Yes, you read it right: beaches in British Columbia, and they’re meant for swimming (well, in the summer). If you’ve been living in BC all your life, you might not be surprised at all. But when I think of British Columbia as a beach destination, I don’t think of the ocean. There are nice ocean beaches, but the warmest average water temperature in August is around 11.3°C (52.3°F) which is nowhere near pleasant for me. I mean the lakes!
If you zoom on the map of BC, you’ll notice lots of blue spots. Well, there are over 20000(!) lakes in this giant province, and many warms up to enjoyable temperatures in summer. If I say it’s enjoyable, you can certainly believe me. And summer temperatures often reach 30°C even in Vancouver, so you’ll be tempted to jump in. As you get further inland, it gets hotter. Thankfully, there’s always a lake close by. Let me show you the best ones we found.
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12 stunning beaches we found in British Columbia
This is not a collection of the best lakeside beaches near Vancouver, pretending to be the best beaches in British Columbia. Out of the 5 million inhabitants of BC, 2.4 million live in the Greater Vancouver area, but that doesn’t mean that BC equals Vancouver, far from it. I’ve already written about the most fabulous lakes near Vancouver, so this time I’ll show you around the province.
I won’t mislead you (or myself) by stating that I thoroughly know the lakes of BC, because a lifetime is hardly enough for that. But we took several road trips to more remote regions and found such beautiful lakes with so few people around that I was in constant amazement. The beaches of Vancouver – whether lakeside beaches or ocean beaches – are packed! People are all out there on sunny weekends. In more remote parts of BC there’s barely anyone, because barely anyone lives there, and tourists visit the hotspots only. Well, except us – and maybe you?
A final note: none of these lakes are glacial lakes (because, you know, they’re freezing even in the summer). So you won’t find many outstanding and well-known beauties in the list, because they’re too cold for swimming.
Lost Lake, Whistler
First, here’s a place not too far from Vancouver. Though it’s known for skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer, it has quite a few pretty lakes, too. I’m talking about Whistler and my favorite lake there: Lost Lake, the most tranquil of all the Whistler Lakes (no motorized boats allowed), and the most pleasant for swimming.
It’s walking distance from Whistler Village, but there’s a summer shuttle, as well. You can walk all around the lake on a lovely loop trail (which is a snowshoe trail in winter). There’s a sandy beach area with gradual entrance to the water, washrooms and picnic tables. You find several floating swimming docks on the lake. BBQ facilities and the concession stand become lively in the summer season. And you’re treated with magnificent mountain views, snow-capped until mid-summer.
Summit Lake Provincial Park, Kootenay
While Whistler is an easy (and beautiful) day trip from Vancouver, that’s not true for the rest of the lakes. Let’s get wild!
Summit Lake Provincial Park seems to be in the middle of nowhere in the Kootenay region. This small park is on a peninsula that juts out into Summit Lake. You find a campground (and campsites with their own waterfront access) and a day use beach area – that we enjoyed completely alone on a nice summer day. The water is pleasant enough, though not the warmest if I compare it with other lakes. I couldn’t find accurate water temperature data, but I definitely found it warmer than Slocan Lake and colder than Okanagan Lake.
It’s a relatively small lake, though at a relatively high elevation. The tranquility of the water, the Selkirk Mountains and the pine covered slopes make it amazing. You’re unlikely to end up at Summit Lake if you don’t plan to, and that’s why it remains so peaceful. It’s out of the way.
We got there from Revelstoke, by taking the free Upper Arrow Lake ferry from Shelter Bay to Galena. After spending a day at Summit Lake we continued our road trip towards Slocan Lake.
Valhalla Provincial Park, Kootenay
Slocan Lake is the next: a huge, beautiful lake in the Slocan Valley, which you can mistake for a bay of the sea. I admit it’s probably the coldest lake on this list, and I had to swim quickly to stay warm, but I couldn’t resist jumping in, because it was hot and the lake was captivating. Don’t visit before July though, give it some time to warm up. (We visited in the beginning of August.)
Slocan Lake is deep, with 298 meters maximum depth, so that’s one reason it can’t warm up properly throughout the short summer. BC Highway 6 follows the eastern shore of the lake, offering pretty views. It took us down to Slocan City (and it continues further down along the Slocan River towards Catlegar).
There are two beaches I’d like to highlight, and I think it’s worth including both, because they are so different. My favorite is Evans Beach in Valhalla Provincial Park. It can be accessed either by boat or by a 15 km out-and-back hike from the Valhalla Provincial Park Trailhead. We chose the latter (since we had no boat), and we started right on the outskirts of Slocan City, after crossing the Slocan River via a bridge.
