I’ve lived in the Vancouver area my whole life and have been hiking here since I was a child. These days I’m a hiking guidebook author and a full-time outdoor writer so I know lots about Vancouver’s trails. I’m also a four-season and all-weather hiker so I get out on the trails regularly in the winter.

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

8 Best Snow-Free Hikes in Vancouver

This post has dozens of options for Vancouver area hikes that are snow-free all year. Many of the hikes are short and easy nature walks, but there are a few gems.

Here are my picks for the 8 best snow-free hikes in Vancouver:

• Lynn Loop/Cedar Mills Trail
• Whyte Lake
• Lighthouse Park
• Jug Island
• Buntzen Lake
• East and West Canyon Loop
• Steelhead Falls
• Mount Crumpit

Vancouver Winter Hiking Safety Tips

Winter hiking requires more preparation than summer hiking: the weather is cold, the trails are often in poor condition and there are less people on the trails to help you if you get into trouble.

• Make sure you leave a trip plan with a friend or family member before you go.
• Always bring the 10 essentials and check out my tips for winter hiking to make sure you keep warm and stay safe.
• Check the weather before you go and bring appropriate clothing and gear. Use my picks for the Best Weather Apps for Hiking.
• Some of these trails might get a dusting of snow a few times of year (especially if it snows down at sea level), but none of them will get enough snow to require snowshoes. They can still be icy though, so microspikes are a good idea. (Read my guide to the difference between microspikes and snowshoes.) Check trail conditions ahead of time so you know what to expect. 

Snow-Free Hikes in Vancouver

Stanley Park

Stanley Park is an urban park that has a beautiful forested interior with one of the best short and easy hikes in Vancouver. I recommend using the park map to plan a route. My personal highlights include Beaver Lake, the Siwash Rock Trail, and the big trees along Tatlow Walk.

Distance: 1 to 15 km

Time: 30 minutes to 4 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Pacific Spirit Park

Pacific Spirit Park is a great patch of wilderness almost right in the city with tons of trail options. I used to trail run here a lot when I lived closer. My favourite trails are Lily of the Valley and Sword Fern because they feel a bit more wild than the multi-use trails.

Distance: 1 to 20 km

Time: 30 minutes to 6 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Point Grey Foreshore Trail

This beautiful walk goes along the coast past several out-of-the-way beaches in Pacific Spirit Regional Park. You’ll need a low tide to complete this trail. Check the tide table before you go.

Note: This trail passes through Wreck Beach, a nudist beach. While there are far fewer nude sunbathers in the winter than the summer, be prepared to see naked people any day of the year.

Distance: Up to 12 km round-trip

Time: 3 to 4 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Snow-Free Hikes in North Vancouver

Quarry Rock

A short forest walk to a beautiful viewpoint on Quarry Rock over Deep Cove. This is a great hike to do in the winter. In the summer the trail is REALLY busy since Quarry Rock is pretty Instagram-famous.

Distance: 4 km round-trip

Time: 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Rice Lake

The easy walk around tiny Rice Lake in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve is popular with families and fishers. I love it on a calm day since you get great reflections in the lake’s surface. Keep your eye out for side trails that take you to hidden viewpoints along the shoreline.

Distance: 3 km loop

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Fisherman’s Trail

The Fisherman’s Trail is easy walk on a gravel trail along the banks of the Seymour River. Start the hike from the Rice Lake parking lot. Watch for the hidden tunnel part way along.

Distance: 16 km round-trip

Time: 3 to 4 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Homestead/Twin Bridges Loop

The Homestead/Twin Bridges Loop is a short hike to the Seymour River from the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve parking lot near Rice Lake. Start downhill on the Twin Bridges Trail to the river and a suspension bridge, then turn left to follow Fisherman’s Trail upstream. Head back uphill to the parking lot on the Homestead Trail.

Distance: 4.7 km

Time: 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Seymour and Lynn Canyons

The hike around the best parts of the Seymour and Lynn Canyons is one of my favourite winter hikes. It’s low enough to avoid snow but it has lots of waterfalls, bridges, rainforest, and canyon viewpoints. You can start from a few different places, but it’s easiest to get parking at the Rice Lake Parking Lot.

Distance: 8 km loop

Time: 2.5 to 3 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Baden Powell Trail from Deep Cove To Lynn Valley

The Baden Powell Trail stretches across the width of the North Shore. In the winter, I think the section between Deep Cove and Lynn Valley makes a great hike. You can do it as an out-and-back or use the bus or an Uber to do it one way. Or extend it all the way to the base of Grouse Mountain (see below).

Distance: 12 km round-trip

Time: 4 to 5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Baden Powell from Lynn Valley to Grouse Mountain

I think the section of the Baden Powell between Deep Cove and Lynn Valley is a little nicer than the one between Lynn Valley and the base of Grouse Mountain. But it’s still worth doing if you want a snow-free winter hike in Vancouver.

The trail stays in the trees and has tons of small ups and downs. It also crosses countless mountain bike trails – watch for signs and use an app like AllTrails or Gaia GPS to stay on track. You can do it as an out-and back from either end. Or take the bus, a taxi, or an Uber to do it as a one-way.

Distance: 15.1 km round-trip

Time: 6 hours

Difficulty: Challenging

Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and Twin Falls

The hike to Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and Twin Falls is a tourist hot-spot in the summer (it’s one o the best easy hikes in Vancouver), but in the winter it’s much less crowded and usually snow-free. This short loop includes the suspension bridge, Twin Falls and Twin Falls bridge, and 30 foot pool – all the highlights in the area.

Distance: 2.3 km loop

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Lynn Loop

This short Lynn Loop in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park is usually snow-free in the winter. It heads through the forest and the loops back along Lynn Creek. You can also extend the hike along the Headwaters Trail towards Norvan Falls, but you will likely encounter snow as you head upstream.

Distance: 5.5 km

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Snow-Free Hikes in West Vancouver

Capilano Canyon Trails

The Capilano Canyon Trails are fun to explore in the winter since they don’t get snow. The huge network of trails leads to views from the top of the Cleveland Dam, bridges over the Capilano River, views of the canyon, and lots of rainforest.

Distance: 6 km (but you can add on more trails)

Time: 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Mountain Path and Cypress Trestle Bridge

The Mountain Path and Cypress Trestle Bridge trail is a new trail on the lower slopes of Cypress Mountain. It starts at Cypress Village, which is a great viewpoint and has a coffee shop and pizza truck. (It’s actually a real estate sales office, but it’s worth a visit for the views.) From there, it heads uphill through the forest to a beautiful trestle bridge with great views of Vancouver.

Distance: 6.5 km round-trip

Time: 2 to 2.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Cypress Falls

The short hike to Cypress Falls is perfect in the winter since the waterfalls really get flowing when it rains. But stay back from the edge – there have been accidents here! The trail heads uphill through the canyon to visit several waterfall viewpoints.

Distance: 3 km round-trip

Time: 1 to 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Whyte Lake

I’ve done the hike to Whyte Lake at least a dozen times. It’s beautiful in all seasons and it doesn’t have snow in the winter. It’s an easy hike uphill through the forest next to a beautiful little canyon. It ends at a picturesque lake that often has good reflections and is home to Vancouver’s nicest outhouse.

Distance: 5 km round-trip

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Lighthouse Park

The trails in Lighthouse Park are so scenic: rainforest, bluffs with ocean views, a tiny beach, and great views of Vancouver. It’s on my list of Vancouver best easy hikes.

With tons of trails, you can make your own route. However, the loop around the park’s perimeter takes you to all the best viewpoints.

Distance: 5.3 km loop

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Snow-Free Hikes in Burnaby

Velodrome Trail

There are lots of snow-free hiking options on Burnaby Mountain. One of my favourites is the Velodrome Trail, which climbs steeply up the north side. Some people call it the Burnaby Grind. You can extend your hike by incorporating some of the other trails on the west side of the mountain.

Distance: 3 km round-trip

Time: 1 to 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Burnaby Lake

Even though this trail is in the middle of an urban area, it feels wild enough to call it a hike. The Burnaby Lake Trail makes a big loop around Burnaby Lake through forests and along well-built trails through the bog. You can barely tell you are close to Metrotown!

Distance: 10.5 km loop

Time: 2 to 2.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Snow-Free Hikes in Richmond and Delta

Iona Beach

Most people heading to Iona Beach stick to the paved and gravel walkway on top of the Iona Jetty. It’s a nice walk, but I wouldn’t describe it as hike. Instead, head further along the road to Iona Beach. You can follow a trail behind the beach and then come back along the sand (as long as it is low tide). It has good views of the river and you might spot seals on the log booms.

Distance: 4.5 km loop

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Deas Island

The hike on Deas Island is another gem of a trail hidden in the middle of the city. The trail actually goes right over to top of the Highway 99 tunnel. But for most of the hike, you’ll just enjoy a sandy trail and views of the Fraser River.

Distance: 4.7 km loop

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Delta Watershed Park

The Delta Watershed Park has a maze of trails sandwiched between Highway 91 and residential neighbourhoods. Many of the trails are mountain bike trails, so expect to share the trail. It’s a fun place to explore, but it’s easy to get turned around. The best option is a loop around the perimeter.

Distance: 6.3 km loop

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Snow-Free Hikes in Belcarra

Jug Island Beach

I love the quiet Jug Island Beach trail through the forest in təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park. Along the way it has some good views of Bedwell Bay It ends at tiny Jug Island Beach on Indian Arm.

Distance: 5.5 km round-trip

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy/moderate

Admiralty Point

The Admiralty Point trail is another great hike in təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park – it starts from the same parking lot as the Jug Island Beach Trail so you can do them back to back if you want more distance. The hike to Admiralty Point follows the coast to lots of little pocket beaches and viewpoints of Indian Arm.

Distance: 5.5 km

Time: 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Sasamat Lake

In the summer Sasamat Lake is so popular that the parking lot is usually totally full, but you won’t have to fight crowds in the winter. It’s a short and easy walk around the lake, including walking over a floating bridge. If you want to extend your hike, you can add on a trip to Woodhaven Swamp or Sugar Mountain.

Distance: 3.2 km loop

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Buntzen Lake

The loop around Buntzen Lake is a Vancouver classic. It goes through rolling forest with lots of viewpoints of the lake. It has both a suspension bridge and a floating brige, which is why its one of my favourite snow-free hikes. You can add on some of the other trails in the area, but many of them will have snow in the winter.

Distance: 10 km

Time: 2.5 to 3 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Snow-Free Hikes in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam

Coquitlam Crunch

The Coquitlam Crunch is Coquitlam’s answer to the Grouse Grind, this steep trail is great for a workout and stays snow-free all year. It heads steadily uphill under the powerlines with lots of stairs.

Distance: 5.8 km round-trip

Time: 2 to 2.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Coquitlam River Trails

The Coquitlam River Trails are hidden behind houses in Coquitlam. The network of trails stretches along both sides of the river. In the fall, you can spot salmon in the river and the side channels. My sister lives nearby and this is one of her favourite winter hikes in Vancouver.

If you want to extend your hike, this trail is part of the 23.5 km Taboulay Poco Trail that makes a loop around Port Coquitlam.

Distance: 5.8 km loop

Time: 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Minnekhada Regional Park

Minnekhada Regional Park has a wonderful network of trails that goes through forest and past marshes. The highlight is the climb up to a viewpoint over the Pitt River.

Distance: 6.8 km loop

Time: 2 to 2.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Snow-Free Hikes in Maple Ridge

UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest

The UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest near Golden Ears Provincial Park has a huge network of trails in a working forest. The most popular option is an 8 km loop that includes a lookout and a little log cabin shelter.

Distance: 7.9 km

Time: 2.5 to 3 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Lower Falls/Gold Creek Falls

The walk to Lower Falls (also called Gold Creek Falls) is probably the most popular hike in Golden Ears Provincial Park. Thankfully, it is at low elevation so it is usually snow-free all year. It’s an easy hike beside Gold Creek to a great waterfall viewpoint.

Distance: 5.3 km

Time: 1 to 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

East and West Canyon Loop

This loop heads up the east side of Gold Creek, crosses a bridge, then heads back down the west side. Parts of the trail are old logging roads, but you can barely tell since the mossy forest and grown so much over the decades.

These East and West Canyon Trails didn’t used to connect, but BC Parks built a bridge here about 10 years ago, making a loop possible. If you want to extend your hike, you can take a rough side trail to Upper Gold Creek Falls. (This trip is also in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.)

Distance: 10.3 km

Time: 3 to 3.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Kanaka Creek Cliff Falls

The highlight of the short hike to Kanaka Creek Cliff Falls is the waterfall. It cascades over a set of sandstone ledges that form curved pools. If possible, visit during cold and dry weather to see the pools at low water.

Distance: 2.3 km

Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Kanaka Creek/Cliff Falls: A short walk to a picturesque waterfall with curved pools.

Snow-Free Hikes in Langley

Campbell Valley Regional Park

There are lots of trails to explore in Campbell Valley Regional Park. The best ones are on boardwalks next to the tiny river. It’s a great spot for bird watching.

Distance: 7.6 km loop

Time: 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Brae Island Regional Park

The Tavistock Trail at Brae Island Regional Park is a great short hike in Fort Langley. The trail heads through the forest alongside the Bedford Channel. There are a few side trails leading down to the water and a great view of the Fraser River at Tavistock Point.

Distance: 4.7 km

Time: 1 to 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Aldergrove Regional Park

Aldergrove Regional Park has a huge network of trails through wetlands beside Pepin Brook. There are also great views of Mount Baker.

Distance: 10.8 km loop

Time: 2.5 to 3 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Snow-Free Hikes in Mission and Harrison

Rolley Lake and Rolley Falls

There is a popular campground at Rolley Lake, but it’s closed in winter so you might have the area to yourself. (And you’ll have to walk an extra kilometre into the park from the gate. But your reward is a lovely easy hike around the lake along with a steeper hike to a waterfall.

Distance: 4.8 km loop

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy/moderate

Hayward Lake and Steelhead Falls

This trail follows the shoreline of Hayward Lake, which is actually a hydro power reservoir. You can continue along the entire eastern shoreline. But don’t miss the side trip to Steelhead Falls, just a one kilometre from the parking lot.

Distance: 9.7 km round-trip

Time: 2.5 to 3.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Cascade Falls

The hike to Cascade Falls is very short, but the scenery is worth it. The steep trail leads to a suspension bridge in front of a spectacular waterfall.

Distance: 0.6 km round trip

Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Whippoorwill Point

The hike to Whippoorwill Point starts in Harrison Hot Springs and follows the shoreline of Harrison Lake. It then heads up over a ridge before descending to a tiny sandy beach.

Distance: 3.7 km round-trip

Time: 1 to 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy/moderate

Spirit Trail

If you’re in Harrison Hot Springs in winter, don’t miss the Spirit Trail. It’s a shot hike, but it features dozens of hand carved masks mounted on trees. It’s kinda creepy and kinda cool at the same time.

Distance: 1 km loop

Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Snow-Free Hikes in Abbotsford

Abby Grind

The steep Abby Grind is also known as the Glen Ryder Trail. It climbs up to Taggart Peak and is a well-known alternative to the Grouse Grind.

Distance: 3.4 km round-trip

Time: 2 to 2.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

Downes Bowl

Downes Bowl in Abbotsford has a great trail system through a marsh with lots of boardwalks. It is a bit of a maze, but you can make a loop that uses most of the trails.

Distance: 4.3 km loop

Time: 1 to 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Snow-Free Hikes in Chilliwack and Hope

Tea Pot Hill

The hike up Tea Pot Hill in Cultus Lake Provincial Park is one of the most unique hikes in Vancouver thanks to the literal teapots along the sides of the trail. Even though the trail goes up a small hill, it’s low enough to be snow-free most winters.

Distance: 4.8 km round-trip

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Seven Sisters Trail

The Seven Sisters Trail is another great short hike in Cultus Lake Provincial Park. It goes to a beautiful grove of old growth trees known as the Seven Sisters.

Distance: 3.2 km

Time: 1 to 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Chilliwack Community Forest

The new volunteer-created trail network in the Chilliwack Community Forest includes several short loops through the forest. You can string a few of them together to make various loops.

Distance: 4 km loop

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Cheam Lake Wetlands

Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park is hidden in farm land in between Chilliwack and Hope. It’s a great place to go birding. The trails along the lake and through the marsh are my favourite – some of them feature floating walkways.

Distance: 4.5 km round-trip

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Bridal Veil Falls

The gate to Bridal Veil Falls is closed in winter, but you can still hike it if you park outside the gate and walk a few minutes along the road. It’s a short hike, but the falls are incredible. Be sure to stay away from the base – in the past visitors have been seriously injured when rocks fell on them.

Distance: 1.3 km loop

Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Flood Falls

The hike to Flood Falls is a good leg-stretcher if you’re driving along Highway 1. The falls is really spectacular after heavy rains.

Distance: 1 km round-trip

Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Snow-Free Hikes in Squamish

Mount Crumpit

The hike to Mount Crumpit is one of my favourite local hikes in Squamish. It’s low enough to avoid snow but it’s high enough to have incredible views of the Stawamus Chief and downtown Squamish. The hike is steep in places!

Distance: 7.9 km round-trip

Time: 2.5 to 3.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate.

Four Lakes Trail at Alice Lake

As a Squamish local, the Four Lakes Trail at Alice Lake Provincial Park is one of my go-to winter hikes. It’s relatively easy, but the forest is gorgeous and there are four lakes to check out along the way.

Distance: 6.3 km loop

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Brohm Lake

I love the trails at Brohm Lake. You can do the easy 4 km loop around the lake or add on a great viewpoint. I also love the off-the-beaten path trails in the southern part of park. My recommended loop takes in the best spots in the park.

Distance: 8 km loop

Time: 2.5 to 3 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Starvation Lake on the Sea to Sky Trail

The Sea to Sky Trail stretches from Squamish to Whistler. Most of it is too snowy in the winter. But you can hike the short section from the end of Paradise Valley Road to Starvation Lake.

Distance: 6.4 km round-trip

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Snow-Free Backpacking Trips Near Vancouver

With snow in the mountains between November and June, you’ll have to look to low elevation trails to go backpacking in Vancouver in the off-season. See my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia for recommendations on where to for a snow-free backpacking trip in March, April, and May.

Final Thoughts

How many of these snow-free hikes in Vancouver have you done? Do you have even more to add to my list? Let me know in the comments?

MORE VANCOUVER HIKES:

• 15 Unusual Hikes Near Vancouver
• Most Instagrammed Hikes in Vancouver
• Alternatives to the Grouse Grind: Steep Workout Hikes Near Vancouver
• 35+ Vancouver Hikes You Can Get to on Transit
• 40+ Waterfall Hikes Near Vancouver

WINTER TIPS:

• What to Wear Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing
• 9 Tips for Winter Hiking (You Don’t Have to Freeze!)
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Vancouver

The post Snow-Free Hikes in Vancouver: 50+ Year-round Trails appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Since it includes only a few sections of moving water on rivers and lots of flatwater on lakes, the Bowron Lakes canoe trip is popular with less experienced canoeists. Before paddling Bowron, I had done a few short canoe trips on lakes but had no moving water experience. BUT I went with friends who had lots of experience – I don’t recommend you tackle this challenge if you’re a complete beginner.

I’ve put together a complete guide to the Bowron Lakes for you. It’s written for people like me who aren’t canoe trip veterans so it has lots of beginner-friendly tips.

This post includes:

• How to make reservations for the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit and how much it costs
• A section-by-section description of the trip including info on all lakes and portages
• What to bring on the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit and where to rent equipment
• Beginner-friendly tips for paddling the Bowron Lakes

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

Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit Quick Facts

Location: Northern British Columbia, about 2 hours east of Quesnel or 3 hours southeast of Prince George.

Distance: 116.4 kilometres including 10.8 kilometres of portages.

Duration: 6 to 10 days

Cost: $60 per person for the full circuit or $30 per person for the West Side only, plus an $18 reservation fee per boat and gear rental fees (if applicable).

Best Time to Go: The circuit is open between mid-May and the end of September. The best weather is in July and August. June and September can also be nice but a bit colder. Note that the bugs can be bad in June and July.

Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit Map

BC Parks produces a good overview map for the Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit. You can download it from their website and they will also give you a printed version when you check in to start your trip. It’s very high level and doesn’t have very much detail, so it isn’t great for navigation.

If you’re old school, International Travel Maps and Books makes a waterproof 1:50,000 scale Bowron Lakes topographic map.

We used the Gaia GPS app for navigation. It was great to be able to know how far away from the next portage or campsite we were since the scale on the BC Parks map made it very difficult to tell. It was also helpful for locating campsites as some are tucked away in small bays and the map doesn’t show that.

Watch for signs along the circuit to mark campsites, routes through channels, and wood lots.

Full Circuit vs. West Side Only

While many paddlers choose to complete the entire 116.4 kilometre circuit, you can also do an out-and-back trip on the West Side of the circuit. It’s a good option for less experienced paddlers and those who have less time (typically 2-4 days).

The West Side includes Bowron, Swan, Spectacle, Skoi, Babcock, and Unna Lakes for a total distance of up to 30 kilometres one way. You can travel as far along the West Side as you want before doubling back to the start at Bowron Lake. Many people opt to go only as far as the end of Spectacle Lake to avoid the two kilometres of portages.

Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit Reservations

Reservations for 2026 open on December 2, 2025 at 7 a.m. PT.

Canoeing the Bowron Lake Chain is very popular, so there is a reservation system through BC Parks. Only 50 people (25 canoes) are allowed to start the circuit each day.

If you plan to go between late June and early September, make a reservation on the first day that reservations open. These dates are very popular and get booked up. If you don’t get a reservation, keep checking back for cancellations.

There is an $18 reservation fee per boat. User fees are $60 per person for the full circuit or $30 per person for the West Side only. There is a limit of three people per boat.

A Note About Group Size

If your party is between 7 and 14 people, you will need to make a group reservation and follow special group rules. Only one group is allowed on the circuit at a time. You must camp in designated group sites with white markers and use a fixed 8 day/7 night itinerary.

Parties of 1-6 people can stay at any of the regular sites (with orange markers), can stay multiple nights at the same site, and can take up to 14 nights on the circuit.

Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit Description

Pre-Trip Orientation Session

To start the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit you must check in at the ranger station and go through a mandatory orientation. Orientations are offered each day between 8 am and 12 pm. You no longer need to book an orientation time when reserving your dates. You can just show up between 8 am and noon and a ranger will start your orientation.

The orientation involves watching a video about wilderness ethics and safety on the circuit. The ranger will also give you updates on paddling and portage current conditions, wildlife advisories, and updated locations of woodlots to collect firewood.

Pre-Trip Gear Weigh-In

At the orientation, you will also have to weigh your gear at a scale in the parking lot. Park rules allow you to carry a maximum of 60 lbs of gear inside your canoe when you use a canoe cart to portage. This is to make sure that the portage trails don’t get too damaged.

Organize your gear before the weigh-in and plan which items you want to put in the canoe and which bags you want to carry on portages. We used a simple luggage scale at home to plan before our trip.

The ranger will write down which of your bags are allowed to stay in the canoe during portages on a card that gets zip-tied to your canoe. If you encounter a ranger on a portage they make check your canoe to make sure it only has permitted items in it.

Keep in mind that there are a few things that DO NOT count in the 60 lb. weight limit: PFDs (life jackets), bailer, paddles, throw bag (rescue rope), first aid kit, axe, water bottles, and canoe cart. You also don’t have to weigh the canoe!

Registration Centre to Isaac Lake

This section includes the three of the longest portages on the entire circuit, made even more difficult by fully loaded canoes. From the registration centre you start with a 2.4 kilometre portage to Kibbee Lake. It’s a long, slow climb with a few flatter spots as you gain about 40 metres.

From the muddy put-in, you’ll paddle 2.4 kilometres across Kibbee Lake. There is one campsite on Kibbee Lake if you got a late start.

At the end of the lake hop out to portage again. This portage is 2 kilometres long. The first kilometre is uphill, gaining about 40 metres. The middle is rolling, and then the last section is downhill.

The paddle across Indianpoint Lake is 6.4 km long. There are several campsites on the north side of the lake, but the banks are steep so the campsites are tight against the hill.

Look for the orange channel markers at the marshy eastern end of Indianpoint Lake to wind through the grassy channel and a pond to a small, muddy take-out.

From here it’s a 1.6 kilometre portage to Isaac Lake. The hike has a small hill at the beginning, then the rest is all downhill. The last section is challenging thanks to several mud puddles and steep bridges over creeks.

Isaac Lake

Isaac Lake is by far the largest lake on the Bowron Lakes Circuit. It gets very windy with rough water in the afternoons. On my trip, we experienced a bit of this on our first day on Isaac Lake, but on the second day, we were treated to glass-smooth water all day.

Paddle near the north and east shores of the lake so you can get off the water quickly in bad weather.

From the put-in at the end of the portage, you’ll paddle 6.8 kilometres down the west arm of Isaac Lake.

There are two campsites along this stretch, but many paddlers prefer to stay at site 15 in Wolverine Bay where the west and main arms of the lake meet. This big site has space for 9 tents and a large covered cooking shelter with a wood stove.

The main arm of Isaac Lake is 31.2 kilometres long and has incredible views of the mountains and a few waterfalls. All of the campsites are located on the east side of the lake. Many of them only hold two tents, so plan well if your group has more.

There is a large campground at the end of Isaac Lake with a covered cooking shelter and woodstove. It’s a popular place to camp before running the Isaac and Cariboo Rivers and can get crowded.

Isaac River and Cariboo River to Lanezi Lake

This section is the most technical part of the Bowron Lake Chain canoe trip, and the part I was most nervous about. You’ll have to navigate several sections of moving water.

You can portage the worst rapid, but you still need to prepare for some bumpy water and sharp turns and be prepared to avoid rocks and logs.

At the end of Isaac Lake, you have a choice: you can run the first section of the Isaac River or portage around it. This first part of this section is known as ‘The Chute’ and involves a steep chute into standing waves with a hard right turn at the bottom.

Next is ‘The Rollercoaster’, a standing wave train. There are large rocks on the right that you will need to avoid. There is a mandatory portage at the end of ‘The Rollercoaster’.

You can also choose to portage 1.2km around The Chute and The Rollercoaster. (That’s what two of the three boats in my group did.)

The narrow portage trail is high above the Isaac River. It starts with a stiff climb, then rolls through flattish and downhill sections. It travels through a beautiful forest with views of the river. After you meet up with paddlers who chose to tackle The Chute and the Rollercoaster, you’ll portage another 0.5 kilometres.

Next, you must paddle a short 0.7 km section of the Isaac River, crossing from the east bank to the west.

At high water this section is non-technical, but at low water, there is a very large rock in the centre of the channel. On my trip, our first boat nearly capsized running this section, but thankfully was able to warn the other boats so we could prepare for it.

Make sure you get out at the marked portage trailhead. Otherwise, you’ll get swept downriver over Isaac Falls. There was a fatality there in early 2021. The 0.5 km portage is a tough one. The whole trail is narrow and bumpy. It starts with a very steep climb and finishes with a long, steep descent.

If you want to visit 11 m-high Isaac Falls, hike the trail through the back of campsite 30 at the end of the portage.

To continue along the circuit, put your canoe in the water and paddle 1.2 km across tiny McLeary Lake. There’s an older trapper cabin on the eastern shore that makes a nice lunch spot.

The next section is the 5.2-kilometre-long Cariboo River. This is one of the most difficult parts of the trip because the silty water and moving current make it hard to see and avoid submerged rocks, sand bars, deadheads, and sweepers.

We had very low water on my trip which made the trip challenging as there were a lot of underwater hazards. But thankfully the low water also made it easier to get out of the boat on gravel bars to scout obstacles ahead of time. Use caution through this section. Many people capsize here every year.

Lanezi Lake to Unna Lake

As the Cariboo River widens and slows, you’ll enter Lanezi Lake. Watch for sand bars at the entrance as they can ground your boat or cause waves on windy days. This lake is 14.8 km long and surrounded by beautiful mountains. They seem steeper and closer to the lake than the ones on Isaac Lake.

There are several campsites on the north shore of Lanezi Lake, but site 34 at Turner Creek is a popular place to camp since it has space for seven tents and has a covered picnic shelter with a woodstove. Many people use this camp as a place to dry off after dumping in the Cariboo River. On my trip, we took a rest day here to wait out a torrential rainstorm.

After Lanezi Lake, paddle 1.2 km along the Cariboo River. Unlike the earlier section of the river, this is more like a narrower part of the lake than a fast-moving river.

Next, you’ll cross Sandy Lake over 4.8 km. It’s a very shallow and warm lake with beautiful sandy beaches and great swimming. The campsites on the north shore were burned in forest fires in early 2021 so you will not be able to camp on this lake until the sites are rebuilt.

Leaving Sandy Lake you’ll be in the slow waters of the Cariboo River for four kilometres. At the 3.6 km mark, watch for a sign for the Babcock Creek portage on your right. If you want to continue on the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit, take your canoe out here.

But if you want a worthwhile detour to a gorgeous campground and a waterfall hike, continue down the river for another 400m. Watch carefully for the left turn into Unna Lake. If you continue down the Cariboo River you will plunge over 24-metre-high Cariboo Falls!

Tiny Unna Lake is beautiful with a sandy beach and lots of camping at the north end of the lake.

Paddle across to the southern shore to hike 2.5km return to Cariboo Falls. It’s a thundering cascade in a deep canyon. I really recommend this side trip.

Unna Lake to Spectacle Lake

To return to the main circuit, paddle 400m back upstream on the Cariboo River, then take the signed left turn into Babcock Creek. The portage take-out is a few hundred meters up the creek. In late summer it can be very shallow so you may have to get out of your canoe to line it through the creek.

Next up is the easy 1.2-kilometre-long portage to Babcock Lake. Babcock Lake is a smaller lake at only 2.8 km. You are now out of the Cariboo River watershed and into the Bowron River watershed so you will notice that the water isn’t silty anymore.

The next portage is very short. The park map says it’s 400m long, but my GPS measured about 200m. The trail ends in a marshy channel. In 2021, beavers were very active here and the put-in was partially flooded.

Follow the channel markers out into Skoi Lake, which at 800m across, is the smallest lake on the Bowron Lake canoe trip.

On the other side, tackle the shortest portage on the trip. The official distance is 400m, but we measured it at about 150m. It’s a straight shot through the trees so you can stand at the midpoint and see both lakes at the same time.

Spectacle Lake to Bowron Lake

Once you put in at Spectacle Lake you will have finished all of the portages on the circuit! Spectacle and Swan Lakes kind of merge together into one 12.8km long lake with lots of small islands, bays, sand bars, and side channels.

The grassy shorelines are a good place to spot wildlife and birds. We startled two huge sandhill cranes here on our trip. They were migrating south from Alaska to their wintering grounds in the southern USA.

There are several campsites along Spectacle and Swan Lakes. One of the most popular is site 48 at Pat’s Point midway down. The prominent point has a large campground and a cooking shelter with a woodstove.

At the north end of Swan Lake, you’ll encounter Pavich Island. Later in the year at low water, you must go around the east (right) side of the island in a narrow and grassy channel.

At the end of Swan Lake, you’ll paddle the Bowron River for four kilometres. It’s a great place to spot wildlife, especially moose. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any on our trip. Watch for orange channel markers on the Bowron River to stay in the main channel and out of some of the side marshes.

Use caution at the entrance to 7.2-kilometre-long Bowron Lake. High winds and lots of sandbars can create big waves. Bowron Lake also has a reputation as one of the windiest, and therefore most dangerous lakes on the circuit. It’s wise to paddle down one of the shorelines.

If you rented from one of the outfitters, you can end your trip on their beach at the far west end of Bowron Lake or at the mouth of the Bowron River. If you are ending your journey at the provincial park, it’s located just north of the mouth of the Bowron River. There’s a long dock and a short trail back to the parking lot.

Bowron Lakes Itineraries

Most people take six to eight days to paddle the Bowron Lakes Chain. (The maximum allowed time is 14 days.) Our group took eight days which included one rest day. We were on the water for 3.5 to 7 hours each day.

Each day, we adjusted our itinerary on the fly to plan around the weather. (We used our Garmin inReach Mini to get a satellite weather forecast every day which was a HUGE help. We were able to be off the water and under cover in the worst weather since we knew when it was coming.)

My recommendation for a standard itinerary is below. It’s a great option for less experienced paddlers who don’t have the stamina for long days in a canoe. You could easily make this itinerary a day or two shorter or longer.

Standard 7 or 8 Day Bowron Lakes Itinerary

This is the itinerary that we used. I would use this itinerary again as it worked really well.

Day 1: Registration Centre to Indianpoint Lake

Day 2: Indianpoint Lake to Isaac Lake

Day 3: Isaac Lake

Day 4: Isaac Lake to Lanezi Lake

Day 5: Lanezi Lake to Unna Lake

Day 6: Unna Lake to Spectacle Lake

Day 7: Spectacle Lake to Bowron Lake

Rest Day: If you want a rest day, just add it to your itinerary. If you have nice weather, I recommend a rest day at Unna Lake to swim and see the waterfall. In bad weather, take a rest day at a campsite with a shelter and woodstove such as site 15 (Wolverine Bay), site 28 (south end of Isaac Lake), site 34 (Turner Creek), or site 48 (Pat’s Point).

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Camping on the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit

You must stay in one of the 56 designated campgrounds on the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit. There are 10 sites reserved for groups and 46 regular sites.

Each regular site has room for 1-13 tents on dirt tent pads. Tent pads vary in size but will fit up to a 3 person tent. Some of them are poorly drained and can turn into a puddle during rain storms. Choose wisely!

The chart on the back of the park map shows how many tents can fit at each site.

All sites are first-come, first-served so you can change your itinerary as you go. In July and August when the circuit is busy, try to arrive at camp in the early to mid-afternoon as the campsites can get full.

If your group has more than two tents, plan your trip carefully as there are some long stretches where the campsites won’t have enough tent spots.

Each campground has bear caches, pit toilets, and fire rings. Some sites also have a covered cooking shelter with a woodstove or a historic cabin that can be used as a cooking shelter. See the Bowron Lake Provincial Park map for locations.

There is no firewood at the campsites. Instead, you’ll need to pick up firewood along the way at designated woodlots that have pre-cut wood.

The park ranger will mark these locations on your map when you start. We found the map markings a bit vague so be on the lookout for large “W” signs as you paddle as these mark the woodlots.

Bowron Lakes Weather

The Bowron Lakes Circuit is located in the mountains of northern British Columbia. In general, the weather is a bit chilly and often wet.

The warmest months are July and August when the average low temperature is 3°C and the average high is 18°C. In June and September temperatures are usually between 0°C and 16°C.

The area experiences a fair amount of rain, with June and July being the wettest months. August is a bit drier and September is the driest month that the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit is open (but not by much).

Even if you check the Bowron Lakes weather forecast before you go, on a week-long trip that forecast can change a lot. No matter what the forecast, pack for chilly and wet weather.

READ NEXT: The Best Weather Apps for Hiking

We brought our Garmin inReach Mini satellite messenger and used the satellite weather forecast option every evening to plan the next day’s paddle. It was really helpful to know which day was supposed to have a lot of rain and which was supposed to be nice.

Thanks to knowing the forecast, we pushed ourselves through a long, tough day in a bit of drizzle to get to a campsite with a covered cooking shelter and woodstove. We spent the next day there as a rest day playing cards and napping during a torrential rainstorm. I’m glad we didn’t have to paddle in that!

What to Bring on the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit

You will need to be fully self-sufficient on the Bowron Canoe Circuit and pack everything with you. For a full list of things you’ll need on a wilderness trip, see my backpacking gear checklist. Below I’ve listed some of the key items you will need to bring on the Bowron Lakes:

Canoe or Kayak: It’s easiest to rent these at one of the nearby outfitters (see below). If you have an odd number of people in your group, put the single person in a kayak. Otherwise, kayaks can be a challenge to pack and portage compared to canoes. However, they are much easier to paddle in the wind.

Canoe or kayak cart: Rent an expedition cart with large wheels. The portages can be very bumpy and muddy so small carts won’t work well.

Firestarter and axe: You will want to have a fire on chilly and wet evenings in camp. The firewood comes split into large half-rounds, but you’ll want a good lightweight axe to split them further into kindling. (Hatchets are too small.) The wood can also be wet and hard to start, so firestarter cubes are key.

Bug spray and headnet: The bugs can be bad in June, July, and early August. On my trip in early September, there were no bugs, but my friends said they wouldn’t do the trip without bug spray and a headnet at other times of year.

Tarp: Bring a lightweight tarp to cover your cooking area as the Bowron Lakes get a lot of rain. Some of the tent pads are also very poorly drained and can end up with pooling water. Stringing up a tarp over your tent can help redirect the water over the side so you don’t end up camping in a puddle.

Dry bags and portage backpack: You can rent huge waterproof portage backpacks from some of the outfitters (see below). You’ll also want to make sure the rest of your gear is protected from rain or water sloshing around in the bottom of your boat. We brought a our favourite big waterproof duffle bag and some dry bags.

Rain gear: It can be cold and rainy at any time of year. Bring a good quality waterproof breathable rain jacket and rain pants.

Water shoes or rubber boots: At most of the put-ins and take-outs you’ll end up with wet feet. On warm days bare feet or sandals will be fine, but your feet will freeze at other times. I brought a pair of neoprene paddling booties to wear in the canoe and wore trail runners on the portages and around camp. A friend brought a pair of rubber boots that she loved since her feet were never wet.

Phone leash: I used my phone for navigation and photos, so I wanted to keep it easy to access, but also didn’t want to dump it in a lake. I brought my Nite Ize phone leash so I could clip it to my jacket. I used the same leash on my Johnstone Strait kayaking trip and love it.

Lightweight chair: Each person in our group brought a lightweight camp chair. (Most people had the Helinox Chair One.) They are definitely a luxury, but they were SO nice to have so we didn’t have to sit on the ground to cook and eat. They were also nice around the campfire.

READ NEXT: How to Stay Warm in a Tent: Over 40 Tips

Canoe and Equipment Rentals

Most paddlers on the Bowron Lakes rent at least some of their equipment. There are four outfitters on Bowron Lake near the start of the circuit.

Becker’s Lodge: Rents canoes, kayaks, carts, portage bags, and camping gear. They have the largest fleet and rent high-end lightweight canoes that aren’t as heavy to portage as traditional canoes. Their location is a few minutes from the circuit start, but they will drive the canoes over there for you. You will finish your trip on their beach. We used Becker’s Lodge rentals on our trip and were happy with our lightweight boats.

Bowron Lake Lodge: Rents a limited selection of canoes and kayaks as well as carts, portage packs, and camping gear. Their location is a few minutes from the circuit start, but they will drive the canoes over there for you. You will finish your trip on their beach.

Bear River Mercantile: Rents a limited selection of traditional and heavy canoes and kayaks as well as carts. Their location is a few minutes from the circuit start, but they will drive the canoes over there for you. You will finish your trip on their beach on the Bowron River.

Bowron Lakes Canoe Rentals: Rents four types of canoes, carts, and tents. Their canoes are traditional and heavy but their prices are slightly cheaper. Conveniently located at the start and finish of the circuit in Bowron Lake Provincial Park.

Tips for the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit

Before paddling the Bowron Lakes I had done a few short canoe trips on lakes and some ocean kayaking, but I had never paddled in moving water. However, everyone else on my trip had some moving water experience, including one friend who had whitewater canoeing experience.

In this section, I’ll give you my beginner-friendly tips for the Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit.

Paddling Tips

• This isn’t a trip for inexperienced paddlers. Make sure everyone in your group has some canoeing experience and knows the basic strokes. It’s best if at least one person in each canoe has experience with moving water.
• Try to get on the water early in the day and off the water by mid-afternoon when the wind picks up. This is especially helpful on the bigger lakes.
• Paddle close to the shoreline so you can get off the water quickly in high wind or bad weather.
• Keep a small dry bag close to each paddler with snacks, water, and rain gear so they are easy to grab without shifting around in the canoe.
• Be alert in moving water as you watch for hidden rocks, sandbars, and submerged driftwood known as deadheads (where the end sticks up from the bottom) or sweepers (where the fallen tree is blocking the route of travel). If possible, get out on shore to scout upcoming hazards.
• Use caribiners and pack buckles to attach all your gear to the canoe. That way it won’t float away if you capsize.

Portaging Tips

• Bring an expedition canoe cart with big wheels. It will make the portages MUCH easier.
• Take the time to center your canoe cart and do up the straps tightly before you start each portage. Having the weight balanced will make portaging easier. It can be easier to have two people lift the canoe while a third puts the cart into place.
• Expect portages to take a long time as you transition from paddling to hiking (changing footwear, reorganizing gear, strapping on the canoe cart, etc.).
• Weigh your gear at home and plan which gear will stay in the canoe and which you will carry while portaging. We brought a large waterproof duffle that we left in the canoe. We also had a big waterproof portage backpack and a small dry bag backpack that we wore on portages.
• The portages can be muddy and rocky so wear good footwear. Waterproof trail runners or hiking boots are a good idea since you will be carrying heavy backpacks and wrestling with a canoe on uneven terrain.
• Position one person at the front of the canoe pulling and one at the back pushing. Lean in to push with your legs, not your arms. Communicate to avoid bumps, rocks, tree roots, and puddles.
• Expect the canoe cart to bounce around on the bumpy trail. The canoe will inevitably smack you in the ribs.

Wildlife Tips

• The Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit is home to both black and grizzly bears but we didn’t see any bears or bear sign on our trip. Read my tips for hiking and camping in bear country.
• Carry bear spray in an easy to grab place on all portages.
• Use food lockers to store all food, garbage, cooking gear, and toiletries at campsites. If you need to leave gear unattended, there are also food lockers at each end of all portages.
• Avoid burning garbage in the fire as it may not burn off completely and can attract wildlife.
• You may also spot beaver, otter, mink, moose, porcupine, and many bird species on the Bowron Canoe Circuit. Use binoculars or a zoom lens to observe them and give them lots of space to continue their natural behaviour. This is especially true for moose who have charged canoes when protecting calves.

Trip Planning Tips

• If possible, try to try to travel in a group with 2 tents or less. This will give you a lot more options for where to camp.
• Try to plan out your day each morning by looking at the map and picking proposed lunch and snack locations as well as some backups. Some lakes have steep shorelines where the only place to easily get out of the canoe for a break or to go to the bathroom is at a campsite.
• Since you can carry a lot of gear in a canoe, it can be tempting to bring a ton. But try to pack light and compact to make the portages easier. We brought more clothing than we normally would on a backpacking trip and heavier food including some canned food. In total we had about 120lbs of combined gear for two people at the start compared to the 80ish lbs we would have on a week-long backpacking trip.

How to get to the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit

The Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit is located about 2 hours east of the town of Quesnel in Northern British Columbia. There is no public transportation to the park, so the only practical way to get there is by car.

If you are flying, the Prince George airport is the most convenient (3 hours away). It also has car rentals. I use Discover Cars since it lets you compare prices from lots of different companies. That way you can be sure you are getting the best deal.

Driving Directions

From Highway 97 just north of Quesnel, go east on Highway 26 towards Barkerville for about 79 kilometres. Turn left onto the gravel Bowron Lake Park Road and follow it for about 26 kilometres. In the last kilometre you’ll pass by several private lodges before arriving at Bowron Lake Provincial Park and the canoe circuit check-in.

Where to Stay Near the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit

Since the Bowron Lakes are fairly remote, you likely will want to stay overnight in the area before or after your trip. There are a few options right near the canoe put-in, and lots more within a few hours’ drive.

Bowron Lake Provincial Park Campground: Located right next to the ranger station where you check-in to start the canoe circuit. The campground has 25 sites and costs $18/night. Advance reservations recommended.

Becker’s Lodge: This heritage lodge on Bowron Lake caters to canoeists with rentals on-site. Their log cabins are super-cute too. Check rates.

Mountain Thyme Getaway: Find this vacation rental in the town of Wells, five minutes from Barkerville and 40 minutes from Bowron Lakes. With three bedrooms, it’s a great option for small groups. Check rates.

Billy Barker Casino Hotel: We stayed at this Gold Rush-themed hotel in Quesnel before our Bowron Lakes canoe trip. It has fun period decor but still has all the modern conveniences. And the outside of the hotel is shaped like a paddle wheeler – fun! Check rates.

Bowron Lakes Rules

Dogs: Not permitted.

Campfires: Allowed in campsite fire rings and shelter woodstoves only. Bring a stove for cooking. Collect firewood from designated wood lots located around the circuit. (The park ranger will indicate locations on your map when you check-in.)

Weapons: Firearms, cross-bows, and bear bangers are not permitted.

Music: No portable stereos or external speakers allowed.

Drones: Drones are not allowed on the Bowron Canoe Circuit or in any BC Park without a specific permit, issued only to licenced drone pilots.

Commercially packaged beverages and glass containers: No glass bottles or jars, no beer or pop cans, no liquor bottles, no tetrapaks. This rule is in place to prevent litter and the hazard of broken glass. Canned food is permitted as long as you pack out the cans. Our group brought boxed wine using only the inner plastic bag and liquor in flasks.

Fishing: Permitted with BC freshwater fishing license. The lakes have bull trout, rainbow trout, lake trout, and kokanee. Apparently, June and September are the best months for fishing. (We didn’t fish on our trip.)

Grafitti and wood carvings: No graffiti or carvings allowed. However, you are encouraged to whittle driftwood into art and display it on wires outside the shelters.

Bowron Lakes History and Indigenous context

The Bowron Lakes area is the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh, Tŝilhqot’in Nen, Dakeł Keyoh, and Dënéndeh Nations. They have trapped, hunted, fished, and gathered in the region since time immemorial.

