Best Places To Go For A Dip
Best Places To Go For A Dip
There’s nothing so satisfying on a warm summer day as going for a swim. Squamish has some of the best swimming lakes in the Sea to Sky Corridor. Here are some of our favourites.
What to Expect
- Reduced parking is in effect at most Squamish lakes. When possible, plan your visit at non-peak hours to ensure you get a parking spot. Squamish tends to be busiest from 10am - 2pm.
- Please obey signage and do not congregate in large groups to reduce crowding.
- It's always a good idea to carry a "clean trip kit" containing gloves, wipes, hand sanitizer, a disposable bag and a mask on all of your outdoor adventures
Drive-In Access
Photo: D'Arcy McLeish, Browning Lake
Browning Lake (Murrin)
Browning Lake is located in Murrin Provincial Park approximately ten minutes south of Squamish right beside Highway 99. The lake is warm with several small beach areas scattered around its perimeter. Browning Lake offers swimming, picnicking, fishing and a nice walking trail around the lake. Visitors should keep in mind this is one of Squamish's most popular parks for activities such as hiking and rock climbing, parking fills up fast!
Brohm Lake
Located just north of Squamish along Highway 99, Brohm Lake is nestled in some of the oldest forests in Squamish and offers a great place to spend the day in the water. There are lots of rock outcroppings, cliffs and even a couple of rope swings dotted around the lake. The water is clear and warm, especially in late August and early September, when the warm summer sun has been on it for a few months. Parking is limited, weekdays are the best time to plan your visit.
Alice Lake
Located in Alice Lake Provincial Park about ten minutes north of Squamish just off Highway 99, Alice Lake is a great lake for a swim. It has a nice beach, swimming docks and is the perfect temperature to take a dip. Surrounded by a great campground, there is a concession as well as kayak and SUP rentals available onsight through Sea to Sky Parks, rental hours and fees can be viewed here. This is a real family-friendly lake, and on warm summer days, it’s a great place to bring the kids.
Cat Lake
Located approximately 15-minutes north of Squamish is a popular swimming hole called Cat Lake where you'll find access to rope swings, wooden docks, hiking and biking trails as well as 36 forested walk-in campsites. The area is a busy spot for young campers and can get a bit noisy. If you’re looking for a quieter retreat you may want to visit this particular spot during the week.
Air Access Swimming Holes
Photo: Sea to Sky Air, Phantom Lake
Phantom Lake
Enjoy a private floatplane tour, personal pilot, and the only way to access a scenic, untouched alpine beach high in the peaks of the coast mountains. The exclusivity of air accessed swimming means you can enjoy the lake all to yourself. You can swim around the beach or dive off the floatplane in this truly unique experience only available through Sea to Sky Air.
Lake Lovely Water
Land via helicopter to access Lake Lovely Water. Located in the heart of Tantalus Provincial Park, Lake Lovely Water sits in a subalpine cirque at the foot of Alpha, Omega and Serratus Mountain. From the lake, you can see up close the legendary mountains most only glimpse from the highway. Once you land, you can jump off the dock of the lake or borrow a rowboat and plunge off in the middle of the lake.
Air access Lake Lovely Water trips are available through Blackcomb Helicopters and Black Tusk Helicopters Inc.
Ocean Swimming
Photo: Sasha McGrenera, Porteau Cove Provincial Park
Squamish is perched on Howe Sound, and there are multiple options for saltwater swimming. Brittania Beach, Seal Cove and Porteau Cove Provincial Park all offer cool ocean swimming at its finest. Closer to town there is also Nexen Beach, located just a short walk from downtown Squamish, that offers up beach swimming right on the Sound. It’s not uncommon to be approached by seals at any of these locations so keep a lookout for those friendly little guys when you’re in the water.