Whistler Travel Guide

Whistler’s Best Lakes

Originally Posted: 2019-03-18
Most Recent Update: 2026-06-04
Lodging Ovations

If You Love Lakes, You'll Love Whistler!

Summer in Whistler is becoming more and more popular each year. The secret is well and truly out and people continue to flock to Whistler, long after the snow has melted. With world-class mountain biking, hiking and golfing it’s no wonder why people come from all over the world to Whistler.

But if you ask any local to describe their perfect summer day, they’ll all mention spending time at one of our beautiful lakes.

Nothing says summer like a relaxing day floating on the lake with a cold beverage in hand. Or maybe your crew is more into plunging off a rope swing into a bracing Whistler lake.

Thanks to Mother Nature, the Whistler area is blessed with some great places to beat the heat with a swim.

Alpha Lake

Alpha Lake is the first lake in Whistler that you’ll see when driving up from Vancouver. It got its name from the first letter of the Greek alphabet – Alpha. Alpha Lake is one of Whistler’s best lakes and can be found in Creekside, only a short stroll from First Tracks Lodge.

Alpha Lake Park

Alpha lake has a park called Alpha Lake Park. It has a small parking lot and is accessible by using the Valley Trail system. The park has a dog park, volleyball court, kids playground, and a dock. The park is south-west facing and catches the sun long into the evening. You’ll have great views of Whistler mountain and Blacktusk in the distance.

Alta Lake

Staying at Creekside gives you handy access to Alta Lake, Whistler’s second biggest lake.

From guided canoe/biking excursions down the River of Golden Dreams to simply relaxing with a picnic basket while the kids splash around in the water, Alta Lake is all about recreational opportunities.

Alta Lake, the largest lake in Whistler, is another great spot for a swim. It can be accessed at Lakeside Park, between Whistler and Creekside, just off Highway 99 in the Alta Vista neighbourhood. Parking can be very difficult, due to this park’s popularity and easy accessibility. Use caution when parking in the neighbourhood, making sure to obey all signs to avoid being towed. Again, arriving by bicycle via the Valley Trail or bus is optimal.

Paddleboards, kayaks and canoes can be rented at Lakeside Park. There are convenient wash and change rooms available. The Park Eats food trucks will be alternating between Lost Lake and Alta Lake, so you won’t go hungry after a day of swimming. If you opt to bring your own food, picnic tables and BBQ pits are available. Smoking, vaping and consumption of alcohol are not allowed in the park.

While you can take your leashed pup to this park, it is not very dog-friendly. There is no dog beach and the park is small. Your furry friend would be more comfortable at other Whistler parks.

Lakeside Park

Lakeside Park is in the Alta Vista neighborhood and is popular with young people and families. There’s a playground for the kids in the park and a concession stand with ice creams during the summer. There’s also a rental stand where you can rent some small boats and get out on the water. There’s a wooden dock that you can jump from and a floating platform to swim out to. There’s plenty of car parking spaces and Alta Vista is also serviced by the local bus.

Wayside Park

Blink and you’ll miss it. Wayside Park is a tiny park to the south of Lakeside Park. The entrance can be hard to spot as it is just a small slipway off the highway. Walking down the path to the park you’ll find a quiet and private park away from the crowds. There’s a rental shop here where you can take a stand up paddleboard out for a spin.

Rainbow Park

Rainbow Park can be found on the west side of Alta Lake. It’s Whistler’s biggest park and has a whole host of attractions. The park has numerous volleyball courts and is home to the local summer league. The park has plenty of room to throw around a football or have a game of ultimate frisbee.

There’s also a dog beach where dogs can run freely and chase balls into the lake. Rainbow Park is also the most popular starting place for taking a trip down the River of Golden Dreams. Rainbow Park has washrooms, outdoor showers, and food stands throughout the summer.

Blueberry Docks

Blueberry Docks is one of Whistler’s best local secrets. Parking beside an unassuming trailhead in Blueberry, you’ll walk about fifty meters until you reach the docks. Blueberry Docks is a series of four docks that look westward out across Alta Lake towards Rainbow Park. They are the ideal place to go with a group of friends and hang out on a hot summers day. There’s not much in the way of facilities here, so make sure you pack a snack and some water!

Cheakamus Lake

Cheakamus Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park is a popular tourist attraction in the Whistler area. People come to hike the amazing surrounding trails and see the stunning scenery.

Hiking to Cheakamus Lake is the most popular activity in the area. The hike to the lake and back is approximately 15km long and takes 4-6 hours depending on your level of fitness. It is one of the more accessible hikes in Garibaldi Provincial Park and the trail rarely gets steep. In fact, over the entire trail, you won’t even gain 100 meters of elevation.

You’ll reach the first campsite and views of the lake around the 3km marker, with further campsites being found at the 7km marker. When the trails are open for hiking depends on the amount of snow. Generally speaking, it is best to hike from May to November.

After a hike in the summer sun, you’ll be very glad to reach Cheakamus Lake. It is a glacial lake, so you’ll cool off quickly after jumping in. Because of the temperature of the water, you’re more likely to see people spend more time on the water, rather than in it. Paddleboarding, canoeing, and kayaking are popular activities here.

You might also see some people fishing along the water’s edge. Trout are the most commonly caught fish in the lake.

Lost Lake Park

Lost Lake is nestled in the forest and boasts six docks. This local favourite is easily accessible on foot, by bike or by bus from Whistler Village.

Vehicles are discouraged due to a lack of parking. The local number five bus drops passengers off on Blackcomb Way, where it’s a short walk to the Lake. The designated Lost Lake bus stops at the lake concession area and beach.

