Not to be confused with Deer Lake (which is smaller, swimmable, and about 3 kilometres west), Burnaby Lake is the larger and wilder of Burnaby's two central lakes. At 300 hectares — about 75% the size of Stanley Park — it's one of the largest regional parks in Metro Vancouver and a genuinely quiet piece of nature in the middle of a major urban area. The lake itself is too shallow for swimming (in places it's less than a metre deep), but perfect for rowing: the Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion on the south shore is a serious competitive rowing facility and rents boats to the public.
The park's main attraction is the 10-kilometre perimeter trail that circles the lake, much of it on elevated boardwalks through wetland forest. It's one of the best bird-watching loops in Metro Vancouver — the lake and surrounding marshes are a stopover for dozens of migrating species and home to year-round residents including great blue herons, bald eagles, and beavers. The northeast corner of the park, near the Piper Spit boardwalk, is probably the best single bird-watching spot in the city.
Burnaby Lake is the kind of park you drive past on Highway 1 a hundred times without noticing, because it's invisible from the road. Once you find your way in, it's usually empty even on beautiful weekends. The main parking lots are at Piper Spit (north side) and the Rowing Pavilion (south side), both free.
How to get there
By car, exit Highway 1 at Sperling Avenue or Kensington Avenue. Main parking at Piper Spit (north) or the Rowing Pavilion (south). By transit, the 110 bus stops near the Piper Spit entrance.
Local tips
- The Piper Spit boardwalk is the best bird-watching spot
- The full perimeter loop is 10 km and mostly flat
- The lake is too shallow for swimming but great for rowing
- Spring migration brings dozens of species through the park