Alice Lake Provincial Park is a popular freshwater recreational area located just north of Squamish in British Columbia. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
The information in this guide was updated in May 2026, confirming that while new camping fees and a non-resident overnight surcharge were introduced this year, day-use entry to the lakes remains completely free.
Quick facts
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | Seasonal gate hours, typically 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM in summer. |
| Ticket prices | Free entry for day use. |
| Address | Sea to Sky Highway (BC-99), Squamish, BC V0N 3G0. |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Free on-site parking lots or Vancouver Parkbus. |
| Typical time needed to visit | 2 to 4 hours. |
Alice Lake Provincial Park opening hours
Alice Lake Provincial Park is open for day use throughout the year, but the main vehicle access gates operate on a changing seasonal schedule. From the 1st of May until the 15th of June, the day-use gate is open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. From the 16th of June until the 14th of September, the hours extend from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM to accommodate the longer summer daylight. During the autumn and spring shoulder seasons, the gate operates between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
The main gate is locked twenty-four hours a day when significant snow is on the ground during the winter. However, the secondary day-use parking area located at Stump Lake remains accessible year-round for winter visitors, weather permitting.
Alice Lake Provincial Park ticket prices
There is no cost to enter the recreation area for the day, as Alice Lake Provincial Park is free for all day-use visitors. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in May 2026.
Overnight frontcountry camping requires a fee of $51 per party during the summer season. In May 2026, the provincial government introduced an additional $20 per night surcharge for campers who do not reside in British Columbia.
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How to get to Alice Lake Provincial Park
The most practical way to reach the site is by driving north along the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver or Squamish. The turnoff for the park is located approximately thirteen kilometres north of downtown Squamish, and the route is well signposted from the main highway.
There is no direct local public transport network serving the park entrance. However, a private seasonal shuttle service known as Parkbus operates direct connections between downtown Vancouver and the park during the peak summer months. Cyclists can also reach the park using the paved shoulders of the highway or the local Squamish trail networks.
Parking at Alice Lake Provincial Park
Parking at Alice Lake Provincial Park is distributed across multiple designated day-use lots located near the main beaches and trailheads. These parking areas are free of charge and provide ample space for standard passenger vehicles and larger recreational vehicles.
Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the primary lot near the main beach frequently reaches maximum capacity on summer weekends. A secondary parking area is located near Stump Lake, providing an alternative starting point for hikers. Visitors must avoid parking on the narrow shoulders of the entrance road to prevent their vehicles from being towed.
How long to spend at Alice Lake Provincial Park
A typical day-use visit to the attraction lasts between two and four hours. This timeframe allows visitors to hike the main trails, swim in the primary lake, and use the picnic facilities without rushing. Hiking the full 6.5-kilometre Four Lakes Trail takes approximately two hours to complete at a steady walking pace.
Visitors who rent watercraft or intend to fish at Stump Lake often extend their stay to a full day. The site is also a major destination for overnight visitors, with many families staying for several days using the frontcountry campground facilities.
Accessibility at Alice Lake Provincial Park
The main day-use areas offer excellent accessibility for wheelchair users and visitors with mobility requirements. Accessibility at Alice Lake Provincial Park includes flat, paved pathways connecting the main parking lots to the sandy beach, the picnic tables, and the accessible washrooms.
The specific trail immediately surrounding the main lake is mostly flat and wide enough to accommodate mobility aids and pushchairs. However, the secondary hiking routes, including the larger Four Lakes Trail, are unpaved, steep in sections, and feature exposed tree roots. These deeper forest trails are not accessible for wheelchair users.
What to see at Alice Lake Provincial Park
The main attraction is the primary freshwater lake, surrounded by dense coastal rainforest and mountain views. The central day-use area features a large sandy beach, grassy picnic spots, and a designated swimming zone marked by buoys. A concession stand operates directly on the beach during the summer months. This facility offers canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard rentals for visitors wanting to explore the calm water.
The park is famous for the Four Lakes Trail, a popular 6.5-kilometre loop hiking route. This unpaved path connects Alice, Edith, Fawn, and Stump lakes. The route passes through second-growth forests consisting of towering Douglas fir, western red cedar, and hemlock trees. While the main lake is the busiest area, the three smaller lakes offer much quieter environments that require a dedicated hike to reach.
