Sasamat Lake Vancouver
A serene oasis near Vancouver, Sasamat Lake boasts warm, clear waters and a beautiful sandy beach, perfect for swimming and family fun.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, easier parking
Sasamat Lake Vancouver
Best Time
Fewer crowds, easier parking
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A serene oasis near Vancouver, Sasamat Lake boasts warm, clear waters and a beautiful sandy beach, perfect for swimming and family fun.
"White Pine Beach is honestly one of the best spots for a fun family day!"
🚗 Parking Strategy
Arrive early or use transit. Parking fills by 1 PM on weekends. Consider Moody Centre Park & Ride.
🎟️ Day Pass Essential
Reserve your free day pass on the BC Parks website starting May 15th.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
White Pine Beach
North end of Sasamat Lake
A gorgeous sandy beach with warm, calm waters perfect for families and swimming.
Floating Bridge
South end of Sasamat Lake
Unique bridge offering unobstructed lake views, ideal for photos and a scenic walk.
Sasamat Lake Trail
Loop around the lake
An easy 3.2 km trail with boardwalks and stairs, offering beautiful forest and lake scenery.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Day Pass & Parking
Best Time to Visit
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Parking Strategy
Arrive early or use transit. Parking fills by 1 PM on weekends. Consider Moody Centre Park & Ride. +1
🎟️ Day Pass Essential
Reserve your free day pass on the BC Parks website starting May 15th.
☀️ Warm Water Swim
Sasamat Lake is warmer than Buntzen Lake, ideal for a refreshing summer dip.
📸 Capture the View
Bring a good camera for evening views; the scenery is stunning.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Parking Strategy
Arrive early or use transit. Parking fills by 1 PM on weekends. Consider Moody Centre Park & Ride. +1
🎟️ Day Pass Essential
Reserve your free day pass on the BC Parks website starting May 15th.
☀️ Warm Water Swim
Sasamat Lake is warmer than Buntzen Lake, ideal for a refreshing summer dip.
📸 Capture the View
Bring a good camera for evening views; the scenery is stunning.
🚶♀️ Easy Lakeside Trail
The 3.2 km loop is accessible with boardwalks, perfect for a leisurely stroll.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Sasamat Lake, particularly White Pine Beach, is lauded as a wonderful family-friendly spot with warm, clean waters and a relaxing atmosphere. Visitors appreciate the beautiful sandy beach, gentle lake, and scenic trails. The main drawback is the extremely limited parking, which often requires very early arrival or alternative transit options.
"This beach is truly a wonderful place, perfect for families and friends to come together and create lasting memories. It's a space that encourages connection and promotes well-being, making it an ideal spot for everyone to enjoy."
Cao Vu Le
"White Pine Beach is honestly one of the best spots for a fun family day! The beach has super soft sand, clean water, and a really nice vibe that makes it perfect for kids to splash around safely. The lake is calm and warm in the summer, so whether you’re swimming, paddleboarding, or just floating on an inflatable, it’s such a relaxing place to be.
What I love is that there’s something for everyone — little ones can play by the shore, while older kids and adults can enjoy swimming out further or exploring the trails around the lake. It’s also a great picnic spot! There are tables and grassy areas where you can set up, and it feels so nice to enjoy lunch with the beautiful forest and lake views all around you.
The only tricky part is parking. On hot, sunny days, the lot fills up really early, and if you come late, you’ll likely end up circling for a while or parking farther away and walking in. It’s worth planning ahead and coming early with your cooler and beach gear.
Overall though, White Pine Beach is such an amazing place for family fun and relaxing outdoors. Definitely one of those spots you’ll want to come back to again and again!"
KP Singh
"Gorgeous sandy beach, clear clean water, shallow, no strong current. Perfect for kids and families. Only downside is that the parking lot fills up fast and then the lot is closed without access."
Muneet Sangha
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can take the SkyTrain to Coquitlam Central Station and then a bus towards Belcarra. Alternatively, driving is an option, but parking is very limited on weekends.
Yes, public transit is a viable option. Take the SkyTrain to Coquitlam Central and then a bus that goes towards Belcarra.
Parking is extremely limited, especially on weekends and during summer. Arrive very early or consider transit. +1
Yes, you can park at Moody Centre Park & Ride for a small fee ($3) and then take a bus to Belcarra.
The trail is generally snow-free most of the year and offers a nice walk in the off-season. However, access might be restricted due to bear activity.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Yes, a day pass is required to visit Sasamat Lake, especially during peak season. Reserve it on the BC Parks website.
Day passes can be reserved on the BC Parks website starting May 15th.
While the day pass is free, parking might have a fee if you use specific park & ride options.
Sasamat Lake is a natural park and generally accessible during daylight hours, though specific park hours may apply. Check BC Parks for any updates.
It is highly recommended to have a reservation, as access may be restricted without one, especially during busy periods.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can swim, hike the 3.2 km trail around the lake, enjoy picnics, and take photos, especially from the floating bridge. 
Yes, Sasamat Lake is known for its warm water, making it a popular and pleasant spot for swimming, especially compared to other local lakes.
Yes, there is a 3.2 km trail that loops around the lake, featuring boardwalks and some stairs.
Kayaking and canoeing are possible at Sasamat Lake, and the floating bridge can be a good spot for this.
Absolutely! White Pine Beach has shallow, calm waters perfect for kids, and the trails offer gentle exploration.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There are no dining facilities directly at Sasamat Lake. It's best to pack your own food for picnics.
Yes, Sasamat Lake is a great picnic spot with tables and grassy areas available.
Bring your own food, drinks, a mat, and any picnic essentials. There are no food vendors on-site.
While not explicitly mentioned, picnic areas often accommodate BBQs. It's advisable to check park regulations.
The nearby town of Port Moody offers various restaurants and cafes for dining after your visit.
📸 📸 Photography
The floating bridge offers unique perspectives, and the beach provides scenic lake and forest views.
Yes, the clear blue water, surrounding greenery, and the floating bridge make it a picturesque location.
Early mornings and late afternoons offer softer light, while evenings can be particularly beautiful.
Drone usage is typically restricted in regional parks. Check Belcarra Regional Park's specific drone policy before flying.
A DSLR camera is recommended to capture the beauty, but a smartphone can also take great shots.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Key recommendations for families: Pack plenty of snacks and drinks as there are no food vendors.
🚶♀️ Budget Travelers
To save money, opt for public transit from Vancouver, which involves a SkyTrain and bus combination.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
The unique floating bridge on the south end is a must-capture feature, providing dynamic angles and unobstructed views of the lake. For the best shots, aim for the golden hours – early morning or late afternoon – when the light is soft and flattering.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Getting to Sasamat Lake: Transit vs. Driving
Driving to Sasamat Lake is convenient for flexibility, but parking is a significant challenge. The parking lot at White Pine Beach fills up extremely early, often by 1 PM on weekends, leading to disappointment for latecomers.
Given the parking limitations, planning your visit around transit or arriving exceptionally early is crucial for a smooth experience.
The Allure of Sasamat Lake's Warm Waters
Unlike the often frigid waters of places like Buntzen Lake, Sasamat Lake offers a more inviting and refreshing experience for those looking to cool off. The warmth of the water, combined with the sandy shores of White Pine Beach, creates an ideal environment for families. Children can safely play and splash near the shore, while adults can swim further out or simply float and relax.
Exploring the Sasamat Lake Trail and Floating Bridge
A standout feature of the trail is the unique floating bridge located on the south end of the lake. This bridge not only adds an interesting element to the hike but also provides stunning, unobstructed views of the water and the landscape.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit