Whonnock Lake is a body of water with a sandy beach in Maple Ridge. Located about 60 kms east of downtown Vancouver, Whonnock Lake Park is a picturesque spot.
There are a couple of docks at the lake and a fancy sheltered picnic structure. There is also a good-sized children’s play area.
If you’re looking for a place to fish from a dock, take your canoe or kayak, or spend time with young children, Whonnock Lake is a great destination and the scenery is beautiful.
Whonnock Lake
A hidden gem in eastern Maple Ridge, Whonnock Lake is a small natural muskeg lake. Water flows into the lake from the north and out via a human-maintained channel to the east.
Whonnock Lake is home to a variety of wildlife. The lake’s bog-like environment attracts several species of birds, fish and frogs. The lake is popular with fishing enthusiasts as it’s stocked with trout at various times of the year. Beavers also live in the area, so don’t be surprised if you see a dam in the distance.
About Whonnock Lake
Whonnock Lake Park is at 27871 113th Avenue. It’s just south of Dewdney Trunk Road between the northern part of Kanaka Creek Regional Park in Maple Ridge and Hayward Lake in Mission. It’s also about 10 kilometres southwest of Rolley Lake.
There is quite a bit of parking at Whonnock Lake, with two main parking areas as well as an overflow lot near the basketball court. Boat launch parking is close to the waterfront. Overnight parking is not permitted, nor is camping anywhere in the area.
Opening hours at the lake are usually from around 8:00 am until 10:00 pm Monday through Sunday. Exact hours, however, are subject to change.
Activities at Whonnock Lake
Visitors can do a number of activities at Whonnock Lake. The abundance of fish and other wildlife make it a popular choice for fishing. Other water sports include swimming and boating.
In the centre of the park is the Whonnock Lake Gazebo. The undercover shelter can be rented and used for barbecues and other gatherings. Fires at the park are also permitted in cooking stoves and area fire pits.
Other activities in the park include basketball and beach volleyball. There is also a rhododendron garden near the Whonnock Lake Centre.
In extra cold years the lake can freeze over in the winter. When that happens, outdoor ice skating is possible! However, if the water freezes, don’t go out on the ice unless you are 100% sure it’s safe to do so. If there isn’t signage stating that the ice is safe, and you aren’t certain, don’t try it out!
Dogs cannot go on the beach, grassy area or the kids’ playground (which are the main parts of the park). Dogs are, however, permitted on-leash in other areas including on the pathways and outside the community centre building.
The Waterfront and Water Sport Activities
Whonnock Lake is popular with families and people of all ages, especially during the summer months. The lake is fairly warm and has a roped-off area for swimming. There is no lifeguard on duty, however, so visitors swim at their own risk.
The beach can get quite busy in warmer months, especially on sunny days. The water is refreshing. Because the lake is actually a bog (or it would be if left in its natural state), it can be a bit squishy underfoot in parts. That doesn’t bother most folks though, and the beach itself is nice and sandy.
There are two docks at the lake. One though is only open to the public when not in use by the local Canoe & Kayak Club. The Club’s dock is the one at the western side of the beach. It’s the one in the photo at the top of this article. The other dock is at the eastern end of the beach and in the photo below.
Power boats, including boats with electric motors, aren’t allowed on the lake. You can, however, use non-motorized boats like canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. Inflatable toys are also popular. In the summer, boats are sometimes available for rent.
Whonnock Lake Centre
The Whonnock Lake Centre is a short distance west of the main park and beach area. The building hosts a selection of community activities and programs. It’s also home to the Maple Ridge Canoe & Kayak Club.
Amenities at the Whonnock Lake Centre include a banquet hall, community hall, kitchen, meeting rooms and chairs and tables. Up to 160 people can be hosted at a time in the building. Weddings and other gatherings often take place at the Centre. (For details about renting this space and others in the municipality, see the City of Maple Ridge‘s website.)
The Centre offers public washrooms with flush toilets that can be accessed without going inside the main building. They aren’t always open, but are in the summer and other busy times. Closer to the beach and available year-round are portable outhouses.
Whonnock Lake Video
Below is a video that shows what Whonnock Lake looks like in winter. It was taken in late February of 2021.
The video begins at the edge of the park near the main parking lot. You’ll see the children’s play area which includes a sandy area, swings, a small slide and other structures to climb. You’ll also see the beautiful gazebo-style picnic shelter and the park’s two docks.
As the video shows, the park and the lake are beautiful, even in winter. In summer, as you can imagine, it’s a busy place!
Other Information
See the City of Maple Ridge‘s website for more details about the park.
To learn about other parks in the region check out the following articles:
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