Stump Lake is located near the park entrance and features small, obscured views of Mount Garibaldi through the trees. This specific lake is very popular with anglers fishing for stocked rainbow trout. A secondary parking area is located at this lake, allowing hikers to begin the loop trail away from the congested main beach.
The park contains a large, highly popular frontcountry campground featuring 108 reservable campsites set back into the forest. Half of these individual sites offer electrical hookups for recreational vehicles and camper vans. The campground infrastructure includes two large shower buildings, a communal amphitheatre, and a dedicated children’s playground.
The surrounding forest is also a major hub for the local mountain biking community. The park connects directly to a vast network of technical Squamish riding trails. Mountain bikers frequently use the park as a starting point to access the adjacent ’50 Shades of Green’ trail and the wider Diamond Head riding area.
Practical visitor tips
| Category | Practical visitor tip |
| Timing | Arrive before 9:00 AM on summer weekends to secure a parking space near the main beach before the lots reach capacity. |
| Crowds | Expect the quietest experience at Edith and Fawn lakes, as most day-trip visitors congregate near the main beach facilities. |
| Layout | Start the Four Lakes Trail from the Stump Lake parking area to avoid the congestion at the main campground entrance. |
| Entry process | Register your vehicle licence plate at the gatehouse upon arrival if you are checking in for an overnight camping reservation. |
| On-site logistics | Bring your own drinking water for longer hikes, as public water fountains are only located near the main washroom buildings. |
Frequently asked questions about Alice Lake Provincial Park
| Question | Answer |
| Is Alice Lake Provincial Park suitable for children? | Yes, the park is highly suitable for children and features a sandy beach, a calm swimming area, and a dedicated playground. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Alice Lake Provincial Park? | No, advance booking is not required for day use, but campground reservations are highly recommended for overnight stays. |
| Is Alice Lake Provincial Park open on Sundays? | Yes, the day-use areas and hiking trails are open seven days a week year-round, operating within the stated daily gate hours. |
| Are bags allowed at Alice Lake Provincial Park? | Yes, visitors can bring day bags and picnic coolers into the park without any restrictions or security checks. |
| Are dogs allowed at Alice Lake Provincial Park? | Yes, dogs are allowed on leash in most areas, but they are banned from the main beach and the Alice Lake Loop Trail. |
Things to do near Alice Lake Provincial Park
- Squamish Estuary: A protected wetland area offering flat walking trails and excellent birdwatching opportunities near the downtown core.
- Sea to Sky Gondola: A commercial attraction featuring a scenic cable car ride, a suspension bridge, and sweeping views of the Howe Sound.
- Britannia Mine Museum: A historic copper mine offering guided underground tours and interactive industrial exhibits located south of Squamish.
- Brohm Lake Interpretive Forest: A nearby recreation area offering a network of hiking trails through coastal forests and swimming access.
- Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre: A museum in Whistler showcasing the art, history, and culture of the local Indigenous peoples.
What to visit tomorrow
- Brandywine Falls Provincial Park: A protected area south of Whistler featuring a 70-metre waterfall viewed from an accessible platform above a volcanic canyon.
- Nairn Falls Provincial Park: A natural attraction north of Whistler featuring a fast-flowing river that crashes through a narrow, carved rock gorge.
- Shannon Falls Provincial Park: A popular roadside park south of Squamish featuring a towering cascade of water accessible via a short paved trail.
- Garibaldi Provincial Park: A vast wilderness area featuring turquoise lakes, massive glaciers, and challenging alpine hiking routes.
- Murrin Provincial Park: A small, forested park featuring a freshwater lake popular for swimming and steep granite rock faces used by experienced rock climbers.
More British Columbia travel
Other British Columbia travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Guide to getting the best views from the Tantalus Lookout on the Sea to Sky Highway.
- Stanley Park attraction guides: The Stanley Park Totem Poles, Prospect Point Lookout, Siwash Rock and Third Beach.
- Kayaking on Indian Arm – and looking out for seals.
- Plan your visit to the Museum of Vancouver.
- Horse-drawn tour vs bike tour: What is the best way to explore Stanley Park? Romance vs practicality is the trade-off when visiting Vancouver’s world class park.
