Hayward Lake Recreation Area

Hayward Lake Recreation Area sits in the lake country of Stave Falls, the northeastern corner of Mission, BC where valley floor gives way to forested hills and a scatter of quiet lakes. It is listed among local things to do, and the recreation-area designation tells visitors what to expect: public land set aside for straightforward outdoor enjoyment, without the heavy infrastructure of a developed park. Hayward Lake itself is the centrepiece, a small valley lake whose surface reflects the trees around it on calm days, and the kind of water that draws paddlers, anglers and swimmers whenever the weather cooperates and the week has gone on long enough.

Because facilities are limited, visitors should arrive self-sufficient. Bring drinking water, sun protection and anything you need for a day by the shore, and be prepared to pack everything out with you at the end. Check conditions before travelling in wet seasons, since forest roads near Mission can be rough after storms, and treat any boat access with the usual care for cold water, which never cares what month it is. No lifeguards or services should be assumed at a site of this kind, so swimming and paddling are matters of your own judgment. Among things to do in Mission, Hayward Lake Recreation Area is the unhurried, watery option, best enjoyed slowly and shared politely.