The Buntzen Lake Recreation Area, located just north of Anmore and about a 45-minute drive east of Vancouver, is a nature lover’s paradise. Buntzen Lake is flanked by Eagle Ridge/Mountain (1,240 m) to the east and Buntzen Ridge (560 m) to the west. The surrounding area has an extensive network of hiking trails suited to a wide range of experience and fitness levels.
Buntzen Lake Area Weather
How It Got Its Name
Buntzen Lake was once known as Trout Lake and was later called Lake Beautiful by a group of hikers. In 1905, it was renamed Buntzen Lake in honour of Johannes Buntzen, the first general manager of the BC Electric Railway Co. Buntzen Lake is an active hydroelectric reservoir and was once an important source of electricity for Vancouver. Visit the History page to learn more.
Getting There
Buntzen Lake is located at the north end of Sunnyside Road in Anmore. If you’re driving with GPS, the address is 5000 Sunnyside Road, Anmore, BC. The main parking lots are approximately 2 km beyond the entrance gate.
The Power Plant
Today, the Buntzen Lake Power Plant produces only a small portion of BC Hydro’s total electricity generation. However, it has the distinction of being the first hydroelectric generating plant to supply the Lower Mainland. In its early years, it was considered an engineering marvel, and more than a century later the facility remains part of the region’s hydroelectric system. In 1972, BC Hydro completed the formal development and beautification of the Buntzen Lake Reservoir Recreation Area.
