We all love a good park. The wide-open space, luscious grass underfoot, access to the water and therefore, water toys, the dappled shade of a grove of trees, and the views out over the snow-capped mountain ranges. And, because we all love it, we have to share it.
Whistler’s parks and lakes will be busy this summer, so make your summer plans diverse, consider coming midweek and off-peak (early morning and evenings), and have a Plan B in your back pocket (not hard when you’re in one of the most adventure-filled places on the planet).
Getting to Whistler’s Lakes and Parks
One of Whistler’s most unsung achievements is the 50-kilometre, car-free, Valley Trail system that winds around parks, lakes and neighbourhoods. Park and play this summer by leaving the car (at your accommodation or in the Day Lots) and getting on a bike. Parking at Whistler’s lakes and parks is limited and paid, so unless you get there early, you might need another plan (make sure you read and obey the signage if you park on a road).
Whether you rent a bike, e-bike via evo or bring your own, there are many ways that active transport is the better option. Not only is it good for you and the planet, but it’s a fun way to explore a bit further this summer.
Free Bike Valet
Knowing that more people will be out on their bikes, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is running Free Bike and Gear Valet Stations from the end of June to Labour Day, September 7. Which means you can store your two wheels, shopping and beach gear safely while you explore on foot.
Whistler Olympic Plaza
Dates: June 27 to September 7
Days: Friday through Sunday
Times: 11 AM to 6 PM
Event Days:
- Wednesdays and Thursdays (movie nights/concerts) 6 PM to 10 PM
- Fridays and Saturdays (extended for events) 11 AM to 10 PM
- Crankworx Friday through Sunday, plus special nights 11 AM to 6 PM (10 PM on event nights)
Lost Lake and Rainbow Park
Dates: June 27 to September 7
Days: Saturday and Sunday
Times: 12 PM to 6 PM
The service is also available during the same hours on Canada Day, B.C. Day, Labour Day, and for special events.
This is an initiative to get people out of cars, and is partially funded by the pay-parking fees. Find out more about the Free Valet service on the RMOW website.
Free Whistler Park Shuttle
The RMOW is also running free Lost Lake and Rainbow Park shuttles between June 20 and Labour Day, September 7. The shuttles are accessible to wheelchairs, strollers and compact mobility devices.
Lost Lake Park Shuttle
Location: You can catch the Lost Lake Park Shuttle from the Village at the Olympic Plaza Bus Stop and Gondola Transit Exchange Bay 4. They stop at the transit stops along the route in the Upper Village.
Times: 11 AM to 7 PM
- 11 AM to 2 PM every 20 minutes
- 2 PM and 6 PM every 15 minutes
- 6 PM to 7 PM every 20 minutes
Route:
- Blackcomb Way Olympic Plaza Bus Stop
- Gondola Transit Exchange Bay 4
- Upper Village transit stops along Blackcomb Way
- Lost Lake parking lot
- Upper Village transit stops along Blackcomb Way
- Blackcomb Way Olympic Plaza Bus Stop
Rainbow Park Shuttle
The Rainbow Park shuttle runs on weekends and statutory holidays, every 20 minutes from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Location: You can catch the Rainbow Park Shuttle from the Village at the Olympic Plaza Bus Stop and Gondola Transit Exchange Bay 4. They stop at Rainbow Falls along the route.
Time: 10 AM to 6 PM
Route:
- Blackcomb Way Olympic Plaza Bus Stop
- Gondola Transit Exchange Bay 4
- Rainbow Falls trail head
- Rainbow parking lot
- Blackcomb Way Olympic Plaza Bus Stop
You can’t bring pets on the shuttles (unless they are service animals), no hard watercrafts or blown-up inflatables (a clean and dry deflated paddleboard is fine), or barbeques.
Picnics at the Park: Summer Food Truck Program
There’s no need to lug a full picnic basket and cooler to the park with you this summer as Whistler’s food truck program, Park Eats, starts in May. There are rotating, locally-owned and operated food trucks at Lost Lake Park and Rainbow Park, serving up coffee, gelato, pizza and more tasty lunch options and refreshing treats. Find out what kind of food trucks will be at the park this year in our dedicated blog, Whistler’s Summer Food Truck Scene.