At the time of European contact, there was a Dakeł Keyoh village at the mouth of Kibbee Creek on Bowron Lake. Unfortunately, the smallpox epidemic of the 1860s and the pressures of the fur trade and the Gold Rush had a devastating impact on their population.

In 1961 Bowron Lake Provincial Park was created to provide further protection to the area, first classified as a Game Reserve in 1925. There is a long history of trapping and fishing in the area, dating back to the Gold Rush. Many of the lakes and mountains in the park are named for locals such as Betty and Joe Wendle, Frank Kibbee, and J.P. Babcock who were early advocates for preserving the wilderness in this special area.

Further resources

On my trip, I brought the book The Bowron Lakes: A Guide to Paddling British Columbia’s Wilderness Canoe Circuit by Jim Boyle, Chris Harris, and Dean Hull. It has a great overview of the circuit and wonderful information about the natural and cultural history of the area.

But the most valuable part is the detailed information on the hazardous moving water sections of the route. It has helpful diagrams about what part of the river to aim for and which strokes to use. The book is also designed to fit inside a Ziploc sandwich bag, which is such a thoughtful touch on a canoe trip.

The book is available from Amazon, MEC, and some local businesses.

BC Parks also has a helpful Pre-Trip Information Booklet, although some of the reservation information is out of date.

Final Thoughts

The Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit is an incredible canoe trip with such beautiful scenery. This post has all the info you need to have a memorable experience. Do you have questions about canoeing the Bowron Lakes? Ask me in the comments. I’d love to help.

READ NEXT:

• 2021 BC Backpacking Reservation Dates You Need to Know
• Kayaking in the Johnstone Strait: Everything You Need to Know
• Bear Safety for Hikers, Campers and Backpackers
• Backpacking Checklist: Gear You Need To Go Backpacking
• How to Stay Warm in a Tent: Over 40 Tips

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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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The post Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit: 2026 Paddling Guide appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

• 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.

This guide covers seven snowshoe trails on in the Fraser Valley. They are all trails that are high enough for consistent snow AND are also safe to snowshoe.

This guide to snowshoeing in the Fraser Valley 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 the Fraser Valley including which shops have the best price
• Snowshoe trails in the Fraser Valley: details for 7 places to go snowshoeing
• No-go trails: summer trails that aren’t safe for snowshoeing

If you’re looking for even more places to go snowshoeing in in the Vancouver area, don’t worry, I got you! Check out these other guides to snowshoeing trails near Vancouver:

• Snowshoeing in Vancouver
• Snowshoeing in Whistler
• Snowshoeing in Squamish
• Snowshoeing in Manning Park
• Snowshoeing at Dakota Ridge on the Sunshine Coast

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

Snowshoeing in the Fraser Valley 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 for the South Coast Inland zone. 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

Snowshoe Trails at Sasquatch Mountain

The Trail: Formerly called Hemlock Valley Resort, this ski resort near Harrison Hot Springs has a network of snowshoe trails. The short and flat Village Loop trail is great for beginners. More adventurous snowshoers can tackled the intermediat Ridge Run or Old Yeller Trails. For advanced snowshoeing, head to the peaks of Mount Klaudt or Mount Cartmel.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: The Mount Klaudt and Mount Cartmel trails climb some steep slopes, but there is no significant avalanche danger or other hazards. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.

Trail Map/Guide: There’s a trail map on the Sasquatch Mountain website.

Permits/Fees: Trail passes are $15/day.

Dogs: Not allowed

Getting There: It’s a 45min drive from Agassiz to Sasquatch Mountain Resort. The last 7km of the road are gravel, steep and winding but it is plowed and sanded regularly. Provincial law requires you to carry chains (and you’ll probably want them). 

Snowshoeing to Elk Mountain, Chilliwack

The Trail: This steep trail is sometimes referred to as Chilliwack’s version of the Grouse Grind. (Although it’s not quite as steep!) Once you break out of the trees on to the ridge it’s flatter you’ll get great views of Chilliwack and of the Chilliwack River Valley. If you want to extend your trip, you can continue along the ridge for another kilometer or so.

The Elk Mountain trail is by far the most popular place to go snowshoeing in the Fraser Valley, so the trail is often so packed down that you can get by with just microspikes and only use snowshoes once you are on the ridge. (Read my guide to differences between microspikes, crampons, and snowshoes.)

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: The last section of the trail before you reach the ridge top can be very slippery. It may be worth bringing microspikes or crampons and poles for this section (especially going downhill). There are very steep slopes and drop offs once you reach the open ridge top. Stay in the center of the ridge and well back from steep drops and slopes. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.

Trail Map/Guide: There’s a good trail guide on Vancouver Trails.

Permits/Fees: None.

Dogs: Allowed.

Getting There: It’s a 25min drive from Chilliwack City Hall to the trailhead. The last 2km are on a gravel road that is not plowed and can be very icy. Bring chains or be prepared to walk the extra 2km on the road to the trailhead. There is a gravel pullout for parking at the trailhead.

Snowshoeing to Needle Peak on the Coquihalla

The Trail: The Coquihalla is a great destination for Fraser Valley snowshoers since the road reaches high into the mountains to access lots of fresh snow. This challenging trail climbs through the trees on to the ridge of Needle Peak. It isn’t safe to go all the way to the summit in the winter unless you have mountaineering skills and equipment, so turn around somewhere on the ridge and retrace your steps back to the car.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: This is a true backcountry trail and is only appropriate for experienced snowshoers. As long as you stay on the ridge you can avoid the worst of the avalanche terrain, but you’re never totally safe from avalanches on this trail.  Check the avalanche forecast before you go and don’t go unless the forecast is low. After the trail gets above the treeline, the trail gets harder to follow, but just stay in the center of the ridge.

Trail Map/Guide: There’s trail info on the Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area website.

Permits/Fees: None.

Dogs: Allowed on leash.

Getting There: From Hope, it’s a 35 min drive on the Coquihalla. Take exit 217 to the Zopkios Rest Area on the south side of the highway. You will need winter tires or chains to drive the Coquihalla. See this parking map for instructions on legal places to park.

Snowshoeing to Falls Lake on the Coquihalla

The Trail: The trail to Falls Lake is the only easy snowshoe trail on the Coquihalla. The first half of the trail follows a road. After reaching a summer parking lot, it heads into the trees before emerging on the shores of Falls Lake. This lake is surrounded by tall peaks and feels much more remote than the short 2km walk from the road.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: Be prepared to share the initial road section of the trail with snowmobiles. There is no significant avalanche danger on this trail, but once you reach the lake stay away from the west bank as the steep slopes there can send avalanches down. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.

Trail Map/Guide: There’s trail info on the Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area website.

Permits/Fees: None.

Dogs: Allowed on leash.

Driving Directions: From Hope, it’s a 40 min drive on the Coquihalla. You will need winter tires or chains to drive the Coquihalla. Take exit 221 and follow the tunnel under the highway and turn left. You will immediately see a snowed-in road heading uphill. This is the trailhead. See this parking map for instructions on legal places to park.

Join: Snowshoeing in Vancouver Facebook Group

Snowshoeing to Zoa Peak on the Coquihalla

The Trail: The trail to Zoa Peak starts at the same trailhead as the trail to Falls Lake. But unlike the snowshoe to Falls Lake, the trip to Zoa Peak is not easy. The trail climbs a steep hill on an access road, before turning left into the forest.

Soon you’ll reach the treeline and stroll along the ridge looking waaay down towards Falls Lake. While the summer trail goes all the way to the true summit, in winter it’s much safer to be content with the views from the sub-summit since there’s a steep gully between the two.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: Be prepared to share the initial road section of the trail with snowmobiles. There is no significant avalanche danger on this trail, but once you reach the ridge stay away from edges, especially on the west side, as the steep slopes there can avalanche.  Check the avalanche forecast before you go. The trail can be hard to find, especially if it has snowed recently.

Trail Map/Guide: There’s trail info on the Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area website. There’s also a good write up on Vancouver Trails.

Permits/Fees: None.

Dogs: Allowed on leash.

Driving Directions: From Hope, it’s a 40 min drive on the Coquihalla. You will need winter tires or chains to drive the Coquihalla. Take exit 221 and follow the tunnel under the highway and turn left. You will immediately see a snowed-in road heading uphill. This is the trailhead. See this parking map for instructions on legal places to park.

Snowshoeing to Artist Point at Mount Baker, Washington

The Trail: If have a passport, Washington’s Mount Baker makes a great cross-border trip for Fraser Valley snowshoers. In the summer Artist Point is a gorgeous viewpoint that you can drive right up to. In the winter meters of snow blanket the region and you have to park further down and hike up… which means it’s way less busy… and possibly way more beautiful.

After a moderate 300m of elevation gain, you’ll be treated to great views of Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan wearing their winter coats – in fact the Washington Trails Association calls it one of best viewpoints in the state!

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: This route crosses avalanche terrain in several areas. Check the avalanche forecast for the West Slopes North region before you go and don’t go if the hazard is above low unless you have avalanche training. The route is not marked but it is a popular trail so there should be tracks to follow. The slope is mostly un-treed so bring a map and compass in case the clouds roll in and make navigation difficult.

Trail Map/Guide: There’s a great guide on the Washington Trails Association website.

Permits/Fees: None.

Dogs: Allowed on leash.

Getting There: From Abbotsford, drive 1.5 hours across the border to the Mount Baker Ski Area. Drive past the ski area to the very end of the plowed road. Don’t forget your passport for the border crossing and bring chains for your car. This is a very a high elevation mountain road. There is a designated and plowed parking area at the end of the road.

Snowshoeing at Manning Provincial Park

The Trails: In my opinion, Manning Park is the best place to snowshoe in Southwestern BC… and it’s not too far from the Fraser Valley. There are tons of trails to snowshoe in Manning Park… in fact there are so many that I had to put them all in a separate Snowshoeing in Manning Park post! There are flat easy strolls for beginners, more adventurous backcountry trails and lots in between.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: Most trails are fairly free of avalanche danger and other hazards, but there is avalanche terrain in the park. Check the avalanche forecast before you go. Some trails are unmarked and require backcountry route finding.

Trail Map/Guide: The best source of info is my post all about Snowshoeing in Manning Park.

Permits/Fees: Most trails are free, but there are paid trails for $10/day.

Dogs: Allowed on leash on all trails except Poland Lake.

Getting There: Manning Park is roughly 50 minutes from Hope. Provincial law requires you to have winter tires or chains to drive highway 3 east of Hope. There are plowed parking areas at all trailheads in the park.

Join: Snowshoeing in Vancouver Facebook Group

No-Go Trails for Snowshoeing in the Fraser Valley

There are lots of summer hiking trails in the Fraser Valley 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.

• Lindeman Lake: The trail is too low elevation to get much snow and the trail is steep so microspikes are a safer choice than snowshoes.
• Flora Peak: This trail has significant avalanche danger so it is best for experienced snowshoers with avalanche training.
• Radium Lake: This trail has significant avalanche danger so it is best for experienced snowshoers with avalanche training.
• Pierce Lake and Mount MacFarlane: This trail has significant avalanche danger and requires a lot of route finding in winter. It is best for experienced snowshoers with avalanche training and experience with off-trail navigation.
• Mount Slesse: The logging road to the trailhead is not plowed, making this trail inaccessible. It also has substantial avalanche danger.
• Golden Ears Provincial Park: The road into the park is closed when there is snow on the ground making all of the trails in the park inaccessible.
• Cheam Peak: The road to the trailhead is not plowed in winter, making this trail inaccessible.

Final Thoughts

Which of these trails is your favourite? Do you have more suggestions for snowshoeing in the Fraser Valley? Tell me in the comments.

READ NEXT:

More Snowshoeing Guides:

• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Manning Park
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Vancouver
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Squamish
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Whistler

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!)
• Winter Camping For Beginners
• 100+ Snow-Free Hikes in Vancouver: Trails You Can Hike Year Round

The post Where to Go Snowshoeing in the Fraser Valley Near Vancouver appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

In this guide to snowshoeing in Squamish, you’ll get info and directions for 9 different trails ranging from super flat beginner trails to all-day epics to deep backcountry wilderness. I’m a Squamish local, so I’ve got the inside scoop on the best places to snowshoe in Squamish.

This guide to snowshoeing in Squamish 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 Squamish including which shops have the best price
• Snowshoe tours in Squamish: options for going with a guide
• Snowshoe trails in Squamish: details for 10 trails
• No-go trails: summer trails that aren’t safe for snowshoeing

Looking for other places to snowshoe in BC? Check out these posts about Vancouver-area snowshoe trails:

• Snowshoeing in Vancouver
• Snowshoeing in Whistler
• Snowshoeing in the Fraser Valley
• Snowshoeing in Manning Park
• Snowshoeing at Dakota Ridge on the Sunshine Coast

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

Snowshoeing in Squamish 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. Avvy Savvy is a 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

Snowshoeing at the Sea to Sky Gondola

The easiest place to go snowshoeing in Squamish is at the Sea to Sky Gondola. They have lots of trails to choose from (beginner to expert), and you don’t have to worry about driving on unplowed mountain roads. The only downside is the cost.

Permits/Fees: Day tickets for the gondola are $72. Once you get to the top there are no additional charges for snowshoeing.

If you want to avoid paying for the gondola up, you can hike up the Sea to Summit Trail instead, carrying your snowshoes. (You can take the gondola down for only $19.)

However, in the winter the Sea to Summit Trail sometimes closes due to hazardous conditions and if it’s open, it can be icy and dangerous so you will need crampons and an ice axe. For more information on the Sea to Summit trail including trail closures and conditions, see the Sea to Sky Gondola website.

Dogs: Not permitted on the gondola and on most trails. You can hike up via the Sea to Summit Trail and then snowshoe with your dog on a leash on the Al’s Habrich Ridge, Sky Pilot Valley and Skyline Trail and they must be on leash.

Driving Directions: Drive 50 min from Vancouver to Sea to Sky Gondola parking lot. If you’re coming from Squamish, it’s a 10-minute drive south of downtown. Note that BC law requires you to have winter tires to drive on highway 99 between October and April.

Transit Access: The Sea to Sky Gondola runs a shuttle service from Vancouver each day. It’s $112 for a combo shuttle and gondola pass, which isn’t a bad deal. Be sure to keep the shuttle schedule in mind when planning which trail to tackle.

Panorama Trail, Sea to Sky Gondola

The Trail: This is the Sea to Sky Gondola’s signature trail in both summer and winter. It’s a loop through gently rolling terrain that leads to some great viewpoints. The best one by far is the Chief viewing platform where you can look down to the Chief, the town of Squamish, the Squamish River valley and Howe Sound. Choose a sunny day for this one to really soak up the views.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: None.

Trail Map/Guide: The Sea to Sky gondola has a trail app you can download or just pick up a copy of their map when you buy your tickets. You can also find more info about the Panorama trail and about snowshoeing at the gondola in general on their website.

Wonderland Lake Loop, Sea to Sky Gondola

The Trail: This short and easy loop provides a bit more of a wilderness experience (and sees far fewer tourists) than the Panorama trail. It loops around through rolling terrain and passes several viewpoints. Be sure to take the narrow side Wonder View Spur to the right (south) to get the views.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: None.

Trail Map/Guide: The Sea to Sky gondola has a trail app you can download or just pick up a copy of their map when you buy your tickets. You can also find more info about the Wonderland Lake Loop and about snowshoeing at the gondola in general on their website.

