$$$
Squamish: The Sea-to-Sky Adventure Getaway
Adventure & Outdoors
Loop Buntzen Lake
Forest, floating bridge, swimmable beach and a free parking reservation you must snag at 7 a.m. the day before.
Adventure & Outdoors
Forest, floating bridge, swimmable beach and a free parking reservation you must snag at 7 a.m. the day before.
Buntzen Lake is the date where you want trees, water and a challenge just mild enough to feel manageable. The full loop circles a long, narrow reservoir for roughly four to five hours through cool second-growth forest, crossing a low floating suspension bridge en route to a quieter beach at the north end. South Beach has a designated swim area and room for a picnic if the full loop sounds like too much. It's free, but between mid-May and early September you'll need a free BC Hydro parking reservation, available the day before at 7 a.m. One genuine heads-up for 2026: the reservoir has been drawn down for project work and a rockslide has closed Powerhouse Road between the beaches, so check BC Hydro's alerts before you go and stick to the open trail. Consider navigating the logistics part of the charm.
