Deer Lake sits in the geographic centre of Burnaby, equidistant from Metrotown, Brentwood, and Lougheed. At 140 hectares total (including the 30-hectare lake itself), it's one of the largest urban parks in Metro Vancouver — smaller than Stanley Park but significantly bigger than Queen Elizabeth Park or Central Park next door. The lake is genuinely swimmable from June to September, with a supervised swimming area at the south beach and rowboat rentals from Deer Lake Boat Rentals at the north end.
Beyond swimming, Deer Lake Park is the cultural heart of Burnaby. The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts — a public performing arts facility with theatres, a gallery, and art classes — sits on the south shore. The Burnaby Village Museum (a restored 1920s streetcar village with a working carousel) is a 10-minute walk from the main parking lot. The park hosts the Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival every August, one of the best free outdoor music festivals in Metro Vancouver.
The walking path around the lake is about 5 kilometres, mostly flat and well-maintained, and popular with everyone from joggers to families with strollers. Because Deer Lake is slightly off the main tourist paths — you have to specifically intend to visit — it's almost never crowded, even on sunny summer weekends. It's one of the best parks in Metro Vancouver that most Vancouverites have never bothered to visit.
How to get there
By car, exit Highway 1 at Kensington Avenue and follow signs. Parking is free. By transit, the 144 SFU-Metrotown bus stops at Canada Way and Sperling, a 10-minute walk from the main beach.
Local tips
- The lake is swimmable in summer — the south beach is the best spot
- Rent a rowboat from Deer Lake Boat Rentals on sunny afternoons
- Burnaby Village Museum is a 10-minute walk from the main lot
- The Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival in August is free and excellent