Belcarra Regional Park Vancouver
Waterfront park near Vancouver with stunning views, old-growth forests, and scenic hiking trails.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Secure parking & beat crowds
Belcarra Regional Park Vancouver
Best Time
Secure parking & beat crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Waterfront park near Vancouver with stunning views, old-growth forests, and scenic hiking trails.
"This park is a magical land that feels like BC."
🚗 Parking Strategy
Arrive before 10 AM on weekends or use transit. Pay parking is enforced aggressively. :car:
🗺️ Download Offline Maps
Some trails are unmarked; maps are essential for navigation. :iphone:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Jug Island Beach
Mouth of Indian Arm
Hike through old-growth forest to a serene beach with stunning views of Jug Island.
Belcarra Bluffs Lookout
Belcarra Regional Park
Breathtaking, less crowded views of the Indian Arm, a true hidden gem.
Gold Creek Lower Falls
Near Golden Ears Provincial Park (accessible from Belcarra)
A beautiful spot for a refreshing dip in a natural swimming hole.
Sasamat Lake & White Pine Beach
Belcarra Regional Park
A popular spot for picnics and swimming, though often busy.
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Crowds: Arrive Early!
Trail Navigation & Safety
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Parking Strategy
Arrive before 10 AM on weekends or use transit. Pay parking is enforced aggressively. +1 :car:
🗺️ Download Offline Maps
Some trails are unmarked; maps are essential for navigation. :iphone:
🧺 Picnic Prep
Bring your own food; the concession stand has limited hours and can be busy. :sandwich:
🐶 Leash Your Dogs
Strict leash rules are enforced by park staff. :dog:
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Parking Strategy
Arrive before 10 AM on weekends or use transit. Pay parking is enforced aggressively. +1 :car:
🗺️ Download Offline Maps
Some trails are unmarked; maps are essential for navigation. :iphone:
🧺 Picnic Prep
Bring your own food; the concession stand has limited hours and can be busy. :sandwich:
🐶 Leash Your Dogs
Strict leash rules are enforced by park staff. :dog:
🥾 Wear Sturdy Shoes
Trails can be uneven; comfortable footwear is a must. 
💧 Pack Water
Stay hydrated, especially on longer hikes. Water fountains are available but can be limited. :droplet:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Belcarra Regional Park is lauded for its stunning natural beauty, offering a tranquil escape with beautiful waterfront views and scenic hiking trails. Visitors appreciate the well-maintained picnic areas and the opportunity for outdoor recreation. However, some find the washrooms could be cleaner, and parking is a significant challenge during peak times.
"Belcarra Park is a fantastic spot for a family picnic or a day out in nature. The picnic areas are well-maintained and offer plenty of space for large groups. The scenic pier is a highlight, providing stunning views of the water and surrounding mountains—perfect for a leisurely stroll or some fishing.
However, the washrooms were not as clean as expected, which was a bit of a downside. Despite this, the overall experience was wonderful, and I would definitely recommend this park for its beauty and tranquility."
Travel Offlimits
"It's a great place to enjoy nature, have a picnic and go walking in the woods. This review is for the beach, not the lake east, during the summer season. There is a great view of the harbour overlooking North Vancouver, and you can feel the breeze coming from the shore. There are picnic tables, a playground, flushable bathrooms, a concession stand, a kayak rental business and a totem pole. There are also water fountains near the public shelter, and the picnic shelter provides space for a large gathering. There are large trees that provide shade and a beach where you can go on a dock and watch people fish. Since the water is an ocean, you can find barnacles, seaweed and crabs on the beach. There are also forested trails that leads to open and flat rock formations you can sit on at the south and a quiet and serene woodland trail leading north. Only downsides are that parking is limited during busy season, it is difficult to find a place to picnic in the shade during a hot day, a considerable wait time for bathroom use and the floating dock is not suitable for people with motion sickness. There are also rules you have to follow set out by Metro Vancouver like keeping your dog on a leash and keeping noise down. We noticed a park staff telling a park visitor to leash their dog and a group playing a game with loud music to be told to turn the music off or face a fine. The Parks Canada sign is by a trail south of the beach and the lake image was taken north in the woods."
Leslie Ngo
"We went there today and which is a sunny day!
Clean beach ,bathroom on site and pay parking. Everybody should know if you come a little late in the afternoon you won’t be able to find the parking spot. The best time to come is about 6:30 am. Or 7:00am otherwise you have to park away from the lake about 500 meter -1 km. Away and walk to the lake witch is a bit to much for walking and carrying stuff for picnic.
There is the small food shop for you if you don’t want to bring your lunch box , the shop open about 12:30 pm and probably busy and lineup for quite long. Better way to carry your meal with you. Safety place to visit the security always checking up time to time and restrict for drinking ..
