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10 Vancouver Area Lakes to go Canoeing in!

If you follow me on Instagram ( @BobKronbauer ) then you'll know that I'm no stranger to the lakes and rivers of Southern BC.
Bob Kronbauer
Bob Kronbauer
If you follow me on Instagram (@BobKronbauer) then you'll know that I'm no stranger to the lakes and rivers of Southern BC. I've been fishing them for years and over the past couple have been finding new spots via the Backroad Mapbook series of guides. I mostly stick to the shores as I don't own a boat so I was pretty thrilled recently when I learned that MEC rents canoes for cheap: $30 for the first day and $20 for each day after that. If you've ever rented a canoe at a lake you know that you're usually paying more than double that, sometimes just for an afternoon. As long as you've got a roof rack on your vehicle you're good to go; they suit you up with life jackets and paddles, teach you how to load the thing and send you off. I've taken them out on solo trips more than once in the past couple of months and easily managed to unload them into the lake and then load them back onto my Highlander. HERE is a link to the Broadway MEC store's rental page that has all the details about canoes (and kayaks and the other stuff they rent) and below are 10 of the spots that I'd recommend you take one of them to. All are within an hour or so of the city and all are spots where I can personally guarantee you'll enjoy yourself at, as I've experienced them all.

10 Vancouver Area Lakes to go Canoeing in!

By Vancouver Is Awesome

Most of these lakes also double as great swimming lakes.

  • Alouette Lake

    By Vancouver Is Awesome

    Just outside of Maple Ridge in Golden Ears Provincial Park, this lake is massive. Much to explore, and many fish to be caught here. Also, the V.I.A. PARK BENCH is located at the boat launch!

  • Mike Lake

    By Vancouver Is Awesome

    Right before you get to the (large) Alouette Lake, there's a turnoff for the (small) Mike Lake, also within Golden Ears park boundary. There are no motors allowed in this lake, so it's a nice quiet spot to paddle around.

  • Brohm Lake

    By Vancouver Is Awesome

    Located right next to the Sea to Sky, this tiny lake is a couple hundred feet portage from the parking lot. It's one of 3 lakes within a couple minutes (including Cat and Alice, which are the next 2 slides).

  • Cat Lake

    By Vancouver Is Awesome

    Plenty of walk-in campsites greet you at Cat, and the portage from the parking lot is a couple hundred metres or so... so bring a friend to help carry the canoe. It's a small lake (slightly bigger than Brohm) and is stocked with rainbow trout every year.

  • Alice Lake

    By Vancouver Is Awesome

    Located inside the boundaries of Alice Lake Provincial Park, there are a number of groomed campsites here as well as a kids playground, pop machines, flush toilets... and plenty of room to launch a canoe.

  • Buntzen Lake

    By Vancouver Is Awesome

    The jewel of Anmore, just outside of Coquitlam, this BC Hydro Lake is one of the more popular and not only has a sweet dog beach but plenty of trails for those not interested in canoeing. There's a boat launch, so no portage is necessary!

  • Sasamat Lake

    By Vancouver Is Awesome

    Near Buntzen, this spot is generally quite lively in the summer and often gets full to the point that they turn people away at the gate. Get there early if you plan to launch your canoe into it!

  • Cultus Lake

    By Vancouver Is Awesome

    Fairly massive lake out in the Valley with plenty of spots to drop a canoe in. It's also fairly close to the next slide; Chilliwack Lake.

  • Chilliwack Lake

    By Vancouver Is Awesome

    Surprisingly far from the town of Chilliwack, most spots on this lake feel incredibly remote. Launch your canoe full of camping gear and find a spot to overnight on the shores.

  • Alta Lake

    By Vancouver Is Awesome

    One of many small lakes that dot the Whistler area, this is one of the easiest to access and the most fun to paddle around.