Review from May 29, 2021 The parks open 8am to 8pm. I got there around 8:10am on Sunny Saturday and parking was half filled. Some people will leave around 1 pm. I saw empty parking spots. A group of police officers and BC hydro team are patrolling the beach area constantly. Pls don't make a big party more than 10. Behave nice please. read more

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terrible place. need to make a reservation on a website built in 1990. entire experience getting there and the terrible condition once you get there ensures you'll never return. they won't need to worry about reservations ... read more

Surprisingly nice lake in the Anmore area. Parking is available in the nice large lots by the lake. There are 2 main areas. The largest lot is on the SE side for the S beach, as well as on the NE side for the N beach. Just follow the nice long winding road in. As of the time of writing, there are some social distancing measures in place. The hiking path around the lake is 1 way, even though not everyone followed it. The path mostly stays along the coastline, other than the W side of the lake. Pro tip - cross the lake on the N end using the suspension bridge. The service road does wrap around the N tip but is not publicly accessible. Because it sticks to the coastline, the path is mostly level give or take. I wore hiking boots but honestly they weren't necessary. Could've done the entire hike using runners. To cross the S end, there is a floating bridge. The lake also has 2 large beaches, at the S and N ends. Great area for picnics and summer fun. There are hiking paths that go up the nearby mountains as well, but my friends and I didn't try this time. We thoroughly enjoyed the area. I will be back in the future for sure. Recommended. read more

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If you grew up in the area, places like Buntzen Lake are a bit nostalgic. We've driven here on Sunday drives, played on the beach as teenagers, taken our dogs to the dog park, had work events here and of course, have hiked around the lake more than a few times. Also, how cool is it to spot that famous long view of the lake in so many TV shows and movies? My big sis and I decided to take a hike halfway around one morning. She promised me it was a 90 minute walk. Liar... It took about 3 hours with just one short break. It is beautiful, however. There is a lot of variety between the trails, road, mountains, etc. We even saw a sign for either Batman or a bat cave. I'll post the pic. We started out on the service road that follows the transmission lines and then cuts down to the rushing water that is piped through a tunnel under the mountain from Coquitlam Lake. They use this energy for hydro power. The north beach on the far end is quiet and serene compared with the main one and is worth the hike out. The gated BC Hydro area itself is a little terrifying... especially with all the signs warning you of death if you don't watch your step! The pictures and information of them building the generator was interesting. I even went back home to do further research on it... nerd. The path back through the woods is a nice light hike with some mild inclinations and short bridges over streams. The trails are immaculately maintained. A nice scenic workout! read more

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Beautiful Beach, trails and dog park! Love this place! It can be busy during holidays so I try to avoid it but if you have time during week days this place is amazingly peaceful. The hike is about 10km, has different elevations and some rocky area. I love the dog beach and so does my four legged baby. The beach is not the biggest no lifeguard, but it's beuatiful and very calm waters. read more

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It was a fabulous sunny day with perfect temperature when we happened upon this park. It was during the week and off season, so there weren't many people. I don't know if I would recommend going during peak times as it probably gets over used. The park offers so much. A beach with a dog run on one side, separated by a fence, a picnic area, spectacular views and hiking trails, with more spectacular views! ____________________ *Update* June 19th. Some of the hikes include a lot of elevation, that would be fine if it was up and along, but no-o-o, it goes up, then down, then up again, and down. This is killer. I hurt all over. omg. read more

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Buntzen Lake was about an hour drive away from Vancouver, but it was definitely worth it, however you need to get there before 11am or else the parking lot will be full. I got there around 930am and the parking lot was already half full. They will not accept any new cars in until the parking lot starts clearing out, so if its already 12pm, dont bother going, you will not be allowed in. read more

Buntzen Lake - Lakes Near Me - Anmore, British Columbia

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Free admission, nice trails, beautiful lake. Get here early to avoid a parking mess (before ten a.m.) There are pet friendly areas of the park. read more

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I guess it's my luck that I always end up hiking on days when it is overcast. The lake and trails that surround Buntzen Lake are always fun and enjoyable as well as being good exercise. This time around, I did the Sendero Diez Vistas Trail which was relatively moderate (at least for me) and had some significant elevation gain. Like any good hike though, the views from up top were spectacular even on a cloudy, overcast day. A great place to hike,barbecue, kayak or go swimming (it is quite cold) in the lake. There are few better ways to spend an afternoon on the weekend. read more

