featured in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

Stein River Trail

The Stein River Valley near Lytton is one of my favourite places in BC. It’s one of southwestern BC’s only intact watersheds and is an important spiritual place for the Nlaka’pamux Nation. To get to the trail, you need to take the free 2-car Lytton Reaction Ferry across the Fraser River.

From the trailhead in Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park, you can follow the path 10.5 km upriver to Earl’s Cabin Campground. (Beyond there, the trail is closed due to wildfire damage.) The trail passes the rushing river, goes through groves of ponderosa pine and cedar, and crosses clifftops.

There are also several opportunities to view Indigenous pictographs that are over 1000 years old. The easiest place to see them is at the Asking Rock, just 0.3 km from the trailhead. But there are several other sites where you can spot pictographs on cliffsides and boulders. Do not touch them because the oils from your skin can damage them. And of course, be respectful in this special place.

You can make your hike in the valley as long or as short as you want. For a short hike, I recommend the flat walk to the Asking Rock – it’s 0.6 km round trip. For a longer hike, head to Devi’s Staircase Camp, an 8 km round trip with about 150 m of elevation gain. You can find more info about this trail in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

Extending Your Fraser Canyon Road Trip

Most people will visit the Fraser Canyon as part of a longer road trip. Since the area sits at the intersection of several travel corridors, I’ve got a few options for extending your trip in various directions.

Highway 3 and Manning Park

Extend your trip by heading towards the Okanagan on Highway 3 through Manning Park. The core of the park is only 45 minutes from Hope, and there are a few things to see along the way.

The Hope Slide viewpoint is only 15 minutes east of Hope. From the highway, it’s hard to see much, but from the viewpoint, the scale of the devastation is mind-boggling. In January 1965, one of Canada’s largest landslides tumbled down the mountain, covering the highway, displacing a lake, and spewing rocks up the far side of the valley. Today, you can see the huge debris field of boulders.

The history of the Japanese internment during WWII is one of the most shameful parts of BC’s modern history. Until recently, I had no idea there was an internment camp along Highway 3 that once held over 2,600 people. I also hadn’t heard of the Tashme Museum, which has exhibits about the camp. It has limited opening hours, so I haven’t visited yet, but it’s on my list.

E.C. Manning Provincial Park is one of the best places for hiking in BC. Over the years, I’ve visited countless times to hike. If you’re visiting for a quick day trip, I recommend the Lightning Lake day use area for picnics, swimming, and views or the drive to the top of Blackwall Peak for alpine flowers and a great viewpoint.

If you want to hike, you’re spoiled for choice. For wildflowers, the Heather Trail is great. And in the fall, you have to see the larches turn gold on the Frosty Mountain Trail. If you’re looking for something flat with scenery, the Lightning Lake Loop is a great family hike. I’ve got tons of details on hikes in Manning in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

Highway 1 to Kamloops

Continuing northeast on Highway 1 into the Thompson Canyon feels like the natural continuation of a Fraser Canyon road trip. It takes about 2 hours to drive to Kamloops from Lytton, but you can also just drive the first hour to Cache Creek.

If you’re looking for good views of the canyon, stop at the Skihist Provincial Park day use area. It’s just past Kumsheen Rafting and is a great place to look down at the river and the railway on the other side.

Stop in the tiny town of Spence’s Bridge to grab something to eat at the historic Packing House restaurant.

In Cache Creek, don’t miss Horstings Farm Market just north of town on Highway 97. The sprawling complex has lots of fresh fruit and veggies as well as local meat, eggs, jams, and pickles. Their on-site bakery is amazing – we always pick up a pie to take home.

I also keep meaning to visit the Historic Hat Creek Ranch just outside of Cache Creek. The local Bonaparte First Nation are now managing the site. Along with historic buildings and exhibits from the Gold Rush era, the ranch now offers more Indigenous exhibits.

Highway 99 to Whistler

The route from Lillooet south to Whistler via Pemberton on Highway 99 is one of my favourite drives. It’s a high mountain route with lots of steep hills and curves. But the scenery is incredible. It takes about 2.5 hours to drive from Lillooet to Whistler.

The first part of the is along the steep Duffey Lake Road. There are lots of pullouts where you can enjoy views of the mountains and Duffey Lake.

If you want to go for a beautiful hike, stop at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. The three turquoise glacier lakes make this the most popular hike in BC, so you need to get a free day-use pass online to hike here. I’ve got more details about passes and the hike in my Joffre Lakes guide.

Past Joffre Lakes, you’ll go through Pemberton. The town itself is small, but cute, and the surrounding farmlands are gorgeous. I recommend stopping at North Arm Farm for produce and One Mile Lake for a walk or a swim. If you’re hungry, I recommend Mount Currie Coffee or The Pony.

Whistler is about 30 minutes past Pemberton. There are tons of things to do in Whistler, from hiking to sightseeing and shopping. I live nearby, so I’ve got a huge guide to Whistler.

If you want to continue on to Vancouver from Whistler, it’s another 2 hours via the gorgeous Sea to Sky Highway. Be sure to stop in Squamish along the way. It has great hiking, sightseeing, and a cute downtown. (But I’m a bit biased because I live here.)

Where to Eat in the Fraser Canyon

If you’re looking for fine dining in the Fraser Canyon, you will be disappointed. However, there are lots of great casual restaurants run by enterprising locals. Hope has the most (and best) restaurants, but there are a few other places in the canyon also worth checking out.

Hope

I’ve been stopping at the Blue Moose on Wallace Street in downtown Hope for years. They are open early for breakfast, make great coffee and pastries, and have lots of sandwich options for lunch. Their paninis are great, and while their banh mi isn’t authentic, it’s pretty good.

Another perennial favourite for us is Home Restaurant. This is the ultimate diner with a big pie case at the entrance. They serve breakfast all day, and their dinner menu includes diner classics like meatloaf, liver, and schnitzel. I usually get the triple-decker clubhouse sandwich.

On my most recent trip, we discovered Hope Mountain Cafe, kitty corner to Blue Moose. Their breakfast sandwich is great. We also had lunch there. The prosciutto, mozza, and tomato sandwich had an amazing balsamic glaze.

We also discovered Nomad So.cial Eatery recently. It’s a bit more upscale without being fussy. I had hoped to order their salmon wellington, but they were sold out! Instead, I had a great steak salad.

If you’re into craft beer, you need to go to Mountainview Brewing Co. Their tasting room has a big glass wall so you can look into the brewery while you eat. In addition to flights of housemade craft beer, they also make some of the best smash burgers I’ve had.

Boston Bar

There aren’t that many restaurants in the heart of the Fraser Canyon, but we were pleasantly surprised by JB’s Drive-In in Boston Bar. It’s a pretty basic diner on the side of the highway, but the food was fast and pretty good. Since the owners are Indian, I had to try the samosas. They were really good with a wonderful crispy exterior.

Lytton

While Lytton rebuilds, there aren’t any restaurants in town. However, if you’re in the area, it’s worth stopping at Kumsheen Rafting just outside of town. The coffee bar inside their office is open from April to September and has cold drinks, baked goods, coffee, and great homemade sandwiches.

Lillooet

If you’re in Lillooet, you have to stop at Abundance Artisan Bakery. They are open for breakfast and lunch. I love their sandwiches and baked goods. It’s also worth picking up a loaf of their organic sourdough to take home.

On my last trip, we had dinner at Lillooet Brewing Company. They are tucked away at the north end of town, so I didn’t even know they were there – apparently they’ve been open since 2022! Their tasting room and picnic area have incredible views of the Fraser River. Their pizza and beer are also pretty tasty, and there is a vegan food truck outside too.

Where to Stay in the Fraser Canyon

Thanks to its legacy as the main travel route from the BC Interior to Vancouver, there are tons of older hotels in the Fraser Canyon. Many of them are showing their age, but there are a few gems.

Windsor Motel: I spent two nights at this recently renovated hotel in Hope. It is basic, but super clean and affordable. The location in downtown Hope made it easy to walk to shopping and dinner. Plus, it was quiet at night. Check prices.

Evergreen Bed & Breakfast: I’ve heard great things about this cute family-run B&B in Hope. People rave about their breakfast. Check prices.

Kumsheen Rafting Resort: I arrived early for my river rafting trip, so I walked around their campground just outside of Lytton. They have really cute teepees and glamping tents with real beds and amazing Fraser River views. I would definitely stay here next time I’m in the area. Check prices.

Fraser Canyon Basics

In this section, I’ve got practicalities for taking a road trip through the Fraser Canyon. It includes getting there, the best time to go, weather, what to pack, and more.

How to Get to the Fraser Canyon

If you’re in Vancouver, getting to the bottom of the Fraser Canyon at Hope is easy: you just drive east on Highway 1 for about 1.5 hours.

You can also get to the Lytton side of the Fraser Canyon by driving west on Highway 1 from Kamloops for about 2 hours.

There is no public transportation in the Fraser Canyon, so you will need to drive yourself if you want to explore this area. The easiest places nearby to rent a car are Vancouver and Kamloops. I like to use DiscoverCars to book car rentals since the site lets you compare prices across different rental companies.

Keep in mind that legally, your car must have winter tires or chains to drive the Fraser Canyon between October 1 and March 31.

Driving the Fraser Canyon is fairly straightforward. The road has a few steep hills and lots of curves, but is otherwise pretty easy to navigate. Keep in mind that there are few passing lanes, so if you are driving slowly to enjoy the views, move over when you can to let others pass. Driving through the tunnels is a real highlight too!

Best Time to Go

The Fraser Canyon is at a relatively low elevation and doesn’t get that much snow, so you can visit year-round. However, some businesses may be closed or have reduced hours in the winter, and when it does snow, the roads can be terrible.

The best time to go is May through September. You could also visit anytime between mid-March and the end of October to avoid snow.

Unless you are visiting in the middle of the summer, avoid going mid-week as some businesses are only open on weekends. Check opening hours of all attractions you want to visit ahead of time.

If you visit in the fall, you can witness the spectacular salmon run as spawning salmon fight their way upstream through the rapids of the Fraser River to their natal streams.

How Long to Spend

The drive from Hope to Lytton is only 1.5 hours, and you can add on another hour if you want to continue up the canyon to Lillooet. It’s fairly easy to explore the highlights of the Fraser Canyon in just one day.

However, I recommend spending at least one night in the area so you can see everything without feeling rushed. On my most recent visit, we spent two nights in Hope to really slow down our pace.

Fraser Canyon Weather

The weather really varies in the Fraser Canyon as you work your way from the rainforests of Hope in the south to the deserts of Lytton and Lillooet in the north.

The Fraser Canyon is one of the hottest and driest parts of BC, so expect higher temperatures than the surrounding regions. Lytton regularly sets BC records as the hottest town in the province.

In the summer months of June, July, and August, the average temperature in Hope is 13°C to 24°C. In the spring and fall, it drops to 5°C to 18°C. July and August are the driest months in Hope. October through May can be very wet.

By contrast, Lytton is much hotter and drier than Hope. The average summer temperature is 15°C to 28°C, but many days see temps up to the high 30s. (It was 38°C when I went river rafting in Lytton!) Spring and fall in Lytton are a bit warmer than Hope, with temps between 4°C and 23°C. It’s also much drier, with about half as many rainy days as Hope gets and far less overall precipitation.

What to Pack For the Fraser Canyon

The towns of the Fraser Canyon are VERY laid back, so you don’t need to bring anything fancy. Casual wear is fine everywhere.

The summer heat here is no joke. Bring sunscreen and a sun hat. You should also pack a water bottle since it is easy to get dehydrated in the heat. I use a Hydro Flask bottle because it is insulated, so it keeps my water cold.

If you plan to hike, bring a small backpack, hiking shoes, and quick-dry clothing. I like to wear a long-sleeved sun hoodie since it means I don’t have to constantly reapply sunscreen. I’ve got a list of my favourite sun hoodies, but my top pick is the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake.

If you want to go swimming or whitewater rafting, bring all your beach stuff: swimsuit, towel, sandals, sun hat, etc.

If you are travelling in the canyon in hot summer weather, bring a cooler for water and snacks. Anything left in your car will get incredibly hot.

There are small stores and restaurants in Yale, Boston Bar, and a few other spots, but you may want to stock up on supplies in Hope, which has larger stores and more variety.

Cell Phone Service

It’s worth noting that while there is cell phone signal in most of the Fraser Canyon, there are a few places with dead spots. Download offline maps and other info before you leave so you can find your way.

There is good 5G service in Hope, Boston Bar, Lytton, and Lillooet. You’ll get ok LTE service in Yale and near Hell’s Gate Airtram. There are big dead zones with no service near Alexandra Bridge and on Highway 12 between Lytton and Lillooet.

Indigenous Context in the Fraser Canyon

The Fraser Canyon is the traditional territory of the Stó:lō, Nlaka’pamux, Stz’uminus, and St’at’imc Nations.

The Fraser Canyon was an important historical trade route for Indigenous people. As well, Indigenous people played an important role in guiding Europeans through the canyon during the Gold Rush of the 1850s and 1860s. Routes that the Indigenous people pioneered during that time went on to form today’s Highway 1 and adjacent railroads.

Today, these nations continue to live in the Fraser Canyon and practice their traditions and culture. It is important to be respectful of Indigenous lands, culture, and traditions when you visit and to respect private property on the many Reserves sprinkled up and down the canyon.

If you want to learn more about Indigenous culture, visit Tuckkwiowhum Heritage Village near Boston Bar. It’s run by the Nlaka’pamux Nation and has lots of self-guided outdoor exhibits.

Final Thoughts

Even though it is longer than the Coquihalla, I’ve always loved driving through the Fraser Canyon instead. It’s a slower, less frenetic pace, and the scenery is great. However, after my most recent trip, I regret not spending more time there sooner.

I knew that the area was long past its prime since its lustre had faded since the Gold Rush and certainly since the Coquihalla Highway opened in the 1980s. But now that I’ve really explored, I think that is part of its charm. It’s old and gritty and authentic. It’s not tarted up to be shiny and happy for tourists. And there’s something special about that.

I’m sure I’ll be taking a Fraser Canyon road trip again soon. There are still a few hikes I haven’t done yet!

Do you have questions about the Fraser Canyon? Ask in the comments and I’ll help you out.

MORE BC ROAD TRIPS:

• Sea to Sky Highway Road Trip Guide: Driving from Vancouver to Whistler
• Pacific Marine Circle Route Road Trip Guide
• How to Take an Epic Canadian National Parks Road Trip

The post 10 Things to Do on a Fraser Canyon Road Trip appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

In this post, I’ve got basic info for over 80 backcountry cabins in BC and Alberta. The listing for each hut includes the location, info on fees, and booking, and a link to make reservations or get more info. The backcountry hut listings are separated into six regions. Click the links below to jump to your area.

• Vancouver backcountry huts
• Sunshine Coast backcountry huts
• Vancouver Island backcountry huts
• Kootenays backcountry huts
• Canadian Rockies backcountry huts
• Northern BC backcountry huts

All info on backcountry huts in BC was up-to-date at the time of publishing. But booking policies, prices, and access can change without notice. Check the club and park links below for the latest info. And let me know if anything is incorrect so I can update it.

I’ve been to lots of the backcountry cabins on this list, especially the ones near Vancouver. But with over 80 backcountry huts in British Columbia to choose from, I haven’t made it to all of them… yet!

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

What kinds of backcountry huts are on this list?

The backcountry huts in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies on this list are geared toward self-propelled users and are operated by clubs and parks.

You won’t find ATV, snowmobile, or 4×4 club cabins on this list.

I also haven’t included private, for-profit lodges.

BC also has lots of “secret” un-sanctioned cabins and I haven’t included them. These unofficial backcountry huts are often illegal and increased traffic means they might get shut down. However, info on secret cabins is often widely available in local communities.

I also chose not to include emergency shelters which you shouldn’t plan to stay at – that’s why they have “emergency” in the name!

BC Backcountry Huts Map

To give you a general idea of where these backcountry cabins are located, I’ve put together a custom Google map of backcountry huts in British Columbia. Click through to zoom in.

A Note on Hut Access

Some of these backcountry huts in British Columbia are easy to reach via well-marked trails. Others involve off-trail travel, route-finding, scrambling, glacier, travel, or rock climbing.

In winter, reaching many of the backcountry cabins is more complex and may take you through avalanche terrain.

As well, road access to trailheads can be complicated. It may involve rough logging roads that are unplowed or require 4WD. In some areas, it is common to use a snowmobile to reach trailheads where users switch to skis to reach the hut.

A few huts can only be reached by helicopter.

See the links to club and park websites for more access information.

Backcountry Hut Etiquette

In general, backcountry huts in British Columbia are for outdoor adventurers. Most huts are communal, so you will share space with strangers. We all need to work together to help these cabins in good condition for everyone to enjoy. These aren’t places to have a party.

Here are a few BC backcountry hut etiquette tips:

• Research hut rules and guidelines before your trip. Know what to expect at each hut and pack accordingly. Some huts supply stoves, kitchen gear, and mattresses, but many do not.
• Pack out everything. That includes your trash and trash that other groups have left. Please don’t leave extra food as it is unlikely to get eaten and will just attract mice.
• Protect the water source. Don’t bathe, do dishes, or pee in the hut water source. In winter, there is often a designated pee area to avoid contaminating snow that will be melted for drinking water.
• Keep the noise levels down. Many hut users may go to bed early to get an early start the next morning. Skip the music unless all hut users agree.
• Leave your dog at home. Very few huts allow dogs.
• Conserve firewood. Firewood is a scarce resource that can be expensive to supply. In most huts, it is only acceptable to use the wood stove in winter.
• Keep your gear tidy and out of other people’s way. Don’t monopolize the drying rack.
• Don’t wear boots inside the hut. This keeps dirt, mud, and snowmelt off the floor. Bring hut booties or sandals to wear indoors.
• Keep the mice out. Mice are a problem at most huts. Keep the door closed and store your food and garbage inside a bin or hanging from the ceiling in a sealed bag.
• Share the chores: Help out by restocking firewood, swapping outhouse barrels, or grabbing more snow to melt.
• Clean up before you leave. Sweep the floor, wipe down the counters, and empty the grey water buckets.
• Be nice. Be welcoming and friendly to other hut users. Communicate your plans so you can optimize the use of cooking areas and agree on quiet hours.

