Belcarra Regional Park
Those that know of it flock here religiously, but for many Lower Mainlanders this regional park is still undiscovered.
Category:
Recreation Location
Where:
| Neighbourhood | | Port Moody |
Profile Last Updated: May 23, 2007
The Spot
Vancouver has a surfeit of scenery and beautiful places - perhaps that's why Belcarra Regional Park, with its views of Indian Arm, is not as well known as it should be. Belcarra is tucked away on a peninsula in a corner of greater Vancouver very much not on the beaten tourist track.
To reach it, you have to find your way to Highway 7, also known in parts as the Barnet Highway, in Port Moody. At the far eastern end of the Port Moody inlet, take Ioco road north-west and follow it as it becomes 1st Avenue and then forks left into Bedwell Bay road. Go past Sasamat Lake and park in Lot No. 2 on the right hand side, if you feel like a shortish (5.2km / 3.2mi round trip) hike to the beach. The route is a little complicated and there is private property to be avoided, so ask locally for detailed directions.
Sunday Drive?
If, however, you're not feeling so hearty and energetic, you could also drive a little further and park on the southern, or left, side of the road and enjoy the more developed portion of the park. There are picnic areas and an interesting pier, where you can sometimes see people catching crabs, or glimpse the giant many-armed Pacific starfish creeping along underwater - and maybe a diver or two (exploring Indian Arm is a top local dive). Above water, kayakers and paddlers explore the area around Belcarra's Admiralty Point.
Belcarra Regional Park is a good size, and there are views to be had from virtually any part of its shoreline. For the best views of the mountains and forests of Indian Arm, however, you should head to the northern end.
Vancouver has a surfeit of scenery and beautiful places - perhaps that's why Belcarra Regional Park, with its views of Indian Arm, is not as well known as it should be. Belcarra is tucked away on a peninsula in a corner of greater Vancouver very much not on the beaten tourist track.
To reach it, you have to find your way to Highway 7, also known in parts as the Barnet Highway, in Port Moody. At the far eastern end of the Port Moody inlet, take Ioco road north-west and follow it as it becomes 1st Avenue and then forks left into Bedwell Bay road. Go past Sasamat Lake and park in Lot No. 2 on the right hand side, if you feel like a shortish (5.2km / 3.2mi round trip) hike to the beach. The route is a little complicated and there is private property to be avoided, so ask locally for detailed directions.
Sunday Drive?
If, however, you're not feeling so hearty and energetic, you could also drive a little further and park on the southern, or left, side of the road and enjoy the more developed portion of the park. There are picnic areas and an interesting pier, where you can sometimes see people catching crabs, or glimpse the giant many-armed Pacific starfish creeping along underwater - and maybe a diver or two (exploring Indian Arm is a top local dive). Above water, kayakers and paddlers explore the area around Belcarra's Admiralty Point.
Belcarra Regional Park is a good size, and there are views to be had from virtually any part of its shoreline. For the best views of the mountains and forests of Indian Arm, however, you should head to the northern end.
