Hayward Lake Paddle

Hayward Lake Paddle in Mission, BC is a mellow, scenic loop that’s all about time on the water, not grinding out elevation. The full loop is about 12.2 km with almost no gain and tops out around 51 m, so it’s very easy and more about endurance than effort. Most people cruise it in under an hour if they keep a steady pace, but it’s the kind of place you’ll want to linger.

You launch from the main Hayward Lake boat launch, where dropping off kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards is simple and close to the water. Once you’re out on the lake, you get long open stretches, forested shoreline, and views up toward the surrounding Mission hills, with lots of room to spread out from other paddlers. The lake is big enough that conditions can feel different from one end to the other, so it stays interesting as you go.

Recent paddlers report that water and wind conditions change quickly on Hayward Lake, so plan for a bit of chop, especially in the afternoon. Parking at Hayward Lake in Mission can be a headache on hot weekends, so aim to be inside the gate early. There are plenty of picnic tables, washrooms, and a swimming area on shore, but along the actual paddle route there are very few good spots to pull out and sit for lunch, so pack snacks you can manage on the water and treat this as a steady out-and-back loop in almost all seasons.