# Belcarra Regional Park guide > Belcarra Regional Park guide — Bedwell Bay, Whiskey Cove, Jug Island Beach trail. Inlet-side park access for Anmore and Port Moody locals. **Source:** https://soldbycraig.ca/belcarra-regional-park-guide/ **Author:** Craig Johnston, REALTOR® (BC Licence V99960) · The MACNABS · Royal LePage Elite West **Site:** https://soldbycraig.ca --- Belcarra Regional Park · Metro Vancouver ## təmtəmíxʷtən / Belcarra Regional Park — 1,100 hectares of Tri-Cities coastline. Updated July 2026 · Craig Johnston, REALTOR® V99960 · 47-year Tri-Cities local Seven named trails. Three swim spots. 4,000+ years of Tsleil-Waututh history. White Pine Beach is one of the warmest natural freshwater swims in Metro Vancouver. Jug Island is a perfect Father's Day hike — pet-friendly the whole way. This is the local's guide. [Book a Strategy Call](/book-a-strategy-call-with-craig-johnston/)[Call 604-202-6092](tel:+16042026092) At a glance 1,100 Hectares of coastline Metro Vancouver Regional Park · spans Belcarra village, Indian Arm, Bedwell Bay ~26 km Hiking trails Plus ~9 km of bike-friendly trail (Springboard) 7 Named trails Admiralty, Jug Island, Cod Rock, Burns, Sasamat Lake, Springboard, Bedwell Bay 3 Swim spots White Pine Beach (warm freshwater), Picnic Area, Jug Island Beach 4,000+ Years of stewardship Continuous Tsleil-Waututh occupation — archaeological site DhRr 6 $2.50/hr Pay parking (Apr–Sept after 10am) Free before 10am · max $15/day · year-round before Apr 1 / after Sept 30 Craig's insider intel ## How I actually use Belcarra (and how my family does). I hike Belcarra year-round — usually Admiralty Point because the inlet views from *The Point* never get old, and you can stop at Cod Rock or take a private bluff scramble along the way. In summer my family makes a weekday tradition of it: come up after work, picnic dinner at the Belcarra picnic area or White Pine, swim while the sun's still up. Sasamat is the warmest freshwater swim in Metro Vancouver — it actually warms up by late June. For Father's Day, the move is Jug Island. ~2 hours round trip, leashed dogs allowed the whole way, and you finish on a small pebble beach with a view of the island. Pack a sandwich and you'll be back before dinner. Craig Johnston REALTOR® V99960 · 50+ years in the Tri-Cities · trail-runs Mundy & hikes Belcarra weekly [Book a strategy call →](/book-a-strategy-call-with-craig-johnston/) Trails — what's here, what's worth it ## The seven Belcarra trails, with real numbers. Every trail in the park, with verified distance, difficulty, dog policy, and what you actually find at the end. Pick the one that fits the day. Easy to Moderate ### Admiralty Point — "The Point" **Length** 4 km round-trip **Time** 1.5–2 hours **Elevation** ~50 m undulating **Surface** Dirt, roots, rocky **At the end:** Bluff viewpoints over Burrard Inlet to Deep Cove, Mount Seymour, Burnaby Mountain. Cod Rock is a worthwhile spur at 1 km. Dog-friendly (leashed) Craig's go-to Easy to Moderate ### Jug Island Beach **Length** 5.5 km round-trip **Time** ~2 hours **Elevation** 85 m net **Surface** Dirt, roots, rocky scrambles **At the end:** Small pebble beach with view of Jug Island. Pet-friendly the whole way. Swimmable but cold saltwater. Dog-friendly (leashed) Father's Day pick Easy ### Sasamat Lake Loop **Length** 3.2 km loop **Time** 30–60 minutes **Elevation** ~30 m **Surface** Dirt, boardwalk, gravel **At the end:** 50 m floating pontoon bridge at the south end (great swim/sun spot in summer). Returns to White Pine Beach. NO dogs at the beach itself. Dog-friendly (leashed) Floating pontoon bridge Easy ### Springboard Trail **Length** 8 km **Time** ~2 hours hike / faster by bike **Elevation** Minimal **Surface** Hardened, partly paved **At the end:** Connects Belcarra Paddling Centre past Woodhaven Swamp (at ~2 km) to large picnic area, beach, and pier. One of two main cycling trails in the park. Dog-friendly (leashed) Bike-friendly Moderate ### Burns Point Trail **Length** 6 km round-trip (extension of Admiralty Point) **Time** 2.5–3 hours **Elevation** ~70 m **Surface** Dirt, roots, rocks at the far end **At the end:** Extension 1 km past Admiralty Point. Views across Burrard Inlet to Barnet Marine Park. Quieter — most hikers stop at The Point. Dog-friendly (leashed) Easy ### Cod Rock **Length** Short spur off Admiralty Point Trail (1 km in) **Time** Add 10 min **Elevation** Minimal **Surface** Dirt, rocky bluff **At the end:** Rocky bluff viewpoint over Burrard Inlet. Skip if you're tight on time; worth the detour if not. Dog-friendly (leashed) Easy ### Bedwell Bay Trail **Length** 1.2 km one-way **Time** ~20 minutes **Elevation** Gently sloped **Surface** Dirt **At the end:** Links the Belcarra Picnic Area to the tidal flats of Bedwell Bay. Good first-trail for kids. Dog-friendly (leashed) The weekday tradition ## Picnic dinner + swim — the Belcarra move. When the weather turns