Kinney Lake
Lake Scenic mountain lake within Mount Robson Provincial Park
Alpine lake in Mount Robson Provincial Park along the Yellowhead Highway; visited for short hikes, canoeing and close mountain views, with trails that reveal glacial-fed water and peaks.
Kinney Lake is a glacially fed alpine lake on the Robson River within Mount Robson Provincial Park in British Columbia. The lake is noted for its clear, turquoise water and mountain reflections.
A relatively short walk from the road leads to the lake shore and campground area, making it a common rest point for hikers travelling the trails toward Mount Robson and Berg Lake. Canoeing and photography are common activities where permitted.
The lake was formed and fed by glacial melt and riverine sedimentation typical of the northern Canadian Rockies. It functions as part of the headwaters system that drains the slopes of Mount Robson.
Kinney Lake lies inside Mount Robson Provincial Park alongside the Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16) in northeastern British Columbia, within the broader Rocky Mountain landscape and accessible from the park’s main entrance areas.
- Accessibility: A short, well-graded trail from the highway delivers hikers to the lake shore, making it a popular half-day stop on routes into Mount Robson Provincial Park.
How to Get to Kinney Lake #
Kinney Lake is reached from the Berg Lake Trailhead at the Mount Robson Visitor Centre on Yellowhead Highway (BC-16), roughly a 20-30 minute drive east of Valemount, BC. From the trailhead it is approximately a 5.5 km hike along a well-marked trail (moderate difficulty) to the lake. There is no vehicle access directly to the lakeshore.
Tips for Visiting Kinney Lake #
- Start the Berg Lake Trail before 8:00am to catch the lake's morning turquoise before hikers arrive and winds pick up.
- The lake sits only ~5.5 km from the Mount Robson trailhead - bring a light daypack if only visiting Kinney Lake and not attempting Berg Lake.
- Expect mosquitoes in late June-July; bring DEET or a permethrin-treated shirt.
- Leave no trace: the trail is heavily used and fragile; human graffiti on some trees is a sore point for local stewards.
Best Time to Visit Kinney Lake #
Late spring through early autumn, when the Berg Lake Trail is clear and the glacier melt gives the lake its milky-blue color.
Weather & Climate near Kinney Lake #
Kinney Lake's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from -13°C to 20°C. Moderate rainfall (749 mm/year).
January
January is freezing with highs of -6°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm).
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February
February is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm).
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March
March is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm).
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May
May is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm).
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July
July is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).
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September
September is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -2°C. The wettest month with 79 mm of rain.
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November
November is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm).
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December
December is the coldest month with highs of -6°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm).
