7 Beautiful Lakes Around Vancouver for Paddling

Paddleboarding is a popular summer activity for all Canadians and undoubtedly there’s no better place to find beautiful lakes to paddle than British Columbia.

There’s no better feeling than smelling fresh mountain air, whilst floating freely across a calm blue lake, with no care in the world!

Luckily there are several stunning lakes around the Southwestern area to choose from for that weekend trip you’re planning or a spontaneous day visit during the week!

The lakes in this post are the perfect places for first-time paddlers to practice their skills and have fun doing it.

Parking fills up quickly at these popular spots, so start packing your car early to visit some of these beautiful lakes around Southwestern BC this weekend.

Don’t forget to pack these 16 things for your paddling trip to stay safe and comfortable on the water.

Need directions? See the map below for all the lakes mentioned in this post!

Buntzen Lake – Anmore, BC

Buntzen Lake, located in Anmore, is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Southwestern BC. Buntzen Lake is a very popular destination for paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, and gentle cruising every day of the week. It has a large picnic area, and also a dog-friendly beach for your furry friends to enjoy as well.

For the most part, this lake is relatively calm, however, strong offshore winds persist in the afternoons so be wary of paddling out too far. Always be sure to check the weather conditions before going out paddling. 

Cultus Lake – Chilliwack, BC

Located just over 100 kilometres east of Vancouver in the Fraser Valley, Cultus Lake sits facing the beautiful Cultus Provincial Park. This lake is the furthest from Vancouver on this list BUT it’s definitely worth the drive!

Cultus Lake is a great place to go paddleboarding and kayaking. The water is calm and there are lots of little islands and beaches to explore. There are plenty of places to rent kayaks, canoes or paddleboards on the lake. If you’re looking for something more challenging than paddling on Cultus Lake, try your hand at paddling down the Chilliwack River nearby!

Sasamat Lake – Port Moody, BC

Sasamat Lake, located in Port Moody, is a popular spot for paddleboarding, and gentle cruising because it’s close to the city yet still relatively secluded.

At the south end of the lake, there is a floating bridge, used for fishing and swimming, and at the north end sits White Pine Beach. This beach is relatively small and fills up quickly on a hot day. There is a paid parking system in place here.

Alouette Lake – Maple Ridge, BC

Alouette Lake, located a short drive into Golden Ears Provincial Park, is a reservoir popular for canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming. Similar to Buntzen Lake, strong offshore winds persist during the day and can be hazardous for first-time paddlers.

Alouette Lake is also very popular for boating, and jet-skiing so on peak days, paddlers will most likely be disturbed by traffic on the lake, so be wary. There is also a large parking lot at the trailhead with washrooms, picnic tables, and a small map of the area.

Rolley Lake – Mission, BC

Rolley Lake is a small calm-water lake, that’s perfect for paddling and gentle cruising. Sixty-four campsites are nestled in the trees just minutes from the lakeshore. Visitors can also enjoy picnicking and nature walks along the lake.

If you’ve never been on a paddleboard and are looking for the calmest lake to start practicing on, Rolley Lake is your answer. Please note that this lake has a small parking lot and it fills up quickly! So be prepared to park along the incoming road if you’re thinking of going during peak hours.

Stave Lake – Mission, BC

Stave Lake is a great place for an afternoon paddle, especially if you’re looking for an easy and relaxing excursion. Located just 30 minutes from downtown Mission, this lake is perfect for kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding.

The paddling itself around Stave Lake is very easy as there are many calm areas where you can relax and enjoy the scenery. If you are looking for something more advanced there are several rapids that will provide a challenge!

Parking can be difficult around Stave Lake, so here are a few options. You can park along the Florence Lake Forest Service Road to head North alongside the lake, around Stave Lake Campground, and at the Reservoir Trailhead nearby the Stave Falls Powerhouse and Visitor Centre. Parking is limited in this area so get there early or during non-peak hours!

Hayward Lake – Mission, BC

Hayward Lake, located just south of Stave Lake in Mission, is surrounded by mountains and has beautiful views from every angle. The water is very clear, and it’s easy to see fish swimming around while you paddle.

Hayward Lake is also very popular on weekends so be prepared to leave early or visit during non-peak hours! Parking is available at the Hayward Lake Recreation Area and at the south end of the Railway Trail nearby.

Of course, there are tons of lakes around Southwestern British Columbia you can paddle on, but I hope this list has saved you a little time in your search and will help you get your paddling on!

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