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Buntzen may be a little out of the way for a majority of Vancouverites, but I would definitely urge you to make at least one trip to this lake on a nice day!! It may become your new summer pick! So this lake is HUGE. There is so much to do in main area. A plethora of picnic tables, places to set up volleyball nets, a small boat launch (no power boats), and even a dog beach area so you can bring your pups! You could easily spend all day on the main beach. If the main area isn't your thing (as it may be on a crowded, hot summer weekend) there is the smaller North beach at the other end. It is more difficult to get to but is always quiet. If you fancy yourself a more active person, then you've definitely come to the right place. Buntzen has SO many hikes. Although some of them are quite challenging, they offer some rewarding views. So bring your cooler, beach chairs, and floaties OR your hiking boots, lunch, and camera!! read more

Dog swims in the lake Cold mountain air wakes mind Dog rolled in poop Your visit to Buntzen lake will inspire such creative poetry as the one above, or your dog will roll in poop. I suspect the latter to be the case. Buntzen lake is the place to be if you are a dog, it has a fantastic off leash area that is completely enclosed with a fence and includes access to the beach which is essential if your dog is a bit of a runner. I do admit there is also plenty of other activities available here such as canoeing/kayaking, fishing, hiking just to name a few but for me they all take a back seat to the dog area as dogs are only allowed on the dog beach and hiking trails. I would feel too guilty coming here without the dog, he would smell the scent of betrayal on me when I return. The one downside is during hot weekends this place is very busy, I tend to come in the fall/spring/winter months when it's not nearly as busy. read more

Buntzen Lake is 45 minutes from Vancouver and it's an excellent place to visit all year around. The lake is massive and very deep for a lake so close to Vancouver. It's maximum depth is 210 feet. There are a variety trout in the lake and it's an excellent lake for boating and fishing. If you plan to visit here during the summer, arrive early or you will not find a parking space! The trails at Buntzen Lake are breathtaking! Walking the trail around Buntzen Lake isn't as challenging as climbing the Grouse Grind, but it's way better in my opinion. You get an awesome view of the lake and you will encounter a variety of terrain. At the north end of the lake there is a nifty suspension bridge next to the dam and you'll get an amazing view of the lake too. Hands down, this is the finest Lake in the Greater Vancouver area and it rivals some lakes in Banff and Jasper National Parks! Note: If you're planning hike around the entire lake on the trail, bring some bear spray or something to protect yourself. There are black bears and cougars! Cougars attack quickly so prepare to fight for your life if necessary. Also, your cell phone might not receive signals at Buntzen Lake which happened to me when I was using Fido. read more

I practically grew up at Buntzen Lake with my Mom and Sister. During the summer we would come here every other weekend to do a "hike" around the lake (I would now consider this a walk). The lake is very pretty and has two very nice beaches for you to hang out at and possibly swim (the water is very cold though). The main beach is often way to busy in the summer so it is a good idea to just bypass it and continue onto the far beach as it usually has a little more room to move around. A lot of people just don't want to have to do the 40ish minute walk there. BC Hydro has done a lot of work to make this a very dog friendly place making a large dog friendly stretch of beach that is chained of for off leash fun. As I get older though I have turned to the mountains that tower over Buntzen Lake. The Diez Vista trail is a nice hike in the woods with maybe 5 great views along the way of The Indian Arm and Buntzen Lake itself (not the 10 the name promises grr new growth). If you are fit I would recommend the trail heading up the much taller mountain to the other side of the lake though. The Halvor Lunden Trail has some very very steep sections but leads to some amazing views. The viewpoints have great views of both the lake and the Indian Arm as you are about twice as high as the Diez Vista Trail. You can do this trail as a loop along the viewpoint trail and back around Lindsay Lake trail. It also continues along dilly dally peak and takes 10+ hours round trail (not for the faint of heart). Always take good care on these trails to get to your car before the gates close for the day! Always remember with Buntzen Lake that during the summer months when it is really busy here they lock the incoming gates! Once the parking lot fills up in the morning they do not allow any more cars in. There is only outgoing privileges. Parking on the street outside the park is not aloud and you will have to pay to park in someone's yard. The walk up the road is long and boring! Also remember Alcohol is prohibited in public and Police to roam the beach to check for drinks (be forewarned). read more

Buntzen Lake is one of those places that unless you live close by, you really don't think about it until someone mentions it and you say to yourself, "Wow, why didn't I think of going there?! It's so close!". Only an hour or so drive from Vancouver/Richmond, it is a great spot the weekend warrior or your first hike of the season (Buntzen Lake trail). The lake area is just perfect for chilling out at with your little portable grill and some delicious meat (or veggies or both). There are a lot of people that actually use the lake trail as training for trail running, so beware of runners blasting by you if you are more of the casual stroller type on your hikes. The water is also great to swim in and on nice sunny days you'll see kids and adults cooling down at this nice little, man-made, pristine lake. As some people noted. The parking lot gets really full on nice weekends/holidays, so come early or be prepared to walk as they close down the parking lot once they've reached capacity. read more