The lakeshore trail is well-maintained and takes you through cedar and hemlock forest, and open bouldered slopes with scenic views, and you’ll pass two irresistible beaches. Pebble Beach is about 4 km from the trailhead, and Evans Beach is a further ~4 km away. I loved the beauty and tranquility of both beaches, and I loved this scenic trail so much that I definitely think it’s worth doing all the way. There’s no facilities, but you’re in paradise. (Though Evans Beach is not the end of the trail. There’s the option to continue further into the wilderness on more remote backcountry trails.)
Slocan Beach, Kootenay
If you’d enjoy the stunning water of Slocan Lake from an easily accessible beach with all the facilities, visit Slocan Beach. It’s located in Slocan City, which is a village in reality, but it’s usually referred to by its old name of Slocan City so that locals can distinguish it from Slocan Park and South Slocan.
Slocan Beach is a sandy beach, which is a rare exception since the east side Slocan Lake beaches are mostly rocky (like the fabulous swimming spot at Bannock Point Recreation Site). Slocan Beach Park offers a designated family beach area, a grassy lawn with picnic tables behind the beach, washrooms, parking and even a boat launch. It doesn’t offer as unforgettable views as any of the beaches in Valhalla Provincial Park, but it’s more convenient to access.
Another nice “city beach” at Slocan Lake is Cooper’s Beach at the end of Turner Street in Silverton.
Blanket Creek Provincial Park, Columbia-Shuswap
We stayed at the campground in Blanket Creek Provincial Park, and we were glad to have 3 nights, because we didn’t even leave the campground the first day. This small park is one of the four provincial parks on the Arrow Lake Reservoir.
It has a warm man-made swimming lagoon, which was one of the best places to enjoy water with our 2-year-old. He also loved the adventure playground, and we enjoyed the trails around the campground, particularly the 0.5 km walk to impressive Sutherland Falls (waterfalls tend to be very impressive in British Columbia).
The campground itself is really nice, with spacious and well-separated campsites and a modern washroom building with warm showers. We couldn’t even see our neighbors, because the campsite was surrounded by trees and bushes. And it’s only half an hour drive from Revelstoke.
I have to mention one drawback though: mosquitoes! We visited in August and the mosquitoes were very bad. You need plenty of repellent and mosquito nets around your dinner area if you’re camping.
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Swiws Provincial Park, Thompson-Okanagan
Osoyoos Lake is the warmest freshwater lake in Canada, with an average water temperature of 25 degrees Celsius! Combine this with a desert landscape that reminds you of the American Southwest, and you get quite a unique destination. Certainly, British Columbia has much more in store than what I expected.
You find plenty of beaches and campgrounds along the shore of Osoyoos Lake. Not surprisingly our choice to enjoy these pleasant waters was Sẁiẁs Provincial Park. This unspoilt park is essentially a sand spit in Osoyoos Lake, less than two kilometers long and about 18 meters wide.
The waterfront campground of Sẁiẁs Provincial Park is among our favorite campgrounds in North America, especially for summer visits. There’s also a day use area with picnic benches, a beach and a boat ramp. The beach is more pebbly than sandy, but the water is shallow enough for kids to play. Water temperature was truly the most pleasant I’ve ever experienced in Canada, and I loved escaping the tent for a quiet swim in the mornings.
The park offers easy strolls through the Haynes Point Wetland, with a marsh viewing tower to see the rich bird life, or a trail to Haynes Point at the end of the sandy spit.
Kin Beach at Okanagan Lake, Thompson-Okanagan
Okanagan Lake is another large and popular lake, with several towns along its long shoreline and more than 30 beaches. Its turquoise bays in the summer sunshine reminded me of the Mediterranean, so did the fragrant pine forests on the lakeshore.
The average water temperature of the lake in July ranges from 19°C to 23°C, being more pleasant in shallower, sheltered bays. By the end of a hot summer it can reach 29°C. Considering the fact that this region gets hotter than the coast during summer (and colder than the coast in winter), chances for ideal beach day conditions are pretty good.
I’d highlight two beaches at Okanagan Lake, and one is Kin Beach, located in the lovely town of Vernon. It’s a large sandy beach, with a few small pebbles mixed in, and it has a gradual water entrance which makes it perfect for kids, too. The swimming area is roped off.
You find benches and picnic tables in the shade of tall trees behind the beach and well-equipped washrooms. If you’re in search of a playground, café or restaurant, they’re all close by. Vernon is a lively, adorable town, particularly delightful in the summer and the fall (fall colors are spectacular here).
Ellison Provincial Park, Thompson-Okanagan
But if you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you might know that we prefer beautiful, solitary places, and we’re ready to trade in all the facilities and convenience in exchange for tranquility. Well, in most cases. Hence our favorite beach at the Okanagan Lake was a small sandy bay in Ellison Provincial Park, just a few minutes walk down from the campground and the day use area. We stayed at this campground, and the beach and the short walks and viewpoints over the lake were such nice additions! Yes, it’s another favorite campground. Well, don’t be surprised, I won’t mention places that are not favorites in this post.