Shannon Basin Loop, Sea to Sky Gondola

The Trail: This trail follows an old road on a meandering loop that descends to cross Shannon Creek on a bridge, then comes back up to the gondola on a portion of the Sea to Summit Trail. While it does gain over 400m, since it’s on an old roadbed, it’s never very steep. This is the lowest elevation trail at the Sea to Sky Gondola, so in mild weather it may not have enough snow to snowshoe.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: None.

Trail Map/Guide: The Sea to Sky gondola has a trail app you can download or just pick up a copy of their map when you buy your tickets. You can also find more info about the Shannon Basin Trail and about snowshoeing at the gondola in general on their website.

Al’s Habrich Ridge, Sea to Sky Gondola

The Trail: This backcountry trail travels a few hundred meters on a road before heading off into the forest. It immediately crosses a creek (there is no bridge), then heads uphill through the trees. The trail emerges onto a ridge and follows the crest of the ridge past several great viewpoints. The official winter route stops at the far end of the ridge. Unlike the other snowshoeing trails at the Sea to Sky Gondola, this trail mostly avoids roads and tourist attractions so it feels like real wilderness.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: The initial stream crossing can be a bit awkward: The creek doesn’t ice over but the rocks you need to use to hop across are icy. The far bank of the stream is also very steep. Take off your snowshoes to cross the stream and use poles for balance.

Watch carefully for diamond markers in the trees – it can be easy to lose the trail Once on the ridge, stay on the top of the ridge: there is a lot of steep and dangerous terrain if you leave the marked route.

The official winter route stops at the far end of the ridge. The summer trail continues past here and climbs steeply through the trees. It is very difficult to follow and is not well marked. Unless you are an expert in backcountry winter navigation, turn around at the far end of the ridge.

Check the avalanche forecast before you go.

Trail Map/Guide: My Al’s Habrich Trail guide has all the info you need. The Sea to Sky gondola has a trail app you can download or just pick up a copy of their map when you buy your tickets. You can also find more info about snowshoeing at the gondola in general on their website.

Sky Pilot Valley Trail, Sea to Sky Gondola

The Trail: This trail is primarily used by experienced backcountry skiers and mountaineers accessing challenging terrain. But it does follow an old road in a beautiful valley so it is accessible for snowshoers just looking for a winter walk with great views of the surrounding mountains.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: Past the end of the marked trail the skiers/climbers route goes steeply uphill into avalanche terrain. The slopes above the road are steep enough to slide – use caution if the avalanche forecast is anything except low. Please be prepared to share the trail with skiers and step aside to let them pass, especially when they are coming downhill. Don’t walk in the ski tracks – leave them intact for the skiers to use. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.

Trail Map/Guide: The Sea to Sky gondola has a trail app you can download or just pick up a copy of their when you buy your tickets. You can also find more info about snowshoeing at the gondola in general on their website. There’s also information on the summer hiking route on the Skyline Pilot Valley Trail. Keep in mind that the winter route only covers the first three-quarters of the trail before turning around.

Skyline Ridge Trail, Sea to Sky Gondola

The Trail: This trail follows an old (and sometimes overgrown) road through the valley before climbing on to the shoulder of Goat Ridge where there are some views. It’s a long way to go in a day, but it is a good option if you’re looking for a challenging trip from the top of the Sea to Sky Gondola. Be sure to stop at the end of the marked trail since route-finding past there will be very difficult and potentially dangerous in the winter.

Trail Map/Guide: The Sea to Sky gondola has a trail app you can download or just pick up a copy when you buy your tickets. You can also find more info about the the Skyline Ridge Trail and snowshoeing at the gondola in general on their website

Join: Snowshoeing in Vancouver Facebook Group

Other Places to Go Snowshoeing in Squamish

Red Heather/Elfin Lakes, Garibaldi Provincial Park

The Trail: The trail follows an old road for the first 5km to the Red Heather warming hut. Past there, the winter route is marked by reflective bamboo poles that lead another 6km along the undulations of Paul Ridge to the Elfin Lakes Hut. There are great views of the mountains from the ridge. Red Heather hut makes a great destination for shorter day trips.

Going all the way to Elfin Lakes and back is doable in a day but it is challenging. You can also snow camp overnight next to both Red Heather and Elfin Lakes huts, or you can reserve a bunk inside the Elfin Lakes Hut.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: No avalanche danger or hazards below Red Heather hut.

After Red Heather hut the trail emerges above treeline on to the ridge. The winter route is placed to minimize avalanche exposure, but the trail does travel through avalanche terrain and on slopes that can slide.

Use caution in these areas and do not attempt this trail if the avalanche forecast is above moderate. Avalanche.ca rates this as simple terrain which can be travelled with the normal amount of caution in most conditions. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.

Trail Map/Guide: My Elfin Lakes hiking guide has all the info you need.

Permits/Fees: No permits or fees are required for day trips on the trail in winter. If you want to camp or stay overnight in the Elfin Lakes hut you need to make a reservation and pay backcountry fees. Elfin Lakes Hut is $15/person/night + $6 reservation fee. Camping is $10/person/night + $6 reservation fee.

Dogs: Not permitted in Garibaldi Park.

Getting There: Drive 2 hours from Vancouver to the trailhead. If you’re coming from Squamish, it’s a 45-minute drive. After passing Quest University in Squamish the road turns to gravel and it is not plowed often.

You will need chains and possibly also 4-wheel drive (depending on the conditions) to get up this road in the winter. Cars without chains slip off the road every year and require very expensive tow trucks to get them out. 

The parking lot can fill up on winter weekends so carpool and be prepared to park in the pullouts further down the road and walk up. Don’t park on the shoulder as you will block the narrow road.

READ NEXT: Backcountry Huts in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies

Garibaldi Lake/Taylor Meadows, Garibaldi Provincial Park

The Trail: This snowshoe route follows the usual summer trail up the switchbacks to Garibaldi Lake or Taylor Meadows. At the 6km the trail forks: left for Taylor Meadows, right for Garibaldi Lake. The trail can be icy lower down and covered in deep snow higher up so you may need to pack both microspikes and snowshoes. (Read my guide to the differences between microspikes, crampons, and snowshoes.) It’s a long hike to either destination so be sure to give yourself plenty of time and pack a headlamp in case you end up coming down in the dark.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: The switchbacks up to the 6km junction are steep and can be icy. Bring microspikes just in case. Watch for open creek crossings and partially buried bridges. Later in the year Barrier Lake and Lesser Garibaldi Lake on the Garibaldi Lake route freeze over. You can take a shortcut by walking across the lakes. Use extreme caution if you decide to walk on the lakes. 

Avalanche.ca rates the trail as simple terrain which can be travelled with the normal amount of caution in most conditions. The terrain is rated challenging past Taylor Meadows. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.

On your descent stay on trail and don’t follow skier descent trails into the Rubble Creek valley. The valley is prone to slides. A snowshoer drowned in Rubble Creek in 2008 after getting lost on the descent.

Trail Map/Guide: You can also find more information on the BC Parks website.

Permits/Fees: No permits or fees are required for day trips on the trail in winter. If you want to camp overnight you need to make a reservation and pay backcountry fees. Camping is $10/night + $6 reservation fee.

Dogs: Not permitted in Garibaldi Park.

Getting There: Drive 1.5 hours from Vancouver to the trailhead. If you are coming from Squamish it’s only 30 minutes. Note that BC law requires you to have winter tires to drive on highway 99 between October and April.

The road to the trailhead and the parking lot is plowed sporadically. However, it is still a mountain road so winter tires and chains are recommended in case the plow has not been through recently.

Brandywine Falls

The Trail: The flat and easy trail to the Brandywine Falls viewing platform is a great option for snowshoeing near Whistler. If you want to extend your trip, you can snowshoe a portion of the Sea to Sky trail over to the Whistler Bungee Bridge. You can look down into the depths of the Cheakamus River canyon and maybe even watch people bungee jump.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: The trail crosses train tracks: use caution. There is no maintained trail down to the base of Brandywine Falls: there is an illegal route that uses a scary old rope to descend a cliff but it travels over slippery rocks and is very icy and dangerous in the winter. No avalanche hazard.

Trail Map/Guide: My Brandywine Falls hiking guide has all the info you need.

Permits/Fees: None.

Dogs: Permitted on leash.

Driving Directions: Drive 1.5 hours from Vancouver. It’s only 30 minutes from Squamish. Note that BC law requires you to have winter tires to drive on Highway 99 between October and April.

Getting There: The park gate is locked in the winter and unfortunately you are not allowed to park on the side of Highway 99. (Your car will get towed.) Unless you get dropped off and picked up, unfortunately the only way to do this snowshoe trip currently is to park at Whistler Bungee on the Cal-Cheak Forest Service Road and walk in from that direction. Whistler Bungee does plow the road but it is rough.

Join: Snowshoeing in Vancouver Facebook Group

No-Go Trails for Snowshoeing in Squamish

There are lots of summer hiking trails in Squamish 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.

Here’s my list of no-go trails for snowshoeing:

• Sea to Summit Trail: Only the last section of the Sea to Summit Trail is high enough to see consistent snow, and it’s steep enough to make microspikes or crampons a safer choice than snowshoes even if there is snow.
• Stawamus Chief: It snows on top of the Chief a few times a year, but it doesn’t usually stick for long since it is not at a high enough elevation. As well, it’s too steep for snowshoes – microspikes are better here.
• Watersprite Lake: The road to Watersprite Lake is not plowed so even with 4×4 and chains, you often have to walk a long distance just to get to the trailhead. The summer trail has significant avalanche hazard, so in winter, you have to use an unmarked route to get to the lake. Watersprite Lake is best for experienced snowshoers with avalanche training and experience with off-trail winter navigation.

Squamish Snowshoeing FAQ

Final Thoughts

How many of these snowshoe trails have you done? Which is your favourite? Have questions about snowshoeing in Squamish? Hit me up in the comments.

READ NEXT:

More Snowshoeing Guides:

• Snowshoeing in Vancouver
• Snowshoeing in Whistler
• Manning Park Snowshoeing
• Snowshoeing in Vancouver’s Fraser Valley

Advice for Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking:

• How to Choose Snowshoes: A Complete Guide
• The Best Boots For Snowshoeing
• Snowshoeing Safety: 14 Ways to Get into Trouble and How to Prevent Them
• Best Gifts for Snowshoers (20+ Ideas)
• 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

More Squamish Posts:

• The Best Hikes in Squamish, BC (From a Local)
• 70+ Things to Do in Squamish
• Camping in Squamish, BC: 22 Places to Camp Near Squamish
• Sea to Sky Highway Road Trip Guide: Driving from Vancouver to Whistler
• 10 Best Hotels in Squamish

The post Where to Go Snowshoeing in Squamish appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

This guide covers every trail in the Whistler area that is safe to snowshoe. I haven’t included the countless expert-only areas that are not marked and have significant avalanche danger.

I grew up in Vancouver and live in nearby Squamish, so I’ve been snowshoeing in Whistler for close to two decades. So I know the BEST places to snowshoe near Whistler.

This guide to snowshoeing in Whistler 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
• Snowshoe trails in Whistler: details for 10 trails
• No-go trails: summer trails that aren’t safe for snowshoeing
• Where to rent snowshoes in Whistler – both at the trailheads and in the village
• Snowshoe tours in Whistler: options for going with a guide

If you’re looking for even more places to go snowshoeing or other things to do in Whistler in winter, don’t worry – I got you! Check out these other guides:

• 40+ Things to do in Whistler in Winter
• 40+ Cheap and Free Things To Do in Whistler
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Vancouver
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Squamish

Psst: Looking for a full list of Whistler activities? Check out my list of the best things to do in Whistler. It includes over 80 ideas!

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

Snowshoeing in Whistler Quick Reference Guide

But First… Be Prepared

• Make a trip plan: While these trails may be steps from a busy ski area, 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 Avy Savvy beginner tutorial from Avalanche Canada. 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

Brandywine Falls Snowshoe

The Trail: The flat and easy trail to the Brandywine Falls viewing platform is a great option for snowshoeing near Whistler. If you want to extend your trip, you can snowshoe a portion of the Sea to Sky trail over to the Whistler Bungee Bridge. You can look down into the depths of the Cheakamus River canyon and maybe even watch people bungee jump.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: The trail crosses train tracks: use caution. There is no maintained trail down to the base of Brandywine Falls: there is an illegal route that uses a scary old rope to descend a cliff but it travels over slippery rocks and is very icy and dangerous in the winter.

Trail Map/Guide: My Brandywine Falls hiking guide has all the info you need.

Permits/Fees: None.

Dogs: Permitted on leash.

Getting There: The park gate is locked in the winter and unfortunately you are not allowed to park on the side of Highway 99. (Your car will get towed.) Unless you get dropped off and picked up, unfortunately the only way to do this snowshoe trip currently is to park at Whistler Bungee on the Cal-Cheak Forest Service Road and walk in from that direction. Whistler Bungee does plow the road but it is rough.

Snowshoeing at The Callaghan

The Trails: There are two separate cross country ski areas in the Callaghan Valley (Whistler Olympic Park and The Callaghan). They used to operate together, but in 2024/2025 they have separate tickets. The Callaghan has cross country and backcountry ski trails, but there are also 21 km of snowshoe trails ranging from super flat to more moderate. The highlight of the area is 43m high Alexander falls, which looks spectacular when frozen. You can snowshoe right to the base.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: Most trails in the park are on flat or rolling terrain. However, some trails travel across steeper slopes that can be prone to avalanche. The park may close these trails if conditions are not safe. There are several backcountry access points in the park. Once you pass into the backcountry, there are no trail markings and you are in serious avalanche terrain. Some trails are shared with cross country skiers. Stay on the side of the trail and don’t walk in the set ski track.

Trail Map/Guide: Plan your route with this map.

Permits/Fees: Trail passes are $18 a day.

Dogs: The current website for the The Callaghan does not have any info about dogs. In the past dogs were allowed with the purchased of a day ticket . There were some on-leash on some trails. I’ll update this post after I get more info for the 204/25 season.

It costs $7 for a dog day pass. Dogs are allowed on leash on some trails and prohibited on others. There are also a few off-leash trails and a designated dog parking lot. (See this map for details on dog-friendly trails and parking).

Getting There: Follow signs to The Callaghan ski area along the Callaghan Valley Road. It is located just before the Whistler Olympic Park parking area.

Snowshoeing at Whistler Olympic Park

Distance: 18.5 km with various loops possible

Time Needed: 30 minutes to all day

Elevation Gain: Up to 300 m

Rating: Super Easy to Challenging

The Trails: There are two separate cross country ski areas in the Callaghan Valley (Whistler Olympic Park and The Callaghan). They used to operate together, but in 2024/2025 they have separate tickets. Whistler Olympic Park has cross country ski trails as well as a network of snowshoe trails.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: Most trails in the park are on flat or rolling terrain. However, some trails travel across steeper slopes that can be prone to avalanche. The park may close these trails if conditions are not safe. There are several backcountry access points in the park. Once you pass into the backcountry, there are no trail markings and you are in serious avalanche terrain. Some trails are shared with cross country skiers. Stay on the side of the trail and don’t walk in the set ski track.

Trail Map/Guide: Plan your route with this map.

Permits/Fees: Trail passes are $20 a day.

Dogs: It costs $8 for a dog day pass. Dogs are allowed on leash on some trails and prohibited on others. There are also a few off-leash trails and a designated dog parking lot. Read through the Whistler Olympic Park dog info to see where dogs are allowed.

