Lindeman Lake in Chilliwack is a great lake hike this summer. This Fraser Valley lake hike is one of the best-known in the area, and you’ll see why when you visit.
There’s ample opportunity for Lindeman Lake camping, and you can extend your hike by visiting Greendrop Lake and Flora Lake near Lindeman Lake too.
During our house sit in Chilliwack at the end of June when we first moved to Canada, we decided to take an afternoon trip by hiking to Lindeman Lake. I’d seen pictures of Lindeman Lake when looking for things to do in Chilliwack and knew I couldn’t miss it! This emerald-green Canadian lake near Vancouver is surrounded by forest.
The weather in Chilliwack wasn’t the best during the first week of our housesit. When we headed out hiking to Lindeman Lake, BC it was pretty gloomy but that didn’t ruin the afternoon!
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Hiking the Lindeman Lake trail
The most popular hiking trail to Lindeman Lake is around 1.7km each way, 3.4km in total.
Lindeman Lake trailhead is signposted “Post Creek, Lindeman, Greendrop, and Flora Lakes”, you’ll start from the yellow gate you see here.
To the right of the gate, you can see a sign saying Lindeman Lake and Greendrop Lake. The first kilometre of the Lindeman hike is the steepest with around 650 metres in elevation but it flattens out just before you get to the lake. During the climb, enjoy the views as you follow the river up through the forest towards the lake.
There’s a small beach area by the lake which makes the perfect picnic spot before returning.
- Lindeman lake hike difficulty: Intermediate
- Round trip distance: 3.4km to Lindeman Lake | 11.1km to Greendrop Lake | 16.3km for Flora, Greendrop, Lindeman.
- Lindeman Lake hike time: 1-3 hours
- Distance from Vancouver: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Lindeman lake day pass: No day pass needed
- Camping: Yes
- Dog friendly?: Yes, on leash
Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park and Lindeman Lake trail map
This map shows Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park including the trails to Lindeman, Greendrop and Flora lakes.
Lindeman Lake to Greendrop Lake
If you’re not ready to return to the parking lot, you can extend the hike by continuing on to Greendrop Lake.
The Greendrop trail isn’t always as well maintained as the trail to Lindeman Lake but it’s not too bad. To get there, you’ll continue along the trail towards a boulder field.
Make sure to watch your step as you traverse the large rocks! Once at the 4km mark, cross over a couple of log bridges and from there it’s just another half hour to Greendrop Lake.
Flora Lake, Greendrop Lake and Lindeman Lake loop
If you’re looking for a long day hike or overnight trip then you can make a loop of the three popular lakes in the area.
From the parking lot, take the left trail to head up to Flora Lake. The trail here is not well marked and is strenuous so make sure you’ll well prepared.
You can camp by both Flora Lake and Greendrop Lake so it’s up to you to decide where you want to break up the hike!
The route is easily shown here.
Lindeman Lake camping
Camping is possible at Lindeman Lake and it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping at Lindeman Lake is backcountry camping which means there are no facilities (other than a pit toilet), and you are not allowed to have campfires. If you want facilities and campfires I recommend trying to book a campsite at Chilliwack Lake across the road instead.
The Lindeman Lake campsite is right by the lake and you’ll see the raised camping spots as you come to the end of your hike. Lindeman Lake backcountry camping means you need to be bear aware, and be sure to pack out everything you took in with you.
If you prefer front country camping (camping out of your car), then check out the Chilliwack Lake campgrounds described above.
Camping is pretty cheap but you’ll need cash to pay for the backcountry permit to affix at your campsite.
What to pack for hiking to Lindeman Lake
What to pack for this hike depends on what season you’re hiking in.
- Check out my day hike packing list here.
- If you’re hiking in summer you should pack sunscreen, sunglasses, layers, water and bug spray as well as everything in the 10 essentials for hiking list.
- Here is what to wear hiking in hot weather
- Check out this post on the best leggings for hiking or what to wear hiking in summer for more details and my gear recommendations.
- If you’re hiking in winter after the snow has started falling you’ll need microspikes at the very least. If there is a lot of snow you will probably need snowshoes.
- You should also take plenty of layers including a fleece layer, a puffy insulated jacket and a wind and waterproof outer layer. Hats and gloves are also necessary as well as a good backpack to keep everything in.
- You should also pack water and some snacks too to keep you going as they’re part of the 10 essentials for hiking!
- Planning a hiking date? Check out what to wear on a hiking date but still look cool.
Know before you go hiking in Vancouver, BC
- Always practice leave no trace ethics. Not sure what those are? Get a refresher here.
- Carry bear spray with you, particularly on higher elevation on North Vancouver hikes & West Vancouver. Get more bear safety tips here!
- Choose quieter trails, particularly nowadays. Hike early morning or mid-week if you can.
- Refresh your memory about hiking save with BC Adventure Smart.
- Don’t leave home without your 10 essentials. They could save your life!
About the Lindeman Lake hike
Lindeman Lake is located within Chilliwack Provincial Park in the upper Chilliwack River Valley. It borders the northern boundary of the North Cascades National Park in the United States.
The Lindeman Lake trail has a very clear trailhead with a parking lot and is just across the road from Chilliwack Lake. While there are many lakes to hike to in the Chilliwack area, Lindeman Lake is one of the most easily accessible. You don’t need a 4×4 to get there, unlike a lot of Chilliwack hikes which is perfect for our van.
Lindeman Lake directions from Vancouver
Coming from downtown Vancouver, it will take about 2 hours 15 minutes in good traffic. Lindeman Lake is around 140km from Vancouver. Simply take the Trans-Canada highway east towards Chilliwack and exit at 104. See full directions to Lindeman Lake.
Parking is free but gets busy on summer weekends when the weather is nice. Make sure not to leave anything on show in your car at Lindeman Lake parking either as break-ins are pretty common in the Chilliwack area.
Last Updated on December 28, 2023 by Hannah
Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe, a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada, you’ll find posts on all of this.
Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.
Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.
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