Loop Buntzen Lake, Buntzen Lake Recreation Area, off Sunnyside Road, Anmore, Vancouver BC

Adventure & Outdoors

Loop Buntzen Lake

Forest, floating bridge, swimmable beach and a free parking reservation you must snag at 7 a.m. the day before.

Buntzen Lake Recreation Area, off Sunnyside Road, Anmore

More info

The date

Buntzen Lake is the date for trees, water, and a challenge just mild enough to feel doable. The full loop circles a reservoir through second-growth forest, crossing a floating suspension bridge to a quieter beach at the north end. Heads-up for 2026: a rockslide has closed Powerhouse Road, and from mid-May to early September you'll need a free BC Hydro parking reservation, released at 7 a.m. the day before.

How to do it

The full loop circles the reservoir in roughly 4 to 5 hours through cool forest and across a floating suspension bridge, or just post up at South Beach with a picnic and a swim. Between mid-May and early September grab a free BC Hydro parking reservation the day before at 7 a.m. For 2026, check BC Hydro alerts: the reservoir's drawn down and a rockslide has closed Powerhouse Road between the beaches, so stick to the open trail and leave plenty of daylight.

What to wear: casual is fine

hikinglakeswimmingforestsuspension-bridgefree
Duration
Half day
Best time
Daytime
Per person
Free
setting
Outdoor
neighbourhood
Buntzen Lake Recreation Area, off Sunnyside Road, Anmore
best season
Spring, Summer, Fall

More places to try

Walk the Shoreline Trail to Old Orchard BeachFree2h

Walk the Shoreline Trail to Old Orchard Beach

Hike to a Secluded Swim at Whyte LakeFree2h

Hike to a Secluded Swim at Whyte Lake

Conquer Diez Vistas Above BuntzenFree5½h

Conquer Diez Vistas Above Buntzen

Old-Growth Giants and Falls at Cypress Falls ParkFree1½h

Old-Growth Giants and Falls at Cypress Falls Park

Lynn Canyon and the Free Suspension BridgeFree2h

Lynn Canyon and the Free Suspension Bridge

Stroll the Boardwalk Loop at Deer LakeFree1½h

Stroll the Boardwalk Loop at Deer Lake

Walk the Stanley Park SeawallFree3h

Walk the Stanley Park Seawall

Easy Alpine Views at Bowen LookoutFree1½h

Easy Alpine Views at Bowen Lookout

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