Olive Lake Loop

Pros & cons

PROS

Flat boardwalk with lake‑level viewpoints and accessible infrastructure
Reliable quick stop with toilets and picnic tables at the pass
Good chance to spot fish from the boardwalk in clear water

CONS

Very short; seasoned hikers may find it underwhelming
Roadside crowds at midday and small lot can fill
Occasional wildlife-related closures

PARKING

Signed day‑use pullout at the summit of Sinclair Pass on Highway 93S; toilets on site.

CAUTION

Bears occasionally prompt temporary closures; use the day‑use lot (not the highway shoulder) and keep dogs leashed.

Overview

This is a true leg-stretcher, not a destination hike: a short, easy loop on boardwalk and flat paths around tiny, brilliantly colored Olive Lake. It sits right at the summit of Sinclair Pass, about 12 km north of Radium Hot Springs, and doubles as a day‑use stop with picnic tables and washrooms. Dogs are allowed on leash.

What the walk is like

Expect a quick, family‑friendly stroll with lake‑level viewpoints and an interpretive feel. The water is strikingly emerald/teal and often so clear you can peer down to rocks near the shore. From the boardwalk you may spot fish—historically brook trout have been common—while ongoing aquatic restoration aims to support native westslope cutthroat trout. Surroundings are forested and calm when traffic is light.

Specs and difficulty

Plan on roughly 0.3 miles total for the loop with almost no elevation change (about 5 m/16 ft). Most visitors spend 10–20 minutes here, including time at the viewpoints. Surfaces are primarily boardwalk and flat paths with accessible infrastructure at the day‑use area, making this suitable for strollers and many mobility levels.

Best time to visit

May through October is the sweet spot for access and color. For photos and a quieter feel, go early or late in the day when the lake is glassy and crowds thin. Midday can be busy thanks to the convenient roadside pullout.

Tips and comparisons

Bring a simple picnic—tables and toilets are on site—then pair this stop with other viewpoints along Highway 93S.
Use the signed day‑use lot rather than pulling onto the highway shoulder.
If you want a longer, more immersive hike after this sampler, look elsewhere in the park; Olive Lake shines as a quick, beautiful break, not as a half‑day outing.

Wildlife and stewardship

Bears do frequent the broader area at times, so keep dogs leashed, give wildlife space, and respect any temporary closures. Stay on the boardwalk to protect the fragile shoreline and keep the water clear for fish viewing.