Parks and Trails - Watson Lake, YT

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Welcome to Watson Lake’s Parks, Playgrounds & Trails!

Whether you're a long-time resident or a first-time visitor, Watson Lake offers something for everyone who loves the outdoors. From peaceful lakeside strolls and thrilling water slides to scenic hiking trails and imaginative playgrounds, our community is rich in places to play, explore, and connect.

Stroll the boardwalk at Wye Lake Park, paddle, swim or picnic by Lucky Lake's sandy beach, or ride the waves at Canada’s only outdoor waterslide north of 60! Young adventurers can enjoy one of our many neighborhood playgrounds, each with its own charm and features, while teens and active adults can hit up the Skateboard & Bike Park, explore miles of multi-use trails, or relax in our quiet green spaces.

Use the interactive map below to explore all the locations and discover your next favorite spot. Whether it’s a weekend picnic, a scenic hike, an upcoming community event, or just an afternoon of fresh air and fun, Watson Lake is ready to welcome you outside.

Let the adventures begin!

Parks

1. Wye Lake Park (Downtown)

This is a beautiful 26 hectare park set in downtown Watson Lake featuring a 2.5 km walking trail right around the lake shore. There is a boardwalk, viewing platform, interpretive panels and look-out along this scenic looping trail.
The Wye Lake Park is Excellent for bird viewing,
there is a Picnic area, playground and gazebo.
Wye Lake Cabin, complete with washrooms, wheel-chair access and concession. The building can be rented for meetings, parties, and other small gatherings.
Please call the Recreation Centre, (867) 536-8020, ext #2 for more booking information.
The park entrance, picnic area and gazebo area are landscape and an excellent area for picnics. Parking is available for about 50 vehicles and there is water and a Sani-Dump for RVs.

The park is used daily by residents year round for
•walking,
•jogging,
•bird watching,
•kids' sledding and,
•Cross Country skiing.

Events that take place at the park on a yearly basis are:
•Discovery Day Celebrations (August)
•Halloween Night Bonfire and Fireworks (October)
•The Watson Lake Outdoor Bonspiel (February)
•Arts in the Park/Watson Lake Summer Market ( June - August)

2. Lucky Lake Park and Water Slide

Lucky Lake is a favorite spot for residents and visitors for swimming and picnicking. On the July 1st long weekend, Canada day is celebrated here with a softball tournament, games, food and fun. The park has the only outdoor WATER SLIDE north of 60. The length of the slide is 500 ft in length and drops 60 ft.

This is a go-to place for residents during the warm season as it offers: picnic tables, sandy beaches, a ball diamond, the Liard Canyon Hiking trail, fire pits, washrooms, and on Slide Weekends, accessible change rooms.

See: Canada Day at Lucky Lake 2025

3. Skateboard Park

Tucked just behind the Watson Lake Secondary School, our Skateboard and Bike Park is a popular spot for riders of all ages. Whether you're into skateboards, scooters, or bikes, this outdoor space is designed for fun and freestyle movement. Right next to the park, you’ll also find an outdoor tennis court, perfect for a quick match or a casual rally of tennis, badminton or pickleball under the open sky.

It’s a great place to stay active, meet friends, and enjoy the outdoors! You can rent paddleboard equipment from the Recreation Centre!

Playgrounds

1. Dennis Ball Memorial Pool Playground

Right beside the community pool, this playground is a splash of fun in every direction! Kids can climb, swing, spin, and explore on the composite structure featuring monkey bars, slides, and climbers. With two spring toys, a spinner, and classic swings, it’s a great spot for both post-swim fun and afternoon playtime.

2. Teslin Crescent Playground
Double the structures, double the fun! Teslin Crescent is home to two composite playsets with slides, a merry-go-round for classic spins, a spring seesaw for bouncy rides, and swings that’ll take you to the sky. It’s a neighborhood favorite for a reason!

3. Hyland Avenue Playground
Playground Adventure lives on Hyland! With two composite structures (including a hanging bridge and multiple slides), kids can test their balance, coordination, and courage. Add a sit-astride toy, a digger, spring bouncers, and swings; and you’ve got an all-season adventure hub for curious climbers and mini excavators.

4. Woodland Crescent Playground
Take flight with the helicopter climbing structure the star of Woodland Crescent! Kids love this playful escape into aviation-themed fun, paired with a classic spring toy, slide, tire climber, and more. It’s a playful pocket in the neighborhood where kids let their imaginations soar.

5. Nitsutlin Playground
Cozy and creative, Nitsutlin is perfect for younger children or low-key playdates. It features a charming little playhouse, a slide, swing set, spring toy, and a sandbox for digging and building. It’s a relaxing hideaway that invites imagination and unhurried play.

6. Lucky Lake Playground
Small but mighty, Lucky Lake Playground offers a composite slide structure that’s just right for quick climbs and big smiles. A great pit stop for little ones during a walk or lakeside visit!

7. Two Mile Playground
Let your child’s imagination spin wild at Two Mile! This playground is packed with excitement from a merry-go-round and dizzying spinner to musical toys that spark creativity. With swings, a seesaw, spring toys, climbers, and a slide, it's a perfect all-around play zone for both energetic adventurers and curious little learners.

Trails

The Town of Watson Lake Trail System

Popular Trails:

Trail	Distance	Use Types
Wye Lake Loop	~2.5 km	Walk, jog, XC ski, sledding, birdwatching
Liard Canyon Trail	~3 km	Walk, hike, interpretive features (river views/history)
Pipeline Trail	~3–4 km total	All-terrain: quad, biker, hiker, ATV, e-bike, skiing
Bird’s Eye View	~1 km	Hike, bike, snowshoe, casual viewpoint
CMD / North Fire Guard	~1–8 km loops	Hike, bike, ski; CMD is short & easy, North FG offers longer Nordic or bike adventures

1. Wye Lake Trail
This is a 2.5km looping trail with boardwalks, viewing platforms and interpretive panels, ideal for walking, jogging, birdwatching and various activities located in the heart of the community.

2. Liard Canyon Trail
The Liard Canyon Trail is a marked 3km route along the Liard River Canyon beginning at the west end of the Lucky Lake Park. This Trail features historic routes of explorer Robert Campbell and will reward you with a beautiful scenic view of the river canyon at the other end.

3. Pipeline Trail
A known-multi use, fairly flat quadding trail that links Raven's Lunch Area to the Campground Road in an approximately 3-4km stretch, perfect for hikers, bikers, ATVs, snowmobiles and many more!

4. Bird's Eye View Trail
Behind the Petro-Canada Cardlock hides a gem that will let you access the viewpoint over the Liard River Valley. This trail has mixed singletrack and quad-width sections that merges with the Lucy Allen Loop and the South Fire Guard trails.

5.CMD/ North Fire Guard Trail
The CMD is an easy 1km looping all-season trail, this connects to the Ski Hill Trail and the longer 8km North Fire Guard Trail popular with hikers, mountain bikers and XC Skiers.

Other Notable Trails
There are approximately 65 km of trails and 19 multi-use routes in and around Watson Lake, supporting a wide range of activities including hiking, biking, skiing, and motorized use. Other notable trails include the Upper Liard Trail, Lucy Allen Loop, Beacon, Hadi Tene, Telegraph, and several in-community connector trails among many others.
The Town of Watson Lake reminds all trail users to respect posted signage, especially on trails where motorized vehicles are prohibited. This helps ensure the safety of all users including our furry friends who share the trails with us.

For a closer look at trail routes, distances, and permitted activities, please refer to the map above. Courtesy of Trailforks, the map contains detailed, up-to-date information on all local trails.