Getting There: Follow signs to the Whistler Olympic Park ski area along the Callaghan Valley Road. It is located just after The Callaghan parking area.

Snowshoeing to Whistler Train Wreck

The Trail: This short trail is one of the best hikes in Whistler, so in the winter it’s a great place to go snowshoeing. The trail descends gradually to a brand new suspension bridge over the Cheakamus River.

On the other side, there are 7 graffiti-covered box cars in the forest along with some old mountain bike jumps. The main 5 are right where you came up the hill. The other two are a little further along the trail to the left.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: No avalanche danger. Be sure to follow the directions in the trail guide linked below. There are still some old trail guides online that use an old (an illegal!) way to access the train wreck. The old way involves trespassing on some train tracks.

Trail Map/Guide: My Whistler Train Wreck Trail guide has all the info.

Permits/Fees: None required.

Dogs: Allowed on leash.

Getting There: There is free parking at the trailhead in the Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood of Whistler. You can get to within a 10 minute walk of the trail on public transit. From Whistler Village take bus 20 to Legacy Way, then walk 700m down Jane Lakes Road to the trailhead.

Snowshoeing the Cheakamus River Trails

The Trail: The Whistler Interpretive Forest in Whistler’s Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood is a great place to go snowshoeing in Whistler. You can make a loop by using the Riverside Trail on one side of the Cheakamus River and the Farside Trail on the other. Connect the two with a walk over a picturesque suspension bridge. The route has some short rolling hills, but its never very steep.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: None.

Trail Map/Guide: This map shows all the trails. Use my Cheakamus River Snowshoe Trail guide.

Permits/Fees: None

Dogs: Allowed on leash.

Getting There: Park in Whistler Interpretive Forest Parking lot on Cheakamus Lake Road just after you turn off the highway.

You can get to the trail on public transit. From Whistler Village take bus 20 to the first stop in Cheakamus Crossing.

READ NEXT: Cheakamus River Snowshoe Trail in Whistler

Cheakamus Lake Snowshoeing

The Trail: Cheakamus Lake is a popular short hike in the summer time. In winter it’s a much longer journey since the normal access road is closed. First you have to snowshoe 7.5 km along the closed road to the summer parking lot. From there it’s another 3km to Cheakamus Lake following the summer trail. Once you get to the lake you can continue along the shore for a further 4km.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: The road portion of the trip has no hazards. Once you leave the summer parking lot for the Cheakamus Lake and start on the trail you will be crossing a large rock slide and a steep slope. This slope is an avalanche hazard. Use caution and cross one at a time. Be prepared to turn back if conditions aren’t right.

Trail Map/Guide: This map shows all the trails.

Permits/Fees: None

Dogs: Allowed on leash on the road portion and the Whistler Interpretive Trails. Dogs are not permitted in Garibaldi Park so you can’t bring your dog on the Cheakamus Lake Trail.

Getting There: Parking: Park in Whistler Interpretive Forest Parking lot on Cheakamus Lake Road just after you turn off the highway. You can walk down the road to the trailhead.

You can get to within a 5 minute walk of the trail on public transit. From Whistler Village take bus 20 to the first stop in Cheakamus Crossing, then walk 350m down Cheakamus Lake Road to the trailhead.

Join: Snowshoeing in Vancouver Facebook Group

Snowshoeing to Rainbow Falls

The Trail: This short trail takes you to the base of pretty little Rainbow Falls near Alta Lake in Whistler. It looks particularly gorgeous when frozen. While the trail is short, it does gain over 100m in less than a kilometer so it’s not super easy.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: No avalanche hazard. The trail to Rainbow Falls branches off right from the main trail to Rainbow Lake (which isn’t accessible in the winter due to a removed bridge). The turn off to the falls can be hard to spot, but my trail guide will help you find the way.

Trail Map/Guide: Use my Rainbow Falls Loop Trail guide.

Permits/Fees: None required.

Dogs: Allowed on-leash on the Rainbow Falls Loop Trail but not allowed on other trails in the area.

Getting There: There is a parking lot at the trailhead. You can also take a taxi from Whistler Village.

Snowshoeing at Lost Lake Park

The Trail: Lost Lake Park is mostly known for its cross country ski trails, but it also has a 15km network of snowshoe trails to explore. These rolling trails wind through the forest around Lost Lake, intersecting the ski trails occasionally. If you climb up some of the hillier trails, you’ll discover views of Lost Lake or Green Lake. If you want a break, there’s a day lodge with a cafe and a warming hut.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards:  No avalanche danger. The trails sometimes intersect cross country ski trails. Watch for on-coming skiers. Stay on the side of the trail and carefully step over the set ski track.

Trail Map/Guide: Read my Lost Lake snowshoe guide for step-by-step directions for my recommended route, a map, driving directions, and more.

Permits/Fees: Day passes are $13.50.

Dogs: Not permitted.

Getting There: The closest parking is in Lot 5 in Whistler Village. On public transit, take bus 5 to the corner of Blackcomb Way and Lorimer Road, then walk 5 minutes down Lorimer to the entrance to Lost Lake Park.

READ NEXT: Lost Lake Snowshoe Trails in Whistler

Snowshoeing the Ancient Cedars Trail

The Trail: In the summer, the Ancient Cedars Trail is an easy hike to a grove of huge old-growth cedars. But in the winter it turns into a much longer outings since the rough logging road to the trailhead (4 km in total) isn’t plowed, so you will have to walk that as well.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: The first two kilometres of the road is in a tight valley with steep slopes above you that will expose you to avalanche hazard.

Trail Map/Guide: There is a good description of the summer route on Vancouver Trails. Keep in mind that you will need to snowshoe up the access road.

Permits/Fees: None

Dogs: Allowed

Getting There: From Whistler, head north on Highway 99. Just past the end of Green Lake, turn left onto Cougar Mountain Road. Drive up the road for a few minutes to the Superfly Ziplines base area. Park here as the road past this point is impassable in winter.

Snowshoeing to Parkhurst Ghost Town

The Trail: If you love abandoned buildings and are comfortable navigating unmarked trails, the free snowshoe trip to the former town of Parkhurst was made for you. The loop hike to the ghost town follows a network of mountain bike trails that can be a challenge to find in the winter.

Parkhurst Ghost Town is a former logging town settlement on the shores of Green Lake that was abandoned in the 1960s, before Whistler was a ski area. There are lots of collapsed buildings and vehicles to discover in the area. The highlight is the one surviving building, covered in graffiti.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: No avalanche danger. Some of the trails and junctions are not well marked so it can be easy to get lost. The markers are not easy to see in the winter. I recommend using a GPS app that shows trails like Gaia, Alltrails or Trailforks. Bring a map and compass just in case.

Trail Map/Guide: Read my complete guide to the Parkhurst Ghost Town hike. The directions were written for summer travel and the trail network will be much more challenging to find in the winter.

Permits/Fees: None.

Dogs: Allowed.

Getting There: Drive 10 minutes north of the village on highway 99 to the marked turn off for the Wedgemount Lake Trail. Turn right off the highway, then cross train tracks and a bridge. Park on the side of the road right after the bridge. There will usually be too much snow to drive all the way to the trailhead described in my trail guide. Walking the road will add 1km each way to your hike.

Snowshoeing to Nairn Falls

The Trail: This flat trail runs above the bank of the Green River before ending at the spectacular viewpoint for Nairn Falls. The falls are especially dramatic when they partially freeze up in the winter.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: No avalanche danger. Use caution in slippery conditions as the trail is on a wide ledge above the river and the drop down to the river is pretty steep.

Trail Map/Guide: There is info on the Nairn Falls Provincial Park website.

Permits/Fees: None.

Dogs: Allowed on leash.

Getting There: Drive 30 minutes north of Whistler Village to Nairn Falls Provincial Park. Watch for the BC Parks signs so you don’t miss the turn. The campground portion of the park is gated in winter, but you can drive into the day use parking lot.

Snowshoeing to Joffre Lakes

The Trail: This popular trail winds past two alpine lakes before arriving at a third alpine lake with a great view of the surrounding glaciers. In the summer the turquoise blue lakes are the draw, but in the winter the whole area is blanketed in white.

The first lake is an easy 5 minute walk from the car (great for beginners), but the other lakes will take substantially longer to reach and are best left for experienced snowshoers. You have to pay if you want to camp overnight, but it’s totally free to snowshoe there on a day trip.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: This is serious backcountry terrain. You are far from help and there is no cell service. The trail crosses below some avalanche terrain, particularly in between the 2nd and 3rd lakes and at the far end of the 3rd lake. You should have avalanche gear and training if you plan to tackle this trail.

Trail Map/Guide: See my Joffre Lakes hiking guide for more details.

Permits/Fees: None in winter.

Dogs: Not allowed.

Getting There: Drive an hour north of Whistler, through Pemberton and Mount Currie to Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. Although the entire drive is on the paved road of highway 99, this is a VERY steep mountain road with lots of switchbacks and it can be slippery and snowy in the winter. Bring tire chains just in case.

In the summer there is a large parking lot, but only a fraction of it is plowed in the winter. And sometimes it’s not plowed at all. Try to park where you won’t block the plow and bring a snow shovel in case you need to dig yourself a parking spot. Get there early to make sure you get a spot.

Join: Snowshoeing in Vancouver Facebook Group

No-Go Trails for Snowshoeing in Whistler

There are lots of summer hiking trails in Whistler that may sound like a fun snowshoe adventure in winter. However, many of them have significant avalanche danger, or are closed in winter.

Here’s my list of no-go trails for snowshoeing:

• Blackcomb Ascent Trails: These trails are closed in winter because they go through the ski area.
• Blackcomb Alpine Trails: These trails are closed in winter because they go through the ski area.
• Singing Pass Trail to Russet Lake: This trail has significant avalanche hazard. As well, this trail is very long and is often used as a backcountry ski descent route. It is only suited for experienced snowshoers with avalanche training. And honestly, it’s not a very aesthetically pleasing route unless you are on your way to the Kees and Claire Hut at Russet Lake.
• Musical Bumps: This trail is closed in winter because it goes through the ski area.
• High Note Trail: This trail is closed in winter because it goes through the ski area.
• Rainbow Lake: This trail is closed in winter because a key bridge is removed to protect it from snow-loading.
• Skywalk Trail: This trail includes signifcant avalanche hazard. As well, once it leaves the trees wayfinding is very difficult. The trail is only suited for experienced snowshoers with avalanche training and off-trail travel skills.
• Wedgemount Lake: This trail has significant avalanche hazard, especially just before the lake. It is also very steep and can require an ice axe to navigate. The trail is only suited for experienced snowshoers with avalanche training.

Where to Rent Snowshoes in Whistler

If you want to try snowshoeing before you buy, lots of places in Whistler rent snowshoes. Sunny weekends and holidays can be really busy for rentals, so try to reserve a pair ahead of time if possible.

• Urban Alpine in Squamish
• Whistler Olympic Park
• Ski Callaghan
• Cross Country Connection at Lost Lake
• Spicy Sports in Whistler Village.
• Spud Valley Sporting Goods in Pemberton

Snowshoe Tours in Whistler

If it’s your first time snowshoeing, it can be helpful to go with a guide. They can help you get your snowshoes set up and provide tips for snowshoeing technique. Your guide will also have info about the plants, animals, and views you will see on your trip.

• Snowshoe the Medicine Trail: This snowshoe tour takes place on private land through beautiful forest, so you can only do it with a tour. The trip visits an old trapper’s cabin too!
• Private Snowshoeing Tour: Your guide will take you to the trail of your choice – you can pick from several destinations to suit your group.

Final Thoughts

Which of these Whistler snowshoe trails is your favourite? Have questions about snowshoeing in Whistler? Let me know in the comments.

READ NEXT:

More Snowshoeing Guides:

• Cheakamus River Snowshoe Trail in Whistler
• Lost Lake Snowshoe Trails in Whistler
• Brandywine Falls Provincial Park Hiking Guide
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Vancouver
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Squamish
• Where to Go to Snowshoeing in Manning Park
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Vancouver’s Fraser Valley
• Snowshoe at Dakota Ridge on the Sunshine Coast, BC

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!)

More Whistler Ideas:

• The Best Things to do in Whistler (By a Local)
• 44 Things to do in Whistler in Winter
• 40 Cheap and Free Things To Do in Whistler
• The Best Hikes in Whistler: A Guide to All the Trails
• Camping in Whistler, BC: The Best Campgrounds
• Hike to Parkhurst Ghost Town in Whistler
• Sea to Sky Highway Road Trip Guide: Driving from Vancouver to Whistler

The post Where to Go Snowshoeing in Whistler appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

This post covers 10 snowshoe trails on Vancouver’s North Shore. That’s every single North Shore trail that is high enough for consistent snow AND is also safe to snowshoe. I haven’t included the countless expert-only areas that are not marked and have significant avalanche danger.

I’ve been snowshoeing in Vancouver for most of my life. I grew up here and my dad took me snowshoeing as a kid. I got my first pair of snowshoes over 20 years ago and have been snowshoeing near Vancouver every winter since then.

This guide to snowshoeing in Vancouver 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
• Snowshoeing at Grouse Mountain: details for three trails
• Snowshoeing at Mount Seymour: details for three trails
• Snowshoeing at Cypress Mountain: details for four trails
• No-go trails: summer trails that aren’t safe for snowshoeing
• Vancouver snowshoeing FAQ: answers to all your questions!

If you’re looking for even more places to go snowshoeing in the Vancouver area, don’t worry – I got you! Check out these other guides to snowshoeing trails near Vancouver:

• Where to go Snowshoeing in Whistler
• Where to go Snowshoeing in Squamish
• Where to go Snowshoeing in the Fraser Valley
• Where to go Snowshoeing in Manning Park
• Snowshoeing at Dakota Ridge on the Sunshine Coast, BC

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

Vancouver Snowshoeing Quick Reference Guide

There are three main places to go snowshoeing in Vancouver: Grouse Mountain, Mount Seymour and Cypress Provincial Park (which is where Cypress Mountain ski hill is.) These three locations are the only places in Vancouver at a high enough elevation to have consistent snow. 

Join: Snowshoeing in Vancouver Facebook Group

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. There is a great FREE online Avy Savvy beginner tutorial from Avalanche Canada. 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

Snowshoeing at Grouse Mountain

Grouse Mountain is one of the easiest places to go snowshoeing in Vancouver. You simply ride the gondola to the top, then head out on the trails. They have rentals too. There are three snowshoe trails at Grouse Mountain. Read on for details.

Permits/Fees: You need a Mountain Admission ticket to take the gondola to the top of Grouse Mountain. It’s $82 for a round trip. Once you get to the top, there are no extra charges for snowshoeing.

You can also access the top of Grouse Mountain for free if you hike up the very steep Grouse Grind or BCMC trails. However, these trails can close in the winter if conditions are bad. And even if they are open, you will need an ice axe and crampons.

Dogs: Not permitted on any trails.

Driving Directions: Drive 20 min from Vancouver to the base of the Grouse Mountain Skyride gondola, then buy a ticket and ride up. Click here for driving directions.

Parking: It costs $10/day to park in the lots at the base of Grouse.

Transit Access: Translink bus 236 from Lonsdale Quay will get you to the bottom of the gondola. Click here for transit directions.