Backcountry Huts Near Vancouver

Elsay Lake Hut

Location: Elsay Lake in Mount Seymour Provincial Park, North Vancouver.

Operated By: Mount Seymour Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking

Sleeps: 4

Booking: None. All visits are first-come, first-served.

Cost: Free.

More Info: Mount Seymour Provincial Park and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

Mountain Lake Hut

Location: Near Mount Sheer east of Britannia Beach.

Operated By: BCMC

Best For: Hiking, mountaineering, scrambling, ski touring

Sleeps: 8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online up to 180 days before your trip.

Cost: $20/person/night for non-members, $10/person/night for members

More Info: BCMC

Watersprite Lake Hut

Location: At Watersprite Lake In the mountains east of Squamish.

Operated By: BCMC

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: 8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online up to 60 days in advance.

Cost: $300/night for the entire hut

More Info: BCMC, Watersprite Lake Facebook group (for road and trail conditions), and my book Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

Elfin Lakes Shelter

Location: At Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park east of Squamish

Operated By: Garibaldi Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: 33

Booking: Reservations required. Book online three months in advance.

Cost: $15/person/night

More Info: My Elfin Lakes hiking guide and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

READ NEXT: Where to Go Snowshoeing in Squamish

Tantalus Hut (Lake Lovely Water)

Location: Lake Lovely Water in Tantalus Provincial Park west of Squamish.

Operated By: ACC Vancouver and Tantalus Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering

Sleeps: 16

Booking: Reservations required. Book online in March in advance for non-members. Members can book in January. Open in June 1 to September 30 only.

Cost: $1700 for weekday 3 night booking (Mon, Tues, Wed nights) of the entire hut or $2000 for the weekend 3 night booking (Fri, Sat, Sun nights) of the entire hut. ACC members get a 10% discount.

More Info: ACC Vancouver, Tantalus Provincial Park, and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

Jim Haberl Hut

Location: On the edge of a glacier high in the Tantalus Range west of Squamish. Access requires glacier travel or helicopter.

Operated By: ACC Vancouver

Best For: Mountaineering

Sleeps: 12

Booking: Reservations required. Book online in March for non-members. Members can in January. Open March 1 to September 30 only.

Cost: $1700 for weekday 3 night booking (Mon, Tues, Wed nights) of the entire hut or $2000 for the weekend 3 night booking (Fri, Sat, Sun nights) of the entire hut. ACC members get a 10% discount.

More Info: ACC Vancouver

Brew Hut

Location: Near the summit of Mount Brew, west of the Sea to Sky Highway between Squamish and Whistler.

Operated By: UBC VOC

Best For: Hiking, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: 12

Booking: None. The hut is first-come, first-served but parties are encouraged to register online to avoid overcrowding.

Cost: $15/person/night

More Info: UBC VOC and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.

• 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
• Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Sphinx Hut (Burton Hut)

Location: On the eastern shore of Garibaldi Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park between Squamish and Whistler. Summer access is via boat.

Operated By: UBC VOC

Best For: Ski touring, snowshoeing, mountaineering

Sleeps: 10

Booking: You must purchase a Wilderness Permit for Garibaldi Provincial Park by calling BC Parks. The hut is first-come, first-served, but parties are encouraged to register online to avoid overcrowding.

Cost: $15/person/night

More Info: UBC VOC

Kees and Claire Hut

Location: At Russet Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park just outside Whistler. The hut sits at the south end of the Spearhead ski traverse.

Operated By: Spearhead Huts Society

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 38

Booking: Reservations required. Book online 60 days in advance for non-members. ACC and BCMC members can book 90 days in advance.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. ACC and BCMC members get a discount.

More Info: Spearhead Huts Society, Garibaldi Provincial Park, my Russet Lake hiking and backpacking guide, and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

Wedgemount Lake Hut

Location: At Wedgemount Lake in the northern part of Garibaldi Provincial Park near Whistler.

Operated By: Garibaldi Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering

Sleeps: 6

Booking: Reservations required. Book online three months. You will actually need to make a reservation for the Wedgemount Lake campground as there is no separate booking for the hut. Spots in the hut are first-come, first-served amongst those with campground reservations.

Cost: $10/person/night

More Info: Garibaldi Provincial Park and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

Tenquille Lake Cabin

Location: Tenquille Lake, northwest of Pemberton.

Operated By: Pemberton Wildlife Association in partnership with the Lil’wat and N’Quatqua Nations.

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, ski touring

Sleeps: 12

Booking: Reservations required. Book online 60 days before your trip.

Cost: $25/person/night.

More Info: Pemberton Wildlife Association and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

North Creek Cabin

Location: In the mountains on the north side of the Lillooet River valley west of Pemberton.

Operated By: BCMC

Best For: Mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 10

Booking: Reservations required. Book online up to 180 days before your trip.

Cost: $20/person/night for non-members. There are discounts for BCMC members.

More Info: BCMC

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Harrison Hut

Location: At the edge of the Pemberton Icefield above Meager Creek east of Pemberton.

Operated By: UBC VOC

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering

Sleeps: 15

Booking: None. The hut is first-come, first-served, but parties are encouraged to register online to avoid overcrowding.

Cost: $15/person/night

More Info: UBC VOC

Wendy Thompson Hut

Location: Near Mount Marriott on the west side of Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet.

Operated By: ACC Whistler

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: 16

Booking: Reservations required. Book online 105 days before your trip. Members of the Whistler, Squamish, and Vancouver ACC sections can book 140 days in advance.

Cost: $25/person/night for non-members. $20/person/night for members of the Whistler, Squamish or Vancouver sections of the ACC.

More Info: ACC Whistler and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

Keith Flavelle Hut (Keith’s Hut)

Location: Just north of Joffre Lakes on the east side of Highway 99 in between Pemberton and Lillooet.

Operated By: Keith Flavelle Hut Society and Nlháxten/Cerise Creek Conservancy

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 14

Booking: None. The hut is first-come, first-served and is often over capacity.

Cost: Free, but donations are welcome.

More Info: Keith Flavelle Hut Society and Nlháxten/Cerise Creek Conservancy

Brian Waddington Hut (Phelix Creek Hut)

Location: In the mountains near Birkenhead Provincial Park north of Pemberton.

Operated By: UBC VOC

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: 25

Booking: None. The hut is first-come, first-served, but parties are encouraged to register online to avoid overcrowding. The hut is voluntarily closed from August 15 to October 15 for wildlife protection.

Cost: $15/person/night.

More Info: UBC VOC

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.

• 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
• Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Backcountry Huts on the Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast Trail Huts

Location: There are 14 huts spread along the length of the Sunshine Coast Trail between Saltery Bay and Lund. From north to south they are: Bliss Portage, Manzanita Bluff, Rieveley Pond, Inland Lake-Anthony Island, Confederation Lake, Fiddlehead Landing, Tin Hat, Elk Lake, Walt Hill, Golden Stanley, Mount Troubridge, Rainy Day Lake, and Fairview Bay.

Operated By: Sunshine Coast Trail/Powell River Parks and Wilderness Society

Best For: Hiking

Sleeps: Most huts sleep 10, but a few fit 3-6.

Booking: None. All huts are hut is first-come, first-served.

Cost: Free, but donations of $5/person/night are encouraged.

More Info: Sunshine Coast Trail and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

READ NEXT: Best Hikes on the Sunshine Coast

Tetrahedron Provincial Park Cabins

Location: There are four cabins accessed from the same trailhead in Tetrahedron Provincial Park north of Sechelt: Batchelor Cabin, Edwards Cabin, Mount Steele Cabin, and McNair Cabin. Batchelor and Edwards Cabins are on my list of the best easy backpacking trips in BC.

Operated By: Tetrahedron Outdoor Club and Tetrahedron Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: Each cabin sleeps 12

Booking: None. All huts are first-come, first-served and are often over capacity on winter weekends.

Cost: $15/person/night for non-members, $10/person/night for Tetrahedron Outdoor Club members payable online, by mailing a cheque, or at Trail Bay Source for Sports in Sechelt.

More Info: Tetrahedron Outdoor Club, Tetrahedron Outdoor Facebook group (for trail and road conditions) Tetrahedron Provincial Park, and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

Emma Lake Cabin

Location: On the South Powell Divide in the Eldred River Valley north of Powell River.

Operated By: Knuckleheads Winter Recreation Association

Best For: Hiking, ski touring

Sleeps: 6-10

Booking: None. The hut is first-come, first-served.

Cost: Free, but donations of $20/person/night are welcome.

More Info: Knuckleheads Winter Recreation Association

Knuckleheads Cabins

Location: The Knuckleheads Range north of Lois Lake near Powell River. There are three cabins: Vic Cole Lodge, E-Branch Cabin, and A-Branch Cabin (Chateau Rotary Cabin).

Operated By: Knuckleheads Winter Recreation Association

Best For: Hiking, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: Each cabin sleeps 8-12

Booking: None. All huts are first-come, first-served.

Cost: Free, but donations of $20/person/night are welcome.

More Info: Knuckleheads Winter Recreation Association

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Backcountry Huts on Vancouver Island

Hišimy̓awiƛ Hut (5040 Peak Hut)

Location: On the slopes of 5040 Peak east of Highway 4 between Port Alberni and Ucluelet. The hut’s name means “Gather Together” in the Barkley Sound dialect of the Ucluelet First Nation and is pronounced Hi-SHIM-ya-wit.

Operated By: ACC Vancouver Island

Best for: Hiking, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: 12 in 2 rooms with 6 bunks each

Booking: Reservations required. Book online three months before your trip.

Cost: Bookings are per room. $150/room/night for non-members. $120/room/night for members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada Vancouver Island and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.

Wheaton Memorial Hut

Location: In the Marble Meadows area of Strathcona Provincial Park. Access to the trail is via boat across Buttle Lake.

Operated By: BC Parks

Best for: Hiking, scrambling

Sleeps: 2-4

Booking: None. The hut is first-come, first-served.

Cost: Free.

More Info: BC Parks

Kludahk Huts

Location: Five huts (Meadow Cabin, Tower Cabin, Blueberry Cabin, Noyse Lake Cabin, and Tent Lake Cabin) spaced along the top of San Juan Ridge between Port Renfrew and Sooke.

Operated By: Kludahk Outdoors Club

Best for: Hiking, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: Each hut sleeps 4-10

Booking: Reservations required. Only club members may use the huts.

Cost: A nightly per person fee is charged.

More Info: Kludahk Outdoors Club and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.

Get My Book…

Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips

• 25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
• Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

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Backcountry Huts in the Kootenays

Bill Putnam Hut (Fairy Meadow Hut)

Location: In the Adamant Group of the Selkirk Mountains north of Glacier National Park. Access is via helicopter.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Scrambling, mountaineering, rock climbing, ski touring

Sleeps: 20

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance. Winter bookings are via a lottery.

Cost: $60 for non-members. $50 for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada

Ben Ferris (Great Cairn) Hut

Location: In the Northern Selkirk Mountains north of Glacier National Park at the base of Mount Sir Sandford. Access via helicopter.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 6

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60 for non-members. $50 for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada

A.O. Wheeler Hut

Location: Southwest of Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 30

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60-70/person/night for non-members. $50-60/person/night for ACC members. Prices vary by season.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Glacier National Park

Asulkan Cabin

Location: At the head of the Asulkan Valley south of Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 10

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60-70/person/night for non-members. $50-60/person/night for ACC members. Prices vary by season.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Glacier National Park

Sapphire Col Hut

Location: High on the Asulkan Ridge south of Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park. Access to the hut requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 4

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Glacier National Park

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Glacier Circle Cabin

Location: Below the Illecillewaet Neve in the Dawson Range of Glacier National Park. Access to the hut requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Glacier National Park

McMurdo Cabin

Location: North of the Spillimacheen Glacier in the mountains southwest of Golden.

Operated By: Columbia Valley Hut Society

Best For: Hiking, ski touring

Sleeps: 5

Booking: Reservations required. Book online up to 8 weeks in advance.

Cost: $85/whole hut/night

More Info: Columbia Valley Hut Society

Kingsbury Cabin

Location: Near the Headwaters of Bobbie Burns Creek in International Basin southwest of Golden.

Operated By: Columbia Valley Hut Society

Best For: Hiking, ski touring

Sleeps: 4

Booking: Reservations required. Book online up to 8 weeks in advance.

Cost: $90/whole hut/night

More Info: Columbia Valley Hut Society

Conrad Kain Hut

Location: In Bugaboo Provincial Park in the Purcell Mountains east of Radium Hot Springs.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, rock climbing

Sleeps: 35

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Reserve six months in advance. Open in summer only.

Cost: $25/person/night or $50/night/family of two adults and two children

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Bugaboo Provincial Park

Dave White Cabin

Location: In the Forester Creek valley near the Catamount Glacier west of Radium Hot Springs.

Operated By: Columbia Valley Hut Society

Best For: Hiking, ski touring

Sleeps: 4

Booking: Reservations required. Book online up to 8 weeks in advance.

Cost: $70/whole hut/night

More Info: Columbia Valley Hut Society

Olive Hut

Location: On the edge of the Catamount Glacier west of Radium Hot Springs. Access requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Columbia Valley Hut Society

Best For: Mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 4

Booking: Reservations required. Book online up to 8 weeks in advance.

Cost: $70/whole hut/night

More Info: Columbia Valley Hut Society

Jumbo Pass Cabin

Location: At Jumbo Pass along the Purcell Divide near Invermere.

Operated By: Columbia Valley Huts

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 6

Booking: Reservations required. Book online up to 8 weeks in advance.

Cost: $120/whole hut/night

More Info: Columbia Valley Hut Society

Kokanee Glacier Cabin

Location: At Kaslo Lake in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park near Nelson. Winter access is via helicopter.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 12-20

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Reserve 180 days in advance. Winter bookings are via a lottery.

Cost: $25/person/night or $50/night/family of two adults and two children.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park.

Silver Spray Cabin

Location: In the northern part of Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park near Nelson.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, mountaineering, scrambling

Sleeps: 10

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Reserve 180 days in advance. The hut is closed in winter.

Cost: $25/person/night or $50/night/family of two adults and two children.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park.

Woodbury Cabin

Location: In the northern part of Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park near Nelson.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering

Sleeps: 8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Reserve 180 days in advance. The hut is closed in winter.

Cost: $25/person/night or $50/night/family of two adults and two children.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park.

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Backcountry Huts in the Canadian Rockies

Mount Colin Centennial Hut

Location: On the southwest side of Mount Colin in the northern part of Jasper National Park.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, rock climbing, scrambling

Sleeps: 6

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance. Closed in winter.

Cost: $40/person/night.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Jasper National Park.

Jacques Lake Cabin

Location: Jacques Lake near Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: 8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance. This hut is only open in winter.

Cost: $60/person night for non-members. $50/person/night for members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Jasper National Park.

Ramparts Hut (Wates-Gibson Memorial Hut)

Location: At Outpost Lake in the Tonquin Valley in Jasper National Park. (Psst! The Tonquin Valley is on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.)

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, rock climbing, ski touring

Sleeps: 24-26

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance. Closed in winter.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Jasper National Park.

Fryatt Creek Hut (Sydney Vallance Hut)

Location: In the Fryatt Valley in Jasper National Park.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, mountaineering, scrambling, ski touring

Sleeps: 12

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Jasper National Park.

Lloyd Mackay Hut (Mount Alberta Hut)

Location: On the shoulder of Mount Little Alberta in Jasper National Park. Access requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Scrambling, mountaineering, rock climbing

Sleeps: 6

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $50/person/night for non-members. $40/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Jasper National Park.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Peter and Catharine Whyte Hut (Peyto Hut)

Location: The northern end of the Wapta Icefield near the Peyto Glacier in Banff National Park. Access to the hut requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 16-18

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Banff National Park.

Bow Hut

Location: On the Wapta Icefield west of Bow Lake in Banff National Park. Access to the hut requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 30

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Banff National Park.

Balfour Hut (Rob Ritchie Hut)

Location: On the toe of the Vulcan Glacier on the Wapta Icefield in Banff National Park. Access to the hut requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 16-18

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Banff National Park.

Scott Duncan Hut

Location: South end of the Wapta Icefield near Mount Daly in Yoho National Park. Access to the hut requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 12

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Yoho National Park.

Louise and Richard Guy Hut

Location: Just north of Yoho Peak in Yoho National Park on the Bow-Yoho Traverse. Access to the hut requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Ski touring, mountaineering

Sleeps: 18

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance. Closed in summer.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Yoho National Park.

Stanley Mitchell Hut

Location: In the Little Yoho Valley of Yoho National Park. (Psst! The Yoho Valley is on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.)

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 22

Booking: Reservations required. Book online.Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60-70/person/night for non-members. $50-60/person/night for ACC members. Prices vary by season.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada, Yoho National Park, and my guide to the Yoho Valley Loop.

Elizabeth Parker Hut

Location: Near the shores of Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park. (This is one of the destinations on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.)

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, ski touring, snowshoeing, scrambling, mountaineering

Sleeps: 20-24

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance. In summer, bookings are by lottery.

Cost: $60-70/person/night for non-members. $50-60/person/night for ACC members. Prices vary by season.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada, Yoho National Park, and my guide to Lake O’Hara

Neil Colgan Hut

Location: Above the Valley of the Ten Peaks at Moraine Lake in, Banff National Park. Access to the hut requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, rock climbing

Sleeps: 18

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance. Closed in winter.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Banff National Park.

Castle Mountain Hut, Banff

Location: Halfway up the south face of Castle Mountain. Access to the hut requires scrambling and technical rock climbing.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Rock climbing, mountaineering.

Sleeps: 6

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance. Closed in winter.

