Less known than Whistler, the Chilliwack region is a true gem of British Columbia that you absolutely need to add to your bucket list! Located near the U.S. border, you can even see the mountains of North Cascades National Park, like Mount Baker, on the horizon.

Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park offers plenty of activities for outdoor lovers, including hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. We did some incredible hikes that will definitely impress you! Since the park is still not very well known, now is the perfect time to visit before it becomes more popular!

We stayed 4 nights at the Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park campground and gathered all the essential information for your next camping trip. Here’s a complete guide to help you plan your adventure in this beautiful park.

Different Camping Sites

Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park offers different camping sites to suit everyone. There are frontcountry and backcountry campgrounds.

The frontcountry campgrounds are:

• • • Lindeman Loop (23 sites)
    • Greendrop Loop (18 sites)
    • Paleface Loop (48 sites)
    • Flora Loop (33 sites)
    • Radium Loop (60 sites)

The largest campground is Radium Loop, with 60 sites that are bigger and better for RVs. This is where we stayed, and it was perfect! Note that campsites allow a maximum of 8 people with 2 vehicles. The second vehicle must pay half the extra camping fees.

To get all the details about services, we mention everything in the campground services section. The price for one night in a frontcountry campsite is $22 per night.

The backcountry campgrounds are:

• • • Greendrop Lake (5.5 km)
    • Lindeman Lake (1.5 km)
    • Flora Lake (7 km)
    • Radium Lake (6.5 km)

The Lindeman Lake campground is by far the most popular due to its short hike and great location. This campsite has a dry toilet and a food-hanging system to protect against bears. With wooden tent platforms and a beautiful view of Lindeman Lake, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular.

To help protect nature, make sure to clean up your trash before leaving. Also, note that campfires are not allowed in any backcountry campsite due to wildfires. The price for one night in a backcountry campsite is $5 per person.

Campground Services

To be well prepared for a great camping trip, here’s a list of all the services available at the campground, along with some tips and details. Make sure you have all the information before arriving, and we strongly recommend calling BC Parks directly for more details about the services offered.

Drinking Water

All frontcountry campgrounds have drinking water stations, so you don’t need to worry about running out! These water points are also easily accessible on foot from the campsites.

Ice & Firewood

You can buy ice and firewood at the service yard between 9 AM – 11 AM and 1 PM – 3 PM. If you’re not at the campground during these hours, you can ask a park ranger to bring them to you. Rangers do rounds in the campgrounds, so just ask when they pass by your site.

Toilets & Showers

All frontcountry campgrounds have dry toilets but no showers. So, don’t forget to bring some wet wipes! You can also rinse off in the beautiful Chilliwack Lake, but the water is freezing! Still, after a hike, it’s always refreshing.

The beach area where the boat launch is located also has dry toilets, so you don’t need to go back to your campsite for a bathroom break!

Wifi

Cell service is weak at the campground, but you can connect to wifi at the welcome center. Right at the park entrance, where the welcome building is located, you can easily access the wifi. This is very useful for planning your day or checking the weather.

Sanitary Dump Station

Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park provides a sewage dump station. The cost per dump is $5. If you need cash, you can ask a park ranger or visit the service yard.

Generators

For RV campers, generators are allowed, but there are some rules. You must follow the park’s hours for generator use, which are from 9 AM to 11 AM and 6 PM to 8 PM.

Propane & Firepits

The park offers propane firepits for rent. Note that a $250 deposit is required to rent one. You can also rent or purchase propane tanks.

Park Services

Chilliwack Lake Beach

With its turquoise water beach surrounded by stunning Rocky Mountains, Chilliwack Lake is the perfect place to relax while taking in the views. You can also go on an adventure in the water with a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. Regarding available services, note that there are only dry toilets near the parking lot, as well as a few picnic tables. There are no facilities on the beach, so be sure to bring your camping chairs for added comfort.

Boat Launch and Parking

The boat launch at Chilliwack Lake is quite small, and it can get busy. This is why it’s important to wait at the top of the parking lot until the launch ramp becomes available.

Also, if you have your own watercraft like a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, it’s recommended to drive your car down with your equipment and then bring it back up to the parking lot. From there, you’ll only need a 2-minute walk to the beach.

