Archie MontroseA Guide to Barnet Marine Park: Burnaby’s Historical Seaside Park
Let’s be honest, Vancouver’s got plenty of parks and beaches, so it’s no surprise that we tend to overlook some hidden gems. One such gem that we’d like to talk to you about today is Barnet Marine Park.
Our trip to this park took surprisingly little time (36 minutes), and if you’re one for a change of scenery from the bustling city, keep reading as we give you this ultimate guide to exploring Barnet Marine Park.
What is Barnet Marine Park known for?
Barnet Marine Park is known for its gorgeous white sandy beach, scenic walking trails, lush green lawns, and a bustling hub for aquatic activities like swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and sailing.
You’ll also find a range of conveniences here, including changing rooms, outdoor showers, BBQs, restrooms, and picnic spots. In the summer season, you’ll come across a string of food and drink stalls along the park’s edge for some tasty treats.
What is the history of Barnet Marine Park?
Barnet Marine Park is steeped in history. It served as a gathering, harvesting, and processing site for the Coast Salish people and also functioned as the location for a logging mill camp that dates back over a century.
Originally owned by the North Pacific Lumber Company, it once stood as one of the largest sawmills in the British Empire. However, when the Great Depression hit, the mill ceased operations in 1931, only to reopen as Kapoor Sawmills in 1939.
Unfortunately, in 1946, a devastating fire razed the mill to the ground. Although there were intentions to restore it, those plans never happened, leading to the mill’s eventual dismantling in 1958.
If you explore the park today, you can still spot some remnants of its industrial past, including the mill’s scrap burner. And by the water, you can glimpse the remnants of the old wharf that was once used to load processed timber for export.
Time Zone
Pacific Standard Time (PST) (UTC-8)
Best Time to Go
The best time to go to Barnet Marine Park is during the summer months, June to September. That’s when you’ll get some pleasant warmth, with temperatures hovering around 21° to 24°.
But if you really want to enjoy it without the crowds, we’d recommend swinging by on a weekday. Weekends, especially in August, can get pretty packed.
Things to Know
Fees at Barnet Marine Park
There’s no admission fee to enter Barnet Marine Park!
Parking at Barnet Marine Park
You can park at Barnet Marine Park on the south side of the train tracks. There are additional parking spots further west from the park entrance and across Barnet Rd., right next to the Air Mountain Bike Park, and the best part is, it won’t cost you a dime.
Rules at Barnet Marine Park
Just like with any other public space, there are rules and regulations that visitors must adhere to at Barnet Marine Park. These rules ensure the safety and enjoyment of all visitors:
- Charcoal briquette barbecues and cooking stoves are temporarily prohibited in Burnaby parks and beaches, so use propane barbecues or gas cooking stoves instead.
- Dogs are not permitted on the beach for sanitary reasons.
- Smoking is prohibited in all Burnaby parks and multi-use paths.
- Alcohol is not permitted in Barnet Marine Park because it’s not included in the City of Burnaby’s ‘Alcohol in Parks’ temporary pilot program.
- While walking your dogs on trails, keep them on a leash.
How to Get to Barnet Marine Park
By car: From Vancouver, head to E. Hastings Street in Burnaby and continue driving on Taekda Drive to Barnet Marine Park. It’s right at the base of Burnaby Mountain at 8181 Barnet Road.
By bus: Go to Eastbound W Hastings Street at Granville Street and board the R5 bus bound to Port Coquitlam Station where you’ll ride the 160 bus to Barnet Marine Park.
Where to Stay Near the Barnet Marine Park
Executive Plaza Hotel Coquitlam
Address: 405 North Rd #1, Coquitlam, BC V3K 3V9, Canada
Phone: +1 604-936-9399
Pricing: $
This stylish tower along North Road is quite hard to miss, and best of all, each room here at the Executive Plaza Hotel Coquitlam has all the comforts you’d want—comfy beds, coffeemakers, data ports, and a spacious work desk.
Inside, there’s a fitness center, steam room, outdoor pool and garden terrace, tennis court, business store, and a lounge with live music and dancing.
Ramada by Wyndham Coquitlam
Address: 631 Lougheed Hwy., Coquitlam, BC V3K 3S5, Canada
Phone: +1 604-931-4433
Pricing: $
The Ramada by Wyndham Coquitlam checks all the boxes—clean rooms, daily housekeeping, an indoor pool, and a restaurant and cafe inside. There’s a motel feel to this place, defined by its unique exterior design of bright colors and retro signage.
Executive Suites Hotel
Address: 4201 Lougheed Hwy., Burnaby, BC V5C 3Y6, Canada
Phone: +1 604-298-2010
Pricing: $$
A boutique hotel that exudes style without pretension is the Executive Suites Hotel. This four-star establishment has great suites, with bedrooms separate from the sitting area and a nice little kitchenette.
If you’re too lazy to cook, then head down to the Acqua Restaurant & Bar or step outside to see that this hotel is actually steps away from restaurants and shopping centers.
Accent Inns
Address: 3777 Henning Dr, Burnaby, BC V5C 6N5, Canada
Phone: +1 604-473-5000
Pricing: $
Accent Inns is a fun and functional hotel right along Henning Drive, with spacious rooms and rubber duckies in the bathtubs. Being awarded for excellence in housekeeping by the BC Hotel Association, the hotel is also quite clean.
They also have designated pet-friendly rooms with dog treats, special towels, small bags for their poopies, and there’s plenty of green spaces for walks!
Delta Hotels by Marriott Burnaby
Address: 4331 Dominion St, Burnaby, BC V5G 1C7, Canada
Phone: +1 604-453-0750
Pricing: $$$
Located in the heart of Burnaby, Delta Hotels by Marriott Burnaby Conference Centre. The hotel’s amenities are quite extensive—a fitness center, an outdoor pool, a business center, and multiple dining options.