2 days ago, we decided the take the family on a hike around Buntzen Lake, We decide to take Buntzen Lake trail which led to a viewpoint according to the map. We had our Phil and Ted double stroller (one kid in front of the other - I love the convenience!), thinking that the trails would be wide like the trails at Mundy Park, but alas - were we in for a workout! The trails were clearly marked, but not wide, and there were a lot of exposed roots as well as random rocks. Also, the trail route looked a lot shorter on the map than the actual hike. The viewpoint was on the deck of a balcony overlooking Buntzen beach and was nicely tucked away behind the shade of trees, with the water wading around the rocks at the base of the cliff. This lake has tons of picnic tables, and an enclosed dog park, where your dog can be off leash the whole day with you. The amenities here are: boat and canoe launching, picnic tables for BBQ, washrooms, hiking, mountain biking, equestrian and nature trails. During the summer, this place is very popular and they do close the parking lot for a few hours to let people filter in and out, so either plan to park there early or take the bus from David Ave somewhere (I've seen the bus drop off by the store and it a long walk to the beach...). The cops do random searches here, so I wouldn't booze it up here. This is a great spot for the summer BBQ or the fall hike. It is definitely a park for all seasons! read more

Buntzen Lake Dog Park - One of my favorite places to take the pooch. The scenery is mesmerizing and the dog area is large, enclosed and offers lake access. Your pooch will love all the space to run around with the other dogs as well as play fetch in the lake if that is what he or she desires . If you are anything like me you will also love it as it is a great place to just watch the dogs have fun and enjoy themselves. Beautiful place to enjoy pooch time. read more

Buntzen Lake - Buntzen Lake Dog Park - Lakes Near Me - Anmore, British Columbia

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Buntzen Lake requires a bit of a drive to reach, but it's a beautiful park with great trails, and really dog-friendly, too. There is a big fenced-in area on the southern end of the lake where dogs can play, as well as some nice trails where you can legally walk off leash with your doggy. When I feel like going for a bit more of hike, there is a wide variety of trails to choose from. The loop around the lake is easy and scenic, and there are several smaller loops for added distance and interest. Buntzen gets pretty crowded in the summertime, but on a weekday in fall, you're laughing. It is still a working power generating site, so be aware of that, as well as being alert for wildlife. Horseback riders and mountain bikers can also use some of the trails - everyone play nice out there. read more

Buntzen lake is just a quick 20 minute walk from my home. It has been my go-to summer spot for a long time. It is great for swimming (although its very cold), Hiking (tons of trails), And Any other outdoor activity you can think of. There are Lots of tables and open spaces for picnics or family gatherings. The rangers do a fantastic job trying to keep the park clean and well maintained. It's a perfect summer hang out for both people and dogs. Just keep in mind on those nice summer days, get there early because once the park is full they close the gates until people start to leave. So go early to ensure you get in and get a good spot! read more

If you're going on a weekend, get there at 9:00am to claim a spot. any later then that, you will be turned away because the parking lot will be full AND closed off! A group of mine arrived at 10am and saw the "lot full" sign. Horrible. Also, there is no cell reception, so good luck if you're trying to text/call your friends to find them! We ended up coming back much later in the day (7pm) to find a couple of parking spots. The actual lake / picnic areas are super nice. Would have been a great place to spend the day if we had just managed to find parking in the morning. Sigh, until next time. read more

what a beautiful little hidden away lake... far from the city! they have a lot of open space to play volleyball...or frisbee....or badminton.. whatever outdoor sport you wanna do in the sun. the lake...is COLD. even in the summer it is cold. i dont know this first hand since i am deathly afraid of water... but all my friends love the water and they all tell me this. this would be a great place to hit in the heart of summer when the sun is overbearingly hot..a quick dip in the lake and you are good to go!! not much 'beach' here since its small and more lake like.... it fills up with people quick so try to get there early to reserve some sand space! oh, and there is no way you will get any reception with you celly here... a nice break from normal life in the midst of the calming refreshing feeling you will get from here. =) read more

Buntzen Lake - jay & i...and thats the lake to our right - Lakes Near Me - Anmore, British Columbia

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Buntzen Lake makes a great escape from the everyday world (quite literally, too). If you're visiting the lake for a picnic, barbeque, hike, or simply to let your dog run around at the isolated dog park, expect little to zero cell reception. Buntzen Lake is relatively scenic with easy to moderate hiking trails that meander around the lake. If you're visiting for a picnic or simply to hike, I advise that you show up early on those sunny, summer days. The gates close the moment the parking lots are full, and they don't reopen until the next morning. If you're the unfortunate soul that happens to be on the wrong side of the gate, parking is available on private lots and usually costs an unreasonable fee (the hike from these lots to the lake is the worst). read more

