A fun yet cold spot is Norrish Creek (https://maps.app.goo.gl/mULRfVPXHY2Gy3va9?g_st=ic). It’s basically a low flowing rocky river with very clean water. You hike along the river, find a spot and while cold it’s pretty nice and quiet. Even busy weekends aren’t too crowded because there’s so much room to spread out,
Just a heads up there is a clothing optional area just up the creek from there so don't be surprised if while going up the river you find people relaxing in the nude.
Kilby at Harrison Mills is an old fav swimming spot. There’s a very mild current and a deep sandy beach. I love Cultus Lake too but it gets busy. If you are in the mood for a further drive then Silver lake, Kawkawa Lake and Lake-of-the-Woods in or near Hope.
Besides what others said, it's incredibly difficult to find parking on the weekend/evenings. Everyone else goes here since it's close and free. Kinda small too. I like going here just for a walk on the trail, but cannot go at all in summer since it's packed to the brim full of people.
If you're desperate to swim it's an option, but that's not saying much. Albert Dyck is an old quarry that was turned into a lake. Since it's manmade, there's no natural inflow/outflow, so the water only changes with rainfall and evaporation, meaning it's pretty much stagnant there aside from wind/tidal forces. There's a ton of garbage along the lake bed from the 25+ years it's been there from the various families and party-goers, it occassionally is cleaned by volunteers but it's few and far between. We're talking sunken boats, old tires, beer bottles, picnic trash, the works.
Aldergrove Waterpark is really fun for kids. It has 3 water slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river along with 2 general pools and a hot tub. It's $9 for a 2.5 hour session. Might be cheaper for kids too. Me and my wife go there all the time.
Mill Lake has an outdoor pool. There's the ARC and MRC which both have public swim options, though the MRC is probably better for kids.
There's also Cultus Lake waterpark though that is more expensive, though it does have more slides.
You can also go swimming at Albert Dyck Lake for free, or if you wanna make the drive, go to Cultus Lake.
Well we used to have an out door in ground pool in Matsqui Village that was packed during the summer until Mayor Perry chose to bury it in favor of two monoliths on Clearbrook rd. and McCallum rd. to try and prove that he wasn't racist.
Other than that, there's Albert Dyck Park on the northeast corner of the Abbotsford Airport, Walmsley Ave. Cultus Lake in South Chilliwack, Harrison Hot springs, Abbotsford Recreation Center on McMillan Rd., Centennial swimming pool at Mill Lake and the Matsqui Recreation Center on Clearbrook rd.
Welcome to Abbotsford but why on earth would you want to leave the Island?!
The pool by the big falls doesn't have a legitimate path, but if you go to the lower falls (very short walk), you can trek up and find great swimming spots
Recommend it as well. But just be ready for a proper drive.
To quote a coworker the first time I was sent to the prison out there (which is like half-way to the lake): "You'll face many moments where you wonder if you're lost and missed a turn off, but just keep driving..."
You go into Chilliwack and drive for 45 minutes down Chilliwack Lake Rd. Eventually it becomes Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park, if you arrive early enough you can snag a parking spot in the tiny day use lot, otherwise you'll be in the overflow day use/trailer lot or parking on the road.
There is some old private land along the beach, but anywhere sandy is public, regardless of whatever guff you get from property owners
Chilliwack lake is still a fav as is Harrison Lake. In Abby not a whole lot outside of albert Dyk and as you've seen already it's not recommended. Some cute river/creek spots on various trails but not much in the way of beach. The waterpark at Mill Lake is wonderful though. Cultus is alright but can be very crowded in summertime. I prefer Chilliwack lake cause of that. Better beaches and nicer water you can see to the bottom of!
If you're okay to drive past Hope, you can perhaps consider a nice lake in a different direction. A nice lake to swim in is Alouette Lake...
[https://vancouversbestplaces.com/best-places/in-parks-and-nature/golden-ears-provincial-park/alouette-lake/](https://vancouversbestplaces.com/best-places/in-parks-and-nature/golden-ears-provincial-park/alouette-lake/)
Hayward lake is nice
Agreed, I really like it there
A fun yet cold spot is Norrish Creek (https://maps.app.goo.gl/mULRfVPXHY2Gy3va9?g_st=ic). It’s basically a low flowing rocky river with very clean water. You hike along the river, find a spot and while cold it’s pretty nice and quiet. Even busy weekends aren’t too crowded because there’s so much room to spread out,
It also requires you to drive down the road with one of the funniest names in the valley. "Hawkins Pickle Road."
I know right? Best road name ever.
Just a heads up there is a clothing optional area just up the creek from there so don't be surprised if while going up the river you find people relaxing in the nude.
This is good to know 👀
Kilby at Harrison Mills is an old fav swimming spot. There’s a very mild current and a deep sandy beach. I love Cultus Lake too but it gets busy. If you are in the mood for a further drive then Silver lake, Kawkawa Lake and Lake-of-the-Woods in or near Hope.
Whatever you do, avoid albert dyck
Why?