Cost: $60/night for non-members. $50/night for ACC members. Bookings are for the entire hut.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Banff National Park.

Elk Lakes Cabin

Location: Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in the Kananaskis Valley south of Canmore.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: 14

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Reserve six months in advance.

Cost: $25/person/night or $50/night/family of two adults and two children.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Peter Lougheed Provincial Park

Naiset Huts

Location: A cluster of five huts at Magog Lake in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park southwest of Canmore. (Mount Assiniboine is on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.)

Operated By: Mount Assiniboine Lodge and Assiniboine Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: Each hut sleeps 5-8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online for summer starting in early January. Book online for winter starting in December.

Cost: $150-$240 per night for an entire hut

More Info: My huge guide to hiking in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park and Mount Assiniboine Lodge

Queen Mary Lake Cabin

Location: At Queen Mary Lake in Height of the Rockies Provincial Park northeast of Fairmont Hot Springs.

Operated By: Height of the Rockies Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 8

Booking: None. All visits are first-come, first-served.

Cost: Free

More Info: Height of the Rockies Provincial Park

Connor Lake Cabin

Location: At Connor Lake in Height of the Rockies Provincial Park east of Canal Flats.

Operated By: Height of the Rockies Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 6

Booking: None. All visits are first-come, first-served.

Cost: Free

More Info: Height of the Rockies Provincial Park

Fish Lake Cabin

Location: At Fish Lake in Top of the World Provincial Park northeast of Kimberley.

Operated By: Top of the World Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking, scrambling

Sleeps: 14-18

Booking: None. All visits are first-come, first-served.

Cost: $15/person/night

More Info: Top of the World Provincial Park

Thunder Meadows Cabin

Location: Northwest of Fernie Alpine Resort near the Island Lake Lodge

Operated By: Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club

Best For: Ski touring

Sleeps: 8

Booking: Reservations required. Only club members may make bookings through the members-only section of the club website.

Cost: There are nightly fees charged for booking.

More Info: Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club

Tunnel Creek Cabin

Location: On the west side of Highway 3 between Fernie and Elko

Operated By: Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club

Best For: Ski touring

Sleeps: 6

Booking: Reservations required. Only club members may make bookings through the members-only section of the club website. The hut is closed in summer.

Cost: There are nightly fees charged for booking.

More Info: Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club

Cameron Lake Cabin

Location: At Cameron Lake in the southwest part of Waterton Lakes National Park.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Ski touring, ice climbing

Sleeps: 8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance. Closed in summer.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada

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Backcountry Huts in Northern BC

Plummer Hut

Location: In the remote Mount Waddington area on the central coast. Access is via helicopter.

Operated By: BCMC

Best For: Mountaineering

Sleeps: 8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online up to 180 days before your trip.

Cost: $10/person/night for non-members. Free for members.

More Info: BCMC

Hankin Lookout Cabin

Location: At the community-run, no-lifts Hankin-Evelyn ski area northwest of Smithers.

Operated By: Bulkley Backcountry Ski Society

Best For: Ski touring

Sleeps: 6

Booking: Reservations required. Book online.

Cost: $60/whole cabin/night

More Info: Bulkley Backcountry Ski Society

Harold Price Cabin

Location: In the headwaters of Gramaphone Creek, north of Smithers.

Operated By: Bulkley Valley Backpackers Society

Best For: Hiking, ski touring

Sleeps: 6-8

Booking: Reservations required. Contact Ellen Anderson at 778-210-0625 or ellen.anderson59@gmail.com

Cost: $10/person/night, payable by etransfer

More Info: Bulkley Valley Backpackers Society and Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre

Joe L’Orsa Cabin

Location: Silverking Basin in Babine Mountains Provincial Park east of Smithers.

Operated By: Babine Mountains Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking, ski touring

Sleeps: 15-20

Booking: None. All visits are first-come, first-served.

Cost: $10/person/night payable in cash at the cabin.

More Info: Babine Mountains Provincial Park

Morice Mountain Cabin

Location: At the Morice Mountain Nordic Ski Club south of Houston.

Operated By: Morice Mountain Nordic Ski Club

Best For: Ski touring, snowshoeing, hiking

Sleeps: 6

Booking: Reservations required. Book by email: mmnsclub@gmail.com

Cost: $20/person/night for the first night and $10/person/night for each additional night.

More Info: Morice Mountain Nordic Ski Club

Ozalenka Cabin

Location: In the Boreal Valley north of Ozalenka Peak near McBride.

Operated By: Ozalenka Alpine Club

Best For: Hiking

Sleeps: 6-8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online.

Cost: $100/whole hut/night

More Info: Ozalenka Alpine Club

Eagle Valley Cabin

Location: In the Eagle Valley southwest of McBride.

Operated By: Ozalenka Alpine Club

Best For: Hiking

Sleeps: 6-8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online.

Cost: $80/whole hut/night

More Info: Ozalenka Alpine Club

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

So that’s my big list of over 80 backcountry huts in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies. Did I miss a BC backcountry cabin? Let me know in the comments and I’ll add it.

READ NEXT:

• 30 Best Backpacking Trips in BC
• 11 Best Backpacking Trips in the Canadian Rockies
• 24 Easy Backpacking Trips In BC For Beginners
• BC Backpacking Reservation Dates You Need to Know
• How to Go Backpacking in BC Without Reservations
• Get my book: Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

The post Backcountry Huts in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Penticton is a great place to base yourself for a summer visit to the Okanagan. It’s a cute and walkable city that sits between two big lakes, making it a clear beach destination with sand, kayaking, ice cream, etc. But there’s lots more to Penticton too.

My favourite part of the visit was an easy e-bike ride up into wine country with great views. Our turn around point was an old railway tunnel, which was really cool. I was also surprised by how relaxed everything felt. No one was in a hurry to get somewhere – everyone was just chilling out at the beach, on the patio, or at a winery.

I also discovered that Penticton is a great place to base yourself for day trips to nearby towns like Naramata and Osoyoos, home of one of Canada’s desert environments.

In this post, I’ve got everything you need to know about visiting Penticton in summer. These tips work for spring and fall, too.

This post includes:

• A map of Penticton that includes all the places I mention in this post.
• Best things to do in Penticton in summer: beaches, wineries, biking, kayaking, day trips, and more.
• Where to eat in Penticton: My picks for the best restaurants and cafes
• Where to stay in Penticton: The places I stayed at and loved
• Summer in Penticton basics: How to get there? How long to spend? What’s the weather like? And lots more.

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Thanks so much to Visit Penticton, Destination Osoyoos, and Discover Naramata for hosting some of my experiences on my trip. All opinions in this post are my own. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. – Taryn

Map of Penticton

To help you find your way around, I made this custom Google Map of Penticton for you. It includes every place I mention in this post.

The 10 Best Things to do in Penticton in Summer

There are dozens of things to do in Penticton during the summer months. Here are my top 10 picks of things I recommend.

Hit the Beach

Penticton is sandwiched between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake, so it is definitely a beach town. Both lakes have sandy beaches. Since it’s a bigger lake, the water in Okanagan Lake can be a bit colder than Skaha Lake. But on a hot day, it’s wonderfully refreshing.

On the Okanagan Lake side of town, you can swim at Okanagan Beach along Lakeshore Drive. It has a roped-off swimming area, washrooms, and trees for shade. It’s within walking distance of downtown Penticton.

On the Skaha Lake side, there is a long stretch of sand at Skaha Lake Park. Like Okanagan Beach, it has a swimming area, washrooms, and shade trees. But it also has a playground and a water park, so it’s great for kids.

Stroll the Promenade

One of the first things I did when I arrived in Penticton was stroll along the Promenade on Okanagan Lake next to Lakeshore Drive. It stretches for several kilometres along the shores of Okanagan Lake from the S.S. Sicamous Museum in the west to the marina in the east.

The path is a great place to enjoy the views of the lake and the huge Penticton sign on Mount Munson. The people watching is also excellent. Be sure to stop for some ice cream at Lickity Splitz or Tickleberry’s inside the giant peach.

Continue past the pier and Penticton Lakeside Resort into Okanagan Lake Park to check out the cute Ikeda Japanese Garden. It is maintained by volunteers.

Don’t miss the yellow-bellied marmot colony in the rocks at Marina Way Park. They are so cute! These members of the groundhog family don’t typically live in cities, but these marmots didn’t get the memo. Please don’t feed them – human food is junk food for wildlife and can make them sick.

Visit Wineries and Breweries

Penticton is at the heart of the Okanagan’s wine country. There are wineries on the edge of town as well as on the Naramata Bench northeast of the city. I’m not a wine drinker, so I didn’t visit any wineries on my visit. However, friends have raved about wine tasting here.

Since the wineries are spread out along winding roads, booking a wine tasting tour can be an easy and safe way to do it. You’ll get time at several wineries and a guide to be your designated driver.

• This Naramata half day small group wine tour includes visits to four wineries. All tasting fees and a tip for your drive is included in the tour price so you don’t need to worry about getting your wallet out!
• Or book a private tour with a wine expert who will drive you in your own vehicle and help you create the perfect itineray for your group.

There is also a very strong craft brewery scene in Penticton. While the town has a population of about 37,000, it has seven craft breweries!

I only had time to visit two breweries on my trip: Cannery Brewing and Abandoned Rail Brewing.

Cannery Brewing has a huge taproom as well as a cool outdoor space called the Backyard. Be sure to try their seasonal beers. My friend loved their Darkling Oatmeal Stout.

Abandoned Rail Brewing is just outside of Penticton on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. They have some indoor seating but the best spots are in the shade of their little orchard.

Bike the Kettle Valley Rail Trail

By far the best thing I did on my trip to Penticton was biking the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. We rented e-bikes from Pedego Penticton, which made the bike ride very low effort – I didn’t really even sweat (which is a miracle for me!)

The Kettle Valley Railway once stretched for hundreds of kilometres across southern British Columbia from Hope to Midway in the West Kootenays. After the railway was abandoned, it became a recreational trail. The section in Penticton starts near downtown and traverses the hillside wineries along the Naramata Bench.

I biked as far as Little Tunnel, which is a cool old train tunnel you can bike through. It has spectacular views overlooking Okanagan Lake. It has picnic tables so you can enjoy a lunch break – we brought sandwiches and snacks from The Bench Market, which we passed on our ride out of Penticton. We also stopped for delicious apple slushies at Abandoned Rail Brewing on the way back. It’s right next to the trail.

The ride is gently uphill all the way to Little Tunnel, but with the assist from the e-bikes, it was relatively easy. We spent about 4 hours on the trail, which included time for lots of breaks for photos, lunch at Little Tunnel, and hanging out in the shady orchard at Abandoned Rail Brewing.

Shop the Farmers’ Market

I spent a fun hour wandering around downtown Penticton to check out the booths at the market. Every Saturday in the spring, summer, and fall, several blocks of Main Street turn into a huge outdoor market. Actually, it is two markets that set up next to each other:

The Penticton Farmer’s Market focuses on fruit, veggies, baking, preserves, and crafts. Everything at the market is made, grown, or baked by locals.

The Downtown Community Market features crafts, clothing, food trucks, jewellery, antiques, and tons more.

Go Kayaking

I was excited to explore Penticton from the water. We rented kayaks at Pier Water Sports next to the Penticton Lakeside Resort. The sit-on-top kayaks were perfect for splashing around on a hot day.

It was a bit windy when we went out (which is common in the afternoon), so we stuck close to the shoreline and paddled along the beach towards the S.S. Sicamous, then past the resort to the marina. It was cool to see the city from the lake. And it was nice to get some chill time on the water.

Hike Munson Mountain

As soon as I spotted the huge white letters spelling out “Penticton” on the side of a hill Hollywood Sign-style, I knew I wanted to go up there. We made the short drive out of town to Munson Mountain Park.

It’s an easy walk from the parking lot to a great viewpoint with benches. If you’re up for it, you can follow a trail uphill to an even higher vantage point directly above the Penticton sign. The view from the top is incredible. You can see the town of Penticton to the south and Okanagan Lake stretching away to the north.

While researching this article, I found out that Munson Mountain is actually one of Canada’s Historic Places – the sign dates back to 1937.

The path to the lower viewpoint is only 200 m. The full trail up to the top viewpoint and back is about 1 km and is fairly steep in places. Allow about 30 minutes.

Float the Channel

When I told friends I had been to Penticton, a few of them asked if I had floated the channel. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time for this famous Penticton experience… but I guess that just means I’ll need to go back!

A seven-kilometre-long natural lazy-river channel connects Okanagan Lake to Skaha Lake. Locals and visitors have been floating the channel for decades. You can bring your own tube or rent one locally. Coyote Cruises offers a tube and bus combo that includes floatie rental and a ride back to the start.

Chill out in Naramata

The sleepy village of Naramata is just 20 minutes north of Penticton. The hills above the village are home to over a dozen wineries. I spent a relaxing day in Naramata, swimming at the quiet local beach, chilling out in the garden at The Village Motel, and wandering the quaint streets.

The sunset views in Naramata were incredible because it faces west across Okanagan Lake. (Penticton’s beaches face north (Okanagan Beach) or south (Skaha Beach), so the sunsets aren’t as good.)

We loved the pizza at Real Things and coffee in the morning from Just Baked.

Discover Naramata has put together some GPS-guided audio tours, which sound really cool. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to try them on my trip. Next time, I want to try their tour that includes the hike to Naramata Falls and the garden tour in Naramata Village.

Take a Day Trip to Osoyoos

The town of Osoyoos is just one hour south of Penticton, and it’s a gorgeous drive past several lakes and through orchards and vineyards. It’s home to a unique desert environment and makes a great day trip from Penticton. If you don’t want to drive yourself, you can book a day tour to Osoyoos that hits the desert highlights.

If you’re just visiting Osoyoos for the day, there are a few key places I recommend visiting.

Osoyoos Desert Centre

The first is the Osoyoos Desert Centre. This conservation area has exhibits and a 1.5-kilometre-long walking trail that highlights the unique flora and fauna of the Okanagan Desert. I took one of their guided tours, and I definitely recommend it. I learned so much about how the plants and animals survive this harsh landscape. And speaking of a harsh landscape – bring a hat, water and sunscreen. It’s hot out there with no shade.

Spotted Lake

You also can’t miss Spotted Lake, known as kłlilx’^w to the Syilx people. It’s located on the side of Highway 3 just outside of Osoyoos. The lake evaporates in the summer, leaving behind concentrated minerals that look like spots. It’s a sacred place for the Syilx, so you can only see the lake from the roadside pullout. But that’s ok, because it has a great view.

Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre

Lastly, I recommend the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre. It’s a great Indigenous museum just outside of Osoyoos. They have a small indoor museum with exhibits about the culture and history of the Osoyoos Indian Band. But I enjoyed the self-guided outdoor exhibits the most. Several trails wind through the desert to a reconstructed village and other hands-on displays. The trails also have great views of Osoyoos. I spotted lots of wildflowers too.

Where to Eat in Penticton

Penticton and the surrounding area have tons of restaurant options. Here are a few that I recommend.

Wayne & Freda

Wayne & Freda is a cute coffee shop located inside a former auto repair shop in downtown Penticton. They have a huge sunny patio. This is a great place to start the day: their breakfast sandwich is amazing. I also loved their spring toast. It’s an avocado toast with pesto and lots of veggies. They also have sandwiches if you’re here at lunch.

The Bench Market

Stop at the Bench Market to pick up takeout lunch on your way to bike the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. The cafe is on Vancouver Street just outside of downtown Penticton. They have great sandwiches and a well-stocked deli. Or stay and eat on their cute patio. They serve breakfast all day, too.

Cannery Brewing

Cannery Brewing in downtown Penticton has a huge taproom and a fun outdoor seating area called the Backyard. They have lots of craft beer on tap (of course). It’s easy to try a few kinds by ordering a flight. For non-beer drinkers like me, they have wine, cider, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options like craft soda and kombucha.

If you’re hungry, they have classic snacks like charcuterie boards and pretzels alongside substantial sandwiches. We had the Santa Fe nachos – they were huge and delicious.

Abandoned Rail Brewing

Head to Abandoned Rail Brewing just outside of Penticton to eat and drink in the orchard. It’s right on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, and their huge bike rack was stuffed with dozens of bikes on my visit.

They serve craft beer, but we went for their famous apple slushies, which really hit the spot after a bike ride in the sun. While we were there, we saw lots of people ordering their wood-fired pizzas. I’ll have to go back to try them. The prosciutto blackberry brie pizza sounds incredible.

The Hooded Merganser

If you’re looking for something a bit upscale with an incredible view, eat at The Hooded Merganser. It’s right on the Okanagan Lake… actually it’s in the lake since the restaurant is built on pilings over the water in front of the Penticton Lakeside Resort. The menu features elevated classics like lamb chops, steak frites, and parmesan-crusted halibut. They also have great pasta – my mushroom cannelloni was such a delicious umami bomb.

Real Things Pizza

If you’re in Naramata, get pizza from Real Things Pizza. It’s take-out or delivery only (no eat-in), but that just means that you get to eat dinner next to the water at one of Naramata’s beaches. Or in the garden at The Village Motel, like we did. Their pizzas have lots of fun flavour combinations, many of which were developed by their staff of local teenagers. Or you can get a classic Hawaiian like I did. (Yes, I believe pineapple belongs on pizza – don’t yuck my yum.)

Just Baked

Also in Naramata, don’t miss Just Baked. It’s a tiny coffee shop and bakery in The Village Motel. They have great scones, but I couldn’t resist eating one of their decadent brownies for breakfast!

The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry

If you’re looking for something different, head to The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry. It is located at the Indigenous-owned Spirit Ridge Resort just outside of Osoyoos.

The upscale food is Indigenous inspired and guided by their four food chiefs: the bear, the fish (salmon), the root (bitterroot) and the berry (Saskatoon berry). I had an incredible salmon eggs Benedict made with bannock, and my friend enjoyed a bison burger. One of the best parts of the restaurant is the view of Osoyoos and the lake from the patio.

Where to Stay in Penticton

There are tons of hotels, motels, and resorts in Penticton. Here are two that I stayed at recommend.

