Canada is an extremely water-rich country. There are more than 20,000 lakes in Bc alone, and a wide variety of lakes also represent different climatic characteristics.
Some of them are cold, some are warm, some are easy to reach, and some require a difficult trek. But every lake has something special about it.
Today, The Little Beaver will take stock of the 11 best lakes in BC for everyone, and see how many you have been there?
01
Lake Garibaldi
garibaldi lake
Image source: planetware
Lake Garibaldi is one of the most spectacular lakes in Bc, perfect for sitting back and enjoying its beauty. To visit this lake, there are two difficulties to overcome:
First, it takes a hard trek to get there. Lake Garibaldi is located in garibaldi provincial park between squamish and Whistler and requires a 9 km hike. Following the winding mountain road, the altitude will rise by about 820 meters.
Second, the temperature around the lake is very low, so be sure to prepare cold clothing.
Website: https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/garibaldi/
02
Lake Joffrey
joffre lakes
Image source: instagram@raabta_
Lake Joffrey consists of three distinct lakes: Lower Lake, Middle Lake and Upper Lake. All three lakes are located north of Pemberton, BC.
The one-way hike from the starting point to the farthest of the three lakes is a 5-kilometer hike, with an elevation increase of about 400 meters. Hike along the flat gravel path to the lower lake in just five minutes. The Middle Lake requires about 3 kilometers of hiking, and most of the elevation increase of the entire trail occurs within these three kilometers. Upper Lake is 2 km from Middle Lake.
Lake Joffrey is a popular photo spot with a large number of tourists and heavy traffic, especially during the busy summer months. In winter, when the towering peaks are covered in snow and the trees are draped in a faint layer of white, Joffrey Lake becomes a winter wonderland.
Website: https://bcparks.ca/parks/joffre-lakes/
03
Lake Okanagan
okanagan lake
Image source: hikebiketravel
If you're looking for a lake with plenty of water recreation, lake Okanagan is definitely the best choice.
Kayaking, canoeing, sailing, wideboarding, snorkeling... Any fun water activity you can think of can be achieved at Lake Okanagan.
Situated on the eastern shore of the lake, kelowna is a great base for exploring Lake Okanagan, and there are plenty of other small towns worth visiting along the lake, including Peachland, Summerland, Vernon and Penticton.
There are more than 30 sandy beaches on the shores of the lake, spanning 135 kilometers from one end of the lake to the other, and if you travel by boat, there are plenty of hidden corners to explore.
Lake Okanagan doesn't freeze in winter, and with the exception of the beach, which can be covered in snow, it's no less beautiful than it is in summer.
Website: https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/okana_lk/
04
Lake Eva
eva lake
Lake Eva is located in the revelstoke national park in Revelstoke, and the best time to visit is from July to October.
The one-way hike to eva lake takes about 6 to 7 kilometers. If you take the shuttle from the parking lot, the time will be shorter, and if you plan to start hiking from the beginning of the trail, you will walk an additional 1 km.
Hiking on the shores of Lake Eva is a real treat, the sparkling waters of the lake surrounded by trees and behind the lake are magnificent mountains. It's home to forested sections, abundant subalpine meadows, and stunning views of the Columbia River in the distance.
URL: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/british-columbia/eva-lake-and-miller-lake-trail
05
Emerald Lake
emerald lake
When you see the turquoise hue in the photo, it should not be difficult to guess how emerald lake got its name. Emerald Lake's water comes from the snow in the surrounding mountains, with powdery limestone in it, giving the lake a spectacular emerald color.
As the largest body of water in yoho national park, the lake is also one of the park's biggest attractions. The 5.2 km hiking trail around the lake is popular and visitors can enjoy the lake view from all angles. About half of the trails are relatively flat and suitable for all types of hikers.
You can also rent a canoe or rowboat to explore emerald lakes on the water. When winter comes, cross-country skiing and snowshoe rentals are also available. The water in the lake is a bit cold for swimming, but fishing is popular, with red-spotted salmon and rainbow trout being easier to catch.
Website: https://emeraldlake.ca/
06
Lake O'Hara
lake o‘hara
In terms of excursion experience, Lake O'Hara in yoho National Park is a bit like a VIP destination.
To protect the sensitive ecology and keep the lake in its pristine state, Parks Canada limits the number of visitors who enter Lake O'Hara by bus every open day, which runs from mid-June to early October each year.
If you can't book a bus, you can opt for a longer, more challenging 11km one-way hike to the lake. With winter buses out of service, ski trips are the only way to explore Lake O'Hara, but be extra careful of avalanches on your way up the mountain.
Website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/yoho/activ/randonnee-hike/ohara/
07
Lake Shuswap
shuswap lake
Image source: hellobc
Located inland in the southern part of B.C., Lake Shuswap has a total area of nearly 310 square kilometers, and a popular activity on the lake is houseboat trips.
Whether with friends or family, renting a houseboat is a great way to explore Lake Shuswap and explore the beaches. Every night, you can dock on a different beach and sleep peacefully on the boat.
In winter, Lake Shuswap sometimes freezes, which also adds to the fun of some snow sports, skiing, ice skating, sledding, and ice fishing are all good choices.
Website: https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/shu_lk/
08
Lake Berg
berg lake
The 21-kilometer hike to Berg Lake in Mount Robson Provincial Park requires a 21-kilometer hike each way, so it's important to book your campsite in advance (campgrounds are closed in winter, and bookings for the next tourist season starting in October have been postponed this year, please keep an eye out for website updates).
The hike to the lake is full of beautiful scenery, from the picturesque kinney lake to the rippling emperor falls. Of course, Lake Berg is the real highlight of this hike, with Mount Robson looming in the background of a blue-green glacial lake.
Website: https://bcparks.ca/parks/mt-robson/berg-lake-trail/
09
Lake Osoyoos
osoyoos lake
If you're looking for a beautiful, year-round lake that doesn't freeze, Lake Osoyoos is the ideal choice. It is known as the warmest lake in Bc and is actually the warmest freshwater lake in all of Canada.
The total area of Lake Osoyoos is about 23 square kilometers, and there are many sandy beaches and parks along the coast that are worth exploring. Gyro beach is a popular sandy beach located in the center of Osoyoos, while legion beach offers a more secluded experience.
Osoyoos receives an average of less than two hundred millimeters of rain per year, so don't miss Canada's only true desert, the Pocket Desert.
URL: https://www.osoyooslake.ca
10
Williston Lake
williston lake
Image source: [email protected]
There is a lot of debate about which lake is the best lake for fishing in B.C., but Lake Williston is undoubtedly one of the strongest candidates, and it is also considered the largest lake in B.C.
With an area of 1,761 square kilometers, Williston Lake is a paradise for anglers. There are several fishing camps around the lake that offer everything from single-day fishing to long hikes, ice fishing in the winter, and the chef will make your loot for dinner.
Website: http://www.williston-lake.com/
11
Cortez Lake
cultus lake
One of bc's best lakes for family outings, Lake Courtes is just an hour and a half drive from Vancouver and boasts a warm freshwater lake and forested mountains.
Regardless of the season, it's a good idea to go to Cortez Lake.
In summer, there are a variety of water activities including swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, water skiing, sailing, fishing and more. On land, you can hike, play golf, visit parks or hang out on the beach.
In autumn and winter, when the snow in the mountains glows slightly, take a walk on the beach or watch spectacular sunrises and sunsets, this is the perfect time for nature lovers.
Website: https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/cultus_lk/