Cheakamus Lake: An Iconic Hike in Whistler

Note: This trail is currently undergoing maintenance, with the reopening scheduled for summer 2026.

There are very few places you can visit where its residents live over 10 times longer than humans. Cheakamus Lake is a step into the ancient. The stillness here carries a weight; the striking feeling that the life around you existed long before you arrived, and will remain long after. The forest starts on the lower slopes of Whistler mountain, extending far into the wilderness where few humans have ever set foot.

The Trail In

The trail starts at the end of the Cheakamus Lake Road, a 8km winding road that you take from the highway at the first lights when you get to town from the south. The road can get dusty in the summer, so watch your speed.

From the parking lot, it’s 3km to the lake. The first 1km is probably the steepest and most un-interesting as the area has been logged in the past. But once you hit the old-growth forest (and you’ll know when you do), it’s a surreal feeling. You step through a curtain of boughs to enter a biome that is teeming with life energy—if you’re willing to slow down to listen.

The Forest

The sheer size of these trees is what stands out the most. Very few people have actually spent time in an ancient forest, and it shows. I firmly believe that the more time people spend in forests like these, the less disharmony we would all have.

Arriving at the Lake

About 1km from the lake, you begin to see the Cheakamus River that the lake feeds. That is the sign that you are close. Several branches of the trail get close to the river, but with little ones you’ll still want to stay a ways away for their safety. But soon enough, you will see the first view of the lake; and what a view it is.

The stunning turquoise hues come from the silt that the glaciers grind up, known as “glacial flour”. On a sunny day it refracts the light to a vibrant display that is much more stunning in person than any photo could capture.

The backdrop behind the lake showcases the wilderness of Garibaldi Provincial Park; an untamed backcountry area that is legendary for mountain exploration, given how close to civilization it actually is.

As beautiful as the lake is, it’s also extremely cold. The same glacier melt that causes the bright hues is also just above freezing…. so even on a hot day it’s a quick in-and-out to say you’ve done it type of thing. There are plenty of non-glacier lakes near Whistler to hang out at if you want to spend some time in the water.

The trail continues to wind around the lake to the far end; but after that, you’re on your own. If you’ve made it this far with kids, it’s probably a good time to head back. That is, unless you’re camping!

Camping at Cheakamus Lake

There are two campgrounds at Cheakamus Lake, both require reservations in advance. They have some cleared ground, a food cache, and outhouses, but not much else. If you have a wagon that would make things easier to haul stuff in—especially with kids.

But the experience you have at these sites is vastly different from the more glitzy frontcountry campsites that BC parks operates. Many times (especially mid-week or the offseason), your group will be the only ones there.

That solitude comes with a responsibility though. Cheakamus Lake is black bear habitat, and while encounters are rare, the odds go up tremendously if you leave food out. Once a bear becomes conditioned to human food, they will seek it out, and become aggressive. This is what the food caches are for. So make sure that you use them if camping out.

Helpful Info

Getting There & Parking

• Access: Turn off Highway 99 at the Cheakamus Lake/Function Junction intersection. Follow Cheakamus Lake Road for 8km.
• Road Conditions: It’s a gravel forestry road. While generally fine for 2WD vehicles, it’s notorious for “washboard” ripples and potholes. Take it slow, especially if the kids are prone to carsickness.
• Parking: The lot is at the very end of the road. It fills up early on sunny weekends, so aim to arrive before 9:30 AM or after 3:00 PM for the “golden hour” light.

Permits & Fees

• Day-Use Passes: For the 2026 season, BC Parks requires a free day-use pass to park here from mid-June through mid-October. You can reserve these starting at 7:00 AM two days before your visit at the BC Parks website.
• Camping Fees: If you’re staying overnight, reservations are mandatory year-round. It’s $10 per adult and $5 per child (6–15) per night, plus a small reservation fee.
• No Dogs Allowed: Since this is Garibaldi Provincial Park, pets aren’t permitted on the trails or in the campgrounds to protect the local wildlife.

Timing the Adventure

• Trail Distance: It is a flat 3km (1.8 miles) from the parking lot to the first lake access point (Cheakamus Lake Campground).
• Budgeting Time: * The “Hiker” Pace: 45 minutes each way.
  • The “Family” Pace: Budget 1.5 to 2 hours each way. This accounts for the “First Kilometer” climb, stopping to look at the massive Douglas Firs, and the inevitable “I found a cool rock” breaks.
  • Full Experience: Plan for 4–5 hours total if you want to enjoy a picnic and some shoreline exploring.

What to Pack

• The “Lake Layer”: Even if it’s 25°C in Whistler, the lake creates its own microclimate. Bring a light windbreaker or fleece for when you reach the shore.
• Bear Safety: This is active Black Bear country. Carry bear spray in an accessible spot (not buried in your pack) and make sure the kids know to stay close and keep the “chatter” up while walking. More information on how to be Bear Aware.
• Water & Food: There is no potable water at the trailhead or the lake. Bring a filter if you’re camping, or pack at least 1.5L of water per person for a day trip.
• Footwear: The trail is wide and “wagon-friendly” (if you have one with rugged off-road wheels), but roots can be slippery. Sturdy sneakers or hiking shoes are better than flip-flops.

A Note on Respect

This trail goes through some of the last accessible old-growth forest in British Columbia. It’s a sad, sobering statistic, but one that ushers even more urgency that we need to protect this area from harm. This means following Leave No Trace principles, and staying on the trail.

It also means respecting other people’s desire to be in nature and leaving loud speakers at home, packing out what you pack in. As the saying goes: Take only photographs, leave only footprints.

Good stewardship helps set a good example for our children, so that they grow up doing the same. Eventually that energy will spread, and hopefully our society will begin to value places like these more. That is our hope, at least.

Enjoy This Place of Wonder

Hiking to Cheakamus Lake is one of the best activities for families in Whistler, and one I have been showing my kids since they could barely see past the ends of their noses. They absolutely love it, and so do us parents. It’s a place I often take people visiting to help immerse them in the power and beauty of an old-growth forest.

Yes, the lake is a nice photogenic destination on the hike, but to me, it’s all about that feeling you get when you walk into the ancient forest. It’s hard to describe in words, but it’s a feeling that you can’t get out of you and sticks with you. And in doing so, hopefully it reinforces a desire to make sure places like this can thrive for many more generations and centuries to come.

Thanks for reading until the end! If you liked this, check out some of our other hikes for toddlers in the Sea-to-Sky. See you out on the trails!

Helpful Links

BC Parks Info Page on Cheakamus Lake

Cheakamus Lake Campground Reservations – Be sure to choose “Backcountry Camping”

Day Use Passes – Available 2 days before your visit

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