The best camping near Alice Lake Provincial Park

Named for Alice Rose, a settler, ranch cook, and outdoorswoman, Alice Lake Provincial Park is located off the Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99) between Vancouver and Whistler. In BC’s Coast Mountains, the park has four freshwater lakes—the largest is the park’s namesake. Hikers can walk the Four Lakes Trail that loops past them all, or climb other hiking trails for views across the Tantalus Range. You can go mountain biking on park trails and roadways, too. Swim from the two sandy beaches, go canoeing or kayaking, or explore by paddleboard. For campers, the 96 vehicle-accessible campsites and 12 walk-in sites, which are all reservable, are a short walk from Alice Lake. The forested camping areas have a sani-station, electrical hookups, and washrooms with flush toilets and hot showers.

• Best for pack-light tent campers: Alice Lake walk-in sites
• Best for RVs: Alice Lake Campground A

1. Campers should make reservations as early as possible, particularly for stays in July, August, or September, when camping areas can often be full on both weekdays and weekends. Book yours online through BC Parks Discover Camping site. Do your research in advance, so you’ll be ready to book your campsite as soon as reservations open.
2. In March, for one to two weeks following the park’s spring opening, sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but they’re reservable in advance for the rest of the camping season.

Camping season at Alice Lake Provincial Park normally runs from mid-March through October. This locally popular park is within day trip distance of both Vancouver and Whistler, so it’s especially busy throughout the dry, temperate summer and mild autumn, and on weekends for much of the year. The park gates are locked from November through mid-March, although it’s possible to walk into the park if you’re prepared for snow and winter conditions.

• You can stock up on groceries, outdoor gear, and other supplies in the town of Squamish, 13 kilometres south of the Alice Lake Provincial Park entrance. The park sells firewood and ice, and there’s a summer-only concession stand.
• In the summer months, you can rent kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and pedal boats in the park. The day-use area has picnic tables and a playground a short walk from the parking lot. 
• Two campsites in Alice Lake Campground A are wheelchair accessible, and the campground has wheelchair-accessible picnic tables.
• Alice Lake Provincial Park is located in bear country. Be sure to properly store food and garbage, and don’t keep anything in your tent that might attract a bear.