Ultimate Guide to the Watersprite Lake hike Squamish

The Watersprite Lake trail is one of the best Squamish hikes and among the best hikes near Vancouver.

It’s a long hike that requires a 4×4 (or at least a car you don’t care about) to get to but the view of Watersprite Lake is so worth it.

It’s one of the best hikes near me that I’ve done so far! If you’re looking for more information on one of the best Vancouver hikes check out this guide to the Watersprite Lake hike.

You will need a camping reservation for tent camping (different from reserving the hut). This will cost $15. You can now book Watesprite here.

Watersprite lake

The hike to Watersprite Lake differs from North Vancouver trails in that you get a great view of a lot of the trail. You’ll be able to see Mount Garibaldi and other peaks from the southern region of Garibaldi Provincial Park.

Whilst the hike is long, it’s a fairly gentle incline as BC hikes go and only the last portion has any serious climbing in terms of elevation.

However, because the trail is open, it’s essential that you take plenty of water and sun protection in summer.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Watersprite Lake hiking trail in Squamish.

How to get to Watersprite Lake BC

Watersprite Lake is in Squamish, BC, and is one of the best hikes around Vancouver, BC.

To get to the Watersprite Lake trailhead takes about 2 hours and you’ll need to take a 4×4 or at least have the skills to drive something with high clearance and good suspension on very rugged, often steep, terrain.

The Watersprite Lake road should not be attempted if you’re in a low-clearance 2-wheel drive car!

This is the case for a lot of hikes around Squamish.

The trailhead lies around 20 km up a series of Forestry Service Roads east of Squamish and it’ll take you the best part of an hour to do just the logging road section.

From Vancouver, drive Highway #1 westbound towards Squamish, merging on Highway #99 at Horseshoe Bay. Follow the Sea to Sky Highway until you the Sea To Sky Gondola.

1.5km after passing the gondola, turn right onto the Mamquam River forestry service road. This turnoff is just before the crossroads by Chances Casino and the gas station. If you’ve passed it you can use this junction to turn around.

Travel the forest service road for just over 13km. At this point, it’s mostly passable in a standard vehicle but you’ll soon see why you’ll be glad you’ve taken a 4×4!

At 13.2km, turn left and drive over a bridge crossing the Mamquam River. Here you’ll pass a parking lot for a kayak put-in and then cross over a second bridge.

After the second bridge, you’ll soon come to a junction with two large signs on your left. Make a left turn and go between the two signs. At this point, you’re now on the Skookum Dam forest service road.

Carry on driving until you reach a huge metal air vent and then go left at this junction to the new trailhead for Watersprite Lake. The road continues through a relatively flat section before climbing up a very steep hill and coming down pretty soon after.

Once you’ve descended the hill it’s a short drive to where there’s a large parking lot by the Skookum Dam. Park here at the Watersprite Lake parking lot and begin the Watersprite Lake hike by the metal gate.

There are some pit toilets here, but none on the trail until the end so make the most of them!

Know before you go

• The Watersprite Lake trail is managed by BCMC. Use this Facebook Group to check Watersprite Lake trail conditions before you go.
• As of summer 2022, you will need a camping reservation for tent camping (different to reserving the hut). This will cost $15. Book Watersprite here.
• Always practice leave no trace ethics. Not sure what those are? Get a refresher here.
• Carry bear spray with you on all BC hiking trails. Get more bear safety tips here!
• Refresh your memory about hiking safety with BC Adventure Smart.
• Dogs are allowed on a leash but really not recommended due to the fragile ecosystem.
• There is no cell service beyond the 17 km mark of the Mamquam forest service road
• There isn’t a great Squamish hiking trails map that I could find. Make sure you’ve downloaded the AllTrails map to your phone before setting out and switching the battery-saving mode/turning off data to save battery.

Watersprite Lake Squamish hike

The current summer route to Watersprite Lake was completed in September 2016 by the BCMC and is therefore easy to follow and well maintained. The route follows deactivated logging road routes before crossing a boulder field towards the end.

From the parking lot, go past the metal gate and follow the old gravel road which veers off the right up a slight incline.

You’ll pass the Skookum Dam below and to your left before the trail narrows and joins up with an old logging road.

