Go for a swim, head out on the water or just sit and enjoy the views at this beautiful park located on Alta Lake.
Hours: dusk to dawn.
The Wayside Park watercraft operator, Whistler Eco Tours is open daily from mid-June to Labour Day; and weekends from mid-May to mid-June and again from Labour Day to mid-October, each summer (weather permitting).
Location
Address: 2701 Hwy 99, Whistler BC
Getting to Wayside Park
By Transit
From the Village, take bus #20 or #21 southbound. Use the Nordic Drive bus stop, which is adjacent to the highway and walk over the overpass to the Valley Trail south to Wayside Park. Enjoy free weekend and statutory holiday transit this summer and for transit schedule and stop locations, visit BC Transit.
By bike
Cruise to Wayside Park on two-wheels via the paved Valley Trail. From the Village, travel south on the Valley Trail. View Valley Trail map. Don’t have a bike? Don’t worry. You can rent Valley Trail bikes from many of Whistler’s rental shops.
Parking
Limited parking is available at Wayside Park. May 15 to Sep 15, pay parking is in effect daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at an hourly rate of $2 during summer. Accessible parking will be offered at no cost. Parking can be purchased via meters and PayByPhone.
Accessibility
- 2 Wheelchair accessible parking space
- Accessible ramping down to the Valley trail and to lower grass. The hard-surfaced ramp has short sections at 11% grade.
- 2 Accessible gendered washrooms
- 2 Accessible picnic tables
- 2 not wheelchair accessible Floating docks
- Access is not hard-surfaced from Valley Trail to dock and step-up to dock
- Outdoor accessible shower facility
- Wayside Park provides access to Valley trail, which leads to the Alta Lake Boathouse and the Art-House
- 1 Accessible washroom provided in both houses
Park etiquette and rules
Reduce waste: Pack in what you pack out, bring your own reusable plates, cutlery and cups, use the in-park waste, recycling, compost receptacles.
Share the space: Be conscientious of the space you use – limit your items to the size of a blanket if possible. Refrain from playing sports around lots people. Do not erect tents (the use of pegs are against the Parks Bylaw) as it impedes line of sight, takes up a lot of space and can damage irrigation lines.
Know the fire danger: When Whistler’s fire danger rating is high, the use briquette barbeques are prohibited at Whistler parks and open spaces. This fire danger rating is also important to note when considering campfires.
Bring a life jacket and whistle: Canadian law requires anyone paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking or using an inflatable boat to have the right safety gear. The only exception is if you are floating in a swimming area at one of the parks. The Conservation Officer Service is actively doing patrols. Non-compliance may result in a $230 fine for each missing item. Learn more about Transport Canada’s Canada Shipping Act – Small Vessel Regulations (PDF)
- Dogs must be leashed at all times (except in designated off-leash areas)
- Smoking and consumption of alcohol are not permitted
- Camping and campfires are not permitted
- Slacklining is not permitted using trees.
Facilities and activities
- a grassy, beach area
- a dock
- canoe, kayak, and paddle board rental and guided trips
- bike racks
- picnic tables
- barbecue stands
- washroom facilities
- concession stand
- wheelchair accessible walkway
Watercraft rentals and guided trips
On Alta Lake, watercraft rental and boat tour operators provide a unique way to experience Whistler during the summer months. Backroads Whistler at Lakeside Park and Whistler Eco Tours (WET) at Wayside Park offer canoe, kayak, stand up paddleboard (SUP) and pedal boat rentals to Whistler residents and visitors, as well as guided tours, excursions and boating the River of Golden Dreams.
To learn more about what Alta Lake has to offer please see our Parks and Recreations pages.