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Port Moody, British Columbia

Port Moody

Port Moody is a city within Metro Vancouver that’s home to Rocky Point Park, Belcarra Regional Park, Sasamat Lake and other beautiful places in nature.

 

The Tri-Cities’ Town of Port Moody

Port Moody has a population of close to 35,000 and is located at the eastern end of Burrard Inlet between Coquitlam and Burnaby. Part of what’s known as the Tri-Cities along with Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, Port Moody is an attractive community with amazing parks and nearby wilderness.

 

Shoreline Trail at Rocky Point Park
The Waterfront at Rocky Point Park

 

Port Moody Places of Interest

Port Moody and its surrounding area is home to some of the Lower Mainland’s finest parks including the following:

  • Belcarra Regional Park – a large forested park just north of Port Moody and home to stunning Sasamat Lake.
  • Buntzen Lake – a beautiful lake managed by BC Hydro in the nearby community Anmore.
  • Port Moody Station Museum – a small community museum with an old train outside and historic artifacts indoors. Admission is by donation (with a suggested amount of $5).
  • Rocky Point Park – an attractive city park on the water with an outdoor swimming pool, exceptional children’s play area, water park in the summer and walking trails.
  • Sasamat Lake – a pristine lake in Belcarra Regional Park with sandy beaches and a walking trail all around it.

 

Sunday Concert Crowds at Rocky Point
Rocky Point Park on a Sunday Afternoon in the Summer

 

Best Times to Visit Port Moody

Port Moody is nice to visit any time of the year. The town is attractive, but the main draw is all the parks, most of which are forested. Similar to Vancouver’s North Shore, the region is covered in coniferous trees which don’t lose their leaves in winter, which means the area looks beautiful and green pretty much all year.

One of the best times to visit the area is in the summer because of the lakes and parks, although compared to parts of Metro Vancouver not covered in coniferous trees, the region is also one of the more beautiful places in winter.

Other best times to visit the Port Moody region is when special events take place.

 

Ribfest at Rocky Point Park
Ribfest at Rocky Point Park

 

Port Moody Special Events

Port Moody hosts a number of special events in normal years including the following:

  • Search for the Perfect Pint –  a fundraising event featuring craft beers and food in May. Proceeds benefit various charitable projects that the Port Moody Rotary Club supports.
  • Port Moody Penguin Plunge –  a community swim in the icy waters of Burrard Inlet on January 1st at Rocky Point Park.
  • Golden Spike Days – a four-day festival over the Canada Day long weekend.
  • Summer Sundays – a series of free live music concerts at Rocky Point Park on Sunday afternoons between July and the beginning of September.
  • Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrations – an event showcasing First Nations’ culture at Rocky Point Park around June 21st.
  • Port Moody Ribfest – a festival at Rocky Point Park with BBQ rib competitions and live music in mid-July. Highly recommended, especially if you like gourmet BBQ-ed ribs.
  • Port Moody Car Free Day – a community event along St. John’s Street in August.
  • Port Moody Terry Fox Run – a fundraising event for cancer research at Rocky Point Park on a Sunday in mid-September.
  • Vancouver Classic Car Toy Run – a one-day car rally that runs from Port Moody to Vancouver in September.
  • Port Moody Winter Farmers Market – a medium-sized market on Sundays between November and April at the Port Moody Recreation Centre.
  • Remembrance Day – a service, parade, ceremony and other activities on November 11th to honour veterans who have fought for Canada in past wars.
  • Holiday Cheer at the Pier a small Christmas-themed event at Rocky Point Park on a weekend in early December.
  • CP Holiday Train  a cross-Canada tour of a train that delivers free concerts and collects donations for local food banks. The train stops most years in mid-December behind the Port Moody Rec Centre.

 

CP Holiday Train Silhouettes
CP Holiday Train in December

 

Other Information

Below are some tips and advice to help you make the most out of your visit to Port Moody.

TIP #1: If you like places in nature, then definitely check out Buntzen Lake and Sasamat Lake. Both are stunning!

TIP #2: When attending a special event at Rocky Point Park, arrive early to improve your chances of finding convenient parking. On regular hot summer days too, especially on weekends, the place can get pretty busy. (Tip: If you can’t find parking right at Rocky Point Park, drive a little ways down Murray Street east from the park and you’ll find an extra parking lot on the left side of the road not too far away.)

TIP #3: Looking for a place for a snack? There’s a Boathouse Restaurant right at Rocky Point Park, along with at least one Fish & Chip shop plus a local favourite, Rocky Point Ice Cream Shop.