Hiking in the park

Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park offers stunning hikes for an unforgettable trip. It has several trails with different difficulty levels to suit everyone’s needs, so you’ll definitely find some interesting options. Below, we’ve listed the park’s most popular hikes to make your planning easier. Here are our picks:

Lindeman Lake

If you’re looking for a short and accessible hike with breathtaking scenery, Lindeman Lake is perfect for you. This 3.4 km trail is relatively easy and leads to a beautiful turquoise lake, making it one of the park’s most popular destinations.

To fully enjoy the experience, we recommend bringing your paddleboard. You can paddle on the turquoise water and admire the view from every angle. Of course, carrying your gear will require a little more effort, but it’s worth it: once you’re there, you’ll be able to move away from the crowd and enjoy a peaceful moment.

Since this trail is popular, it’s best to start early in the morning to arrive before noon and enjoy the turquoise reflections of the lake, which fade by the afternoon when the sun sets behind the mountains (around 4 PM). Of course, the time of sunset varies depending on the season, but when we visited in late August, the lake was already almost completely in the shade by that time. Plan your departure well to make the most of this natural spectacle!

Flora Peak

Another must-do at Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park is the Flora Peak hike. Located just 5 minutes by car from Radium Loop Campground, this challenging trail will take you to a spectacular viewpoint overlooking Chilliwack Lake, the surrounding mountains, and even the peaks of Washington in the distance.

• • • Difficulty: Hard
    • Distance: 14.6 km (not 11.7 km as stated on AllTrails)
    • Elevation Gain: 1,295 m
    • Duration: About 7 hours

Be aware of incorrect information on AllTrails: contrary to the app’s indication, the hike is longer than expected. To avoid any surprises, it’s best to leave early and adjust your route accordingly.

Though the climb is demanding, the reward is worth the effort: endless mountains, an amazing view of the park, and a sense of accomplishment. 

Mount Lindeman

If you’re looking for an intense and unforgettable hike, Mount Lindeman is a must-do! With a technical ascent, stunning views of the Rockies, and a trail that’s still relatively uncrowded, this adventure will truly test your abilities.

• • • Difficulty: Hard
    • Distance: 21 km (not 16.1 km as shown on AllTrails)
    • Elevation Gain: 1,422 m
    • Duration: About 10 hours

Trail Access

The adventure begins even before the hike! The access road is rough and filled with deep potholes, so a 4×4 is ideal. Also, as there’s no cell service, it’s recommended to start your GPS at the park entrance before heading out. If you’re not comfortable with certain sections, park lower down the road and walk a bit further.

The Trail

The hike begins through the forest, sometimes crossing a stream, and continues on a narrow, poorly marked trail. After a steady climb, you’ll reach a clearing with a breathtaking view of the summit. Be prepared for large rocks and more technical sections. The final ascent is a jaw-dropping experience, offering a landscape of snow, wildflowers, and waterfalls.

Things to know Before you Go

• • • AllTrails underestimates the distance and duration, so plan for a long day.
    • Leave early in the morning to avoid coming back in the dark.
    • Bring a headlamp, a power bank, and a satellite communicator (or an iPhone 14 and newer) for safety.

Is it worth it?

Absolutely! Between the Upper Hanging Lake with its turquoise waters and the endless mountain views, the effort is more than worth it. A challenging yet unforgettable hike for adventure lovers!

For more details on the hikes to Lindeman Lake, Flora Peak, and Mount Lindeman, check out our full article on our 7-day itinerary in Chilliwack! 

Other Hikes in the Park

• Goat Ridge : 6.8 km, elevation gain: 1041 m
• Mount Corriveau : 13 km, elevation gain: 1173 m
• Paleface Mountain : 17.9 km, elevation gain: 1188 m
• Mount Webb : 20.9 km, elevation gain: 1677 m
• Mount Wittenberg : 20.9 km, elevation gain: 1722 m
• MacDonald Peak : 21.6 km, elevation gain: 1764 m

Activities in the park

Paddle Board/Kayak/Canot

Chilliwack Lake is truly stunning, and if you have the chance, we highly recommend getting out on the water! We tried paddleboarding, and it was amazing. The large rocky mountains with snow-capped peaks are always impressive. While relaxing on the beach is enjoyable, being out on the water allows you to take in the breathtaking scenery from a whole new perspective.