For animal lover you could enjoy the goose walking and disturbing your food 😆 please don’t feed them with fries or grease food to safe our goose friends .. Highly recommend this place for your family weekend you will love it.."
KC CLAY FLOWERS
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
From Vancouver, you can drive approximately 1 hour to Belcarra Regional Park. Public transit is also an option: take transit to Moody Centre Park & Ride and then transfer to a bus heading to Belcarra.
Yes, there is parking available, but it fills up very quickly, especially on weekends and sunny days. Arriving early (before 10 AM) is highly recommended. There is also overflow and pay parking available on Tum Tumay Whueton Drive. +2
Overnight parking is generally not permitted without a permit. You may need to contact the Belcarra village hall to inquire about permits for overnight stays.
Jug Island Beach is accessed via a 5.5 km out-and-back trail within Belcarra Regional Park. Parking is available at the park's main lot.
Yes, parking is restricted to designated areas within the park. Parking in the neighborhood is not allowed and can result in significant fines.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
While Belcarra Regional Park itself does not typically require reservations, some specific areas or activities within the broader Golden Ears Provincial Park area (nearby) might. It's always best to check the BC Parks website for any current advisories or reservation requirements, especially for popular spots like Sasamat Lake.
Belcarra Regional Park is a free-to-enter regional park managed by Metro Vancouver. However, some parking areas, like the overflow parking on Tum Tumay Whueton Drive, may have pay parking fees.
The park is generally open from 7 AM to 8 PM. Some reviews mention specific closing times that might affect sunset viewing.
Yes, dogs are allowed in Belcarra Regional Park, but they must be kept on a leash at all times.
Yes, fishing is permitted in Belcarra Regional Park. The scenic pier is a popular spot for fishing.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
Popular hikes include the Jug Island Beach Trail (5.5 km, easy to moderate), Belcarra Bluffs (less crowded with great views), and loops that combine Admiralty Point. +1
Yes, the park has numerous picnic areas, including a large covered shelter with a long table. Arriving early is advised to secure a table, or have a backup plan like blankets.
White Pine Beach offers picnic tables, flushable bathrooms, a concession stand, kayak rentals, and water fountains.
Absolutely! The park offers easy hikes, picnic areas, and beaches like White Pine Beach, making it a great family destination.
You can expect to see old-growth forests, diverse birdlife, and marine life along the shore. Keep an eye out for wildlife, and remember to never feed the animals.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There is a small concession stand at White Pine Beach that opens around 12:30 PM, but it can be busy. It's generally recommended to bring your own food and picnic supplies. +1
For more extensive dining options, you'll need to head back towards Port Moody or Vancouver, which offer a variety of restaurants and cafes.
Yes, BBQ facilities are available in designated picnic areas. Ensure you follow park rules and regulations.
📸 📸 Photography
Jug Island Beach offers stunning views of the island and Indian Arm. Belcarra Bluffs provides panoramic vistas, and the old-growth forests create a magical atmosphere.
Definitely. The park's diverse landscapes, from dense forests to waterfront views, offer excellent opportunities for landscape photographers.
Early mornings offer soft light and fewer crowds, while late afternoons provide beautiful golden hour light. The park's closing time might impact sunset photography.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Remember to pack plenty of snacks and drinks, as the concession stand has limited hours and can get busy. 🚶♀️ Hikers & Nature Enthusiasts
+1 Seek out the less-trafficked Belcarra Bluffs for stunning, unobstructed views without the crowds. 📸 Photographers
The Belcarra Bluffs Lookout offers panoramic views perfect for landscape shots. Early mornings and late afternoons offer the best light. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Trails of Belcarra Regional Park
+1For those seeking less crowded but equally rewarding vistas, the Belcarra Bluffs trail is a hidden gem. Redditors rave about its breathtaking views and lower visitor numbers compared to other local hotspots like Quarry Rock. However, it's important to note that this trail is often unmarked, making offline map downloads crucial for navigation.
Other trails like the Springboard Trail and routes connecting to Admiralty Point offer further exploration opportunities, allowing visitors to create custom loops and experience different facets of the park's natural beauty.
Picnicking and Recreation at White Pine Beach
While the beach is well-equipped with flushable bathrooms and even kayak rentals, securing a picnic spot can be challenging during peak times. The concession stand operates with limited hours and can experience long queues, so packing your own food is often the most practical approach.
Navigating Parking and Access
For those who can't make it early, public transit is a viable alternative. Taking transit to Moody Centre Park & Ride and then transferring to a bus heading towards Belcarra can be a more reliable option, though it adds travel time.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit