Squamish, BC · Echo Lake & Echo Falls
The Echo Falls trailhead has no road in — you paddle across the Squamish River to reach it. We deliver the canoe to the right launch, with the gear and the crossing advice that keep the day safe. Up to 3 paddlers per canoe.
The Crossing Is the Trailhead
Echo Falls and Echo Lake sit on the west bank of the Squamish River, in a pocket of the valley with no road access from town. There's no parking lot, no bridge, no shortcut. The clean way in is to paddle straight across the river, pull the boat well up the bank, and start climbing. The crossing isn't a detour on this hike — it is the trailhead.
That's exactly the trip a canoe is built for. One canoe carries two or three people plus hiking packs across, waits on the bank all day, and carries you back. We deliver it to the east-side launch that lines up with the crossing, set you on the right angle, and talk you through the tide and river timing before you push off.
How an Echo Lake Rental Works
Reserve your canoe online or by phone and let us know you're doing the Echo Lake / Echo Falls trip. That tells us exactly which launch you need and what the river is doing on your date.
We drop the canoe at the east-bank put-in that lines up with the crossing — paddles, PFDs, bailer and whistle all set out. No roof racks, no tie-downs, no figuring out access on your own.
You paddle directly across, angled slightly upstream so the current carries you to your landing instead of past it. Stash the boat high above the water line and start up the trail.
The waterfall is the headliner halfway up; the alpine lake is the bonus at the top. Roughly 6 km and ~950 m of climbing one way — a full, rewarding day.
Re-cross in the afternoon. Start early — Squamish's afternoon outflow wind can put a chop on the return crossing if you leave it late.
Leave the canoe at the launch. We collect it when you're done — nothing to load, nothing to return across town.
Honest Talk
The Squamish River has real current and big seasonal swings — high and pushy with snowmelt in late spring and early summer, mellower by late August. It has caught out strong paddlers. This is not the place to learn to canoe.
If you've paddled moving water at least once and you're comfortable, the Echo Lake crossing is a genuinely special way to start a hike, and we'll set you up properly. If you haven't, you've got two good options:
Not sure which is you? Call (604) 849-8898 and Jeremy will sense-check your plan against the conditions before you commit.
5-Star Google Reviews
"Canoeing around Britannia Beach was amazing. Not only that, but we also paddled across the Squamish River to Echo Lake. Couldn't recommend more."
"Jeremy delivered the canoe right where we needed it and walked us through the crossing. Made a hike we'd been nervous about feel totally doable. The falls were unreal."
"Everything included, super easy, and the local advice on timing the river was the difference. Best way to do the Echo Lake trip."
Good to Know
Yes. The trailhead is on the west bank of the Squamish River with no road in from the east. You cross by canoe (or by water taxi). There's no way to drive to the start.
To the east-bank launch that lines up with the Echo Lake crossing. Tell us it's the Echo Lake trip when you book and we'll confirm the exact put-in and the tide and river timing for your date.
The Squamish River has strong current and big seasonal changes — not a beginner paddle. We recommend at least one prior moving-water canoe trip. New to paddling? Start on a calm lake, or take the water taxi across.
About 6 km and ~950 m of elevation gain one way to Echo Lake, with Echo Falls about halfway up. Plan a full day, plus the river crossing on each side. Best from late June to mid-September.
Up to 3 paddlers per canoe plus packs, and yes — dogs are welcome. Bigger groups can book multiple canoes or mix a canoe with the water taxi.
Read our complete Echo Lake & Echo Falls hike guide for the route, gear list, and safety detail.
Ready?
Reserve the canoe, tell us it's the Echo Lake trip, and we'll handle the launch and the timing. All you bring is the hike.
Or email squamishcanoerental@gmail.com
Rather not paddle the crossing? Book the Squamish Water Taxi to the same trailhead.