Penticton Lakeside Resort

I spent two nights at the Penticton Lakeside Resort. We stayed in a suite in the new West Wing Tower. I couldn’t believe how huge the suite was! It had an enormous bedroom as well as a big living room and a patio. Floor-to-ceiling windows gave us views of the lake and a park.

The resort has several different room types, many with lake views. They also have a few restaurants on the property, including the Hooded Merganser.

We really enjoyed how central this hotel was. It was an easy walk to the beach, the farmer’s market, and tons of restaurants.

Check rates.

The Village Motel

I spent the final night of my trip at The Village Motel in Naramata. It’s a retro bungalow-style motel with rooms arranged around a central garden courtyard. The rooms are cute, but they are small. However, you won’t mind because you’ll want to spend all of your time in the garden.

When we arrived in the late afternoon, several of the other guests were lazing around the garden quietly reading books and drinking wine. It looked so relaxing that we joined them immediately! I loved listening to the birds in the trees. We even spotted an owl!

There is an adorable coffee shop, Just Baked, on the property. Or you can pick up pizza from Real Things just up the road – that’s what we did for dinner. The rooms have kitchenettes, too, if you want to cook.

Check rates.

Penticton Basics

In this section, I’ve got practicalities for a summer visit to Penticton. It includes getting there, getting around, weather, what to pack, and more.

How to Get to Penticton

Penticton sits along Highway 97 in BC’s Okanagan region. Like most people, I visited Penticton by car. It’s an easy drive from major centres like Vancouver (4.5 hours), Calgary (8 hours), and Kelowna (1 hour). I like to use DiscoverCars to book car rentals since the site lets you compare prices across different rental companies.

You can also fly directly to Penticton from Vancouver via Pacific Coastal Airlines and from Calgary and Edmonton via Westjet. There are even more routes into Kelowna, which is only one hour away. On my trip, my friend flew into Kelowna and I picked her up. She said it was a short and easy flight.

You can also get to Penticton via public transportation. The Ebus goes from from Vancouver to Kelowna. From there, transfer to route 70 on the Okanagan Similkameen Transit System.

Getting Around Penticton

One of Penticton’s tourism slogans is that they are “fuel free… almost”. You can get around to most places in town by walking, biking, or paddling. For most of my trip, my car stayed in my hotel’s parking garage!

While you can drive to some of the day trip destinations in this guide, like Osoyoos or Naramata, you can also take the bus instead. (BC Transit Route 40 goes from Penticton to Osoyoos and Route 10 goes to Naramata.) If you want to go wine tasting, booking a small-group or private wine tour is your best bet since you won’t have to worry about drinking and driving.

How Long to Spend in Penticton in Summer

I spent a long weekend in Penticton, and I think that’s the perfect amount of time for a visit. In three or four days, you can see the highlights without being too rushed. However, I do wish I had been able to stay longer and just chill out. A week would have been ideal.

Summer Weather in Penticton

Penticton has similar weather to other destinations in the south Okanagan.

Summers are hot and dry. The average temperature from June to September is 14°C to 30°C (56 to 87F°); however, some days can be much hotter. It also rarely rains during the summer, about twice a month. Once the sun goes down, it cools off a lot.

What to Pack for Penticton in Summer

Penticton is pretty laid back, so you don’t need to pack anything too fancy. If you plan to visit some of the nicer restaurants or wineries, pack a cute summer dress or a pair of khakis and a button-down shirt. But otherwise, casual wear is fine.

The summer sun here is no joke. Bring sunscreen and a sun hat. You should also pack a water bottle since it is easy to get dehydrated in the heat. I use a Hydro Flask bottle because it is insulated, so it keeps my water cold.

This is a lake town, so bring all your beach stuff: swimsuit, sandals, sun hat, etc. Most hotels and resorts provide beach towels.

If you plan to bike or hike, bring a small backpack, hiking shoes, and quick-dry clothing. I like to wear a long-sleeved sun hoodie since it means I don’t have to constantly reapply sunscreen. I’ve got a list of my favourite sun hoodies, but my top pick is the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake.

Indigenous Context in Penticton

The southern Okanagan, including Penticton, Naramata, and Osoyoos, is the traditional territory of the Syilx Okangan Nation (pronounced “see-yil-th”) who speak nsyilxcən. The Nation comprises seven member communities, including the Penticton Indian Band and Osoyoos Indian Band.

The name Penticton comes from the nsyilxcən word snpintktn, which is often translated as “a place to stay forever”. However, a more accurate translation is “a place where people have always been all year long” since this area is rich in hunting, fishing, and gathering in all seasons.

Today, the Syilx still live in the southern Okanagan and continue to practice their traditions and culture. It is important to be respectful of Indigenous lands, culture, and traditions when you visit. If you want to learn more about the Syilx, visit the Nk’mip Desert Cultural Centre in Osoyoos, run by the Osoyoos Indian Band.

Final Thoughts

I was surprised by how much I liked Penticton. I think it was the laid-back atmosphere. I’d love to go back and spend more time there. On my next trip, I’ll probably do more biking, and I’d like to float the channel. But other than that, I’m looking forward to just soaking up more of the summer vibes.

Do you have questions about visiting Penticton in the summer? Ask away in the comments, and I’ll help you out.

READ NEXT:

• 30+ Things to Do in Vernon, BC
• 22 Weekend Getaways from Vancouver
• Tips for Hiking in Hot Weather
• Best Sun Hoodies for Hiking

The post 10 Things to Do in Penticton in Summer appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

You can get to these overnight and multi-day hikes by public transit bus, shuttle bus, ferry, or water taxi. I’ve done the legwork of figuring out how to get to these fabulous destinations. All info about transportation was correct at the time of writing, but things change, so please let me know if anything is out of date so I can update it.

This guide to backpacking in BC without a car includes:

• A map of car-free places to go backpacking in BC
• Tips for backpacking in BC without a car
• Trips near Vancouver
• Trips on the Sunshine Coast
• Trips on Vancouver Island
• Trips in the Okanagan and Rockies

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Map of Car-Free Places to Go Backpacking in BC

I made a custom Google Map for you that shows the location of each of the car-free backpacking trips I mention in this post. Click to zoom in.

Tips for Backpacking Without a Car in BC

I’m not going to lie – it’s a lot easier to get around in BC if you have a car. Bus service here is not frequent and it’s often not cheap.

But it is definitely possible to go backpacking in BC without a car. Here are a few tips:

• Leave a trip plan with a friend so someone knows where you are going and when you expect to be back. This is especially important when travelling by bus as you won’t be leaving a car at a trailhead, which otherwise would be a clue for search and rescue about where you went.
• Check schedules carefully. Bus schedules change and some buses don’t run very frequently.
• Book tickets in advance. Buses can fill up or they may not stop at some locations if they don’t know in advance that someone wants to be picked up there.
• Be flexible with dates and times when booking on-demand shuttle services. Many shuttle companies will try to pair you up with other groups to make the per-person cost of the shuttle cheaper.
• Be prepared for some extra kilometres. Without a car, you might have to walk a bit to get to the trailhead. I’ve included walking directions and distances for each backpacking trip on this list. The distance stat at the start of each trip includes any extra kilometres you will need to walk from the bus stop.
• If the bus schedules don’t work for your trip, consider using a carpooling app like Poparide.
• Look into renting a car. The cost split between three or more people can often work out cheaper than taking the bus. I use Discover Cars to search for car rentals since it compares prices across tons of different companies.
• Make camping reservations in advance. Many of the backpacking trips on this list require advance reservation and sell out quickly. See my guide to BC backpacking reservations for more info.
• Is this your first backpacking trip? Read my guide to Backpacking for Beginners. It includes a run-down on gear, trip planning, fitness, and key skills like navigation and bear safety.
• Not sure what to pack? I’ve got a super-detailed Backpacking Gear Checklist that explains it all.
• Worried about bears? If you are prepared and responsible, you don’t have to worry. Read my guide to Bear Safety for Backpackers.

Backpacking Trips Near Vancouver Without a Car

Howe Sound Crest Trail

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Difficulty: Very challenging

Distance: Up to 31.7 km one way

Elevation Gain: 660 m

Best Months: Mid-July to September

Fees and Reservations: Camping is free and all campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Description: This tough backpacking trip in Cypress Provincial Park is best for experienced backpackers. The first part of the hike is on the well-worn trail to St. Mark’s Summit. But past there you will need route-finding and scrambling skills to stay on track as you follow the spine of the ridge over several summits. It is typically hiked as a one-way traverse from the Cypress Mountain ski hill to Porteau Cove, but you can bail out part-way on the trail to Lions Bay.

Getting There Without a Car: From downton Vancouver, take Translink bus 250 or 257 to Park Royal, then take the Cypress Mountain Shuttle to Cypress Mountain. (Note: The summer schedule is limited and some years it doesn’t run at all. If there is no shuttle, you can take a taxi from Park Royal.)

You can do and out-and-back trip from Cypress Mountain or do a one-way trip to Lions Bay or Porteau Cove. If you get off trail at Lions Bay, you can take bus Translink bus 262 to West Vancouver, and then bus 253 to to downtown Vancouver. To complete the whole route to Porteau Cove, you will need to arrange a taxi.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

Elfin Lakes and Rampart Ponds

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 22 to 42 km

Elevation Gain: 610 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations are required and fees are charged for both tent pads and the hut. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Description: This trip in Garibaldi Provincial Park takes you up into the subalpine to stroll along a ridge with incredible views. You can camp or stay in the hut at Elfin Lakes, which is a great place to base yourself for day hikes. Or continue further into the backcountry to say at Rampart Ponds campground. This hike is just a few minutes from my house in Squamish, so I’ve done it tons of times.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take the YVR Skylynx or Squamish Connector buses to downtown Squamish or Garibaldi Estates. From there, Howe Sound Taxi can take you 30 minutes to the trailhead. (Call ahead to confirm that they will go up the gravel road to the trailhead – some dispatchers get confused as to where this is.)

You may also be able to get a ride with Shred Shuttle from downtown Squamish or Garibald Estates. It is a mountain bike shuttle service that stops about 0.5 km from the hikers trailhead.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my Elfin Lake hiking guide and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. For info on camping fees and reservations, see Garibaldi Provincial Park.

READ NEXT: Elfin Lakes Hike in Squamish (By a Local)

Lake Lovely Water

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Difficulty: Very Challenging

Distance: 11 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 1135 m

Best Months: Late June to early October

Fees and Reservations: Camping is free and all campsites are first-come, first-served. The hut requires reservations and fees.

Trail Description: The trail to Lake Lovely Water begins on the other side of the Squamish River, so crossing it by boat is your first obstacle. The trail is incredibly steep and rugged as it grinds uphill through the forest. Your reward is a gorgeous alpine lake ringed with mountains. You can stay at the backcountry campground or book the rustic hut. From there, take day hikes to meadows or scramble to the tops of the peaks. I spent a memorable birthday here one year and it was so pretty!

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take the YVR Skylynx or Squamish Connector buses to downtown Squamish. From there, Squamish Watersports can shuttle you to the trailhead via jetski. Alternatively, you can take a taxi for 15 minutes to the Squamish airport, then take a helicopter or floatplane directly to the lake.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. For hut reservations, see the Alpine Club of Canada Vancouver section.

Cheakamus Lake

Duration: 2 days

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 7 to 14 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 50 m

Best Months: May to early November

Fees and Reservations: Reservations are required and fees are charged for camping. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Description: This is one of the easiest trails in Garibaldi Provincial Park and one of the easiest places to go backpacking in BC without a car. The trail to the lake is flat and easy. The lake is an incredible turquoise colour. You can camp at the lake outlet or continue along the lakeshore to a second campground at Singing Creek.

Cheakamus Lake is one of my favourites since it has such a beautiful location but it’s an easy hike – it’s on my lists of the best spring backpacking trips in BC and the best beginner backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take the YVR Skylynx or Epic Rides bus to Whistler. From there, you can take a taxi for 25 minutes to the trailhead.

If you are up for adding 8 km and 200 m of elevation gain each way, you can skip the taxi and take BC Transit bus 10 from Whistler Village to the stop on Cheakamus Lake Road just after to turnoff from the Highway. From there, take the Valley Trail south to the Cheakamus Lake FSR. For a nicer hike, use the Farside Trail instead of the road for the first 3km.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. For info on camping fees and reservations, see Garibaldi Provincial Park.

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.

• 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
• Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Helm Creek

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 17 km return (plus more for day hikes from camp)

Elevation Gain: 700 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations are required and fees are charged for camping. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Description: The trail to Helm Creek provides a lesser-known backdoor route into the core of Garibaldi Provincial Park by leaving from the same trailhead as Cheakamus Lake. The trail switchbacks uphill through the forest to a subalpine campground. From there you can day hike to Panorama Ridge (14 km return), which has great views of Garibaldi Lake.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take the YVR Skylynx or Epic Rides bus to Whistler. From there, you can take a taxi for 25 minutes to the trailhead. If you are up for adding 8 km and 200 m of elevation gain each way, you can skip the taxi and take BC Transit bus 10 from Whistler Village to the stop on Cheakamus Lake Road. From there, take the Valley Trail south to the Cheakamus Lake FSR. For a nicer hike, use the Farside Trail instead of the road for the first 3km.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. For info on camping fees and reservations, see Garibaldi Provincial Park.

Russet Lake

Duration: 2 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 25 to 29 km

Elevation Gain: 305 to 1280 m

Best Months: Mid-July to September.

Fees and Reservations: Reservations are required and fees are charged for camping. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.) The hut also requires reservations and fees.

Trail Description: Tiny Russet Lake has a gorgeous backcountry campground and a beautiful new hut in the mountains above Whistler inside Garibaldi Provincial Park. There are two ways to get there: You can hike up the steep Singing Pass trail directly from Whistler Village. Or you can pay to take the Whistler Gondola, then hike along an undulating ridge on the High Note and Musical Bumps Trails. It’s also one of the easiest backpacking trips in BC to get to without a car.

This trip is one of my favourites since the views are so good – it’s on my list of the best backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take the YVR Skylynx or Epic Rides bus to Whistler. Then walk through the village to the Singing Pass trailhead or the bottom of the Whistler gondola.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my Russet Lake hiking and backpacking guide and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. To make camping reservations, see Garibaldi Provincial Park. For hut reservations, see the Spearhead Huts Society.

Rainbow Pass and Hanging Lake

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 20.6 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 890 m

Best Months: June to October

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping is free and all campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Description: Hike up into the mountains on the west side of the Whistler Valley to gorgeous Rainbow Lake. From the lake, ascend to Rainbow Pass and find the campground at Hanging Lake on the other side. It’s a great spot to base yourself for day hikes up Rainbow Mountain or to nearby Ninja Lakes.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take the YVR Skylynx or Epic Rides bus to Whistler. From there, you can take a taxi for 15 minutes to the trailhead.

If you are up for adding 3 km and 50 m of elevation gain each way, you can skip the taxi and take BC Transit bus 6 from Whistler Village to the stop on Crabapple Drive at Cedar Grove. From there, walk north then west on the Valley Trail to Rainbow Park. Then walk north on Alta Lake Road to the trailhead.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Wedgemount Lake

Duration: 2 days

Difficulty: Very Challenging

Distance: 13 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 1160 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations are required and fees are charged for camping. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Description: This hike in Garibaldi Provincial Park is really steep, especially the final push to the top. But it’s worth it! The beautiful turquoise lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. And you can hike past the end of the lake right up to the toe of the glacier. See it while you can as the ice has retreated nearly half a kilometre in less than 30 years.

Wedgemount Lake is on my list of the best backpacking trips in BC thanks to the spectaclar scenery and the opportunity to hike to a glacier.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take the YVR Skylynx or Epic Rides bus to Whistler. From there, you can take a taxi for 15 minutes to the trailhead.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. To make reservations, visit Garibaldi Provincial Park.

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.

• 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
• Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Frosty Mountain

Duration: 2-3 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 29 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 1140 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees are charged. Reservations are required between late July and late October.

Trail Description: This trail climbs up the slopes of Frosty Mountain, the highest peak in Manning Provincial Park. You can camp at Frosty Creek, partway up, then head to the summit with day packs. Try to time your visit for the fall to see the larches change colour.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take Mountain Man Mike’s shuttle to the Manning Park Lodge. From there, hike 3.5 km on the Little Muddy Trail to the trailhead.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my Frosty Mountain trail guide and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. For info on camping fees see Manning Provincial Park.

READ NEXT: Frosty Mountain Larches Fall Hiking Guide

Lightning Lakes

Duration: 2 days

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 20 km round trip

Elevation Gain: none

Best Months: June to October

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees are charged. All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Description: The easy trail along the shores of Lightning Lake is perfect for beginners or families. The flat trail has great views of the lakes. Leave the day hikers behind and camp at Strike Lake.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take Mountain Man Mike’s shuttle to the Manning Park Lodge. From there, hike 3.5 km on the Little Muddy Trail to the trailhead.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. For info on camping fees see Manning Provincial Park.

Skyline Trail (Manning Park)

Duration: 2 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 42 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 520 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees are charged. All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Description: The views from this trail are incredible. You start the hike along the shores of Lightning Lake, then ascend to a ridge top viewpoint. From there, the trail follows the top of the ridge through wildflower meadows and you can look waaay down below you to the Lightning Lakes chain. Stay the night at Mowich Camp, which is often visited by deer.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take Mountain Man Mike’s shuttle to the Manning Park Lodge. From there, hike 5.5 km on the Little Muddy Trail, then the Lightning Lakes trail over the Rainbow Bridge to the trailhead.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. For info on camping fees see Manning Provincial Park.

Backpacking Trips on the Sunshine Coast Without a Car

Sunshine Coast Trail

Duration: 7 to 12 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 178 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 1300 m

Best Months: June to October

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping and staying in the huts is free and all campsites and huts are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: The 178-km-long Sunshine Coast Trail is a great backpacking trip to do without a car. The hike includes 14 huts along the way, plus dozens of campgrounds so lots of itineraries are possible. The trail starts and finishes on the ocean, but the bulk of the hike is inland up and down mountains and alongside lakes. If the whole trail is too long for you, I also have some options for car-free backpacking trips on shorter sections of the Sunshine Coast Trail below.

