Ever since I discovered backpacking nearly 20 years ago, it’s been my favourite outdoor activity. Some of my most memorable backpacking trips have been close to home in British Columbia. So I put together a list of the best backpacking trips in BC.
If you’re going to take time off to go backpacking, you don’t want to waste it on sub-par hikes. All the trips on my list are vacation-worthy – you won’t mind travelling a bit to get there.
It includes the best backpacking trips near Vancouver, on Vancouver Island, and in Eastern BC including the Rocky Mountains. For each trip, I’ve got details on difficulty, duration, and distance, and planning tips including fees, reservations, and links to trail guides.
I’ve also made sure that there are trips for both beginners and experts, and lots in between. And there are trips to suit any vacation length with a few quick overnighters, lots of long weekend-length trips, and a few that stretch over a week.
A few of these trips require reservations, but most do not. Read my guides to BC backpacking reservation dates and tips for backpacking in BC without reservations for more info.
You can find more info about a lot of these hikes in my books Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
Best Backpacking Trips Near Vancouver
Howe Sound Crest Trail
Duration: 2-4 days
Distance: 31.7 km traverse
Best Months: Mid-July to September
Difficulty: Very Challenging
Elevation Gain: 660 m
Fees and Reservations: None.
This very rough trail is more like a route in some places and requires occasional hands-on scrambling moves as you traverse a chain of rocky summits high above Howe Sound near Vancouver. If you’re up for the challenge, the views are worth it.
Watersprite Lake
Duration: 2 days
Distance: 17 km round trip
Best Months: Mid-June to October
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 660 m
Fees and Reservations: The hut requires reservations and costs $20/person/night. Advance reservations and fees are required for camping.
Watersprite Lake is an Instagram sensation thanks to its ice blue water and dramatic rock tower. We can credit the BC Mountaineering Club for building the trail to the lake along with a cabin and campground. I think it’s one of the best hikes in Squamish.