Island Lake Lodge · The Canadian Rockies
Summer Hiking and Lodge Stays in Fernie
Alpine trails, old-growth forest and a lake outside your door.
The place changes. The feeling stays.
Summer in the
Canadian Rockies.
Trails start outside the lodge. The lake is a short walk away. Choose an alpine day, a forest loop, or an afternoon on the deck.
Plan a family reunion, a corporate offsite, or a mountain wedding. Our concierge can arrange rooms, meals, and activities for your group.
Tamarack Dining Room
Make dinner the destination.
Seasonal Canadian cuisine, a cellar full of discoveries, and the Lizard Range just beyond the glass. Settle in for an evening worth making time for.
Public summer dining: Sundays & Mondays, 5–9 p.m. Reservations strongly recommended; private-event closures apply.
Explore Tamarack Dining RoomFrom the forest trails to the lake.
A little closer to summer.
Summers at Island Lake
Your mountain retreat.
Experience the magic of the Canadian Rockies at Island Lake Lodge. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, serenity in nature, fine dining or to be pampered in our spa, the ultimate retreat experience awaits.
Get married at Island Lake
Your adventure concierge
Choose your day.
Explore at the lodge or head out with a local outfitter. Our concierge can help with bookings, equipment, and seasonal availability.
At Island Lake
Hiking
From a lake loop to alpine trails, find a walk that fits your day. Ask about private guided hikes.
Explore hiking
On the trails
Mountain biking
Explore the Lazy Lizard multi-use trail and Fernie’s wider riding network. Our road is not open for bike shuttles.
Explore mountain biking
On the lake
Canoeing
For a quieter perspective on the peaks, borrow a canoe and paddle around the lake that gives Island Lake its name.
With local outfitters
Fly fishing
Plan a day on regional waters with a qualified local provider; arranged separately from lodge activities.
Explore fly fishing
Around the Elk Valley
White-water rafting
Trade the trail for the river with a local operator. Suitability and river levels shape the options.
Explore water adventuresExplore the region
Rock climbing
Ask about local guiding options matched to your ability. This is a regional experience, not a staffed lodge climbing facility.
Ask about guiding
Off property · Local outfitters
Spelunking
Discover the underground side of the Rockies. Bisaro Cave’s dramatic entrance lies along Heiko’s Trail; deeper underground exploration is for experienced cavers. Ask our concierge about specialist-guided options, seasonal access and suitability. Outfitter arrangements are separate from your lodge stay.
Explore Fernie’s caves
Cool mountain water
Swimming & lake time
Ask about suitable local swimming spots and current conditions. Natural water is cold and unsupervised.
Ask for local advice
At the spa
Spa Treatments
Book a massage, facial, body treatment, or seasonal spa ritual after a day outside.
Explore spa treatments
Back at the lodge
Wellness
Warm up in the cedar sauna, soak in the hot pool, or rest on the spa deck.
Explore wellnessSpelunking · Beyond the lodge
A different world beneath the peaks.
Fernie’s limestone mountains hold remarkable caverns. Bisaro Cave, reached from the Hartley Lake side of Heiko’s Trail, pairs a striking cave entrance with the waterfalls and canyon along the approach. Tourism Fernie describes the hike as difficult and reserves exploration beyond the entrance for caving experts.
The separate Bisaro Anima system, explored by specialist expeditions near Fernie, reveals the extraordinary scale of the region’s underground landscape. This is a technical expedition cave.
Plan an off-property experience. Ask our concierge to help check specialist outfitter availability, the right level of adventure and current access. Guiding, equipment, transport and prices must be confirmed with the operator before booking.
Explore before you go
3D Hiking & Biking Trail Map
Explore Island Lake and the wider Fernie valley. Choose an area or trail to see its profile and local information.
The valley, in perspective
Find your
summer trail.
Lake walks, alpine routes and Fernie’s wider trail network. Start at Island Lake, then explore the valley.
Explore the 3D mapOpen the 3D Hiking & Biking MapExplore the wider Fernie networkDownload the printed trail guide (PDF)Explore trails around Island Lake Lodge in AllTrails
View the printed map
An Island Lake film
A summer escape
Island Lake and the Lizard Range seen from above in summer.
Bear Bistro · Summer afternoons
A table beneath
the Three Bears.
Lunch on the patio. A cold Fernie beer. Mountains in every direction. Make a little room in your day for the Bear.
Explore Bear BistroFrequently closed for private parties during summer. Closed to the public all winter, exclusively for our cat skiing guests.
Good to know
Questions, answered.
Straight answers to the questions we hear most.
What is there to do at Island Lake in summer?
Hiking on alpine trails, mountain biking, canoeing on Island Lake, spa appointments, dining at the bistro and simply being in the mountains. The concierge can also connect you with regional fly fishing, rafting and climbing providers.
Is Island Lake open to the public in summer?
Summer is centered on private buyouts — weddings, reunions and retreats — plus arranged stays. Public hiking and biking trail access is a separate arrangement; contact the lodge before visiting so you know current road access and openings.
When is the lodge open in summer?
Summer operations run on published dates each year with private functions throughout. Check the operations calendar or ask the concierge about availability for your dates.
Can we get married at Island Lake?
Yes. Lakeside ceremonies happen at I Dew Point with mountain views, and the two-day wedding celebration includes lodge accommodation, hosted meals and coordination. The published package accommodates 60–100 wedding guests across 26 guest rooms.
How many people can a summer buyout host?
The three lodges sleep 26 guests across Tamarack, Cedar and Red Eagle — the classic full buyout. Larger wedding parties combine lodge stays with the celebration package; the coordinator works out room allocation with you.
How do I book a summer stay?
Summer stays can be booked online. For buyouts, weddings and retreats, start with the concierge so dates, exclusive-use terms and the event plan are arranged together.
Are the hiking trails difficult?
Trails range from easy lakeside walks to full alpine ridges. The hiking guide describes each trail’s distance and character — and summer trail access arrangements are confirmed with the lodge before you visit.
A conversation is the beginning
Who would you
bring here?
Tell us your dates, your group size, and what you have in mind.
Our concierge will help you plan the stay.