Archie Montrose5 Best Lakes for Swimming in Vancouver
While Vancouver is known as a beautiful city, it’s also home to some spectacular lakes for swimming. The glory of Vancouver’s lakes lies in their beauty, size, and diversity.
In fact, it may surprise you how many lakes are available to the Vancouverites when you think about the geography of this city.
The best lakes for swimming in Vancouver are Sasamat Lake, Cabin Lake, Lost Lake Park, Trout Lake, and Pitt Lake. These lakes have unique features that make them enjoyable to swim in and they offer various recreational activities.
This article will go over the best lakes for swimming in Vancouver, as well as why you should visit them and how to get there to make the most of your visit.
1. Sasamat Lake
Sasamat Lake is one of the warmest lakes in Port Moody, located within Belcarra Regional Park. This lake is one of the best family day trips from Vancouver because it’s peaceful and full of recreational activities for the entire family.
Hiking, fishing, and non-motorized water sports are among the activities available here. You can also go kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding at Sasamat Lake, but there’s no rental facility, so you must bring your own equipment.
The lake is densely forested, making it an ideal place to relax, walk, and have a picnic. You should also see the floating bridge that runs across the lake at the southern end and connects the two sides of the Sasamat Lake Trail.
How to Get to Sasamat Lake
If you’re taking public transit, there’s a bus stop that serves the TransLink 150 bus line, which runs every day except weekends and holidays from June to around the beginning of September.
If you’re visiting the lake by car, take the Barnet Highway or Lougheed Highway to Port Moody. Next, go north on Ioco Road and turn left at the fourth traffic light.
Turn left onto First Avenue, which becomes Bedwell Bay Road, and leads into the park. To get to White Pine Beach and Sasamat Lake, turn right at the sign.
2. Cabin Lake
Cabin Lake is one of the most popular summer activities in Vancouver. This lake has numerous diving spots, lounging areas, and other amenities. You’ll notice a few large boulders where you can eat lunch and rest.
The lake is surrounded by berry bushes, tall trees, and flower-filled gardens, making it an ideal spot for a swim in the middle of nature.
How to Get to Cabin Lake
To get to Cabin Lake by public transportation, take the Skytrain or a bus to Waterfront Station, where you can transfer to the private Cypress Mountain Shuttle Bus operated by Cypress Coach Lines at Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver.
Take the Baden Powell Trail toward Black Mountain from the Cypress Mountain Parking Lot, staying on the BP Trail at the fork to reach Cabin Lake.
If you’re driving, make sure you have winter tires on. Cross the Lion’s Gate Bridge from downtown Vancouver, then take Taylor Way to Highway 1. Then, off Highway 1, take Exit No. 8 and climb Cypress Mountain Road.
3. Lost Lake Park
Lost Lake is a secluded lake that’s located in a dense forest extending from Whistler Village. The lake is relatively warm during the summer and there are numerous floating docks.
This lake offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including biking, swimming, snowshoeing, and many others. A hiking trail and a sandy swimming beach are also available.
Lost Lake is nearby the Farmer’s Market in Upper Village and is right beside a golf course and plenty of food options.
How to Get to Lost Lake
By car, you can take Interstate 84 East, then go up the Columbia River Gorge to Hood River. Next, drive southwest to Dee and follow the signs to Lost Lake.
Lost Lake also has a free shuttle that runs daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the 10’s, the ’30s, and ’50s between the Gondola Transit Exchange and Lost Lake Park.
4. Trout Lake
Trout Lake is a cold, narrow freshwater lake in John Hendry Park. It’s a great place to swim, jog, and have a picnic with the family because it provides unobstructed views of the mountains and trees that will make you forget about your hectic city life.
Trout Lake has numerous public restrooms, snack concession stands, and a charming sandy beach. During the summer, there’s also a swimming raft and several lifeguards on duty from late May to the beginning of September.
It’s a great spot for sunbathing or taking a refreshing swim in the small lake. You can also rest easy as there are plenty of lifeguards on duty from late May to early September.
How to Get to Trout Lake
To get to Trout Lake, take the Skytrain on either the Expo or the Millennium Line to Commercial-Broadway Station.
Once you exit the station, proceed one block east on E Broadway to Victoria Drive then go right. Walk south on Victoria Drive to 15th Avenue and go left along 15th.
By car, drive towards E Broadway to Victoria Drive then go right. Then, drive to 15th Avenue and go left.
5. Pitt Lake
Pitt Lake is the largest lake in Metro Vancouver, surrounded by mountains and abundant natural beauty. It contains freshwater and is linked to the Pacific Ocean by the Pitt River and Fraser waterway.
The best feature of the lake is its canoe rentals, as you can canoe on the lake. A floating boat can also be rented. You can also swim here, but it can be a little chilly, so go during the summer.
How to Get to Pitt Lake
To get to Pitt Lake by car, it’s best to take Highway 7 east from Vancouver to the Pitt Meadows exit. From there, just follow the signs to Pitt Lake.
By public transit, take the 342 Bus to Langley Centre, then board the line 595 bus to Maple Meadows Station, then take the travel to Pitt Lake.
Whether it’s the serene calm of a summer day on the water or the last hoorah of the season with friends and family, many people in Vancouver turn their attention to lakes in the summer.
To make sure you choose the right lake for you this summer, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorites for (mostly) swimming.
Here are a few related articles that we believe may be helpful:
