Hiking Alice Lake Provincial Park - panoramic view
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Hiking in Alice Lake Provincial Park: trails, map and practical info

Vancouver Coast Mountains • British Columbia

4.6 Appreciated by 12 hikers
François Dumaine
By François Dumaine • Contributor since 2013 • Updated 01/04/2026
Ready to go See map
Difficulty
Easy
Distance
20 km
Elevation
300 m
Duration
6h
An easy 20 km trail with 300m elevation gain through Alice Lake Provincial Park in the Vancouver Coast Mountains. This 4-5 hour loop showcases pristine alpine lakes surrounded by stunning Cascade Mountain scenery.
Recommended for :
Beginners

Ready to explore Alice Lake Provincial Park? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

Discover the trail

6 community photos

Trail description

Alice Lake is an alpine lake in Blaine County, Idaho, United States, located high in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is one of the largest in the Sawtooth Wilderness and is most easily accessed via the trailhead at Pettit Lake, accessed from State Highway 75 via Sawtooth National Forest road 208. The direct route to the lake begins at the trailhead at the end of the Pettit Lake campground. The trail distance is about 5.5 miles (9 km) to the lake and gains about 1,600 feet (490 m) in elevation. The trail requires five stream crossings, only the last of which has a bridge. With a surface elevation of 8,602 feet (2,622 m) above sea level, Alice Lake can remain frozen into early summer. The lake is framed by the rocky peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains, to the east is El Capitan at 9,901 feet (3,018 m). Alice Lake is with the Sawtooth Wilderness; wilderness permits are obtained at a registration box along the trail at the wilderness boundary, at the upstream end of Pettit Lake.

alice lake provincial park is a beautiful park located in the heart of the Cascade Mountains in British Columbia. The park is known for its pristine lakes and stunning mountain scenery. There are several trails that wind through the park, making it the perfect place for hiking, biking, and camping. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, bears, and eagles.

Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
BC-99, Squamish, BC V0N 1H0, Canada
GPS coordinates
49.782321, -123.1151103
Phone
(604) 986-9371

Starting Point

The alice lake provincial park is located in British Columbia, Canada. The easiest way to get to the start of the trails is to drive to the park and park in the lot near the entrance.

When?

Opening hours
Monday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Varies by season
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
Loading

How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
—
What to bring?
Gear
  • Hiking shoes Essential
  • Layered clothing Essential
  • Rain jacket Essential
  • Trekking poles
  • Headlamp
Download the PDF checklist
Water & food
2L minimum
No water point on the trail
Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike
Good to know
Park rules
No dogs
Safety
Download the GPX before you go
Limited cellular coverage on the trail
Slippery after rain
Be careful on rocky sections
In an emergency
Emergency
911
Parking GPS
49.782321, -123.1151103
Center
(604) 986-9371

Hikers' opinions

4.6
4 Reviews
R4
Review 4
Mar 20, 2024
I really loved this place. Plenty of benches available throughout the trail system to rest and enjoy meals - essential given the 4-5 hour duration for the full 20km route. Washroom facilities are available and in excellent condition, very well maintained. This place is incredibly kid-friendly with the easy difficulty rating, and my little one enjoyed exploring every bit of the 300m elevation gain at their own pace.
R3
Review 3
Mar 12, 2024
Alice Lake, wow. Loved it here. Went as a kid and still holds the same magic years later. The easy difficulty rating makes it perfect for kids, families, and all ages to enjoy the full 20km trail system. The friendly chipmunks were a delightful bonus! One wish: allowing dogs on the trails would be fantastic. Would also love to see a dog-friendly picnic area. For dog owners wanting a walk, head across the street to the 4 Lakes Trail - gorgeous floating gardens await.
R2
Review 2
Feb 8, 2024
Was a great spot for exploring the easy-rated trail system, and the tree cover was amazing given the summer heat - essential when tackling the 20km distance with 300m elevation gain. The natural shade made the 4-5 hour hike much more comfortable. Not a huge fan of some staff members as they were giving warning tickets for minor infractions. Some younger employees seemed overzealous with enforcement, which detracted from the otherwise beautiful park experience.
R1
Review 1
Jan 15, 2024
Nice camping experience at Alice Lake Provincial Park. The abundant trees provided excellent shade throughout our stay, which was perfect for the 20km of trails we explored. Park staff at the entrance gate did a fantastic job with check-in and information! One consideration for Park management or the Province: making a left turn exiting the park onto the highway gets quite busy during peak times. Perhaps a tunnel, overpass or another controlled intersection could be considered for future improvements to enhance visitor safety.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Easy
300.00 M
Monday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
6h
No
No
Alice Lake Provincial Park is located off Highway 99, about 13 km north of Squamish. The day-use parking fee is $5 per vehicle, payable at the self-serve stations near the entrance. Arrive early on weekends as the parking lot fills up by 10 AM during summer. If the main lot is full, there's overflow parking along the access road, but it's a 10-minute walk to the trailheads.
The complete Four Lakes Loop takes 4-5 hours at a leisurely pace with photo stops, or 3 hours for faster hikers. With only 300m of gentle elevation gain spread over 20km, it's perfect for beginners and families with children 6+. The wide, well-maintained trails are mostly flat with a few rolling hills - more of a long walk than a challenging hike.
May through October offers the best conditions, with July-September being prime time for warm weather and clear trails. Early morning (7-9 AM) is ideal to avoid weekend crowds and enjoy misty lake reflections. Avoid late spring when black flies are intense, and winter when snow makes the trails muddy and slippery without proper footwear.
Regular hiking shoes or sturdy sneakers are sufficient - the trails are well-groomed with minimal rocky sections. Bring 2+ liters of water per person as there are no potable water sources along the route. Pack insect repellent from May-August, and consider trekking poles if you have knee issues since it's a long distance on your joints despite being flat.
Unlike the steep, challenging hikes Squamish is famous for, Alice Lake offers an accessible mountain experience with four distinct alpine lakes - Alice, Stump, Fawn, and Edith Lakes. The highlight is the viewpoint overlooking Alice Lake at the 8km mark, framed by the dramatic peaks of the Tantalus Range. It's the perfect introduction to Coast Mountain scenery without the typical grueling climbs.
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Update : June 2026