The Sunshine Coast Trail is a bucket list hike thanks to the hut-to-hut experience. It’s on my list of the best backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: You can fly to Powell River from Vancouver or Victoria, then take the Sunshine Coast Shuttle bus to the north trailhead. You can also take BC Transit bus 12 from Powell River to the south trailhead.

If you don’t want to fly, take Translink bus 250 or 257 from Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay, then a BC Ferry from there to Langdale where you catch the Sunshine Coast Connector bus to Earl’s Cove to get your final BC Ferry to Saltery Bay. From there you can start the trail or take the Sunshine Coast Shuttle Bus to the other trailhead.

If you want to save some money, you can also take BC Transit bus 12 from Saltery Bay to Powell River, then the Sunshine Coast Shuttle bus to the trailhead.

If you are coming from Vancouver Island, you can take a BC Ferry to Powell River from Comox.

More Info: Get all the details on the Sunshine Coast Trail website.

Fairview Bay/Saltery Bay Loop

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 12 km round trip or 18 km loop

Elevation Gain: 150 to 570 m

Best Months: April to November

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping and the huts are free and all campsites and huts are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: The section of the Sunshine Coast Trail is easy to hike without a car since you start right at the ferry. You can hike along the ocean to Fairview Bay Hut. Or you can hike up to Rainy Day Lake, then back around via Fairview Bay to make a loop. If you want to go further, you can tack on the summit of Mount Troubridge for an extra 15 km round trip with 900 m of elevation gain. All three locations have campsites and huts.

I love the coastal views on the way to Fairview Bay – it’s on my lists of the best spring backpacking trips in BC and best easy backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take Translink bus 250 or 257 to Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal, then take the BC Ferry to Langdale on the lower Sunshine Coast. From there, take the Sunshine Coast Connector Bus to Earl’s Cove ferry terminal. Take the BC Ferry to Saltery Bay. Once you get off the ferry, the trailhead is a few minutes walk away.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and on the Sunshine Coast Trail website.

Saltery Bay to Lang Bay

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 45.8 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 1300 m

Best Months: June to October

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping and the huts are free and all campsites and huts are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: The southernmost section of the Sunshine Coast Trail offers a good mix of terrain. You’ll hike to the top of Mount Troubridge, the highest point on the Sunshine Coast Trail. The section also includes one of the longest coastal sections between gorgeous Fairview Bay and the trailhead at Saltery Bay.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take Translink bus 250 or 257 to Horseshoe Bay, then take the BC Ferry to Langdale on the lower Sunshine Coast. From there, take the Sunshine Coast Connector Bus to Earl’s Cove ferry terminal. Take the BC Ferry to Saltery Bay. Once you get off the ferry, the trailhead is a few minutes walk away.

To finish the trail, walk along Dixon Road to the Sunshine Coast Highway, then catch the BC Transit bus 12 from Lang Bay back to the ferry terminal.

More Info: Get all the details on the Sunshine Coast Trail website.

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Powell River to Lang Bay

Duration: 4 to 7 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 84.5 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 1100 m

Best Months: June to October

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping and the huts are free and all campsites and huts are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: The middle section of the Sunshine Coast Trail includes some of the most spectacular views on the entire trail from the summits of Tin Hat Mountain and Walt Hill Hut. Since it is an 84 km stretch, it’s a great way to take in a big chunk of the SCT if you don’t have time to do the whole thing.

Getting There Without a Car: You can fly to Powell River from Vancouver or Victoria, then take a BC Transit bus 1 to the trailhead.

If you are coming from Vancouver Island, you can take a BC Ferry to Powell River from Comox.

You can also take Translink bus 250 or 257 from Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay, then a BC Ferry from there to Langdale where you catch the Sunshine Coast Connector bus to Earl’s Cove to get your final BC Ferry to Saltery Bay. From there you can take BC Transit Bus 12, then Bus 1 to the trailhead in Powell River.

To finish the trail, walk out along Dixon Road to the Sunshine Coast Highway, then catch the BC Transit bus 12 from Lang Bay back to the ferry terminal or to Powell River.

More Info: Get all the details on the Sunshine Coast Trail website.

Sarah Point to Powell River

Duration: 3 to 4 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 50.2 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 370 m

Best Months: March to November

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping and the huts are free and all campsites and huts are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: The low-elevation section at the north end of the Sunshine Coast Trail is a great car-free backpacking option for spring and fall. It has gorgeous views of the ocean from Manzanita Bluff and the campsite on Little Sliammon Lake is a great spot for a swim.

The hike to Manzanita Bluff was the first part of the SCT that I hiked and remains a favourite – it’s on my list of the best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: You can fly to Powell River from Vancouver or Victoria, then take the Sunshine Coast Shuttle bus to the Sarah Point Trailhead.

If you are coming from Vancouver Island, you can take a BC Ferry to Powell River from Comox.

You can also take Translink bus 250 or 257 from Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay, then a BC Ferry from there to Langdale where you catch the Sunshine Coast Connector bus to Earl’s Cove to get your final BC Ferry to Saltery Bay.

From there you can take the Sunshine Coast Shuttle to the Sarah Point Trailhead. Or if you want to save some money, you can take a BC Transit bus 12 to Powell River, then the Sunshine Coast Shuttle.

The trail finishes in Powell River near the stop for BC Transit bus 1 which you can use to get back to the ferry at Saltery Bay.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and on the Sunshine Coast Trail website.

Backpacking Trips on Vancouver Island Without a Car

Narvaez Bay

Duration: 2 days

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 18 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 140 m

Best Months: Year-round

Fees and Reservations: Reservations are required in the summer and camping fees are charged. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: This oceanfront campground is located in Gulf Islands National Park on Saturna Island. It’s an easy hike along a quiet road and then a short trail to the campground. Unfortunately, there is no water here so you will have to bring your own.

Narvaez Bay is a gorgeous spot – it’s on my lists of the best spring backpacking trips in BC and best easy backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver take Translink bus 620 to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal, then take the BC Ferry to Saturna Island.

From Victoria, take the BC Transit bus 70 to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal, then take the BC Ferry to Saturna Island.

Once on the island, walk along East Point Road then Narvaez Bay Road to the park. If you want to save some time, bring a bike for the road section.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. See Gulf Islands National Park Reserve for camping reservations.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Juan de Fuca Trail

Heads up: The Juan de Fuca Trail is closed in summer 2025 due to significant storm damage. It is not possible to hike the entire trail, but you can visit and camp at Mystic Beach and East Sombrio Beach.

Duration: 3 to 5 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 47 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 190 m

Best Months: Year-round

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees charged. All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: Often considered the sister trail to the famous West Coast Trail, the Juan de Fuca Trail runs along the ocean at the southern end of Vancouver Island. It is a bit more rugged than the WCT with more inland sections and lots of hills. But it also has lots of beautiful beach campsites.

This trip is one of my favourites – I’ve done it twice! It’s on my lists of the best backpacking trips in BC, and best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Victoria, you can take the West Coast Trail Express shuttle bus to all of the trailheads.

More Info: Read my Juan de Fuca Trail guide and see my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island for full details. For info on camping fees, see Juan de Fuca Provincial Park.

READ NEXT: Juan De Fuca Trail Guide: Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Kludahk Trail

Duration: 3 to 5 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 51.2 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 1000 m

Best Months: June to October

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping is free and all campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: This little-known trail follows the crest of the San Juan Ridge through gorgeous old-growth forest and unique sub-alpine bog. There are lots of viewpoints and tiny lakes along the way. The Kludahk Outdoors Club built the trail and has a series of huts along the trail, which are only open to club members. However, members of the public are welcome to use the trail and stay at the campsites near the huts.

Getting There Without a Car: It’s possible to get to and from the Kludahk Trail using the West Coast Express bus from Victoria.

The bus stops at the intersection of Highway 14 and Parkinson Creek Road, the western trailhead for the Kludahk Trail.

It also stops at the entrance to the China Beach day-use area, which is a 1 km (0.6 mi) walk along the highway from the start of North Main FSR. From there it’s a 10.2 km (6.3 mi) walk with 660 m (2165 ft) of elevation gain on logging roads to the eastern trailhead.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.

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Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips

• 25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
• Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

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West Coast Trail

Duration: 5 to 8 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 75 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 225 m

Best Months: May to September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations, trail fees, and National Park entry fees required. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: The West Coast Trail is a bucket list hike and is on lots of lists of the best trails in Canada. The tough trail follows the coast with lots of sections of beach walking and some inland old-growth forest. You will also challenge yourself on lots of ladders, bridges, and cable cars. The campsites are all on gorgeous beaches.

I love this trail – I’ve done it twice and it’s on my lists of the best backpacking trips in BC, and best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Victoria, you can take the West Coast Trail Express shuttle bus to all of the trailheads.

More Info: Get details on this hike in my West Coast Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For info on reservations, trail fees, and National Park fees, see Pacific Rim National Park.

READ NEXT: West Coast Trail Hiking Guide

Keeha Beach

Duration: 2 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 7 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 45 m

Best Months: May to September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations, camping fees, and National Park entry fees required. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: Remote Keeha Beach is located in Pacific Rim National Park just north of the West Coast Trail. It’s a gorgeous sandy beach with incredible views. The trail to get there is really rough, however, with tons of mud and slippery tree roots.

The beach here is so pretty – it’s on my list of the best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Victoria, you can take the West Coast Trail Express shuttle bus to the town of Bamfield. From there, you can take a taxi to the trailhead or walk 2 km on Bamfield Road and South Bamfield Road.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For fees, and reservations, see Pacific Rim National Park.

Della Falls

Duration: 2 to 5 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 32 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 540 m

Best Months: Mid-May to September

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping is free and all campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: Della Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Canada with a total height of 440 m. The trail heads up a picturesque river valley to the base of the falls. From there, you can take a side trail up to Love Lake for an even better view.

This trip is one of my favourites – it’s on my lists of the best backpacking trips in BC, and best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Nanaimo, take the Tofino Bus to Port Alberni. From there you can take a taxi for 20 minutes to the Great Central Lake Marina to catch the Della Falls water taxi to the trailhead.

More Info: Get all the details in my Della Falls Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. Join the Della Falls Facebook group to get the latest trail conditions.

READ NEXT: Della Falls Trail Hiking Guide (Vancouver Island Backpacking)

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Wild Side Trail

Duration: 2 days

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 22 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 30 m

Best Months: May to October

Fees and Reservations: Trail fees charged. All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: This is one of my favourite trails on Vancouver Island. Almost the entire trail is on beautiful sandy beaches. The campsite at Cow Bay has a spectacular view. The Wild Side Trail is an easy hike so it’s great for kids or beginners.

I’ve done this hike twice and it’s on my lists of the best backpacking trips in BC, best easy backpacking trips in BC, and best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Nanaimo, take the Tofino Bus to Tofino, then catch a water taxi to the town of Ahousaht. The trail starts at the fuel dock in Ahousaht.

More Info: Get details on this hike in my Wild Side Trail guide and in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.. For info on trail fees and camping fees, see the Wild Side Trail website.

READ NEXT: Wild Side Trail: Hiking and Camping Guide

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Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips

• 25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
• Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Forbidden Plateau Loop

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 8.3 to 15. 4 km loop

Elevation Gain: 190 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees charged. All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: The easy trails starting at Paradise Meadows in Strathcona Provincial Park are a great option for a laidback backpacking trip. With two campgrounds (Lake Helen Mackenzie and Kwai Lake) you can choose to make a shorter or longer loop. There are also several great day hikes from the campgrounds.

I’ve hiked here four times since it’s so nice and it’s on my list of the best backpacking trips in BC and best easy backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Nanaimo, take the Island Link bus to Courtenay/Comox. From there, take an Ambassador Transportation shuttle to the trailhead at the top of Mount Washington.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.

Circlet Lake and Mount Albert Edward

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 31 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 980 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees charged. All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: Mount Albert Edward is one of the highest mountains on Vancouver Island and one of the few you can summit without mountaineering gear. The trip up the mountain begins with a hike through the Paradise Meadows area of Strathcona Provincial Park. Stay overnight at tiny Circlet Lake and day hike to the peak from there.

I’ve hiked here twice – it’s on my list of the best backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Nanaimo, take the Island Link bus to Courtenay/Comox. From there, take an Ambassador Transportation shuttle to the trailhead at the top of Mount Washington.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

North Coast Trail

Duration: 5 to 6 days

Difficulty: Very challenging

Distance: 43 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 245 m

Best Months: mid-April to October

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees charged between May and September. (Otherwise, it is free.) All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: I’ve hiked a lot of coastal trails and I think the North Coast Trail is the toughest. The trail is muddy, rooty, and sometimes near vertical as it ascends coastal cliffs. But the beaches and old-growth forests are spectacular.

I’ve hiked this trail twice – it’s on my lists of the best backpacking trips in BC, and best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Nanaimo, take the Island Link Bus to Port Hardy. From there you can take Cape Scott Water Taxi to the eastern trailhead. To get back from the trail, take the North Coast Trail Shuttle bus (operated by Cape Scott Water Taxi) from the Cape Scott trailhead to Port Hardy.

More Info: Get details on this hike in my North Coast Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. Join the Cape Scott Park Facebook group for the latest trail conditions.

READ NEXT: North Coast Trail: Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Cape Scott

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 41.5 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 100 m

Best Months: Year-round

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees charged between May and September. (Otherwise, it is free.) All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: I love the hike to Cape Scott – I’ve done it 4 times. The trail heads through the wet and muddy rainforest before emerging on the coast. You can camp at several different sandy beaches. The highlight is the day hike to the lighthouse at Cape Scott, the northernmost point on Vancouver Island.

This is my favourite hike on Vancouver Island – it’s on my lists of the best backpacking trips in BC, and best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Nanaimo, take the Island Link bus to Port Hardy. From there you can take the North Coast Trail Shuttle bus (operated by Cape Scott Water Taxi) to the trailhead.

More Info: Get details on this hike in my Cape Scott Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. Join the Cape Scott Park Facebook group the latest trail conditions. For camping fees, see Cape Scott Provincial Park.

READ NEXT: Cape Scott Trail Guide: Hiking and Camping on Northern Vancouver Island

San Josef Bay

Duration: 2 days

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 5 km return

Elevation Gain: 45 m

Best Months: Year-round

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees charged between May and September. (Otherwise, it is free.) All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: The flat trail to San Josef is so easy that you can pull a wagon on it – and many people do. The beautiful sandy beach is a great place to camp. Be sure to allow extra time to explore the sea stacks at low tide. It takes a long time to get here, but this is a great beginner backpacking trip in BC without a car.

I’ve hiked to this beautiful beach twice – it’s on my lists of the best spring backpacking trips in BC and best easy backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Nanaimo, take the Island Link bus to Port Hardy. From there you can take the North Coast Trail Shuttle bus (operated by Cape Scott Water Taxi) to the trailhead.

More Info: Get details on this hike in my Cape Scott Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. Join the Cape Scott Park Facebook group the latest trail conditions. For camping fees, see Cape Scott Provincial Park.

Get My Book…

Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips

• 25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
• Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Backpacking Trips in Eastern BC and the Rocky Mountains Without a Car

Heads up: Some of the trips in this section are technically in Alberta, but they are so close to the BC border that it seemed silly not to include them.

Okanagan High Rim Trail

Duration: 3 to 4 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 59 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 800 m

Best Months: May to October

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping is free and all campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: This trail makes a traverse through the mountains above the Okanagan Valley between Vernon and Kelowna. It’s a newer route that is gaining in popularity thanks to the many little lakes and great views. Easy access makes it one of the best backpacking trips in BC without a car.

This trip made it onto my lists of the best backpacking trips in BC, and best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: Take Ebus to Vernon from Kelowna or Vancouver. From there, you can take a taxi for 15 minutes to the northern trailhead. You can also take BC Transit bus 1 to the stop on Kalamalka Road at Bonavista Drive, then walk 2.8 to the trailhead. To finish the trail, take a taxi for 30 minutes back to Kelowna from Highway 33 at Philpott Road.

More Info: Get the details from the Okanagan High Rim Trail Association.

Okanagan Mountain Park

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

Distance: 22 to 40 km

Elevation Gain: 200 to 1100 m

Best Months: Mid-March to October

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping is free and all campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: There are tons of trail options in this huge park south of Kelowna. There are backcountry campgrounds near the peak of Okanagan Mountain at Divide Lake and Baker Lake. Or you can choose from several campgrounds on the shores of Okanagan Lake, accessed via the Wild Horse Canyon Trail. It’s also possible to combine the two to make a big loop.

This trip is also on my list of the best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: Take Ebus to Kelowna from Vancouver or Calgary or points along the way. From Kelowna, take a taxi for 25 minutes to the trailhead on Lakeshore Road.

More Info: See Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park.

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Skoki Loop

Duration: 3 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 33.5 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 1,295 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations, camping fees, and National Park admission required. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: This lollipop-shaped loop trip heads into the mountains east of Lake Louise in Banff National Park. The route weaves between tall peaks and picturesque alpine lakes.

Getting There Without a Car: Take the Rider Express bus to Lake Louise from Calgary, Kamloops, or Vancouver, then walk 3.5 km to the trailhead.

More Info: See my Skoki Loop trail guide.

Psst! This trail is on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.

Egypt Lake

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 24.6 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 1,135 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations, camping fees, and National Park admission required. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: This trail climbs up through Healy Pass to Egypt Lake in Banff National Park. From there you can day hike to several stunning lakes. You can make your trip into a loop by taking the Sunshine Village gondola back to the trailhead.

Getting There Without a Car: Take the Rider Express bus to Banff from Calgary or Vancouver. From there take the Sunshine Village Shuttle to the trailhead at the base of the gondola.

