Buntzen Lake: the complete Tri-Cities guide

Buntzen Lake is the Tri-Cities' classic summer escape and one of BC Hydro's busiest recreation areas. The reservoir sits just north of Port Moody in the Village of Anmore, about 30 kilometres from Vancouver, and it packs a swimming beach, picnic areas, a boat launch and a network of hiking and mountain biking trails into one mountain valley.

The basics

The lake is a working hydroelectric reservoir: 4.8 kilometres long and covering 182 hectares. It sits on the traditional territory of the Kwikwetlem First Nation, Musqueam Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Squamish Nation and Sto:lo First Nations.

Because it is an active reservoir, the recreation area is managed by BC Hydro, and a few rules follow from that: no arriving before opening hours, no overnight parking, and seasonal hours that shift through the year.

Hours

Gates typically open at 8:00 a.m. year-round. Closing times change with the light: in 2026 the schedule runs from a 4:30 p.m. close in the darkest winter weeks to an 8:00 p.m. close from mid-April to late August. Around this time of year (mid to late October) the gate closes at 6:00 p.m., moving to 5:30 p.m. from October 26. Check BC Hydro's page before you go; the exact dates shift slightly each year.

Parking passes

Buntzen's popularity means parking is managed. Parking passes can be booked in advance, and on sunny summer weekends the lots fill early. The parking lots are about two kilometres past the entrance gate. There is no parking in Anmore itself, and BC Hydro asks visitors to keep emergency access routes clear.

One warning for car-share users: cell coverage at Buntzen is poor, and car-share vehicle software may not work at the site. Car-share vehicles cannot be left in the lot overnight.

Getting there by transit

You do not need a car. The 182 bus runs daily from Port Moody Centre Station to Anmore year-round. The closest stop to the lake is stop #53245 (southbound Sunnyside Road at the Anmore Grocery Store), about a two-kilometre walk to the main parking area and South Beach.

In summer, TransLink adds the seasonal 179 bus, which runs on weekends and holidays from Canada Day weekend through Labour Day. It leaves Coquitlam Central Station hourly and drops riders right at the main parking area.

What to do there

• Swimming and the beach. South Beach is the main sandy area with picnic tables, a shelter and grass play areas.
• Boating. There is a boat launch at South Beach for both motorized and non-motorized vessels.
• Hiking. Trails range from the flat lakeside path to the famous Buntzen Lake loop and the steep Diez Vistas climb, with its string of viewpoints over Indian Arm.
• Dogs. There is a designated off-leash dog area.
• Picnics. Tables, a reservable shelter and open grass make it a default family picnic spot.

Current trail notes

After a rockslide, there is no pedestrian access on Powerhouse Road between North Beach and Buntzen Dam. Hikers completing the Diez Vistas trail need to plan an alternate route. Check BC Hydro's area notices before setting out, especially in fire season, when wildfire risk can bring restrictions.

A bit of history

The lake is named for Johannes Buntzen, the first general manager of the B.C. Electric Railway Company, and the reservoir has fed hydroelectric power to the region for more than a century. The two powerhouse buildings at the south end, with their stone facades, are worth a look on the way to the trailheads.

The trails in detail

Buntzen's trail network suits almost every fitness level. The gentle option is the lakeside path along the eastern shore, mostly flat and shaded, good for families and anyone who just wants the water views. The signature outing is the Buntzen Lake loop, a full circuit of the reservoir crossing the floating bridge at the north end, a satisfying half-day walk for most people.

The serious climb is the Diez Vistas trail, one of the Lower Mainland's classic viewpoint hikes. The name means "ten views" in Spanish, and the ridge delivers a string of lookouts over Indian Arm, the fjord that reaches up from Burrard Inlet. It is steep in sections and best saved for a clear day; note the current rockslide closure on Powerhouse Road between North Beach and Buntzen Dam, which affects the usual descent and forces an alternate route.

Mountain bikers get their own designated trails, and the interpretive displays around the south end explain the reservoir's working life.

South Beach, North Beach and the quiet season

Most visitors never leave South Beach, where the parking, picnic tables, shelter, grass play areas and boat launch are concentrated. North Beach is the calmer alternative, reachable by trail. In the October shoulder season the whole area exhales: the crowds thin dramatically, the gate closes earlier, and the maples and cottonwoods around the lake turn. It is arguably the best month to walk the loop, as long as you watch the closing time.

Practical notes

Drinking water is available at the recreation area, but bring what you need for the trails, since there are no services once you leave the beach area. Cell coverage is poor across much of the site, so download maps before you arrive and do not rely on calling a ride from the trailhead.