This small sandy bay is sheltered by a rocky headland that offers nice views over Okanagan Lake. There are toilets and a few benches, and a lovely pine forest gives you shade.
Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, Thompson-Okanagan
Kalamalka Lake is smaller, but also colder than Okanagan Lake, but it’s in the close vicinity, so I recommend it for a day trip on any Okanagan Lake holiday. Kalamalka Lake impressed me even more than Okanagan Lake, and that’s thanks to the pretty bays and hiking trails of Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park.
We did the Rattlesnake Point Hike, and even continued hiking further to secluded Cosen’s Bay. But our favorite beach was on the way to Rattlesnake Point: Juniper Beach. Jade Beach and Juniper Beach are two neighboring bays, and they’re similar in beauty and have an incredible shade of emerald green. Juniper Beach is a pebbly-sandy beach, with mostly small pebbles, and the water gets deep quickly. There’s a designated swimming area, and we shared Juniper Bay only with a few other families on a lovely summer day. The area is equipped with picnic benches and pit toilets, so you’re good for the day.
There’s also access to boating, cycling, hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing. We bumped into deers on the hike to Cosen’s Bay.
Dutch Lake Park, Clearwater, Thompson Nicola
Dutch Lake is the jewel of the small city of Clearwater! We are rarely very fond of city beaches, but we fell for Dutch Lake the moment we saw it – and we were settled for the day. Clearwater is not a large city, granted, so crowds were not a problem, and Dutch Lake has everything: pleasantly warm water, surrounding tranquil nature, sandy beach, a floating dock, a designed area for small kids, a large playground, picnic benches, washrooms.
We only planned to stop here quickly to stretch our legs on a long drive towards Wells Gray Provincial Park, but we ended up staying for the day. Our toddler splashed in the water happily and I swam among pretty water lilies.
Read it, too: Your Complete Guide To Wells Gray Provincial Park
Mahood Lake, Cariboo
Tranquil and beautiful Mahood Lake is in the pristine wilderness of British Columbia’s interior. It’s surrounded by dense forests and towering mountains – and there’s only a few traces of human activity.
It’s part of Wells Gray Provincial Park, but can’t be accessed from the Wells Gray Corridor (which is the central area of the park). But it’s worth the drive, just make sure to access it via the paved road from 100 Mile House along the south shore of Canim Lake. It’s paved almost all the way, only the last few kilometers are gravel.
Mahood Lake is fed by the Canim River, and it’s at 629 meters elevation. It’s 197 meters at its deepest point, its shoreline is steep, except for the eastern side where you find Mahood Lake campground and a pebbly beach. It’s the only lake in Wells Gray Provincial Park which is not fed by a glacier, so it gets pleasant enough for swimming in the summer months.
The long pebbly beach at the Mahood Lake campground has a gentle water entrance, but it’s not roped off and there’s no lifeguards. It’s a great family-friendly destination, with a spacious campground and an awesome lakeshore playground. The hiking trails in the area are short and easy, enjoyable to do even with small kids. My favorite is the Canim Falls and Mahood Falls hike. Older kids can have fun kayaking or paddling in Mahood Lake, as well.
Read our detailed guide to Mahood Lake!
Emerald Bay at Green Lake Provincial Park, Cariboo
Green Lake Provincial Park is yet another which won’t likely be on your way. We planned to stop there to have a break from the long drive from Mahood Lake to Vancouver, and after a bit of research we chose to stop at Emerald Bay.
The 14 km long lake is set in a typical Cariboo landscape of open rangeland and mixed forests of aspen and lodgepole pine. It has shallow water which gets pleasant in the summer, and Emerald Bay is one of the pretty emerald green bays, just like its name suggests. It’s home to one of the 11 campsites around the lake, and it also has a day use area which gives access to a peaceful, pebbly beach. The water is sheltered, there’s a gradual entrance, and you find toilets at the back of the beach. There’s not much shade, so bring a beach tent or umbrella.
When to enjoy the beaches of British Columbia?
Surely, in the summer. The further you are from the ocean, the hotter summers get. If you give these lakes a month or two, they can get surprisingly pleasant for swimming. Water temperature is the most ideal in July and August, but some of them you can visit even in June, especially if you don’t mind cold water.
One thing to consider though is bushfires. When summers are too hot and dry, bushfires can be a serious issue by August. Keep an eye on the news before you get on the road.
More amazing British Columbia lakes to visit
They’re on our bucket list, as well:
Shuswap Lake, Salmon Arm: this long lake in central BC is a popular summer destination for locals and offers several campsites and beaches. The water gets quite warm during the summer. Paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing are also popular activities during Shuswap Lake holidays.
Skaha Lake, Kaleden: just south of the Okanagan Lake, but much smaller in size, which means much warmer waters.
Christina Lake, Kootenay Rockies: one of the warmest lakes in British Columbia, with crystal clear water, surrounded by green hillsides and pine forests.
Would you recommend some of your favorite BC lakes?