in late June, Belcarra becomes the easiest weekday family dinner in the Tri-Cities. Pack a cooler, head up after work, eat at the picnic area or White Pine, swim while the kids still have light. The trick: come on a Tuesday or Wednesday, not a weekend. Weekend lots are full by mid-morning. [See the Belcarra walks guide](/belcarra-walks-guide/) Swim spots & beaches ## Where to actually get in the water. Belcarra has three swim spots and they're each different. White Pine is the warm freshwater family swim. The Picnic Area is the saltwater inlet swim. Jug Island is the trail-reward swim. ### White Pine Beach (Sasamat Lake) Sandy, shallow family beach on Sasamat Lake — one of the **warmest natural freshwater bodies in Metro Vancouver** (~15–21°C / 60–70°F from May to September). Lifeguards on duty during peak summer. Concession stand. **NO DOGS on this beach.** Lot fills by 10–11 a.m. on summer weekends — arrive early. ### Belcarra Picnic Area Beach Low-bank pebble beach on Burrard Inlet at the main Belcarra Picnic Area. Saltwater, cold, no lifeguards. Good for short dips, paddling, and the picnic-dinner-then-swim weekday move. Picnic shelters, dock, washrooms, concession on site. ### Jug Island Beach Small pebble beach at the end of the Jug Island Trail (2.75 km in). Saltwater, cold, no lifeguards. The swim is the trail-reward — pack a towel, dip, hike back. Dogs leashed allowed. Practical info ## Parking, hours, washrooms, dogs. The stuff that determines whether your visit goes well. Saved here so you don't have to dig through Metro Vancouver's site. ### Parking & fees **Pay parking April 1 – September 30, after 10:00 a.m.** $2.50/hour or $15/day max. **FREE before 10 a.m.** in summer, and free year-round outside the April–September window. Lots fill at White Pine by 10–11 a.m. on summer weekends. Belcarra Picnic Area, White Pine Beach, and Woodhaven Swamp each have their own lot. ### Park hours Entrance gates open at 8 a.m. daily. Closing time varies seasonally — typically around dusk. Gates closed overnight. Check posted signage at the trailhead for exact closing time on the day. ### Dog policy (detailed) **Leashed dogs allowed on:** Admiralty Point, Jug Island (including the beach), Burns Point, Bedwell Bay, Springboard, Sasamat Lake loop trail. **NO DOGS at:** White Pine Beach and all beaches around Sasamat Lake. ### Picnic shelters Two bookable shelters (#1 and #2) at the Belcarra Picnic Area — accommodate groups up to ~50 with covered benches and BBQ areas. Book via the Metro Vancouver ActiveCommunities portal. First-come, first-served when not booked. Concession on-site in season. ### Boat launch & paddling Substantial dock and float at the Belcarra Picnic Area for kayak/canoe launching (low-bank access). Sasamat Lake is car-top / hand-launch only (no trailered boats). **Takaya Tours** — Tsleil-Waututh-owned — operates cultural canoe tours from the Belcarra Paddling Centre. ### Washrooms Flush toilets at the Belcarra Picnic Area and at White Pine Beach. Outhouses at the Jug Island trailhead area. Bring TP for the outhouses — supply varies. təmtəmíxʷtən · "the biggest place for all the people" ## 4,000 years of səlilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) stewardship. təmtəmíxʷtən is a hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word meaning *"the biggest place for all the people"*. It was a primary winter village of the səlilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation — and the archaeological record at site DhRr 6 documents **continuous occupation for over 4,000 years**, with shell middens carrying ~3,000 years of stratified record and abundant salmon vertebrae dating Coast Salish fishery stewardship back to roughly 850 BC. In October 2021, Metro Vancouver Regional Parks formally renamed the park to **təmtəmíxʷtən / Belcarra Regional Park** in recognition of that history. This isn't a "former" presence — Tsleil-Waututh have lived here, fished here, and gathered here continuously for thousands of years. **Takaya Tours**, a Tsleil-Waututh-owned operation based at the Belcarra Paddling Centre, runs cultural canoe tours that surface the history of the place in the words of the people whose territory it is. Source: peer-reviewed archaeological research (PLOS ONE 2023), Tsleil-Waututh Nation, and Metro Vancouver Regional Parks. Frequently asked ## Belcarra — frequently asked ### Is Jug Island a good Father's Day hike? Yes — and it's the one I do. ~2 hours round-trip (5.5 km), leashed dogs allowed the entire way, ends on a small pebble beach with a view of the island. Manageable for most fitness levels, just expect roots and some rocky scrambles. Pack lunch and swim gear in summer. ### Where is the best swim in Belcarra? White Pine Beach on Sasamat Lake — it's one of the warmest natural freshwater bodies in Metro Vancouver. Sandy, shallow, family-friendly, lifeguarded in peak summer. No dogs allowed on the