What a gem this place is, can't believe I've never heard much about it, great place to take a dip, many different hiking trails, and a nice dog park. Highly recommend. read more

Amazing lake and trails that I go often with friends or family even sometimes with dogs. There's dog area for the beach and it's a lovely area with great views to take pictures or hangout or even a date. Quite a few parking spaces and even bus stops. I highly recommend people to go visit Buntzen read more

Buntzen has been a favourite since I was a young 'un. Sometimes parking is a problem, in which case use the first parking lot on the right when you approach. For an easy walk there is a trail around the lake. I like to go up past the power lines, stop for tea or a snack about an hour in and then hike back. There is a fairly flat route that leads to a power station. There are a few short pitches for climbers and an easy walk around the lake. Good for dogs, babies and children. read more

I brought my dog here on a late Thursday morning, and the park wasn't crowded: I was able to find parking close to the path towards the dog park. There is plenty of space for the dogs to run around and swim in the lake. I really like that they have a dog washing station next to the bathrooms near the entrance to the dog park. There are also plenty of trails to roam around if your dog doesn't like to jump in the water. Make sure you come on the weekdays, or early on the weekends as this park gets pretty crowded and they close the entrance if you are driving in. read more

This Place is absolutely beautiful! It's good for anyone who likes to canoe, hike, swim, eat, or go fishing. In the summer it's great to swim in. Unfortunately the water is quite cold to swim unless it's a hot day. The hikes are refreshing and canoeing is great except for the undercurrent due to the dam at certain times that prevents you from moving a lot. Recommended for BBQ's and big groups! There is also no phone service, so don't expect to make any phone calls. read more

Buntzen means 'Busy Walk' in my language. Lake means, well...'Lake'. Even on the last day of September, glorious as it was, this place is busy. Popular. Beautiful. Deservedly busy. It offers lots of activities for families, including those with furry babies. Large fenced off leash free area with access to beach for the dogs. Many many trails. Lots of options for easy to hard, from flat to incline. Beach has lots of picnic tables and grassy areas for play. The large dead tree trunks close to the beach offer lots of fun for those kids who like to climb. Water is cold even after the hottest days of summer; it never seems to really warm up. It is an unsupervised beach and those who venture in should be aware that there is a large drop off not far from the water's edge. Parking lots can fill up during the height of the season. Overflow parking further up the access road might be your only option if you don't get there early enough. 1/30 - (October 2012, 30-day challenge) read more

This is a nice hike ( if you plan on hiking). Parking on a busy day is another story. We got there on a busy day and was told the lot was full ( fair enough) so we paid $10 to park down the street from the gate. The gate attendant said it was 2.3 Km walk to the beach (40mins). Hot day 30 + degreees with a dog. Okay np we will go on a unplanned walk/hike. When we finally got to the beach/ parking lot . the lot wasnt even full or half full!!!!! are you serious? we paid 10$ and walked 40mins to find out theres parking. South beach was nice there is a dogs only area so the dog went for a swim. When we left we walked 40mins back to the gate and asked the attendent the theory behind sending people to walk to the beach. She said it was for in case ambulances, fire trucks etc incase they needed to get in they would have room!! Wtf?!!!! As we walked out of the parking lot there were cars driving in. Made no sense.. Plan ahead read more

I go to Buntzen Lake everyday with my dog. The dog park is amazing! Huge and fenced in with a big beach for the dogs. The Trails are great and well kept. On the rare occasion I see the staff, they are always very friendly. The only downside to Buntzen is the type of people it attracts in the summer. Lots of meatheads and obnoxious people. During the rest of the year however it's a great place. read more

This my favourite lake in the lower mainland. My son caught his first trout here. It's beautiful, the washrooms are clean, and there's lots to do; fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, a dog park.., read more

Buntzen Lake is one of the most underrated hikes in the lower mainland. It's a fairly easy hike and takes about two and a half to three and a half hours to circle the lake. One crosses a suspension bridge, a floating bridge, and many wooden bridges on the way. There are cliffs that drop into the lake so keep kids and pets close. read more

It's a 10 minute drive from Port Moody library, but behold! Buntzen lake has one of the amazing trails for casual hikers like myself. While here, check out the amazing Village of Anmore. Beautiful houses. read more

Been taking my dogs for a hike there for probably 15 years now. Without a doubt my favorite place to hike even though it's an hour away. So many trails to explore but my favorites to get away from the crowds are Lakeview and Academy trails. I can let my dogs run free and not have to worry about the whiny and impatient runners that frequent the other trails. Plenty of creeks and beaches for the dogs to take a dip. BC Hydro does a great job of maintaining the trails, even the less traveled ones. read more