More Info: See my Egypt Lake backpacking guide.

READ NEXT: Egypt Lake in Banff Hiking and Backpacking Guide

Mount Assiniboine

Duration: 4 to 6 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 55 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 480 m

Best Months: Mid-July to September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and fees are required to camp in the park through BC Parks and to camp on the access trails through Banff National Park. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: The whole Mount Assiniboine area is stunning. There are several day hikes from the base camp at Lake Magog which lead to incredible viewpoints. There are two ways to hike to the core area – via Mount Shark trailhead in Kananaskis or via Sunshine Village near Banff. Only the Sunshine Village option is possible to backpacking without a car.

This trip is one of my favourites – it’s on my list of the best backpacking trips in BC. It’s also on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.

Getting There Without a Car: Take the Rider Express to Banff from Vancouver or Calgary. From there take the Sunshine Village Shuttle to the trailhead at the base of the gondola. Ride the gondola up to the top to the trailhead.

More Info: See my huge Mount Assiniboine hiking guide for more info. Make reservations on the Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. Join the Mount Assiniboine Facebook group. See Banff National Park for reservations for camping on the approach trails.

READ NEXT: Mount Assiniboine Hiking Guide

Lake Minnewanka Shoreline Trail

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 15.6 to 57.8 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 300 m

Best Months: May to October

Fees and Reservations: Reservations, camping fees, and National Park admission required. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: The easy trail along the shore of Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park is a great option for spring or fall since it is in the valley bottom. There are six backcountry campgrounds along the route. Don’t miss the day hike to Alymer Pass, which has a spectacular view.

Getting There Without a Car: Take the Rider Express to Banff from Calgary or Vancouver. From there take Roam Transit bus 6 to Lake Minnewanka.

More Info: See Banff National Park.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Saturday Night Lake Loop

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 24.6 km

Elevation Gain: 480 m

Best Months: May to October

Fees and Reservations: Reservations, camping fees, and National Park admission required. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: This easy trail starts right in the town of Jasper. The loop heads steadily but never steeply uphill, passing several lakes. There are two campgrounds along the trail both near picturesque lakes.

Getting There Without a Car: Take Sundog Tours bus from Edmonton or Ebus from Vancouver or Kamloops to Jasper. From there, walk 1.6 km to the trailhead.

More Info: See Jasper National Park.

Skyline Trail (Jasper National Park)

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 44.1 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 1330 m

Best Months: Mid-July to mid-September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations, camping fees, and National Park admission required. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: The Skyline Trail is one of the most popular backpacking trips in Jasper National Park. The trail is mostly above the treeline, so it has incredible views as it goes over mountain passes. Most people choose to hike from south to north since it has less elevation gain.

Getting There Without a Car: Take Sundog Tours bus from Edmonton to Jasper or Ebus from Vancouver or Kamloops to Jasper. Then take the Maligne Valley Hiker’s shuttle to the trailhead.

More Info: See my Skyline Trail hiking guide.

READ NEXT: Hike the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park

Berg Lake Trail

Heads up: The Berg Lake Trail suffered extensive damage due to flooding in late June and early July 2021. However, the full trail reopened in June 2025.

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 42 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 800 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations are required and camping fees are charged. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: Berg Lake is one of my favourite trails in the Rockies and a great place to go backpacking in BC without a car. It follows the Robson River uphill to the Berg Lake, named for the glaciers that send icebergs into the lake. Allow extra time for day hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

This trip is one of my favourites – it’s on my list of the best backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: Take Ebus from Edmonton, Vancouver or Kamloops to the Mount Robson Visitor Centre. Then walk 2.2 km to the trailhead.

More Info: Get details on this hike in my Berg Lake Trail guide. For reservation info, see Mount Robson Provincial Park.

READ NEXT: Berg Lake Trail Hiking Guide

Get My Books

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover BC’s best backpacking trips

• 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
• 35 backpacking trips and day hikes on Vancouver Island
• Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos

Get the books

Final Thoughts

With over 35 car-free backpacking trips in BC on this list, I’m sure you’ll find one that works for you. Do you have other suggestions for places to go backpacking in BC without a car? Leave them in the comments.

MORE BC BACKPACKING TRIP LISTS:

• 31 Best Backpacking Trips in BC
• 11 Best Backpacking Trips in the Canadian Rockies
• 24 Easy Backpacking Trips In BC For Beginners
• 25 Spring Backpacking Trips in British Columbia

BC BACKPACKING RESOURCES:

• How to Make Backcountry Camping Reservations in BC
• 2023 BC Backpacking Reservation Dates You Need to Know
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Thankfully, Western Canada has some great hot springs. In fact, all of the hot springs in Canada are in British Columbia, Alberta, and Yukon Territory. Sorry Eastern Canada – we win this one 🙂

In this guide, I’ve got info and directions for the best hot springs in Canada. These hot springs are all easy to access by car, although some require a short hike or an easy to arrange boat tour.

Note: There are dozens of other hot springs in Canada, but they require hours of bushwhacking or they are really more warm springs, than hot, so I left them off this list.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

Hot Springs Etiquette

Hot springs exist in unique and fragile ecosystems. If you visit an undeveloped hot spring, tread lightly to minimize your impact. Some hot springs in British Columbia have gotten overrun with trash or closed due to human-bear conflicts. Learn about Leave No Trace to protect our hot springs.

Here are some basic tips for hot springs etiquette:

• Pack out all trash with you. Avoid bringing glass bottles to hot springs.
• Use washrooms or outhouses. Every hot spring on this list has a toilet nearby. Please use them to prevent the spread of disease, which can get into the hot springs.
• Do not use soap or shampoo in the hot springs. It pollutes the pools, kills plants and fish, and creates gross algae blooms.
• Keep your dog out of the water. Dogs carry diseases like leptospirosis that thrive in warm water.
• Be considerate of other users. Many people come to hot springs to relax, not to party.
• Bring a water bottle and drink lots of water. Otherwise, you can get dehydrated or overheated easily.
• Bring some flipflops or sandals to wear around the pools. Undeveloped springs often have sharp or uneven rocks. At commercial springs, sandals are nice to have for sanitary reasons.
• At natural springs, be prepared to see some nudity. It’s often not officially permitted, but it’s still very common, especially at night. But please keep things PG if you visit the hot springs with a partner!
• If you plan to travel on backroads or hike to hot springs, leave a trip plan with a friend and carry the 10 Essentials.

Hot Springs Resources

By far the best book about Canada’s hot springs is Hot Springs of Western Canada. I used an earlier edition of this book for years and recently picked up the 4th edition. It has tons of info on every hot spring, including tons of really obscure ones that are hard to reach.

If you plan to visit any of the undeveloped hot springs in Canada, you’ll have to drive on some remote logging roads. These roads have lots of confusing junctions, which makes navigation difficult. And there’s usually no cell service out there. I always bring a copy of the Backroad map book to prevent getting lost.

I’ve also made a custom hot springs Google map for you. It includes the location of every single Canadian hot spring I mention in this post. Click the map to navigate around. As you can see, most of the hot springs on the map are in British Columbia, or very close to it.

Hot Springs in the Vancouver Area

There are several hot springs near Vancouver and in the Sea to Sky corridor near Whistler.

Harrison Hot Springs

Harrison Hot Springs is a small resort community in the Fraser Valley just east of Vancouver. The springs bubble up along the lakeshore, then are piped into a series of pools at the Harrison Hotsprings Resort as well to a public community pool.

The Harrison Hot Springs Resort is a hotel with a spa. They have two indoor pools and three outdoor pools of varying temperatures. The whole thing has a resort/spa atmosphere with rock features and deck chairs. It’s a family-friendly place, but there is an adults-only pool if you don’t want to share space with splashing kids.

You must book a room at the hotel to access the pools. Unfortunately, there are is no day-use access. I’ve never soaked here, but my husband did a charity bike ride that included access to the hot springs. He said it was amazing after riding over 100km!

You can soak in the exact same water in a less luxurious setting at the Harrison Hot Springs Public Pool. It’s basically an indoor community centre-style pool that happens to be naturally hot.

How to get to Harrison Hot Springs: From Vancouver take Highway 1 east. Then take Highway 9 to Harrison Hot Springs. Once you are in town it’s easy to find both the resort and the public hot springs pool. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Public Pool Cost: Prices are not posted online anywhere, but the last info I have says it is $15 for adults.

Resort Cost: Rooms start at $179/night and include access to the hot springs.

Where to Stay: Harrison Hot Springs Resort

Keyhole Hot Springs (Lilwatatkwa7)

Note: Keyhole Hot Springs has been closed since November 2023 due to slope destabilization from a a wildfire and have no re-opening date. The springs are usually closed between April 1st and November 15th each year due to bears.

The picturesque Keyhole Hot Springs were seldom visited until a few years ago when they got REALLY popular thanks to social media. Part of their popularity is that these hot springs are not too far from Vancouver and Whistler. They are located west of Pemberton on gravel logging roads.

A 2-kilometre long trail leads down from the road to the banks of Pebble Creek. (The hot springs are also sometimes called Pebble Creek Hot Springs.) There are a few small pools wedged against the steep bank. Each holds one or two people. The lower pools can sometimes be flooded by the river.

There is an outhouse at the parking lot and a campground on the trail to the pools. Unfortunately with increased use and some very careless campers, the area started to attract black bears and grizzly bears. After a few scary incidents, the entire area is now closed from April 1st to November 15th each year.

Getting to Keyhole Hot Springs:  Since the hot springs are located on a remote backroad that isn’t plowed, you need a 4wd and winter driving experience or a snowmobile to get to the hot springs during the months they are open.

From Pemberton, drive Pemberton Meadows Road for 23.5km, and then turn right on Lillooet Forest Service Road. Stay on this road for 20km then watch for the sign for the hot springs on the right-hand side.

Cost: Free

Where to Stay: You can walk into the unofficial campsites near the springs, but be prepared for winter camping conditions. Alternatively, book a hotel in Pemberton.

Tsek Hot Springs

Note: As of December 2024, Tsek Hot Springs remains closed. The St’át’imc First Nation have chosen not to reopen the springs following the pandemic.

The Tsek Hot Springs are located on a remote (but accessible) forest service road east of Pemberton, BC. They are also known as Skookumchuck Hot Spring or St. Agnes Well. In the last decade, these hot springs have reverted to their traditional name, Tsek, pronounced “chick”. It means water droplet or dripping water.  

Tsek Hot Springs have been run by the St’át’imc First Nation for the last decade or so. The waters of the springs are important to their culture and spirituality, so you need to be respectful if you visit. I haven’t visited these springs, but I hear they have a rustic feel.

Water from the hot spring is piped into 11 tubs. Four of them are hot water and the rest are hot water with a cold water tap so you can adjust the temperature. There’s also a cold water tub with water from a nearby creek. There is a change house and outhouses.

How to get to Tsek Hot Springs: From Pemberton, go north on Highway 99 through Pemberton and Mount Currie. Shortly after the Lillooet Lake Bridge, go right onto In-SHUCK-ch Forest Service Road. This is a gravel road, but it is in good shape and is fine for all vehicles. Follow this road for 47km along the shores of Lillooet Lake and the Lillooet River. The drive will take about 1.75 hours. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Cost: Adults: $7.50; Seniors and Youth: $5; Children 15 and under: free

Where to Stay: Camp at the springs or stay in nearby Pemberton.

Sloquet Hot Springs

Sloquet Hot Springs are just down the road from Tsek. It can be a bit of a party spot with drunken campers and loud music. (I had a pretty sleepless night there about 15 years ago.)

However, for the last decade, the local Xa’xtsa First Nation has managed the site on behalf of Sites and Trails BC. I’ve heard it has calmed down a bit now that there is an on-site caretaker. It’s still really busy on long weekends though.

To reach the springs, you’ll have to take a short but steep trail down to the banks of the Sloquet River. The hot springs bubble down over a hot waterfall into a small, shallow pool that is too hot for most people. From there, the water trickles into a series of natural rock pools towards the river, getting cooler as it goes downhill. It’s a pretty gorgeous setting.

There’s no change house here, so get your suit on in your car. Outhouses are located up the hill in the campground.

How to get to Sloquet Hot Springs: From Pemberton, go north on Highway 99 through Pemberton and Mount Currie. Shortly after the Lillooet Lake Bridge, go right onto In-SHUCK-ch Forest Service Road. This is a gravel road, but it is in good shape and is fine for all vehicles.

Follow this road for 76km to a bridge over the Lillooet River, passing Tsek Hot Springs. Turn left onto Lillooet West Forest Service Road and drive for 4km. Next, turn right onto Sloquet Forest Service Road. Follow this road for about 8.5km to the hot springs. Note: In winter the Sloquet Road is not plowed and will be impassable.

Cost: $10

Where to Stay: Camp at the springs or stay in nearby Pemberton.

READ NEXT: 40 Cheap and Free Things To Do in Whistler

Hot Springs on Vancouver Island

There is only one hot spring on Vancouver Island: Hot Springs Cove near Tofino.

Hot Springs Cove

Hot Springs Cove is a unique hot spring is located in Maquinna Provincial Park in Clayoquot Sound on the west side of Vancouver Island. The nearest town is Tofino.

Hot water bubbles up through the bedrock into a large fissure in the rocks, before flowing into the ocean. There are a series of natural rock pools that descend all the way to the sea. At high tide, only a few of the pools are exposed. This hot spring has been on my bucket list for a LONG time, so I can’t wait to visit it.

The hot spring is at the end of a 1.5km long boardwalk trail. There is an outhouse and a change room near the springs. Apparently, the rocks can be slippery and you may need to do some clambering around to get into the pools. Bring water shoes or sandals to make it easier.

How to get to Hot Springs Cove: The only way to get to Hot Springs Cove is by boat or plane from Tofino. Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to arrange with several tour operators offering trips. The boat ride takes about 1.5 hours and the plane ride is about 20 minutes. Many of the boat rides can also be combined with whale watching tours.

Cost: There is a day-use fee of $3 to access the provincial park. Boat tours cost about $240/person for adults. Floatplanes start at about $375/person.

Where to Stay: Tofino has lots of hotels and rental condos.

Hot Springs in the Kootenays

There are tons of hot springs in the Kootenays, many of them in adorable small towns.

Canyon Hot Springs

Canyon Hot Springs are located right along Highway 1 so they make a good road trip pit stop. Unfortunately, I’ve never had time.

The hot springs bubble out of the mountain at a temperture of about 25C. They are piped to the nearby resort where they are heated slightly for better soaking. There are two pools. The family pool is 32C, while the soaking pool is 40C. The resort was built in the 1970s and looks to be showing its age a bit. The pools are only open between May and September.

How to get to Canyon Hot Springs: Canyon Hot Springs is located on Highway 1 in between Mount Revelstoke National Park and Glacier National Park. It’s 33km east of Revelstoke and 116km west of Golden. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Cost: Adults: $16.50, Kids and Seniors: $14.25, Kids 4 and under: free

Where to Stay: Canyon Hot Springs Resort has cabins and camping on site. But you’ll find nicer accommodations in Revelstoke.

Halcyon Hot Springs

Halcyon Hot Springs is on Highway 23 in the West Kootenays. It sits just above the shore of Upper Arrow Lake. The pools at Halcyon Hot Springs are some of the nicest resort-style pools I’ve been to. (Although I have to admit I only stopped in for a look during a trip to Revelstoke and didn’t have time to actually soak.) Built in the early 2000s, the curved pools have an amazing view of the lake and the Monashee Mountains.

On the upper deck, there is a 42C hot pool, a 37C warm pool, and a cold plunge pool. There’s also a lower deck with a 30C warm pool and a children’s spray park. They also have a spa and a restaurant.

How to Get to Halcyon Hot Springs: The springs are located on highway 23 in between Revelstoke and Nakusp. From Revelstoke take Highway 23 south for 70km. The journey includes the free Arrow Lakes ferry, which runs every hour. From Nakusp, take Highway 23 north for 35km. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Cost: $15/person

Where to Stay: Halcyon Hot Springs Resort has cabins and camping on site. You can also stay in Revelstoke, which is about an hour away.

Halfway River Hot Springs

The hot springs at Halfway River are one of my favourite natural hot springs in Canada and one of the reasons I love going to Revelstoke. The springs are near Arrow Lake and Halcyon Hot Springs south of town.

There are several pools lined with river rocks near the rushing Halfway River. There are also a few pools on the edge of the river itself. Some of the pools are really hot, but most are about 42C. If you get too warm, go for a plunge in the river.

The 10-minute walk to the springs from the parking lot is one of my favourite hikes in Revelstoke. You head steeply downhill on switchbacks and stairs. There is an outhouse near the bottom of the stairs and a changing hut right next to the main pools. 

How to Get to Halfway River Hot Springs: These hot springs are located on a gravel road off Highway 23 in between Revelstoke and Nakusp. From the turnoff on Highway 23, it’s 11km of gravel road driving to the parking lot. The road is fine for 2wd vehicles as long as you go slow and avoid the potholes. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Cost: Free

Where to Stay: You can camp on-site either in a car-accessible campground or in walk-in sites that are just steps from the pools. If you prefer something less rustic, the cabins at Halcyon Hot Springs are the closest, or you can book a hotel in Nakusp or Revelstoke.

Nakusp Hot Springs

The Nakusp Hot Springs near the village of Nakusp have the distinction of being the only community-owned hot springs in BC. Unlike other commercially developed springs, these hot springs are the property of the village of Nakusp. There are two outdoor pools: a hot pool at 38-41C and a warm pool at 36-38C.  I’ve never visited this hot spring, but I hear it’s one of the least crowded developed hot springs in BC since it’s not near a major centre. 

How to Get to Nakusp Hot Springs: Nakusp is located on the eastern shore of Arrow Lake along Highway 23. From Nakusp, take Highway 23 north, then turn right onto Hot Springs Road. The springs are 12km up this road. The drive from town takes about 15 minutes. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Cost: Adults: $14; Seniors, Students, and Kids: $13, Kids 5 and under: free

Where to Stay: You can camp right at the springs, or stay in one of their rustic chalets. There are also hotels and motels in the town of Nakusp.