Blue Grouse Loop Snowshoe Trail, Grouse Mountain

The Trail: This short loop trail meanders through the forest near the lodge and crosses a bridge over a small pond. Part of the route is lit up with Christmas lights as part of Grouse Mountain’s Lightwalk attraction. Expect to see tourists without snowshoes on the Lightwalk section.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: None.

Trail Map/Guide: Trail descriptions and a map are available on the Grouse Mountain website.

Snowshoe Grind, Grouse Mountain

The Trail: A winter alternative to the Grouse Grind, the Snowshoe Grind isn’t nearly as steep as the regular grind, but it does go pretty steadily uphill. It finishes near the summit of Dam Mountain.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: The first section of the trail is on the side of a very steep hill that can produce small avalanches. In general, stay on the trail: there is a lot steep and dangerous terrain if you leave the marked route. The final 50m to the summit is very steep and can be slippery. Do not go past the summit as the area is closed in winter since it is very dangerous terrain. Check the South Coast avalanche forecast before you go.

Trail Map/Guide: There’s more information and a map on the Grouse Mountain website.

Thunderbird Ridge Snowshoe Route, Grouse Mountain

The Trail: The first part of the trail to Thunderbird Ridge is shared with the Snowshoe Grind. After the Snowshoe Grind tops out, the Thunderbird Ridge trail meanders downhill on a mellow ridgeline with good views of the surrounding mountains. (Psst: In the summer, the Thunderbird Ridge trail is one of my picks for the best easy hikes near Vancouver.)

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: The first section of the trail after you leave the ski resort is on an old road cut into the side of a very steep hill. The slopes above this hill can produce small avalanches. Use caution in this area and spread out your group. Stay on the trail: there is a lot of steep and dangerous terrain if you leave the marked route. Check the South Coast avalanche forecast before you go. 

Trail Map/Guide: There’s a map on the Grouse Mountain website.

Snowshoeing at Mount Seymour

There are two separate snowshoe areas here: one managed by the ski resort (paid), and one in Mount Seymour Provincial Park (free). I think Mount Seymour Provincial Park has the best free beginner-friendly terrain in Vancouver. Read on for the details.

Ski Resort Trails Tickets: If you snowshoe on the Mount Seymour Discovery Snowshoe Trails (part of the ski resort) snowshoe tickets cost $17 day and include free parking in the upper lots.

BC Parks Trails Day-Passes: If you want to snowshoe in Mount Seymour Provincial Park (Dog Mountain and Mount Seymour trails) it’s totally free. But you do need to get a day pass on weekends and holidays in order to park. You can get a pass online starting at 7am two days before your trip. On popular weekends, passes will run out so act quickly. See my guide to BC Parks day passes for more info.

Dogs: Permitted on leash on all trails.

Driving Directions: Drive 35 min from Vancouver to the downhill ski parking lot at Mount Seymour. Click here for driving directions.

Parking: Parking is free but depends on where you are snowshoeing. See the parking map here. If you are snowshoeing on the paid ski resort trails, you can park in the upper lots. If you snowshoeing on the free BC Parks trails, you need to park in the lower lots which are up to 1.5km walk to the trailhead.

Transit Access: The Mount Seymour Shuttle is $10-15. You don’t need a day pass if you take the shuttle.

Discovery Snowshoe Trails, Mount Seymour

The Trails: A network of short trails loops around several lakes just downhill from the bunny hill. Most of the trails are very easy. Keep in mind that you’ll always have to head uphill to get back to the parking lot. These trails are operated by the ski resort so you will need to buy a trail pass to snowshoe here.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: None.

Trail Map/Guide: Trail descriptions and a map are available on the Mount Seymour website.

Dog Mountain Winter Snowshoe Route, Mount Seymour

The Trail: This rolling trail travels past a small lake on the way to the open summit of Dog Mountain. From there you can get a great view of the city. This trail is probably the most popular place to go snowshoeing in Vancouver. No permits or fees are required.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: No avalanche danger. Be careful to use bridges around stream channels as the water may not be completely frozen over.

Trail Map/Guide: For a map, see the Metro Vancouver Parks website.

Join: Snowshoeing in Vancouver Facebook Group

Mount Seymour First Peak Winter Backcountry Access Trail

The Trail: This steep route climbs to the first peak of Mount Seymour on a trail that starts out paralleling the ski runs. After passing over Brockton Point it traverses below the south face of Mount Seymour before climbing sharply up a ridge to the summit. The last kilometer of the route is very steep and can be slippery. Use caution. No permits or fees are required.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: Avalanche.ca rates the first part of the trail as simple terrain and the final section to the summit as challenging. The trail crosses an avalanche path where it traverses below the south summit of Mount Seymour. The climb up the ridge to the peak is very steep and can be treacherous in icy conditions. Do not attempt the final climb from the junction with the Elsay Lake trail to the summit without crampons and an ice axe (and the skills to use them) if the trail is icy.

The summer routes to the 2nd and 3rd peaks and the trail to Elsay Lake are rated as complex by Avalanche.ca. They traverse steep slopes and narrow gullies with high avalanche risk. Do not continue past the summit of 1st peak without avalanche training and safety gear. Check the South Coast avalanche forecast before you go. 

Trail Map/Guide: You can find information about the winter route to Mount Seymour on the BC Parks website.

Snowshoeing at Cypress Mountain

There is actually no mountain called Cypress Mountain – that’s just the name of the ski hill. You can snowshoe at the nordic ski area trails on Hollyburn Mountain. You can also snowshoe on BC Parks trails on Hollyburn Mountain, Black Mountain, and Bowen Lookout.

Ski Resort Trails Tickets: If you snowshoe on the Hollyburn Nordic Self-Guided Snowshoe Trails (part of the ski resort) snowshoe tickets cost $22 day and include free parking in the nordic lots.

BC Parks Trails: If you want to snowshoe in Cypress Provincial Park (Hollyburn Mountain, Black Mountain, Bowen Lookout) it’s totally free. However, you do need to pick up a free liability waiver pass for Black Mountain and Bowen Lookout. Details on those below. (In previous years, you needed to get a free day pass for all BC Parks trails, but passes aren’t required for winter 2025/26.)

Dogs: Not permitted on the Hollyburn Nordic Area trails. Dogs are permitted on-leash on all other trails.

Driving Directions: Drive 30 min from Vancouver to Cypress Mountain. Click here for driving directions.

Parking: There is free parking in lots 1, 2, 3a, and 3b, and 4 (nordic area) but the lots closest to the trailheads fill up fast. There is a shuttle from the furthest lots. I’ve got recommended parking location info for each trail below.

Transit Access: The Cypress Coachlines shuttle is $35.

Hollyburn Nordic Area Self-Guided Snowshoe Trails, Cypress Mountain

The Trails: Cypress Mountain’s cross country ski area is also home to a maze of snowshoe trails that crisscross the ski trails. There are a few flat trails but most have hills. Two warming huts give you a place to take a break. These trails are inside the ski area so you need trail passes for $22 a day.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: None.

Trail Map/Guide: Trail descriptions and a map are available on the Cypress Mountain website.

Parking: Park in Lot 4 (Nordic ski area) or if that is full, in lot 3B.

Bowen Lookout Winter Snowshoe Route, Cypress Mountain

The Trail: This short but steep trail climbs the first section of the Howe Sound Crest Trail to a lookout with great views of Bowen Island. Bowen Lookout is my favourite place to go for a sunset snowshoe near Vancouver.

Passes: Due to the ski resorts liability policy, a free backcountry access pass is required to cross the ski hill to get to the start of the trail. You can pick one up at the old Black Mountain Lodge in the main downhill ski area parking lot.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: No avalanche danger. The steep switchbacks on the trail can get really icy. Use caution when descending. This trail extends along the Howe Sound Crest Trail to St. Mark’s Summit.

In the winter travelling any further than Bowen Lookout will take you into serious avalanche terrain with many dangerous gullies and sharp drop-offs. Two snowshoers died in the area in December 2016. If you snowshoe this trail, please don’t go any further than Bowen Lookout without avalanche training and safety equipment.

Trail Map/Guide: A trail description and trail map are available on the BC Parks website.

Parking: Park in Lot 1, 2, or 3A. If those are full, park in lot 3B and take the shuttle.

Black Mountain Winter Snowshoe Route, Cypress Mountain

The Trail: This steep trail climbs up beside the ski runs to the top of Black Mountain. Once at the top a loop trail travels past a few lakes.

Passes: Due to the ski resorts liability policy, a free backcountry access pass is required to cross the ski hill to get to the start of the trail. You can pick one up at the old Black Mountain Lodge in the main downhill ski area parking lot.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: Avalanche.ca rates this as simple terrain which can be travelled with the normal amount of caution in most conditions. There is a very steep section of trail next to the ski run. Use caution and consider taking off your snowshoes when descending to avoid slipping. Check the South Coast avalanche forecast before you go. 

Trail Map/Guide: A trail description and trail map are available on the BC Parks website.

Parking: Park in Lot 1, 2, or 3A. If those are full, park in lot 3B and take the shuttle.

Hollyburn Mountain Winter Trail, Cypress Mountain

The Trail: The trail to the peak of Hollyburn Mountain climbs a few short hills and meanders beside the cross-country ski trails. In the last kilometer, it climbs steeply straight up to the summit.

Passes: No permits or fees are required as long as you stay out of the nordic ski area.

Avalanche Danger and Hazards: Avalanche.ca rates this as simple terrain which can be travelled with the normal amount of caution in most conditions. The final slope up to the summit is rated as challenging terrain. It very steep and can be treacherous in icy conditions. There is no significant avalanche danger if you stay on the trail, but the steep cliffs and gullies around the summit are prime avalanche territory. Check the South Coast avalanche forecast before you go. 

Trail Map/Guide: A trail description and trail map are available on the BC Parks website.

Parking: Park in Lot 4 (Nordic ski area) or if that is full, in lot 3B.

Join: Snowshoeing in Vancouver Facebook Group

No-Go Trails for Snowshoeing in Vancouver

There are lots of summer hiking trails in Vancouver 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 snow to be worthwhile for snowshoeing.

Here’s my list of no-go trails for snowshoeing:

Elsay Lake Trail: This trail has significant avalanche hazard since it passes through and below avalanche chutes for almost its entire length.

Lynn Peak: There is usually not enough snow to make this a worthwhile snowshoeing trip – you will usually have to carry your snowshoes for about 90% of the ascent until you reach deep snow.

Hanes Valley: This route is officially closed and forbidden to hike in winter. It passes through significant avalanche terrain.

Coliseum Mountain: This route is officially closed and forbidden to hike in winter. It passes through significant avalanche terrain.

Crown Mountain: This route is officially closed and forbidden to hike in winter. It passes through significant avalanche terrain and has very dangerous steep slopes.

Goat Mountain and Goat Ridge: This route is officially closed and forbidden to hike in winter. It passes through significant avalanche terrain and has very dangerous steep slopes.

Mount Strachan: The route up the front (south) side of the peak is closed in winter since it is part of the ski hill. The route up Christmas Gully on the back (north) side of the peak has significant avalanche danger.

St. Mark’s Summit: The trail crosses several dangerous avalanche chutes and is difficult to follow when snow covered.

Vancouver Snowshoeing FAQ

How many of these snowshoe trails have you done? Which is your favourite? Have questions about snowshoeing in Vancouver? Hit me up in the comments.

READ NEXT:

More Snowshoeing Guides:

• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Squamish
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Whistler
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Vancouver’s Fraser Valley
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Manning Park
• Snowshoeing at Dakota Ridge on the Sunshine Coast, BC

More Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking Advice

• How to Choose Snowshoes: A Complete Guide
• The Best Boots For Snowshoeing
• Snowshoeing Safety: 14 Ways to Get into Trouble and How to Prevent Them
• Best Gifts for Snowshoers (20+ Ideas)
• 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 Vancouver 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.

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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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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

Get the book

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.

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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.

I’ve day hiked the various routes to Russet Lake several times each, and I’ve backpacked to the lake three times over the last 20 years. (The photos in this post are from various trips.) I keep coming back since it is one of my favourite areas – the mountain and glacier views are amazing (maybe the best in Garibaldi Park!) and access to the alpine is easy if you take the Whistler gondola.

I’m a hiking guidebook author and have backpacked all over BC, so I’ve put together a detailed Russet Lake hiking and backpacking guide for you. It includes:

• Quick facts about hiking to Russet Lake, including distances, how long it takes, best time to go, and more
• Map and elevation profile, plus a downloadable GPX file
• Detailed trail descriptions for each of the three options for hiking to Russet Lake plus tips for skiing and snowshoeing in winter
• Tips for which route to take and taking the gondola, including how to ride it for free
• Extending your trip – day hikes and scrambles from Russet Lake
• Camping and the hut – details on staying at the campground and Kees and Claire Hut, including reservations and fees
• How to get to the Russet Lake trailhead – including parking and bus info
• Russet Lake hiking tips – advice for bears, what to bring, food storage, weather, and 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: 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

Russet Lake Quick Facts

Route Options: Russet Lake is located in Garibaldi Provincial Park in the mountains above Whistler, BC. You can get there via two different trails from the top of the Whistler Gondola or by the Singing Pass Trail from Whistler Village. I’ve got details on all three below.

Distance: 11.7 to 14.6 km one-way, depending on route choice

Elevation Gain: 665 to 1,450 m, depending on route choice

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 9 to 12 hours or overnight

Best Time to Go: Mid-July to mid-September to avoid snow and take advantage of Whistler Gondola’s summer service.

Reservations and Fees: Day hiking is free and does not require a day pass. You must make reservations with BC Parks to backcountry camp. If you camp, you must pay camping and reservation fees. More details in the camping section below.

Indigenous Context: This area is in the traditional territory of the Skwxwu7mesh (Squamish) and Lil’wat Nations. To learn more, see the info sign in the Elfin Lakes campground or visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.

Russet Lake Trail Map and Elevation Profile

For the most part, the main trails to Russet Lake are well-marked and easy to follow. There are signs at all junctions.

I used the Gaia GPS app on my hikes. It is helpful to know where I am on the trail to figure out how much higher I have to climb and where the next viewpoint is. All Trails+ is also great.

I also made you a trail map using Gaia GPS. Click through to zoom in and explore. You can also save it to your routes in Gaia GPS or export the GPX file.

PS: Want to save 10% on a premium subscription to Gaia GPS (the app I use for all my hikes)? Use my link – the discount appears in cart.

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Russet Lake Trail Options

There are three ways to hike to Russet Lake: the Singing Pass Trail, the High Note Trail from the top of the Peak Chair, and the High Note Trail from Whistler Roundhouse. You can also ski or snowshoe to Russet Lake in winter. Below, I’ve got details on each one.

Note: While I usually list distances as a round-trip, this time I‘ve listed distances one-way since this is a hike where you can take different routes there and back. I’ve also included elevation loss stats for the trip to Russet, which become elevation gain stats if you take that route back to the trailhead.

High Note Trail from the Top of the Peak Chair

Distance: 11.7 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 665 m

Elevation Loss: 940 m

Practicalities: Requires taking the Whistler Gondola or the Blackcomb Gondola and the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, and then the Peak Chair.

This is by far the most scenic route to Russet Lake and the route I recommend. You start by taking the Whistler Gondola up to the Roundhouse and then Peak Chair. (More gondola tips in the section below.)

You’ll hike the High Note Trail to Flute Junction, then continue along the Musical Bumps to Singing Pass, then up Cowboy Ridge to Russet Lake.

As you can see in the elevation profile above, the route has some ups and downs, but in general, it is mostly downhill. There are no reliable water sources on this route, so pack all the water you will need for the day.

Key Locations

Route Description

Ride the gondola and then the Peak Chair to the top of Whistler Mountain. Walk across the suspension bridge, then go left and down the stairs to the signed trailhead for the High Note Trail. My High Note Trail Guide has a more detailed description of this trail.

Follow the trail steeply downhill through a rocky section, then across a ski area access road. The trail follows the hillside through beautiful meadows with great views of Black Tusk Peak. Pass the junction with the Half Note Trail at 2.9 km and the Cheakamus Lake Lookout at 3.7 km.

At 4.5 km, arrive at Flute Junction. From here, you’ll go across the Musical Bumps: Flute and Oboe Summits. Go straight and gain 120 m up the hill to Flute Summit at 5.1 km. Be sure to detour south from the summit for the best views of Cheakamus Lake. Continue across the broad summit plateau and then down into a dip 160 m below Flute Summit.

On the other side, gain 150 m uphill to Oboe Summit at 7.2 km. The view from the ridge crest is gorgeous, but frustrating. You can see your trail dropping 225 m down into Singing Pass and then climbing up the other side.

Drop down off the summit and head downhill through meadows and clumps of trees to Singing Pass Junction at 8.7 km. Turn right and begin your ascent of Cowboy Ridge. The 240 m climb has a few switchbacks, so it is never very steep, but it feels tiring at the end of the day. There are great views the higher you climb.

Reach Kees and Claire Hut at 10.9 km in very rocky terrain on the ridge crest. Follow the trail down through rocks and then meadow to the end of the trail at the Russet Lake campground on the north shore of the lake at 11.7 km.

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High Note Trail from Whistler Roundhouse

Distance: 11.7 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 765 m

Elevation Loss: 707 m

Practicalities: Requires taking the Whistler Gondola or the Blackcomb Gondola and the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. Does not include the Peak Chair.

This is another scenic option, but it isn’t quite as picturesque as the main part of the High Note Trail. You can use this option when the Peak Chair isn’t running. (It opens later/closes earlier than the gondola and doesn’t run at all in the fall.) I’ve also used this route when I’m with people who are afraid of heights and therefore don’t want to ride the Peak Chair.

From the Whistler Roundhouse, you’ll hike the bottom part of the High Note Trail in the reverse direction that most people take. Once you arrive at Flute Junction (and meet up with the High Note coming from Whistler Peak), you’ll follow the same route across Flute and Oboe Summits as the High Note Route from Whistler Peak.

While this route doesn’t have much more total elevation gain than the High Note Route from the Peak Chair, it does have a lot more ups and downs.

Key Locations

Route Description

From the Whistler Roundhouse, follow the signs to Harmony Lake, 1 km away and 90 m lower. On the far side of the lake, head uphill, passing under a chairlift, to gain 160 m on a ridge crest.

Drop steeply down from the ridge, losing 90 m, to arrive at Symphony Lake at 3.2 km. This is the last reliable water source on this route, so fill up here just in case.

Head gently uphill, gaining 80 m to Flute Junction at 4.5 km. Turn left to begin the ascent of Flute Summit. From here, you can use the High Note Trail from Peak Chair description above since the route is the same.

Singing Pass Trail

Distance: 14.8 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 1,446 m

Elevation Loss: 263 m

Practicalities: This is the only route to Russet Lake that does NOT require taking a gondola. You start right from Whistler Village.

If the gondola isn’t running, you don’t have the budget for it, or you just like the idea of getting to Russet Lake under your own power, you can take the Singing Pass Trail. While it gains a LOT of elevation, it’s pretty gradual. It is entirely in the forest – you won’t get any views until you get to Cowboy Ridge.

The route starts in Whistler Village, crosses through the Mountain Bike Park, then follows an old road and then a trail uphill to Singing Pass Junction. From there, you take the same route up Cowboy Ridge as you would if you came from Whistler Mountain.

There are lots of water sources on this route, so you don’t have to worry about carrying much with you.

Key Locations

Singing Pass Trail Description

The trailhead is on Blackcomb Way in Whistler Village next to the Gondola bus stops. From the info sign, walk around the yellow gate into the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Follow the access road up the hill through the bike park. Watch for service vehicles on the road.

When the road forks at the top of the open area, go left on a road into the forest. Watch out for a bike trail crossing the road. Follow the road gently uphill past a reservoir building with glimpses of bike trails on both sides of the road. Watch for another bike trail crossing the road at 1.5 km.

Past here, you’ll be walking on an old road that is overgrown and eroded in places. In places, there are wide bridges over creeks and ditches. These bridges help keep the route open for skiers in winter.

About 3.8 km from the start, pass through an area overgrown with alder. If you look carefully, there is an old outhouse on the left. Until the late 1990s, you could drive up this old road. You are now at the former trailhead and parking area.

Continue the trail, passing under the Peak 2 Peak Gondola at 4.6 km. Cross Harmony Creek at 5.3 km. This area is the site of a huge washout and is unstable, so use caution, especially during times of snowmelt or heavy rain.

A few minutes later, cross an unnamed creek in a steep gully and then pass a sign welcoming you to Garibaldi Provincial Park. Cross Flute Creek on a sturdy metal bridge at 7.1 km. At 8.2 km, cross Oboe Creek on a deteriorating Bridge. This crossing can also be difficult at higher water.

Past here, the vegetation begins to change and transition to more alpine species like Mountain Hemlock and Subalpine Fir. You can also hear Melody Creek downhill to your left.

As you approach Singing Pass junction at 11.9 km, the trees start to thin out and patches of meadow start to appear. From Singing Pass junction, turn left and follow the directions above for the final ascent of Cowboy Ridge.

Skiing and Snowshoeing to Russet Lake in Winter

Russet Lake is a popular spot for backcountry skiing in winter. It is part of the Spearhead Traverse, a multi-day backcountry ski trip between Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains. As well, many people ski or snowshoe to the Kees and Clair Hut in the winter.

If you’re coming to Russet Lake in winter, you need to have avalanche training and experience since both routes to the lake travel through avalanche terrain.

Skiers can pay to take the Whistler Gondola and lifts, ski across the Musical Bumps to Singing Pass, and then head up Cowboy Ridge to Russet Lake. The Spearhead Huts site has advice on which chairlifts and routes to take through the ski resort. Snowshoers are not allowed on the lifts or in the resort, so they can’t take this route.

The other option in the winter is to come in via the Singing Pass Trail from Whistler Village. This route is open to both skiers and snowshoers. Depending on snow levels, you may have to hike the bottom section of the trail. Skiers should use caution if descending this way because there are lots of tight turns with drop-offs as well as narrow bridges.

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Whistler Gondola Tips and Route Choice

If you have the cash for it, the Whistler Gondola has by far the best views in the Whistler area and is a great way to start your hike to Russet Lake.

If you’re splashing out on the gondola, you should get your money’s worth. I recommend riding the Blackcomb Gondola first, then the Peak 2 Peak Gondola to the Whistler Roundhouse. That way, you can get the most views before you start hiking to Russet Lake.

I do recommend taking the Peak Chair up to Whistler Peak to enjoy the Suspension Bridge and views from there. (And because the High Note Trail has the best views.) However, it’s not a great option for people who are afraid of heights since it is an open chair (your legs dangle) and it goes over a cliff. (More details on that in my High Note Trail Guide.

If the price of the gondola is too steep for you, you can ride the gondola for free! There is a bit of a catch, though: you have to hike up the Singing Pass Trail for free, then up across the Musical Bumps and along the High Note to the Peak Chair or to the Whistler Roundhouse.

From there, you can go down the Peak Chair and the Peak 2 Peak, Whistler, and Blackcomb gondolas for free – as of 2025, they don’t check for tickets for downloading – only for uploading! I’ve heard this policy may change next year, but it’s been free to download every year as long as I’ve been hiking here (over 20 years).

Extending Your Trip: Hikes From Russet Lake

There are no official trails starting from Russet Lake. However, if you are comfortable with scrambling and off-trail travel, you have a few options for exploring from the hut or campground.

Adit Lakes

An informal cairned route leads from the campground to the Adit Lakes to the north, nestled in a rocky bowl. From the outhouse, pick up a faint trail across the bottom of the scree slope. Watch for cairns as the trail contours along the side of the ridge before arriving at the lakes. It’s about 1 km each way.

Cowboy Ridge

The gentle ridge above the lake makes for easy off-trail travel and exploring. The easiest place to gain the ridge crest is near Kees and Claire Hut. There are great views from the top as well as lots of wildflowers and curious marmots. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also head over to Russet Ridge to the north.

Whirlwind Peak and Overlord Peak Scrambles

While Gaia GPS and AllTrails show a trail from the campground to Whirlwind Peak and beyond to Overlord Peak, there is no trail. In places, there is a cairned route. However, you must be comfortable with route finding and exposure on steep slopes if you choose these routes. Unless you are an experienced scrambler, you may find these routes too challenging and scary.

It’s 6.5 km round-trip to Whirlwind with 600 m of elevation gain. Add another 4 km and 500 m of elevation gain if you continue to Overlord.

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Where to Stay at Russet Lake: Camping and Hut

Russet Lake Backcountry Campground

The Russet Lake campground has 20 tent pads spread out around the creek on the north side of Russet Lake.

The tent pads are simple clearings in the grass and gravel with low rock walls to block the wind. Each campsite has a metal post with a number on it. Many are a bit lumpy or slanted.

While BC Parks policy permits up to 2 tents per pad, this won’t be easy or possible at many of the Russet Lake campsites. In most cases, the second tent will be on a very lumpy, rocky, or slanted area or won’t fit at all.

There is a urine-diversion outhouse next to the campground. Store your food on the food storage poles, which have cables and pulleys. Collect drinking water from the lake or the stream. Avoid the algae-choked parts of the stream.

Fires are never allowed in Garibaldi Park. This is a fragile alpine ecosystem, and fire scars can take decades to regrow.

Camping Reservations and Fees

Since Garibaldi Park has some of the most popular backcountry campgrounds in BC, advance reservations are required. Camping costs $25 per person per night plus a $6 reservation fee for each tent pad.

Reservations open three months before your trip. That means if you want to camp on August 1, you can reserve starting on April 1.

See my tips for booking backcountry camping for pointers on how to navigate the site. Be ready to book as soon as reservations open because popular dates will sell out in minutes.

Your booking can include up to 3 tent pads on the same reservation. Keep in mind that you are allowed to have up to two tents and four people per pad.

If you didn’t get a reservation, keep checking back as people cancel and spots open up, especially within a week or two of their trip. A more efficient way is to sign up for a camping cancellation notification app like Campnab or Schnerp. Read my guide to camping cancellation apps to find out how they work and which one I recommend.

Kees and Claire Hut at Russet Lake

Opened in 2019, the Kees and Claire Hut is a large, modern, and frankly, kinda fancy, backcountry hut. It sits at the top of Cowboy Ridge above Russet Lake. A group of local mountaineering clubs run the hut as part of the Spearhead Hut Society.

The hut has 38 bunks spread across 6 rooms. Cooking and eating supplies and sleeping mats are provided. The hut also has LED lighting and urine-diversion toilets. While the hut has heaters, it is kept cold at night, so you will need a 3-season sleeping bag.

Reservations are required at Kees and Claire Hut. Hut reservations open 60 days before the first day of your trip. Bunks cost $60/night. If you are a member of BCMC, ACC Vancouver, or ACC Whistler, you can book 90 days in advance and use a promo code to get a discount.

How to Get to Russet Lake Trailhead

The Russet Lake Trailhead is in the heart of Whistler Village, right next to the gondola. It’s easy to get to by car or on the bus.

Driving Directions

From Vancouver, drive Highway 1, then Highway 99 north to Whistler. The drive takes about 1.5 hours. Once in Whistler, take the Lorimer Way exit to get to the parking lot. (More on parking below.) Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Russet Lake Parking

If you are doing a day hike, you can park in any of the parking lots. Day Lot 1 is the most convenient, but I usually park in Day Lot 4 since it is cheaper. There is no free parking in Whistler Village. Here is more info about locations and rates for parking in Whistler.

If you are staying overnight at the campground or hut, there is a special area of Day Lot 4 you need to park in. You must display your hut or camping reservation number on your dash and pay for each day you will be parked using Lot #4078 in the Pay by Phone app. Here is more info about overnight parking.

Getting to Russet Lake By Bus

Russet Lake is one of the best car-free backpacking trips in BC. You can get to Whistler from Vancouver using the Epic Rides or YVR Skylynx buses. They drop you off at Gateway Bus Loop in Whistler. From there, it’s a 5-minute walk through the village to the gondola and trailhead.

Tips for Hiking to Russet Lake

Check gondola hours and trail status: Check to make sure that the gondola and chairlifts are open and the alpine trail conditions, if you plan to come in from Whistler Mountain.

Food Storage: The campground has a pole with pulleys for food storage. Bring a waterproof bag to store your food in case it rains overnight. I always keep my food in a lightweight dry bag. The pulleys have clips, but some are broken – carry a carabiner as a backup.

Mosquitos and Black Flies: Bugs can be bad on the trail in July and early August. Bring bug spray and a head net.

Bears: This is black bear country. Bring bear spray, make noise while hiking, and store your food securely. See my bear safety tips for more info.

Dogs: Not allowed in Garibaldi Park.

Fires: Not allowed in Garibaldi Park.

Check the weather before you go: The high mountains are notorious for fickle weather. Rainstorms can blow in at any time. Expect overnight lows near freezing on some summer days. City weather forecasts are useless in the mountains. Use an algorithmic spot forecast for Russet Lake like Spotwx. (Read my guide to weather apps for hikers for more tips.)

Bring a rain jacket and warm clothing just in case. It can be much colder and rainier in the mountains than in the city. If you are staying overnight, you will need to bring typical backpacking gear. Use my backpacking checklist to make sure you have everything you need.

Wear trail running shoes or hiking boots. The trail is rocky and loose in places. Regular running shoes don’t have enough grip or ankle support.

Bring water and snacks. It is not safe to drink the water from the lakes without boiling, filtering, or treating it because you never know if people or animals have pooped or died upstream. Gross! (I use a Katadyn BeFree.)

Bring the 10 Essentials. These are key safety items you should have on every hike.

Final Thoughts

The Garibaldi Lake, Elfin Lakes, and Cheakamus Lake areas of Garibaldi Provincial Park get lots of attention (rightly so), which means that many people miss out on visiting Russet Lake. Honestly, I think the glacier views from the High Note Trail and Musical Bumps on the way to Russet Lake are actually even better than the views at Garibaldi and Elfin.

While Russet Lake does get booked up on weekends, it’s easier to book than Garibaldi Lake. And you are almost guaranteed to see adorable marmots near the lake. These furry guys are my favourite! I love watching them munch on alpine plants or take naps on the rocks.

If you’ve got questions about visiting Russet Lake, ask me in the comments. I’m happy to help.

READ NEXT:

• High Note Trail in Whistler (By a Season’s Pass Holder)
• Visiting Whistler, BC in Summer (By a Local)
• The Best Hikes in Whistler: A Guide to All the Trails
• 30 Best Backpacking Trips in BC

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The post Russet Lake Hiking and Backpacking Trail Guide 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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• backpacking news,
• and lots more!

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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

Get the book

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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• and lots more!

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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