beach. Arrive before 10 a.m. on summer weekends or the lot will be full. ### Can I bring my dog to Belcarra? Yes — leashed dogs are allowed on every named trail in the park: Admiralty Point, Jug Island (including the beach), Burns Point, Bedwell Bay, Springboard, and the Sasamat Lake loop trail. Dogs are NOT permitted at White Pine Beach or any of the Sasamat Lake beaches/swim areas. ### How much is parking at Belcarra? Pay parking applies April 1 – September 30, but only after 10:00 a.m. — $2.50/hour or $15/day maximum. Parking is FREE before 10 a.m. in summer, and free year-round before April 1 or after September 30. Arrive before 10 a.m. and you save money and you actually get a spot. ### What does təmtəmíxʷtən mean? It's a hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word meaning "the biggest place for all the people" (or, in another translation, "lots of land"). The area was a primary winter village of the səlilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation and has been continuously occupied for over 4,000 years. Metro Vancouver renamed the park to təmtəmíxʷtən / Belcarra Regional Park in October 2021. ### How many trails does Belcarra have? Seven named trails totalling roughly 26 km of hiking plus about 9 km of bike-friendly trail (Springboard). The named trails: Admiralty Point, Jug Island Beach, Cod Rock (spur), Burns Point (extension), Sasamat Lake Loop, Springboard, and Bedwell Bay. ### Is the Coquitlam-side real estate near Belcarra worth the premium? Anmore and Belcarra command a real premium specifically because of the park access. Anmore village is the closest residential pocket to Sasamat Lake / White Pine and the trail network; Belcarra village itself is even more exclusive (1-acre minimum lots, Indian Arm waterfront). For families who weekly hike or weekly swim at Belcarra, the premium is justified by the lifestyle. For families who'd visit a few times a year, it's worth comparing against Heritage Mountain or Burke Mountain where you get faster Vancouver commutes for less money. ### Are there lifeguards at Belcarra beaches? Lifeguards from the Lifesaving Society of BC are on duty at White Pine Beach during peak summer (typically late June – early September). Belcarra Picnic Area Beach and Jug Island Beach are NOT lifeguarded. Always check posted signage on the day of your visit. ### What's the gate schedule at Belcarra? Entrance gates open daily at 8 a.m. Closing time varies seasonally and is typically around dusk. Gates are closed overnight. Check posted signage on the day for exact closing time. ### How do I book a picnic shelter? Through Metro Vancouver's ActiveCommunities portal — search for Belcarra Picnic Shelter #1 or #2. Both accommodate groups up to ~50 with covered benches and BBQ areas. Outside booked dates, shelters are first-come, first-served. Companion reads ## Keep exploring. [Trail deep-dive ### Belcarra walks guide Per-trail breakdowns, parking realities, the local's read.](/belcarra-walks-guide/) [Adjacent park ### Buntzen Lake BC Hydro's busiest rec area. Reservation system + trail rundown.](/buntzen-lake-anmore-guide/) [Neighbourhood ### Anmore — village real estate The closest residential pocket to Belcarra trails and Sasamat Lake.](/anmore/) [Neighbourhood ### Belcarra Village Indian Arm waterfront homes. 1-acre minimums. The exclusive read.](/belcarra/) Buying or selling near here? ## Considering a home near Belcarra? Anmore and Belcarra command a real premium for park access — but the right address inside Anmore can save you six figures vs. Belcarra waterfront while keeping the same trail access. Book a 20-minute strategy call and I'll show you what's actually moving in each pocket. [Book a Strategy Call](/book-a-strategy-call-with-craig-johnston/) [Call 604-202-6092](tel:+16042026092) Continue your research ## More on Belcarra — built by a Tri-Cities specialist. [Master guide ### Belcarra — the village guide Indian Arm waterfront, the regional park, low-turnover inventory.](/belcarra/) [Price bands ### What $3M / $5M / $8M / $15M+ buys Indian Arm waterfront — the honest tier-by-tier read.](/belcarra-waterfront-price-bands/) [Lifestyle ### Living on Indian Arm Dock, foreshore, the regional park as backyard.](/living-on-indian-arm/) [Access types ### Boat-access vs road-access homes The structural choice between Belcarra waterfront types.](/belcarra-boat-access-vs-road-access-homes/) Tri-Cities monthly ## Get the honest Tri-Cities market read, monthly. June 2026 Coquitlam detached HPI is $1,649,000, -4.8% YoY. What that means for your buy or sell decision — without the salesy fluff. One email per month. Unsubscribe anytime. No spam, no listings flood, no marketing automation games. Genuine monthly update from a 47+ year Tri-Cities resident. Best REALTOR® by area ## A specialist for your specific Tri-Cities city or neighbourhood. 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