Ainsworth Hot Springs

If you’re visiting Nelson, you HAVE to visit nearby Ainsworth Hot Springs. I went for a soak in the springs right after a 3-day backpacking trip in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. So relaxing!

It is one of the most unique hot springs I’ve been to. It’s a commercial hot springs with an outdoor pool for soaking, but the interesting part is the caves!

Okay, so they aren’t true caves, but they are really cool. Early settlers dug tunnels into the rock to try to improve the flow of the springs. The tunnels form an “H” shape with two entrances. Inside the water is hotter than anywhere else at the springs and its REALLY steamy. In a few places, hot water cascades down the walls in mini-waterfalls. There are a couple of carved niches where you can sit and enjoy the sauna-like atmosphere. However, it’s way too hot for me to stay long.

The outdoor pool is 36-38C and the waters in the cave are 40-43C. There is also a cold water plunge pool if you need to cool off. They have a spa as well as a restaurant that serves food sourced from local ingredients and indigenous inspired dishes.

The springs are run by the local Ktunaxa First Nation. They have used the springs for cultural and spiritual purposes since time immemorial. The Ktunaxa name for the hot springs is Nupika wu’u which means “Spirit Waters”.

How to Get to Ainsworth Hot Springs: Ainsworth Hot Springs is located on Highway 31 along the shores of Kootenay Lake. From Nelson, take Highway 3A east, then Highway 31 north. The drive takes about 45 minutes. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Cost: Adults: $18, Seniors: $17, Teens: $15, Kids: $12, Babies 2 and under: Free. Note: You must make advance reservations to use the pools.

Where to Stay: You can book rooms on-site at the Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort. Otherwise, there are lots of hotels in Nelson.

Lussier Hot Springs

Lussier Hot Springs is a natural hot spring in Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park near Canal Flats in BC’s East Kootenays. It has beautiful rock-lined pools right next to Lussier Creek. I visited as part of a road trip through the Kootenays and it was one of the highlights of my trip.

The upper pool is the hottest at about 43C. There are also a couple of lower pools that are a bit cooler. When there is less flow in the creek, there are pools right next to the creek too.

To reach the pools you need to walk down a short, but steep trail from the parking lot. There are outhouses at the parking lot but no facilities down at the pools. There is no change house so change in the outhouse or get ready in your car.

How to Get to Lussier Hot Springs: The hot springs are on a gravel road accessed from Highway 93. From Canal Flats, head south on Highway 93 for 5km to the Whiteswan Lake Forest Service Road. It’s a gravel road but unless it is icy or snowy, it should be fine for all vehicles. Follow this road for 17.5km to the hot springs just inside the entrance to Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park. The drive from the highway takes about 20 minutes. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Cost: Free

Where to Stay: There are several campgrounds in Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park. There aren’t a lot of hotels in nearby Canal Flats, but there are some cute Airbnbs in the area.

Fairmont Hot Springs

Fairmont Hot Springs is a resort-style hot springs on Highway 93 in the East Kootenays. I haven’t visited these hot springs yet, but I’m sure I’ll visit on my next trip through the area. 

The resort has a hot pool for soaking (39C), a family-friendly swimming pool (32C) and a dive pool (30C) with two diving boards. There’s a spa and several restaurants. If you want to get fancy, you can also book a Miami-style poolside cabana for the day.

If you want to skip the commercialized springs and dip into history, you can take a short hike to the Indian Baths. This 100-year-old stone structure houses small bathtubs fed by the hot springs. It’s also totally free. Find the trailhead in the parking lot.

How to Get to Fairmont Hot Springs: The hot springs are in the village of Fairmont Hot Springs on Highway 93 in the East Kootenays. It’s 23km south of Invermere and 25km north of Canal Flats. From the highway, head east on Fairmont Resort Road for 1.5km to reach the parking lot. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Cost: $17 for adults, $15 for kids and seniors. Kids 5 and under are free.

Where to Stay: Stay on-site at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. They have an RV park and campground too.

Radium Hot Springs

Radium Hot Springs is located in a tight canyon next to Highway 93 at the southern end of Kootenay National Park. There has been a hot spring resort here for over 100 years. The current stone buildings date to the 1950s but underwent a huge renovation in 2023 and 2024.

There are two pools. The hot pool is about 39C. There is a unique island in the middle where the hot water bubbles out. The swimming pool is 27-29C and includes a diving board and slide. The water is the most radioactive in Canada since it contains radium. But the radioactivity is still very, very weak so it won’t harm people. (Don’t worry!)

Getting to Radium Hot Springs: The springs are on Highway 93 just 3 kilometres east of the junction with Highway 95. The village of Radium Hot Springs is right at the junction, but the springs themselves are not. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Cost: Adults: $17.50, Seniors and kids: $15.25, Babies under 3: free

Where to Stay: There are lots of hotels in the nearby village of Radium Hot Springs. Kootenay National Park’s Red Streak Campground is also nearby.

Hot Springs in the Canadian Rocky Mountains

Canada’s Rocky Mountain National Parks like Banff and Jasper are some of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. They also have hot springs.

Banff Upper Hot Springs

There Upper Hot Springs in Banff are the most famous hot springs in Alberta.

I first visited these hot springs during a September road trip over ten years. It started to snow so instead of hanging around the chilly campground, we went for an evening soak in the hot springs instead. Magical! Since then I’ve visited a few more times including a visit in November when it snowed again!

It’s a commercialized pool, but the stone buildings are quite beautiful since they were built in the 1930s. If you want to really get into the vintage vibe, you can rent a heritage swimsuit. The 39C outdoor pool has great views of the surrounding mountains. I loved it in the snow! There’s a cafe too.

How to get to Banff Upper Hot Springs: From downtown Banff take Banff Avenue over the Bow River Bridge. Turn left on Spray Avenue, then take the next right onto Mountain Avenue. Stay on Mountain Avenue until it ends at the Upper Hot Springs. You can also take the Roam bus route 1 since parking is limited. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Cost: Adults: $17.50, Seniors and kids: $15.25, Babies under 3: free

Where to Stay: There are lots of hotels in Banff. The nearest hotel is the Rimrock Resort Hotel which is a 2-minute walk away. My sister used to work there and it’s gorgeous. There are also several national park campgrounds nearby. To save money, consider staying in Canmore, which is a short drive away.

READ NEXT: 9 Beautiful Reasons to Visit Banff in the Fall and Best Things to Do in Banff in the Spring

Miette Hot Springs

Miette Hot Springs is off Highway 16 east of the town of Jasper in Jasper National Park. Besides Banff, it’s one of the only Alberta hot springs. I visited these springs on a chilly fall trip to Jasper. It was a great way to warm up on a cold day.

The spring is one of the hottest springs in the Rockies. It’s 54C at the source, but they cool it down to between 37C and 40C in the pools. There are two warm pools, plus two cold pools. 

The pools and buildings were built in the 1980s and aren’t as picturesque as the other national park hot springs. But the mountain scenery makes up for it. There’s also a cafe if you get hungry.

How to get to Miette Hot Springs: From the town of Jasper, head east on Highway 16 for 43km. Turn right onto Miette Road and drive 16.5km to its end at the hot springs. The drive takes about an hour. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Cost: Adults: $17.50, Seniors and kids: $15.25, Babies under 3: free

Where to Stay: There are lots of hotels in Jasper as well as National Park campgrounds. The closest accommodation to the hot springs are the Pocahontas Cabins and the National Park’s Pocahontas Campground is the closest to the hot springs.

Hot Springs in Northern BC

Northern BC sees a fraction of the tourist traffic that the rest of the province. Which means that you can visit some spectacular hot springs without worrying about crowds.

G̱andll K’in Gwaay.yaay (Hot Spring Island)

G̱andll K’in Gwaay.yaay (Hot Spring Island) is a small island in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve in BC’s Haida Gwaii (formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands). The Haida name for the springs is Gandll K’in Gwaay,yaay, which means “hot water island”.

Historically, there were numerous springs on the southwestern end of the island. But after an earthquake in 2012, the hot springs stopped flowing. Scientists still aren’t sure why. But slowly, the hot water has been returning to the area. In 2017 three new pools were built. There are changerooms and outhouses too.

I visited these springs as part of a four-day tour around Gwaii Hanaas National Park. The water in some of the pools is really hot! But the views are incredible.

How to Get to Hot Spring Island: The only way to get there is by boat, but there are lots of tour operators who will take you. You can also rent kayaks and go on your own if you get a permit from Parks Canada. Most boat trips leave from Moresby Camp on nearby Moresby Island.

Cost: Free, but you do need to pay National Park admission fees

Where to Stay: The closest hotels are in the village of Daajing Giis (Queen Charlotte). You can also camp at Moresby Camp.

Higu Isgwit (Nass Valley) Hot Springs

These hot springs are located in Nisga’a First Nation territory near Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Provincial Park. Since they are located in the Nass River Valley, they are also known as Nass Valley Hot Springs. In the Nisga’a language, they are called Hlgu Isgwit Hot Springs. This is a culturally and spiritually important site for the Nisga’a so be respectful if you visit. 

It’s a short 5-minute hike on a boardwalk across a marshy area to reach the springs. There’s a large pool with wooden decking and recently the area has been improved by adding a couple of wooden sided tubs. The springs are about 55C, which is too hot for most. Thankfully, there are pipes with cold water you can add to adjust the temperature. There’s an outhouse in the parking lot and a small change house next to the springs.

Visiting these Nisga’s Nation-run springs was one of the highlights of my two-day visit to the Nass Valley. We also hiked to a volcano, walked through lava, visited a great Indigenous museum, and lots more.

How to Get to Higu Isgwit Hot Springs: From Terrace, BC, drive north on the Nisga’a Highway for 96km. Turn left on Nass Road and follow it for 19km. Look for the signed parking area. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Cost: $8 for adults, $5 for children. You need to reserve a one-hour spot in advance by calling 250-633-3000.

Where to Stay: The closest major centre is the town of Terrace, which has lots of hotels. You can also camp in the provincial park or stay at a bed and breakfast in the nearby village of New Aiyansh or in Nisga’a-run B&Bs in the Nass Valley.

Liard River Hot Springs

Without a doubt, Liard River Hot Springs is the best hot springs I’ve ever visited. That includes visits to hot springs in Canada as well as ones in Iceland and Nepal. This beautiful hot spring is on the Alaska Highway in Northern BC. It’s actually closer to the Yukon border than to any town in British Columbia.

The hot springs are in a natural setting, but the provincial park has improved the pools to add a gravel bottom and some wooden decking. A small waterfall separates the upper pool from the lower pool, which is much more rustic and still has natural earthen sides. The upper pool is hotter, about 52C at the source, and the lower pool is cooler at about 42C. There is a change house next to the pools and composting toilets nearby.

To reach the pools you’ll walk for about 600m on boardwalk across a marsh. Keep an eye out for moose along the way. We spotted one every time we walked to the pools. The park is also an important habitat for bison and you may see them on the highway nearby or even in the campground.

How to Get to Liard River Hot Springs: From Fort Nelson, BC drive 305km north on Highway 97 (the Alaska Highway). The drive takes about 4 hours. From Watson Lake, Yukon Territory, drive 208km south on Highway 97. It’s a 3-hour drive. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Cost: $5 for adults, $3 for children

Where to Stay: Stay at the provincial park campground since it’s closest to the pools. Plus access to the hot springs is included in your camping fees. If you prefer a hotel, there’s a lodge on the other side of the highway.

Hot Springs in the Yukon

There is only one hot spring in the Yukon: Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs.

Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs

This hot spring used to be called Takini Hot Springs, which I visited on a trip to the Yukon back in 2015. The pool and facilities have been completely rebuilt and in 2022 they reopened as Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs.

The new facility is an upgrade over the old concrete pool. I haven’t visited yet but looks really beautiful. There are three pools with a Japanese design that integrates rocks into the pool for lounging and reclining. The largest pool even has a waterfall. The water temperature ranges from 42 to 36C. 

There are also indoor relaxation rooms with heated tile loungers, cold plunges, showers, saunas, and steam rooms.

How to get to Eclipse Hot Springs: From Whitehorse, drive Highway 1 west to the junction with Highway 2. Follow Highway 2 north for 6km. Turn left onto Takhini Hot Springs road and follow it for 9km to the springs. The entire trip takes about 30 minutes. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Cost: $60

Where to Stay: There’s a large campground and a hotel on-site, which is really convenient. Or you can book a hotel in Whitehorse.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it: 19 of the best hot springs in Canada. So far, I’ve visited ten of them.

My favourite commercial hot spring is Ainsworth Hot Springs. Liard River Hot Springs is my favourite natural hot springs. When it comes to free hot springs, for me, it’s a bit of a tie between Lussier and Halfway River Hot Springs. And G̱andll K’in Gwaay.yaay (Hot Spring Island) in Haida Gwaii is special since its so remote.

What’s your favourite? Tell me in the comments.

More Adventures in Canada:

• Best Small Towns in Canada for Outdoor Adventures
• 40 Cheap and Free Things To Do in Whistler
• 15 Things to do in Revelstoke in the Summer
• Sea to Sky Highway Road Trip Guide: Driving from Vancouver to Whistler
• 37 Things to do in Whistler in Winter
• The Ultimate Guide to the Pacific Marine Circle Route on Vancouver Island
• Chasing Waterfalls in Wells Gray Provincial Park
• 20+ Beautiful Weekend Getaways from Vancouver
• How to Take an Epic Canadian National Parks Road Trip
• The Best Canadian Adventure Books
• Cozy Cabins near Vancouver Perfect for a Weekend Getaway

The post How to Visit the Best Hot Springs in Canada appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

What we do have, however, is a pretty unique fall sight: the Frosty Mountain larches in Manning Park. These rare coniferous trees look like a regular pine tree until fall. And then… BOOM! They turn a gorgeous gold colour. Want to find out how you can hike to them? Read on!

This guide to hiking to Frosty Mountain in larch season includes:

• What are larch trees?
• What time of year do the larches change colour?
• What to pack
• Hike overview with stats including info for getting to the larches and to the summit
• Driving directions
• Hiking directions

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

What are larch trees? Why are they special?

The golden larches that grow near Frosty Mountain in Manning Provincial Park are more formally known as alpine larches. (Or larix lyallii if you’re into fancy latin names.) They are a VERY unique tree. Alpine larches are coniferous trees, just like a pine tree or a Christmas tree.

But, they are NOT evergreen: they actually change colour and shed their needles each fall the way a maple tree does. (Well a maple tree does it with leaves, not needles. But you get the picture.)

Alpine larches are also pretty bad ass. They live at high elevations with rocky soil and cold temperatures. The ones on Frosty Mountain live at about 2000m above sea level. The larches can live incredibly long – over 1000 years – which is surprising since they aren’t particularly large trees.

Alpine larches grow mostly in the Rocky Mountains and in the eastern parts of BC and Washington since they need a dry and cold climate. But Manning Park has a teeny tiny pocket of prime larch habitat. It’s high enough, dry enough, cold enough and rocky enough to support larch trees. And it’s waaaay up on the side of Frosty Mountain, so you have to hike up there to see them.

What time of year can you visit the Frosty Mountain larches?

The hike to Mount Frosty and the larch plateau is snow free from about mid June until early October. However, the best time to go is late September or early October when the larches change colour. If you go too late, the larches will already have dropped their needles and they’ll be all naked and sad. If you go too early they will still be green.

The trail is busy on weekends in prime larch season. Try to plan your trip for a weekday if possible.

You do not need a day pass, but if you want to camp at the backcountry campground, you need a reservation to camp between late July and late October (dates vary each year). You can make a reservation on the BC Parks website up to three months before your trip. See my guide to making backcountry camping reservation for tips.

What to pack to hike to the larches?

If you visit in fall, be prepared with cold weather gear. (Read my tips about what to wear for hiking in the winter). It can below zero at the larch plateau and on the summit of Frosty Mountain, even if it is sunny and warm in the parking lot.

City forecasts are useless in the mountains. Use an algorithmic weather forecast for Frosty Mountain using a app like Spotwx or Mountain Forecast. (Both are on my list of the best weather apps for hikers.)

You can’t see it in any of my pictures, but it did snow slightly the day I took these, and the wind was bitterly cold. I was glad for my warm jacket, hat and gloves.

It’s pretty common for it to snow when the larches are changing. The trail can be slippery and icy so it’s a good idea to bring microspikes.

I like the Kahtoola Microspikes. They are pointy enough to grip most moderate ice and the rubber straps stretch to fit both my trail runners and my bigger backpacking boots.

(Curious about what microspikes are? My guide to microspikes vs. crampons explains it all.)

Frosty Mountain Larches Hike Overview

Distance: 18km round trip to the larch plateau, 22km round trip if you go all the way to the peak of Mount Frosty)

Elevation gain: 800m to the larch plateau, 1150m to the peak of Mount Frosty

Time Needed: 7 hours round trip to the larch plateau, 9 hours round trip to the peak of Mount Frosty (You can also make it into an overnight trip by camping at the Frosty Creek campsite. See the description below for more info.)

Dogs: Permitted but dogs must be on a leash. The last time I hiked this trail on a busy fall day we ran into 2 different people who had lost their dog!

Note: This trip is also possible as a loop that will add a bit more time and distance to your trip. The trip described here is an out and back to the summit of Frosty Mountain via the larch meadow. For more info on the loop option, see the hiking section of the E.C. Manning Provincial Park website.

Frosty Mountain Larches Driving Directions

From Vancouver take highway 1 and highway 3 to the Manning Park Lodge. Turn right off the highway onto Gibson Pass Road. Follow Gibson Pass Road for about 3km to a fork. Take the left (lower) fork. Arrive at the Lightning Lake day use parking lot a few hundred meters after the fork.

Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Frosty Mountain Larches Hiking Directions

Starting the Hike

From the Lighting Lakes Parking lot head to the left/east side of the lake. Walk across a bridge and across an earthen dam.