Rooms here are designed with light-colored painted walls, wooden furniture, and clean white linens that create a bright atmosphere. Each room is equipped with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffee makers.
Where to Eat at the Barnet Marine Park
Little Billy’s
Address: 6785 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC V5B 1S6, Canada
Phone: +1 604-294-4460
Pricing: $
This hybrid steakhouse along Hastings Street is a local favorite, with an “uptown” feel accentuated by its sleek and modern interior design.
Despite the classiness of it, be prepared to chow down on some pretty awesome lamb chops here at Little Billy’s. The prices are a bit on the higher side but hey, it’s well worth the generous portions and delicious food.
Cockney Kings Fish & Chips
Address: 6574 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC V5B 1S1, Canada
Phone: +1 604-291-1323
Pricing: $$
This cozy fish and chips joint at the Kensington Square Shopping Centre has some seriously tasty homemade batter. From cod to salmon, haddock, and halibut, all these dishes were chef’s kiss.
For side dishes, get the poutine or Louisiana shrimp—both are great paired with a glass of beer. Speaking of beer, make sure to ask about their beer on tap selection.
The Peri Peri Shack
Address: 6691 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC V5B 1S1, Canada
Phone: +1 604-294-1064
Pricing: $$
The Peri Peri Shack serves up some truly flavorful chicken breasts that hit the perfect spice level. Pair them with their Peri Peri fries and flatbread, and you’re all set.
The only downside is that it’s a bit pricier compared to other places, but trust us, it’s totally worth it for the taste— every bite is an explosion of deliciousness.
Saray Turkish Cuisine
Address: 6633 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC V5B 1S1, Canada
Phone: +1 604-423-4363
Pricing: $$
A Turkish restaurant with Persian-infused dishes and a Middle Eastern-decorated restaurant is what it’s all about here at Saray Turkish Cuisine. The mozzarella pideh and lahmajoun were so good.
The only problem was we couldn’t fit more dishes into our already satisfied stomachs. If you plan on visiting, be sure to arrive with an empty belly and a hearty appetite.
White Spot Kensington
Address: 6500 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC V5B 1S2, Canada
Phone: +1 604-299-2214
Pricing: $$
The burgers here at White Spot Kensington are quite famous, and for a good reason. They craft their local burgers using West Coast salmon, Canadian beef, and BC chicken breast.
But, if you’re in the mood for a unique experience, give the ‘Avocado Impossible™ Burger’ or the ‘Gochujang Fried Chicken Burger’ a shot. We’re pretty confident you might discover a new burger favorite.
Things to Do in the Area
Cruise Down Mountain Air Bike Skills Park
Address: 8486 Barnet Hwy, Port Moody, BC V3H 1J2, Canada
Phone: +1 604-294-7450
This well-maintained, free bike park across Barnet Marine Park is a great place to practice your drops, jumps, skinny, and pumps. Wooden ramps here are in great shape, but it’s best to wear safety pads as the bike park isn’t supervised.
We’re not bike experts ourselves, but it’s nice to see different skill level runs, from novice to more advanced riders.
Climb Quarry Rock
Address: Baden Powell Trail, North Vancouver, BC V7G 1V6, Canada
Quarry Rock is nestled near the shores of Deep Cove and is sometimes referred to as Grey Rock in hiking guides. This place is a North Van staple, with breathtaking views of the Indian Arm and Belcarra Mountains.
The only thing challenging here is the parking as it’s a bit limited. However, the hike itself is a mix of stairs and flat rocks, so rest assured, it won’t be too strenuous.
Visit the Burnaby Mountain Park
Address: 100 Centennial Way, Burnaby, BC V5A 2X9, Canada
Phone: +1 604-294-7450
Burnaby Mountain Park isn’t your ordinary park; it’s a dedicated space for preserving forests, wetlands, plant life, wildlife, and water. Here, you can anticipate flourishing ecosystems and stunning natural beauty at its finest.
Walk along the wooded paths, explore the centennial rose garden, admire the intricately carved wooden poles crafted by Ainu sculptors, who are members of Japan’s indigenous people, or simply appreciate the park’s vibrant ecosystem.
Take a Stroll Down Drummond’s Walk
Address: 8007 Texaco Dr, Burnaby, BC V5A 4V2, Canada
Over by the Burnaby seaside in Port Moody, you’ll find Drummond’s Walk. Take our word for it, your furry friend will be mighty grateful when you stroll ’em along this scenic path, no matter what time of year it is.
This lovely trail eventually leads you to an off-leash dog park, where there are ample restroom facilities and tons of picnic spots to relax while your pup gets their energy out.
Drop by the Burrard Inlet Conservation Area
Address: 151 Cliff Ave N, Burnaby, BC V5A 1A2, Canada
Phone: +1 604-294-7450
The Burrard Inlet Conservation Area is an important ecological space in Burnaby where you’re surrounded by nature at its best—forests, wetlands, and shorelines along the Burrard Inlet.
Which makes sense because it’s a popular spot for outdoor recreational activities like walking, biking, running, fishing, and many more. Head to the conservation area to learn about the diverse wildlife that inhabits the region.
Apps to Download for a Trip to Barnet Marine Park
PayByPhone:pay for parking from your phone in Burnaby.
Bonny’s Taxi: order a taxi cab in Burnaby, New Westminster, and the Vancouver International Airport
Transit: see departure times, track buses and trains near you, and see upcoming transit schedules in real-time.
Waze: real-time traffic and road information with construction and traffic delays.
Like we said, Vancouver has many parks and beaches so if you prefer somewhere a little near the city center, there’s plenty of options here. Check out these related articles that can help you choose your next escapade:
