Road trip gems: Here are 7 turquoise lakes to visit in BC

If you’re looking for some photo-worthy spots in BC to enjoy, we’ve got just the list for you. Fortunately, our province is home to some of the most surreal nature in the country, with mesmerizing waterfalls, sandy beaches, and pristine lakes to venture to. And when it comes to the latter, there are a ton of well-known and hidden gems to check out. So with that in mind, here are 7 turquoise lakes you can visit in BC.

Joffre Lakes Park

First up is a classic pick for turquoise waters: Joffre Lakes. The stunning provincial park is home to some of the most beautiful mountain vistas and crystal blue lakes in the country, and it’s well within a day trip’s distance to Vancouver. Better yet, it’s also a Parkbus destination, which means you don’t have to have a car to visit one of the most breathtaking parks in BC.

Where: Off of Highway 99 east of Pemberton
Distance from Vancouver: Two hours and 40 minutes by car

Lindeman Lake

Located inside Chilliwack Lake Park, Lindeman Lake is accessible via a dog-friendly, “intermediate-level” hike through gorgeous forested trails. Note that the glacial lake remains cold year-round, but its blue-green waters and mountain vistas are well worth the trek.

Where: Near Chilliwack, BC
Distance from Vancouver: Two hours and 11 minutes by car

Garibaldi Lake

Another quintessential day trip spot, Garibaldi Park is definitely one for the books – particularly if you’re up for a more challenging hike to Garibaldi or Wedgemount Lake. Even better? Parkbus has you covered with a direct bus route from downtown Vancouver to the postcard-worthy destination, and each ticket comes with a day pass to over 90 kilometres of established hiking trails!

Where: Near Whistler, BC
Distance from Vancouver: One hour and 24 minutes by car or Parkbus

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Boya Lake 

Boya Lake is located in Tā Ch’ilā Park (Boya Lake Park) near the BC/Yukon border, in an area that was carved out by glaciers over 20,000 years ago. In its place is a stunning, crystal-clear lake with many islands and bays to discover. Best of all? Boya Lake is one of the few lakes in the north that is warm enough for swimming!

Where: 150km north of the town of Dease, BC
Distance from Vancouver: 12 hours by car

Johnson Lake

This one’s a bit more of a hidden gem, situated just outside of Barriere, which is about an hour and a half away from Kamloops. Known as the “Caribbean of the North,” Johnson Lake boasts some of the most surreal turquoise-coloured water we’ve seen, and runs so clear, that you can see 50 metres down to the bottom of the lake!

Although Johnson Lake Resort is currently closed, Best Sun Peaks Vacation Rentals has all the rental paddles and gear you’ll need to make a day of it.

Where: One hour outside of Barriere
Distance from Vancouver: 4 and a half hours by car

Adams Lake 

Situated northeast of Kamloops in south-central BC, Adams Lake is the second largest natural lake in the southern interior of the province – and as such, offers visitors plenty to do by way of outdoor activities. Whether you want to take a boat out on the water, go fishing for species like rainbow trout or kokanee salmon, or stick with swimming – there’s something for everyone here.

Note that the park consists of three marine sites: Spillman Beaches, Poplar Point (accessible only by boat), and Refuge Bay.

Where: Squilax, BC
Distance from Vancouver: Five and a half hours by car

Berg Lake Trail & Kinney Lake

Last but not least, we come to the Berg Lake Trail, a world-renowned backcountry hiking route featuring some of the most incredible natural scenery in the country. The trail takes visitors through

near the Alberta border to the Kinney Lake Campground.

Where: Near Valemount, BC
Distance from Vancouver: 8 hours by car

And that’s wrap on some beautiful turquoise lakes you can visit in BC before summer’s end. Happy adventuring!