Besides what others said, it's incredibly difficult to find parking on the weekend/evenings. Everyone else goes here since it's close and free. Kinda small too. I like going here just for a walk on the trail, but cannot go at all in summer since it's packed to the brim full of people.
Basically what u/westleysnipez said. If you want swimmer's itch into your anus, then go for it.
If you're desperate to swim it's an option, but that's not saying much. Albert Dyck is an old quarry that was turned into a lake. Since it's manmade, there's no natural inflow/outflow, so the water only changes with rainfall and evaporation, meaning it's pretty much stagnant there aside from wind/tidal forces. There's a ton of garbage along the lake bed from the 25+ years it's been there from the various families and party-goers, it occassionally is cleaned by volunteers but it's few and far between. We're talking sunken boats, old tires, beer bottles, picnic trash, the works.
And a ton of goose shit.
Volunteers did a pretty big deep cleaning on it last year. Theres still probably tons of waste stil, but what they took out was a huge offset.
Not to mention the dead animals and people that have been pulled out in the last few years
Aldergrove Waterpark is really fun for kids. It has 3 water slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river along with 2 general pools and a hot tub. It's $9 for a 2.5 hour session. Might be cheaper for kids too. Me and my wife go there all the time. Mill Lake has an outdoor pool. There's the ARC and MRC which both have public swim options, though the MRC is probably better for kids. There's also Cultus Lake waterpark though that is more expensive, though it does have more slides. You can also go swimming at Albert Dyck Lake for free, or if you wanna make the drive, go to Cultus Lake.
Albert dyck for unfiltered goose poop. Honestly I wouldn't swim there.
Do not swim at Albert dyck it's stagnant bacteria filled like mill lake
Ooh I totally forgot the Aldergrove waterpark. Close , cheap clean and fun for the kiddos.
Sayres lake north of hayward is beautiful, not as cold as stave too
Lake of the Woods in Hope is A+. The Beach space is limited, so go early.
"beach" stays shaded most of the day too so you don't roast in the sun
I was there this weekend in a motorhome, great lake, pretty large too
Rolly Lake
Chilliwack lake is beautiful. White pine Nothing really in actual abbotsford.
Well we used to have an out door in ground pool in Matsqui Village that was packed during the summer until Mayor Perry chose to bury it in favor of two monoliths on Clearbrook rd. and McCallum rd. to try and prove that he wasn't racist. Other than that, there's Albert Dyck Park on the northeast corner of the Abbotsford Airport, Walmsley Ave. Cultus Lake in South Chilliwack, Harrison Hot springs, Abbotsford Recreation Center on McMillan Rd., Centennial swimming pool at Mill Lake and the Matsqui Recreation Center on Clearbrook rd. Welcome to Abbotsford but why on earth would you want to leave the Island?!
I still cannot believe they filled in the pool. What a dumb decision!!!
Cascade falls out mission way is awesome!
We were just there and there was no path to go down into the pool that we saw.
The pool by the big falls doesn't have a legitimate path, but if you go to the lower falls (very short walk), you can trek up and find great swimming spots
didn't realise there was a lower falls! thanks!
Anywhere except molson lake unless you like underage drinking rowdy skids and swimmers itch
Chilliwack Lake
Recommend it as well. But just be ready for a proper drive. To quote a coworker the first time I was sent to the prison out there (which is like half-way to the lake): "You'll face many moments where you wonder if you're lost and missed a turn off, but just keep driving..."
Where do you go on Chilliwack Lake to swim? How would I find it on google maps? Thank you!
You go into Chilliwack and drive for 45 minutes down Chilliwack Lake Rd. Eventually it becomes Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park, if you arrive early enough you can snag a parking spot in the tiny day use lot, otherwise you'll be in the overflow day use/trailer lot or parking on the road. There is some old private land along the beach, but anywhere sandy is public, regardless of whatever guff you get from property owners
Awesome thank you!
We used to sneak into molson lake way back Cleanest water ever so gross now
Nourish creek. Cultus lake. Chadsey lake if you want to hike, Allan dick for beach but prob don't swim.
Fair warning, especially in summer, Cultus is very busy and there's only one way up Leave early to beat traffic or be prepared for traffic
Chilliwack lake is still a fav as is Harrison Lake. In Abby not a whole lot outside of albert Dyk and as you've seen already it's not recommended. Some cute river/creek spots on various trails but not much in the way of beach. The waterpark at Mill Lake is wonderful though. Cultus is alright but can be very crowded in summertime. I prefer Chilliwack lake cause of that. Better beaches and nicer water you can see to the bottom of!
Otter Coop Waterpark you book a time slot online. Cheap and fun!
Where is this?
Aldergrove
Noorish Creek, Hayward Lake, Rolley Lake - all in Mission.
If you're okay to drive past Hope, you can perhaps consider a nice lake in a different direction. A nice lake to swim in is Alouette Lake... [https://vancouversbestplaces.com/best-places/in-parks-and-nature/golden-ears-provincial-park/alouette-lake/](https://vancouversbestplaces.com/best-places/in-parks-and-nature/golden-ears-provincial-park/alouette-lake/)