Burnaby Lake Regional Park
Burnaby Lake Regional Park is a natural area of pristine beauty with a huge blue lake as its focal point. This regional park is a wildlife sanctuary where visitors are able to reconnect with nature without leaving the city. There is also a 10 km walking trail around the entire lake for those who want to get some exercise in the park.
This trail is easy going and level and follows a gravel path with a few scenic wooden bridges and sightseeing benches. The park is open all year round and is well used by local residents for a wide variety of outdoor activities. Some of the most popular activities include bird watching, hiking, cycling, canoeing, rowing and kayaking. The park is also home to a rowing pavilion, day use picnic sites and a nature house.
The water in the lake is a major draw for the region and visitors can often spot ducks, geese and beavers on and around the water. Over 400 different types of birds have been recorded in the park. There is a viewing tower on the north shore of the lake where visitors can get a bird’s eye view of the activity on and around the lake.
Visitors can take a walk around the lake on the main 10 km loop or they can also enjoy the various other trails in the park such as the Southshore Trail, Spruce Trail Loop and the Pavillion Trail. A full trail brochure is available from the kiosks at Piper Spit (in front of the Nature House), the Avalon Parking lot and from the Burnaby Sports Complex entrance, the Glencarin Trailhead entrance or the Piper Avenue Entrance.
A good number of public transit options connect to the Burnaby Lake Regional Park with the Sperling Skytrain station serving as a great connection from the rest of the city. Bus service is also available.
The parks is a pet friendly park but dogs must be kept on leash for their own safety and for the protection of wildlife. The park is home to a variety of wildlife including deer, elk, cougars and bears so please be aware of this and watch out for seasonal signs regarding the presence of wildlife in the area. It is also important to carry a first aid kit with you as the parks is situated in an urban environment and there are many accidents that can happen in this type of setting. For the best information on how to prepare for an accident visit our Getting Ready for an Accident guide. This guide outlines the basics of what to do in an emergency situation and is an excellent resource for all Canadians. Download the guide here. It is free to download and will help you to be prepared for the unexpected.