At the other side of the lake, take the trail going uphill, marked Frosty Mountain. The trail ascends the slope in a long series of switchbacks for about 5km. The climb is steady but never exceptionally steep.

After the first few kilometers you’ll start to get some small peek-a-boo views through the trees of Lightning Lake and the surrounding mountains.

After the switchback section the trail levels off for a few kilometers and rambles through the forest. At about the 7km mark you will reach the Frosty Creek campsite.

This campsite has an outhouse, nine tent sites and a bear cache to store your food. It also has a rough dirt-floored emergency shelter. There is a small creek at the campground, but it may be totally dried up in the fall. You must make a reservation to camp here between late July and late October each year.

To the Larch Plateau

After passing the campsite, the trail climbs steeply for another kilometer or so. It is around this point that you will begin to see the first larch trees.

You’ll know you’ve arrived at the larch plateau when you spot an interpretive plaque about the larch trees. (There will also be big larch trees everywhere!). The trail rambles through the larches along the flattish plateau for about a kilometer before starting to climb again. If you don’t plan to climb Frosty Mountain, turn around here.

To the Summit

The trail gets rockier and starts to climb above the treeline at about the 9.5km mark. You’ll have to follow a worn path up a scree slope to attain a ridge. The rocks here can be a bit loose and slippery so if you are afraid of heights, you may want to skip a trip to the summit.

Once you get to the top of the ridge, you’ll see the sign that marks the junction with a trail that descends to the east to the Pacific Crest Trail. Stay on the ridge and follow it south towards the summit of Frosty Mountain. You have only half a kilometer to walk but it is slow going: the ridge is narrow and the trail is rocky.

Once you reach the summit you will be at an elevation of 2408m! You are on the east summit of Frosty Mountain. The true summit of Frosty Mountain is just to the west of you and about 20m higher. Either way, you are on the highest peak in Manning Provincial Park. The mountains to the south of you are in the USA, just 1 kilometer away. Make sure you take a look back down to the larch plateau.

After you’ve enjoyed the views on Frosty’s rocky summit, retrace your steps to your car. Make sure to leave time for more photos at the larch plateau on the way down.

Final Thoughts

I first heard about Frosty Mountain larches years ago, but I didn’t really know what to expect until I visited them myself. I couldn’t believe these hardy little trees could grow in such an inhospitable environment. And that they could grow so old!

The golden colours of the larch needles against the blue sky are so stunning. It’s simply something you have to experience for yourself. Have you hiked to the Frosty Mountain larches or to golden larches in other areas? Tell me about it in the comments.

READ NEXT:

• The Best Vancouver Hiking Books
• Most Instagrammed Hikes in Vancouver in 2021
• How to Hike the Big Cedar and Kennedy Falls Trail in Vancouver
• Alternatives to the Grouse Grind: Steep Workout Hikes Near Vancouver
• 35+ Vancouver Hikes You Can Get to on Transit

The post Frosty Mountain Larches Fall Hiking Guide appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

While this post is aimed at locations where you can go on an overnight hiking trip in spring, most of these trips make great fall backpacking trips in British Columbia too.

In BC, most mountain trails are snow-covered between late October and mid-June. However, there are lots of lower elevation trails that are snow-free between March and November. There are even a few on this list that you can backpack year-round.

This list of 25 spring backpacking trips in British Columbia includes:

• Destinations near Vancouver, on Vancouver Island, and in BC’s interior
• Trips ranging in difficulty from beginner to expert
• Hikes between 2 and 8 days long
• Trails that are usually snow-free by March, April, or May and stay snow-free until October or November
• Tips for spring backpacking trips in British Columbia
• Bonus: Spring backpacking suggestions for Washington State

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Map of Spring Backpacking Trips in British Columbia

Tips for Spring Backpacking in British Columbia

Backpacking in the spring has its own challenges. Here are a few things to watch out for:

Weather: In spring, the weather is colder and wetter than in summer. It’s also less predictable. Pack accordingly and be prepared to cancel your trip or switch to a different destination if the forecast looks bad. (Use these picks for the best weather apps for hiking.)

Trail Conditions: Many trails suffer blow-downs, wash-outs, and flooding over the winter. Often, parks staff and volunteers do trail maintenance in late May or June, which means trails can be in rough shape before then. (Here are my tips for how to check trail conditions.)

Mud: Wet and muddy trails are inevitable in spring. Come prepared with waterproof hiking boots and gaiters.

Creek crossings: Streams run high in the spring with a combo of snow-melt and rain. Bridges may be washed out and fords may be dangerous. Be prepared to turn back.

Bears: As they wake up from hibernation and tend to new cubs, bears are more active in spring, especially in valley-bottom and coastal locations where there are lots of things for them to eat at this time of year. Read more about bear safety for backpackers.

Seasonal closures: Some parks and trails are closed in the off-season, or may have temporary closures to due damaged infrastructure. Check park and trail websites before you go.

Trailhead access issues: In spring, logging roads that access trailheads may be muddy or washed out. If you’re heading to a trail that requires a water taxi or floatplane, fog and rough weather may delay or cancel your trip. Shuttle services between trailheads may not start operating until May.

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Spring Backpacking Trips in Southwestern British Columbia

Viewpoint Beach and Halfmoon Beach, Golden Ears Provincial Park

Heads up: Day passes are required at Golden Ears Provincial Park in summer. However, if you have a backcountry permit registration, you don’t need a day pass. Learn more in my guide to BC Parks day passes.

This easy hike in Golden Ears Provincial Park follows the banks of Gold Creek. There are trails on both the west and east sides of the creek, connected by a bridge, so loop trips are possible. You can camp at Viewpoint Beach or venture further upstream to Halfmoon Beach.

This is the closest place to Vancouver that you can take a spring backpacking trip in British Columbia and also made my list of the best easy backpacking trips in BC.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. For info on camping fees, see Golden Ears Provincial Park.

READ NEXT: How to Make Backcountry Camping Reservations in BC

Lindeman and Greendrop Lakes, Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park

It’s a short hike to picturesque Lindeman Lake where you can camp next to the tranquil turquoise waters. If you have more energy, carry on along the rougher trail to Greendrop Lake. Lindeman Lake is often snow-free in April, but Greendrop Lake holds snow into May.

Lindeman Lake is also one of my picks for beginner-friendly backpacking rips in BC.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. For info on camping fees, see S⨱ótsaqel / Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park.

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.

• 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
• Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

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Skagit River Trail, Skagit Valley Provincial Park

Note: Access to this trail was disrupted by the November 2021 storms. The river has changed course at the Sumallo Grove trailhead and the bridge is not accessible at times of high water. In late summer, it’s an easy ford. However, western trailhead on Silver-Skagit Road in Skagit Valley Provincial Park is open between mid-April and November, so you can access it from that direction.

This laid-back hike follows a historic fur-trade route along the banks of the Skagit River as it flows downstream. You can do an 8 km round trip hike from the Sumallo Grove Trailhead in Manning Provincial Park, camping at Delacy Camp. If you have two cars, you make a 14 km traverse from Sumallo Grove to Silver-Skagit Road.

The Skagit River Trail is one of the best easy backpacking trips in BC.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and the E.C. Manning & Skagit Valley Provincial Parks map from Clark Geomatics.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Tikwalus Heritage Trail, Fraser Canyon

This historical Indigenous and fur trade route leads steeply up from Highway 1 in the Fraser Canyon to several spectacular lookouts. Camp high on a bluff near several small lakes. The trail takes its name from a former Nlaka’pamux village near the trailhead.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

READ NEXT: How to Go Backpacking in BC Without Reservations

Lower Stein Valley, Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Provincial Park

Note: A large wildfire burned the lower Stein Valley trail in July and August 2023. As of early 2026, the trail is currently only open up to Earl’s Cabin camp 10.5 km from the trailhead.

The warm, dry climate in Lytton makes the Lower Stein Valley my favourite choice for spring backpacking trips in British Columbia – Over the years, I’ve been there six times in March, April, and May. The valley is a spiritual place for the local Nlaka’pamux First Nation.

The trail travels next to the Stein River passing Indigenous pictographs and culturally modified trees. Choose from five different campgrounds spaced out along the lower section of the trail. This is one fo the best places for beginner backpacking in BC.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and the Stein to Joffre Trail Map by Trail Ventures BC.

READ NEXT: How to Make Backcountry Camping Reservations in BC

Cheakamus Lake, Garibaldi Provincial Park

Heads up: Day passes are required at Cheakamus Lake in summer. However, if you have a backcountry camping reservation, you don’t need a day pass. Learn more in my guide to BC Parks day passes.

As the lowest elevation trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park, Cheakamus Lake is a good spring backpacking destination. The flat and easy trail leads through old-growth forest to the beautiful glacially-fed lake. Camp at the lake outlet or follow the trail along the shoreline to camp at Singing Creek.

This trail is my number one pick for easy backpacking near Vancouver.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and the Garibaldi Provincial Park Map by Clark Geomatics. For info on camping fees and reservations, see Garibaldi Provincial Park.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.

• 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
• Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Fairview Bay/Saltery Bay Loop, Sunshine Coast Trail

Portions of the Sunshine Coast Trail are snow-covered most of the year, but you can tackle this low elevation section starting at the southern terminus in Saltery Bay. Hike along the coast to Fairview Bay hut as an out-and-back trip, or take on the full loop, camping at either Fairview Bay Hut or Rainy Day Lake Hut.

The trip to Fairview Bay is on my list of the best easy bacpacking trips in BC.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Confederation Lake and Fiddlehead Landing, Sunshine Coast Trail

Here’s another low elevation section of the Sunshine Coast Trail (SCT) that is perfect for a spring backpacking trip. The trail starts at Inland Lake, then climbs steeply through thick old-growth forest to a hut on the shores of Confederation Lake. Follow the SCT downhill to Fiddlehead Landing on the shores of Powell Lake and another hut.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

Sarah Point to Powell River, Sunshine Coast Trail

This northern section of the Sunshine Coast Trail is an ideal spring backpacking destination. Arrange a water taxi or 4WD shuttle to the trailhead at Sarah Point or skip the first few kilometres by taking the shortcut trail to Wednesday Lake from Sarah Point Road. Finish your trip at the Shinglemill Pub in Powell River. Along the way, walk along bluffs speckled with arbutus trees, through old-growth forest, and past small lakes.

More Info: Read my trip report from my March backpacking trip on the northern section of the Sunshine Coast Trail. Part of this section is also featured in my book Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

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Spring Backpacking Trips on Vancouver Island

Narvaez Bay, Saturna Island

This oceanfront campground is located on the southeastern side of Saturna Island in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. It’s an easy hike in from the trailhead and the trail is also open to bikes. FYI: There is no potable water here so you’ll have to pack in your own. It’s also on my list of the best easy backpacking trips in BC.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. See Gulf Islands National Park Reserve for camping reservations.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

READ NEXT: BC Backpacking Reservation Dates You Need to Know

Juan de Fuca Trail, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park

Note: The Juan de Fuca Trail is closed in summer 2025 due to significant storm damage. It is not possible to hike the entire trail, but you can visit and camp at Mystic Beach and East Sombrio Beach. The full trail is expected to re-open in late May, 2026.

The rugged Juan de Fuca Trail runs along the coast from near Jordan River to Port Renfrew. It’s a little shorter than the West Coast Trail, its famous neighbour to the north, but it’s just as rugged and has more hills. This trail crosses lots of steep gullies, so it is prone to washouts in the spring, fall, and winter months.

More Info: Read my Juan de Fuca Trail guide for full details. Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For camping fees, see Juan de Fuca Provincial Park.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

READ NEXT: Juan De Fuca Trail Guide: Backpacking on Vancouver Island

West Coast Trail, Pacific Rim National Park

Note: The West Coast Trail is open from May 1 to September 30 each year. The National Park officially closes the trail from October to the end of April.

The West Coast Trail is Canada’s most famous multi-day hike. Since it opens in May, it also makes a great spring backpacking trip. The 75-kilometre-long trail follows the wild shoreline with the help of bridges, ladders, and cable cars. Each night you will camp on a wilderness beach.

More Info: Get details on this hike in my West Coast Trail guide. Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For info on reservations, trail fees, and National Park fees, see Pacific Rim National Park.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

READ NEXT: Your Guide to the West Coast Trail in British Columbia

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Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips

• 25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
• Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Keeha Beach, Pacific Rim National Park

Note: Keeha Beach is open from May 1 to early October each year. The National Park officially closes the trail from early October to the end of April.

This sandy beach is located just north of the West Coast Trail. It’s a short hike to get there, but allow plenty of time as the trail is very rough with lots of slippery roots and tons of mud. (The mud is pretty epic – comparable to the North Coast Trail.) You can also day hike to the nearby Cape Beale Lighthouse.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For trail fees, and reservations, see Pacific Rim National Park.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Della Falls Trail

At 440-metres-tall, Della Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Canada. To get there, you first have to canoe, motor boat, or water taxi across Great Central Lake. Then hike up through a river valley to the base of the falls. Don’t miss a side trip on the Love Lake trail for incredible views of the falls.

The water taxi starts running on May 15 each year when the falls are in full flow. However, snow can linger in May and early June in the upper valley and on the Love Lake Trail, so go prepared.

More Info: Get all the details in my Della Falls Trail guide and join the Della Falls Facebook group. Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

READ NEXT: Della Falls Trail Hiking Guide

Wild Side Trail, Flores Island

Note: The Wild Side Trail is open from May to October each year. The Ahousaht Nation officially closes the trail from November to April.

The Wild Side Trail has one of the best effort to reward ratios of any of Vancouver Island’s coastal trails. It’s one of my favourite spring backpacking trips in British Columbia – I’ve done it twice in May! This trail is also one of my picks for the best beginner backpacking trips in BC.

It’s an easy walk along beaches and through the forest to a gorgeous campsite at Cow Bay. There are also two other campsites along the way. The hike is located in Ahousaht First Nation territory on Flores Island near Tofino, so you’ll need to arrange a water taxi.

More Info: Get details on this hike in my Wild Side Trail guide. Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For info on trail fees and camping fees, see the Wild Side Trail website.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

READ NEXT: Wild Side Trail: Hiking and Camping Guide

Hesquiat Peninsula Trail, West Coast Vancouver Island

If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure, take a water taxi or floatplane to the remote Hesquiat Peninsula on the west coast of Vancouver Island. This informal trail follows the rugged coastline as it bucks and dips across rocky headlands, through surge channels, and along beaches. There are no facilities or formal campsites.

More info: See Hiking the West Coast of Vancouver Island by Tim Leadem, and Hesquiat Peninsula Provincial Park.

Get My Book…

Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips

• 25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
• Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Nootka Trail, West Coast Vancouver Island

The Nootka Trail is my favourite coastal hike in BC. It’s located on Nootka Island off the west coast of Vancouver Island, so you need to take a water taxi or floatplane to get there. What makes this trail special is that it is almost entirely on the beach. There are no formal facilities or campsites.

More info: See my Nootka Trail trip report. Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For info on fees, see Yuqot.ca, the Mowachaht-Muchalaht First Nation website.

READ NEXT: Sunshine on the Edge of the World: Nootka Trail Trip Report

Tatchu Peninsula Trail, West Coast Vancouver Island

The Tatchu Peninsula is a wilderness hike on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The hike traces a route down the west side of the peninsula, linking numerous beaches with short overland trails. There are no formal facilities or campsites. You can do the easier (and more scenic) northern section as an out-and-back or complete a very challenging traverse.

More info: See my Tatchu Trail guide, Rugged Point Provincial Park. Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.

Raft Cove, Raft Cove Provincial Park

Raft Cove is a remote beach on the north end of Vancouver Island, reached by a maze of logging roads from the tiny town of Holberg. It’s a short walk into the beach, but the rough and muddy trail makes it seem longer. Camp on the sandy beach and watch surfers work the waves just offshore.

This is one of my picks for the best easy backpacking trips in BC.

More info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. See Raft Cove Provincial Park for info and camping fees.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

San Josef Bay, Cape Scott Provincial Park

This is the easiest trail in Cape Scott Provincial Park, but it still has spectacular scenery. The trail winds through the coastal forest and ends at a beautiful beach. At low tide, you can explore incredible sea stacks. There are two beaches to camp on separated by a headland that is impassable at high tide.

The flat trail makes it one of the best easy backpacking trips in BC.

More info: For more info, see my Cape Scott guide, the North Coast Trail Map by John Baldwin, and the North Coast Trail Waterproof Map by Wild Coast. Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For camping fees, see Cape Scott Provincial Park.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

READ NEXT: Cape Scott Trail Guide: Hiking and Camping on Northern Vancouver Island

Get My Book…

Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips

• 25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
• Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Cape Scott Trail, Cape Scott Provincial Park

While the north end of Vancouver Island gets a lot of rain, the Cape Scott Trail can be a great spring backpacking destination if you get a window of good weather. It’s a long hike through bog and coastal forest on old settler trails to the campsite at Nel’s Bight. From there, you can day hike to Cape Scott, the northernmost point on Vancouver Island.

More Info: Get details on this hike in my Cape Scott Trail guide, the North Coast Trail Map by John Baldwin, and the North Coast Trail Waterproof Map by Wild Coast. Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For camping fees, see Cape Scott Provincial Park.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

READ NEXT: Cape Scott Trail Guide: Hiking and Camping on Northern Vancouver Island

North Coast Trail, Cape Scott Provincial Park

The tough North Coast Trail traverses the northern end of Vancouver Island. It starts with a water taxi drop-off in Shushartie Bay and ends when it intersects the Cape Scott Trail at Nissen Bight. In between, there is lots of muddy and rough trail through coastal bog and old-growth forest, and a few gorgeous beaches.

More Info: Get details on this hike in my North Coast Trail guide. Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For camping fees, see Cape Scott Provincial Park.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

READ NEXT: North Coast Trail Guide: Backpacking on Vancouver Island

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Sign up to receive a bi-monthly newsletter from Taryn at Dawn Outdoors stuffed with the latest on backpacking in BC including:

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• seasonal trip recommendations,
  
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• backpacking news,
• and lots more!

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