10 Coquitlam Parks To Hike, Spot Wildlife, and Go Picnicking

Hitting a park is an all-time classic way for Coquitlam locals to hang out and declutter their minds without hurting their budgets. The Tri-Cities is home to over 80 municipal parks, three of which are regional and provincial parks ranging over a variety of terrains. 

With such a huge offer, you can always find a place or two to hang out depending on what you have in mind. So we select the ten best parks in Coquitlam and break them down into different categories so you don’t have a hassle picking the right one.

Largest Park in Coquitlam: Mundy Park

On any given sunny day, you will see families and young locals beating the pebble-filled trail encircling Mundy Park with their dogs. This is the largest and most treasured park in Coquitlam, pulling in hordes of visitors seeking weekly events and a well-equipped playground for their kids.

The park itself is home to two lakes, Mundy Lake and Lost Lake, enclosed by an extensive network of easy trails that fit all physical levels and can be completed within an hour. 

Mundy Park is the biggest hook for nature lovers who seek a leisure stroll on a healthy Sunday. There is a nice outdoor swimming pool nestled by a range of sports fields, lacrosse boxes, and a picnic area.

Address: 641 Hillcrest St, Coquitlam, BC V3J 6N9.

Best Park in Coquitlam with Ecosystem and Wilderness: Pinecone Burke Provincial Park

Encompassing 38000 hectares of wilderness, Pinecone Burke Provincial Park lies at Coquitlam’s northern doorstep, stretches to the west of Pitt Lake and south of Garibaldi Provincial Park. 

The vast footprint makes space for an untamed wilderness nestled under the shades of old-growth forests, near the alpine lakes, and behind the rugged terrains.

The striking beauty of folded mountains and bountiful wildlife becomes a strong magnet for outdoor enthusiasts. On a clear day when the air is crisp, you’ll see hikers and mountain bikers working their cores on the trails, while happy fishers seek a hideout away from the maddening crowds.

The network of trails looping around Pinecone Burke Park leads you to some interesting natural sights. We’re talking about lakes, streams, waterfalls, and rivers. It’s definitely a fantasy land for nature lovers of all ages. Just make sure to watch out for natural habitats! Packing along a bear bell would be handy!

Address: Village Lake Trail, Coquitlam, BC V3E 3H1.

Popular Central Park for Quiet Walks, Easy Jogs, and Fishing: Como Lake Park

Dotted with a mild lake at its heart, Como Lake Park demands attention of local families seeking a small gathering over the weekend without traveling further afield. 

This snug urban green space is blanketed with thriving trees shading a recreation loop that swathes around the Como lake. The paved pathway itself becomes the bloodline for the main happenings. It connects two floating docks, a picnic area, and a playground dotted with sightseeing benches. 

Given the flat terrain and peaceful atmosphere, Como Lake Park is perfect for an easy jog in the morning, quiet walks on a lazy day, and fishing at the floating docks.

Address: 700 Gatensbury St, Coquitlam, BC V3J 5G8.

Best Coquitlam Park for Kids with Playgrounds, Roller Slide, and Music Chimes: Blue Mountain Park

Kids in Coquitlam treat Blue Mountain Park like their second home every Sunday. Given a fun playground dominating the heart of this urban forest setting, you’ll have a whale of a time watching your little ones gliding down the roller slide or dancing around those music chimes.

Blue Mountain Park is a mecca of leisure possibilities, so much so that you can even hit the park twice a day without feeling bored. 

The popular playground is swathed with a bike path. There is also a spray park and outdoor pool to inject your day with a dose of adrenaline.

If you just want a lazy day out, then stroll under the shade of North Red Oak, Douglas Fir, and Red Cedar to reconnect with nature and give your mind a deep cleaning.

Address: 975 King Albert Ave, Coquitlam, BC V3J 1X4.

Best Park for Birdwatching and Scenic Trails with Lookouts: Minnekhada Regional Park

Whenever you feel like you’ve had too much of the backlog of thoughts, venturing out to the wild is the best method to give your brain a quick reboot! And in Coquitlam, the best place to declutter the pile of stress is Minnekhada Regional Park.