Each summer a new assortment of food trucks offers savory and sweet treats at the lake. This summer’s program, Park Eats, includes crepes, wood fired pizza and gelato. Whistler kids (and grown-ups who admit it!) love the long multi-coloured freezies available on a scorching summer day.

Many folks bring their portable grills, using the interspersed picnic tables for a meal. Smoking and consumption of alcohol are not allowed and are regularly enforced.

There are convenient wash rooms at Lost Lake as well as a handy shower. The wide, circular 1.7 mile trail loop around the lake is perfect for exercise, dog walking or simply taking in the beautiful views. Recently, visitors were treated to the sight of an otter swimming at dusk.

Dogs are NOT permitted off leash at Lost Lake Park and are not allowed on the beach. They do have their own beach called Canine Cove just 400 meters North around the lake trail.

Green Lake

Green Lake is the largest lake in Whistler, and definitely one of the best! It’s very unique compared to the other lakes in Whistler. Firstly it cold, very cold! The lake is fed with glacial water from the mountain. This gives it a unique color that also gives the lake its name. The water is actually green!

In summer the lake is the runway for Harbour Air, a float plane company. You can relax by the water’s edge and watch planes land and take off. It’s really not something that you get to see every day.

Answering ‘What is Whistler’s best lake?’ is a hard question, because they’re all so good and all offer something different. No matter what lake you choose to spend the day beside, you really can’t go wrong in Whistler!

Loggers Lake

A bit off the beaten path is Loggers Lake, sitting in a bowl formed by an extinct volcano in Whistler’s Interpretive Forest. The nearby Cheakamus trail system offers many hiking and biking options prior to a dip in the lake. The drive to reach the trailhead for the lake is five minutes from Creekside. A short, but rocky and steep hike up a forest service road rewards with a picturesque, glassy lake, ringed by giant boulders on one end. On our last visit, three legendary and very high rope swings hung from the trees.

This is one of the warmest lakes in Whistler. There is no beach, but random fallen logs extend into the water and a rustic, homemade dock is on the far side.

You can feel free to take your dog to Loggers Lake off leash, although care should be taken with the awareness bears can be in the vicinity. There are no prohibitions against smoking or alcohol, but as always, respect the fire safety bans and exhibit responsible behaviour. Because this is an interpretive forest with no garbage bins or pick-up, please pack out what you pack in, to leave this area pristine for the next visitor and to protect our bear population.

Whether floating lazily on an inner tube or plunging off a high rope swing, an afternoon at one of Whistler’s refreshing lakes is a wonderful antidote to hot weather. Lost Lake, Alta Lake and Loggers Lake all provide sweet relief on a hot summer day.

Paddle, Swim, Play, and Unwind

Morning dips, paddleboard glass, and golden-hour picnics—Whistler’s lakes are made for easy summer days.

From sandy beaches to dock jumps, you’re minutes from swimming, SUP, canoe and kayak rentals, mellow laps on the Valley Trail, and kid-friendly parks. Pack a cooler, grab a towel, and settle in for mountain views on the water.

Beach Volleyball in Whistler

Imagine this: a beautiful, hot Whistler sunshine-filled day at the beach, surrounded by friends and laughter. What could make this day any more perfect? Two words: beach volleyball. This sport the best parts of summer: tans, exercise, and fun times.

Beach Volleyball is a summer necessity for many, and lucky for us, this fun sport is not hard to find at Whistler’s local beaches.

Wayside beach and Rainbow Park both provide locals and visitors with beach volleyball courts perfect for all ages. Lodging Ovations is conveniently located within walking distance of Wayside beach, and Rainbow Park is just a short car ride away. Grab the kids, the sunscreen and a volleyball and head down for a day of endless entertainment.

Sailing in Whistler

Sailing in Whistler is about having lots of fun in a safe & friendly environment. The many lakes in the Whistler area provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy a day on the water. Activities such as sailboating, windsurfing, and catamaraning are among the visitor favourites. For those who are just starting out, guided tours, lessons and user-friendly sailboats and equipment rentals are available.

Sailing is a Long Time Whistler Tradition

Sailing lessons and races began in Whistler back in the 1980’s. At that time, as many as 50 windsurfers and a fleet of Lasers raced weekly on Alta Lake. Whistler Sailing Association was formed in October 2008 in response to strong local interest.

There is nothing quite feeling the power of the wind as you glide across a glacier lake at speeds of up to 15 knots looking up at the ski hills. With an abundance of trained professional and facilities, anyone can get out on the lake and start sailing within minutes.

Canoeing in Whistler

Whistler is home to some of the most pristine, magical lakes in British Columbia. And snaking their way through each of Whistler’s four major lakes Green Lake, Alta Lake, Alpha Lake, and Lost Lake is a network of rivers and streams, perfect for paddling down.

The biggest river in Whistler is the River of Golden Dreams, a popular destination for families, couples, and individuals to take a casual canoeing trip. The river links Alta Lake and Green Lake.

When visiting Whistler Creekside you’ll want to visit Wayside Park. Walking distance from all Lodging Ovations hotels, the beach park is great for hanging out at on a warm summer day. Canoes are available to rent from a myriad of private of locations, as are guided tours. Canoeing is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon with your loved ones or on your own.

Are you looking for accommodations for your trip to Whistler?

Choose from our three condominium-style hotels, located in Whistler’s Creekside Village. Lodging Ovations accommodations are just steps away from the Whistler Creekside Gondola.

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