Buntzen Lake is a special place to hike, paddle, swim, and enjoy the outdoors. Its forests, clear water, wildlife, and network of trails are worth protecting. The good news is that responsible recreation doesn’t have to be complicated. Small choices, repeated by thousands of visitors, make a real difference.
After hundreds of hikes around Buntzen Lake, I’ve been impressed by how little litter I typically see along the trails. There’s occasionally the odd discarded item, and some things may be dropped accidentally, but overall the area has been remarkably clean in my experience. That’s something worth celebrating and continuing.
The seven principles of Leave No Trace Canada offer a practical way to enjoy natural places while reducing our impact. Here are some examples of what that means at Buntzen Lake.
Stay on Established Trails
Established trails help concentrate foot traffic and protect the plants and soil alongside them. Cutting switchbacks, creating shortcuts, or walking around muddy sections can gradually widen a trail, damage vegetation, and contribute to erosion.
Try to stay on the established route, including when the trail is muddy, provided it is safe to do so. Respect official trail closures and detours. A closed trail may be undergoing repairs or may have hazards that aren’t immediately obvious.
BC Hydro specifically cautions that unauthorized connections and shortcuts degrade soil, harm vegetation, and alter habitat for smaller animals. Check BC Hydro’s current trail information before heading out.
Leave Trails as You Find Them
Even changes that seem minor can affect a trail. Removing embedded rocks, shifting trail edging, digging, or attempting unauthorized repairs can destabilize the walking surface and create hazards for others.
During a recent hike, I noticed several places where rocks appeared to have been removed from the trail surface, leaving substantial holes. Whatever the reason, holes of this kind can increase erosion and create a risk of someone catching a foot or twisting an ankle.
Leave the trail features undisturbed and report the concern to BC Hydro recreation-area staff or the Warden’s Office near the main parking area. Trail repairs should be assessed and completed by authorized personnel.
Pack Out Everything, Including Food Scraps
Food packaging, drink containers, fishing line, tissues, cigarette butts, and other rubbish don’t belong beside the lake or on its trails. Dispose of them in appropriate bins or take them home. If you find an item that can be collected safely, picking it up is a small way to help.
That includes so-called biodegradable scraps. Tossing an apple core or banana peel far into the forest may put it out of sight, but it still leaves food behind. Such scraps can attract wildlife toward places where people hike and picnic, potentially changing animals’ behaviour.
If you brought it with you, take it away with you, including fruit peels, apple cores, and other leftovers.
Respect Wildlife and Keep Dogs Under Control
Watch wildlife from a safe distance and never offer animals food. During hundreds of hikes around Buntzen Lake, I’ve encountered bears approximately six or seven times, usually without serious incident. Those experiences have reinforced the importance of respecting an animal’s space and allowing it room to move away. Wildlife behaviour is not predictable, however, and visitors should never assume an encounter will be harmless.
Dogs must be under their owner’s control. BC Hydro permits dogs only in designated areas, with off-leash access limited to its designated off-leash areas and dog off-leash trail. Elsewhere, dogs must be leashed. Always collect and properly dispose of dog waste.
For more information about where dogs may go, visit the Dogs at Buntzen Lake page. For detailed bear safety, consult the website’s separate bear information rather than relying on this brief wildlife discussion.
Care for the Lake and Be Considerate of Others
Buntzen Lake is enjoyed by swimmers, paddlers, anglers, walkers, families, and hikers. A little consideration makes a difference: avoid unnecessary noise, give others room on narrow trails, keep picnic areas tidy, and respect people seeking a quiet experience.
On the water, keep a respectful distance from wildlife and the shoreline, and follow posted boating restrictions. Don’t leave fishing line or other equipment behind, and don’t wash food scraps or soapy water into the lake.
Fire restrictions matter
BC Hydro prohibits open fires and charcoal or briquette barbecues at Buntzen Lake. Propane barbecues are permitted only when no applicable fire ban prohibits their use. Take used propane cylinders away for proper recycling, and check the current BC Hydro rules before visiting.
The Seven Leave No Trace Principles
Leave No Trace Canada’s principles provide a useful foundation for responsible outdoor recreation. In brief, they are:
Learn more from Leave No Trace Canada. These principles are presented for education; BuntzenLake.ca is an independent website and is not affiliated with Leave No Trace Canada or BC Hydro.
Take only photographs, leave natural features undisturbed, pack out your rubbish, and respect the people and wildlife sharing the area. Before visiting, check BC Hydro’s official recreation information for current rules and restrictions.