The Park Eats program runs from May 15 to September 7, 2026, with vendors operating from approximately 11 AM to 5 PM (operations can be weather dependent, and the schedule is subject to change at short notice).
From May 15 to June 21 (early season), operations run at Lost Lake Park and Rainbow Park, on Fridays to Sundays only. From June 26 to September 7, operations run daily at Lost Lake and Rainbow Park (as well as Lakeside Park and Whistler Olympic Plaza on specific dates/events).
BBQS in Whistler’s Parks
It’s good to know that the fire rating in Whistler in the summer months typically sits at high to extreme, which means you’re only allowed gas and propane barbeques at the parks and lakes. Barbeque coals and briquettes are not permitted in parks.
If you are thinking of bringing your own barbecue with you, check the fire rating before you pack it, and never put hot coals into the bin.
Pack It In, Pack It Out
Talking of bins, please don’t overflow them. If they’re looking a bit full, take your waste with you and dispose of it back at your accommodation. Do not leave it for Whistler’s wildlife; a fed bear is a dead bear. There are recycling and compost bin options at the parks, so make sure to take a look at what you’re putting in each one.
Water Toys & Tents
You know, we started this post off on the topic of sharing. Well, we all love our toys, but we’ve got to think about what we cart down to the parks this summer and how much room it takes up. Try to limit yourself to one picnic blanket and don’t bring a tent – not only do they take up a lot of room, but they block sightlines to the water, and if the wind picks up, they can become moving projectiles with sharp pegs attached.
Shop local for fun things you might want to have at the lake – sandcastle competition, anyone? If you do buy something new, remove all the packaging before you come to the park, as the bins aren’t built for huge cardboard boxes or Styrofoam.
We also suggest leaving your floaties at home and opting to rent a sturdier flotation device like a canoe, kayak, or standup paddleboard. Whistler’s rivers and lakes have rocks and branches that love to make holes in thin plastic.
Want to dip a rod into those waters? Grab a fishing license before you do (you can get these at Whistler Hardware) and make sure you know which lakes are catch-and-release only.
Wash Gear Down
If you are bringing your own water toys to Whistler, remember to give them a wash before and after so that you don’t accidentally drop off some invasive species that shouldn’t be here. Talking of invasive species, if you are intrigued by Whistler’s flora and fauna, then look out for the pop-up nature stations at the parks on weekends.
Know that if you are paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking or using an inflatable boat, you are required by Canadian law to have the right safety gear. The Conservation Officer Service is actively doing patrols in Whistler to enforce this federal law, and non-compliance may result in a fine for each missing item (ouch).
Respect the Space
If you want to throw a Frisbee or play a game of soccer, then we suggest getting to the park early or coming later when the main rush of the day is over. Running over a toddler as you go for a goal will not win you any points.
Dogs in Whistler Parks
We do love our furry members of the family here in Whistler, but we ask that you keep them on a leash in the parks and on the trails, unless you’re at an off-leash park/area. Note that dogs are not permitted on public beaches for public health reasons and are not allowed in playgrounds and water parks for safety reasons.
And please pick up the poop, we have bag stations and bins at all the parks too!
Off-Leash Dog Parks:
Alpha Park – Arfa Park
- Designated off-leash gravel area
- Designated dog dock
Rainbow Park – Barking Bay
- Designated off-leash area with a small grass lawn and a sandy beach
- Dogs also have access to the swimming dock
Lost Lake Park – Canine Cove
- Designated off-leash area with a sandy beach, 400 metres to the north of the main beach
- Dogs are not permitted on Lost Lake beach
Western Toad Migration
If you’re heading to Lost Lake Park this summer, be aware that in late July the Western Toad start their migration from the lake to the forest. Look out for signage around the park so that you don’t accidentally squish them!
Don’t touch the tadpoles / tiny toads as they have porous skin, and naturally occurring salts and oils on human hands can be very damaging. And please do not enter the wetland, as it’s a sensitive habitat that supports the tadpoles and many other species. The toads thank you!
See you at the park this summer!