A few hours wandering around this gigantic park lets you soak in an ultimate sphere of nature. Minnekhada Regional Park is a large, varied landscape connecting marshland and abundant forests.

Instead of an easy stroll, you will be greeted with challenging hikes. There will be incline areas but some sections are surfaced with rocks and roots to help you balance out. 

If you want to hike to the lookout, start from your parking lot off Quarry Road, detour to the left for 30 minutes through the marsh until you reach the lookout.

Address: 4000 Quarry Rd, Coquitlam, BC V3E 3H5.

Best Public Space for Social Gathering and Sports Playgrounds: Town Center Park

Town Center Park is in the core of Coquitlam, giving locals a mecca of sports fields for social gathering and working out in nature. 

Whatever your favorite sport is, you will find a specialized spot to hang with your fellas at this complex. Running track, Percy Perry Stadium, sand volleyball court, an amphitheater, water and skate parks are a few to be named.

Since Town Center Park is a popular social gathering venue in Coquitlam, big provincial events usually take place such as Christmas Lights Display and annual sports fair. 

From July 2021 onwards, visitors can scoop up their favorite flavors at Rocky Point Ice Cream aside from other food options already in place, including hot dogs, burgers, chicken strips, and poutine.

Address: 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, BC V3B 7S4.

Best Park for Riverside Trails, Wildlife, and Watching Seasonal Flow of the River: Coquitlam River Park

The murmuring creek snaking through the woods of Coquitlam River Park serves as a soothing therapy for blue mind seekers. 

When the scorching sun rises in the hottest month, you will see people flocking to the bank of the river, where the seasonal change of streamflow is a fun scene to watch. 

You can walk along the riverside trails and make a splash at the swimming holes to beat the heat on sweltering summer days. The best thing about Coquitlam River Park is that it’s not overcrowded, so you still get a sense of privacy.

Address: 1190 Shaughnessy St, Coquitlam.

Best Community Gardens and Nature Preserve: Colony Farm Regional Park

Colony Farm Regional Park is hands down the most unique green space in Coquitlam. More than just a lush forest with trails, Colony Farm is a natural preserve that gives you a peaceful walk and stunning river views. 

The park is built on the skeleton of Colony Farm, one of the most modern and productive farms in Canada. Today, you can indulge in the joy of bird watching around these open fields, hedgerows, and wetlands. 

The trails are fairly easy for both walkers and cyclists. Whenever your cores are tired, rest up at one of the benches looking over the fields, mountains, and Coquitlam River.

Address: Colony Farm Rd, Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 6M3.

Best Park with Large Adventure Playground and Picnic Shelter: Lions Park

No more going far for great fun! Lions Park gives you the best comforts of traveling since it’s located near a commercial area. The grassy recreation area of Lions Park is always packed with families going out for a picnic. 

This is truly heaven on earth to throw a family bonding day. On any given sunny day, you will see kids running free with a big smile playing frisbee, climbing rope ladder and metal column. Kids of all ages have plenty of ways to rejoice! Zipline, slides, swings, spray park, and sandbox are a few things to be on your bucket list.

Address: 2300 Lions Way, Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 2A8.

Best Park for Forest Bathing: North Hoy Creek Park

North Hoy Creek Park comes into play to game up your hiking level. The park is heavily blanketed with old-growth forests and creek crossings, making it a beautiful place to get away and engage your cores. 

North Hoy Creek Park is not that large if you compare it to the Ridge Park nearby. However, it’s a lot prettier with a lush forested area and the sound of a soothing creek.

North Hoy Creek Park is not somewhere you want to go to find a playground and picnic, but it’s an unrivaled place to seek some peace and reconnect with nature. Due to the rugged terrain, hiking at North Hoy Creek Park is not for all fitness levels, but it’s not the end of the world if you keep a close eye on rocks, branches, and stairs on the steep hills.

Address: 2231 Parkway Blvd, Coquitlam, BC V3E 3P8.

16 minutes southwest of Coquitlam leads to another cool spot for park goers, Burnaby. Are you planning to hit Burnaby sometime this weekend? If that’s a yes, these nine parks in Burnaby will blow your mind! Some of them are enriched with history, some offer stunning city views while the rest are perfect for families.