On this part of the trail, you’ll pass a couple of creeks and a bridge which goes over Skullhead Creek. In some parts, there are platforms to help you cross over the sections which get a bit boggier. Use them as not doing so will damage the vegetation.

Around the 30 minute mark of hiking, you’ll make a slight left on the trail and descending quickly before making up for the lost elevation by climbing through the forest.

Look for the orange tree markers until you reach a junction at a wide trail. Go right on the wide trail and continue hiking.

After crossing another bridge, the trail goes sharply left again and climbs up a steep, rocky area before making a right and coming out to an opening. Just beyond this clearing, you’ll cross another small creek next to a waterfall.

600 metres on from the creekbed, you round a corner and come out to a ridge known as “The Prow Lookout”. Enjoy the valley views here; they’re beautiful!

This ridge looks down as far as Mamquam River Valley and Squamish. You can even spot other hikes in Squamish, BC such as The Chief (another of the best hikes in BC)!

For the next couple of kilometers, you’ll be treated to great views of the surrounding mountains and the Watersprite Creek Valley area below.

Then, you’ll reach a rockslide area which will slow your pace a bit. It’s not too difficult to traverse but do take some extra care not to slip.

After the boulder field, you’ll come through a forested section and a second boulder field. This final (and steep) climb is the last part before you come out to the lake.

The views of this beautiful turquoise lake with Watersprite Tower in the back, Martin Peak and Dreadnought Peak are more than worth the effort in climbing those boulder fields!

Watersprite Lake trail statistics

• Difficulty: Moderate/strenuous (long and steep at the end)
• How long is water sprite lake hike?: 18 km
• Elevation: 660 m
• Watersprite Lake hike time: 6-7 hours
• Notes: There is no required Watersprite Lake day pass as this lake does not sit within Garibaldi Provincial Park. However, if you want to stay overnight, you will need a Watersprite lake reservation for both the hut and campsite spots.

AllTrails is my go-to hiking app for finding, planning, and navigating while I’m out on the trails. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you can be confident you’re still on the right track, even without mobile signal.

Watersprite Lake Cabin

The Watersprite Lake hut is a beautifully constructed hut just a few steps away from the lake. It’s owned and managed by the British Columbia Mountaineering Club (BCMC) and you must reserve online.

Reservations can be made by non-members of the BCMC, but it’s a great organization to join and I’d highly recommend doing so if you’re a local.

The Watersprite Hut sleeps 8 and pets are not allowed inside the Watersprite Lake cabin.

The cabin must be booked by one group at a time for a cost of $300/night for the entire cabin and $600/night for the entire cabin per commercial.

Watersprite Lake camping

Camping is permitted at Watersprite Lake and there is a reservation system.

If you wish to do some Watersprite Lake backpacking and wake up in this beautiful spot, you can!

There are 20 camping spots at the lake and they cost $20 per night. Watersprite Lake campground is open from July 1 to Thanksgiving long weekend in early October.

You must book Watersprite camping in advance here.

When camping at Watersprite Lake, do not camp too close to the lake, this breaks the leave no trace rules and potentially pollutes water that everyone on the trail is using for drinking.

What to pack for the Watersprite Lake hike Squamish

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.

Essentials for this hike: suncream, hat, sunglasses, camera/phone, bear spray, warm layers even if it’s hot as it’s often chilly by the lake.

Final thoughts on the Watersprite Hike Squamish BC

If you’re looking for other local hikes and more of the best hikes in Vancouver, Squamish and Whistler check out these hiking guides.

The Watersprite trail is one of the best hikes in Squamish and BC but it does require a 4×4 to get there.

The road is rough, and long, and cannot be done. in a small, low-clearance 2WD. Make friends with someone with a 4×4 and then you can go and enjoy the trail!

If you’re looking for more awesome hikes nearby, be sure to check out my list of the best hikes near Vancouver.

They include some beautiful hiking trails such as Panorama Ridge and Garibaldi Lake as well as Black Tusk (if you like scrambling – I loved this one!)), Elfin Lakes, Opal Cone and Mamquam Lake and Rampart Ponds as well as the Stawamus Chief.

You can also browse over 150 hiking guides from all over the world.

Last Updated on April 17, 2025 by Hannah