However, the park does not offer boat rentals, whether it’s paddleboards, kayaks, or canoes. You’ll need to bring your own equipment. If you’re flying into Chilliwack, as we did, we strongly recommend renting a car through Turo. Many Turo hosts offer additional services, such as paddleboard rentals. For more details, check out our 7-day Itinerary in Chilliwack (Insert link).

Also, if you decide to go on the water, be mindful of the wind, which can pick up unexpectedly. Chilliwack Lake also has strong currents in some areas. It’s important to consider these factors before going too far. That said, the scenery is incredible no matter where you are on the lake.

Motorboats

Motorboats are allowed on the lake, and you can use the boat launch ramp mentioned earlier. This is a popular activity in the park, allowing for unforgettable moments on the water.

Fishing & Hunting

Fishing and hunting are both popular activities in Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park. You can catch Dolly Varden, kokanee, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout, but anyone fishing in British Columbia must have a valid fishing license. Hunting is also permitted in the park.

For detailed regulations on both activities, refer to the Fishing and Hunting Guide  and the park’s official Hunting guide. 

Water Skiing & Windsurfing

Chilliwack Lake offers great conditions for both water skiing and windsurfing. Water skiing is a very popular activity in the park, while the strong afternoon wind gusts make windsurfing possible on the lake.

Important Things to Know

Bears

After gathering information, we found that grizzlies are not really present in the Chilliwack area. The species you’re more likely to encounter is the black bear.

Since you’re on their territory, it’s highly recommended to have bear spray within reach. Encounters are rare, but it’s better to be prepared to avoid any incidents. By following these safety measures, you protect yourself while also helping to maintain the bears’ natural behavior.

Wasps

This may vary from year to year and depending on the season, but during our stay at Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park, there were a lot of wasps. Many hikers mentioned seeing them on the trails. In our case, we saw some at Mount Lindeman, but they were especially present at Chilliwack Lake beach. While we were on the beach, several people got stung, so be cautious.

Services Outside the Park

Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park is very remote. The city of Chilliwack is about a 45-minute drive away, so there are very few or no services near the park. We strongly recommend planning ahead before your arrival—make sure to get your groceries and fill up on gas.

Fire Restrictions

Due to the frequent wildfires in British Columbia, there is a high chance that a fire ban will be issued in the park. Be sure to check for restrictions to protect nature and prevent damaging wildfires.

Parking Lot Thefts

Several signs in the park’s parking lots warn that theft is common. Make sure to store your valuables in your locked car. We saw these signs at the beach parking lot and at the Lindeman Lake trailhead. Stay alert!

Dogs on a Leash

Dogs are allowed at the Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park campground, but they must always be on a leash. The only place where they can be off-leash is to the right of the boat launch, where they can swim. However, dogs are not allowed on the left side (beach) of the boat launch. They are also prohibited on the trails and in backcountry campsites.

Storing Your Food

When camping, it’s always important to store your food in a secure place, like your car, to keep yourself safe and to respect the local wildlife.

Conclusion

Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park deserves to be better known. Its lakes, surrounded by the stunning Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, make it a top destination. Located just a two-hour drive from Vancouver, it’s the perfect getaway to explore breathtaking landscapes in a short amount of time. The campground at Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park offers all the necessary amenities for an unforgettable stay (except maybe showers!).

Still a hidden gem, now is the perfect time to add this destination to your bucket list. We completely fell in love with Chilliwack and know you will too!

With its diverse trails, turquoise lakes, and breathtaking views, this destination offers a true immersion in nature. Enjoy it before it becomes too popular, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in the heart of British Columbia’s mountains!

Plan Your Adventure Now!

Check out our full article to discover a detailed 7-day itinerary in Chilliwack. You’ll find everything you need to know: the best hikes, practical tips, and essential info for a successful road trip. Whether you’re a fan of mountains, turquoise lakes, or outdoor adventures, this article will be your ultimate guide for an unforgettable stay in this stunning region!

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