Region
Tri-Cities area, Metro Vancouver, British Columbia
Neighbouring Areas
Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Burnaby
Getting There
Millennium Line SkyTrain (Evergreen Extension), West Coast Express, TransLink buses
Good For
Regional parks, lakes and trails, family attractions, day trips from Vancouver
Welcome to Coquitlam
Coquitlam sits at the northeastern edge of Metro Vancouver, where the region’s suburban growth meets the forested foothills of the Coast Mountains. It is one of the larger municipalities in Metro Vancouver, stretching from the shores of Burrard Inlet near Port Moody up to the slopes of Burke Mountain. The city built much of its modern identity around the Evergreen Extension of the Millennium Line, which connected its town centre directly to the SkyTrain network and reshaped how residents and visitors move through the Tri-Cities.
What makes Coquitlam worth a visit is the contrast packed into a single city: a dense, walkable town centre anchored by shopping and transit sits a short drive from quiet regional parks, wetlands, and lakeside trails. Families come for the parks and playgrounds, birdwatchers come for the marshes at Minnekhada, and anyone passing through the Tri-Cities can use Coquitlam as a comfortable base for exploring Port Moody and Port Coquitlam as well.
Coquitlam’s Neighbourhoods
Coquitlam is made up of several distinct pockets, each with a different feel. Knowing roughly where each one sits helps with planning a visit around transit and parking.
Town Centre
The civic and commercial heart of the city, home to Coquitlam City Hall, Coquitlam Centre mall, Lafarge Lake, and the Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain station.
Maillardville
Coquitlam’s historic Francophone district, one of British Columbia’s earliest French-Canadian communities, with heritage buildings and a distinct small-town character.
Burquitlam
A rapidly redeveloping area on the Burnaby border, built up around the Burquitlam SkyTrain station.
Westwood Plateau & Burke Mountain
Hillside residential areas at the city’s northern edge, closest to the trailheads leading into the surrounding forest.
Top Things to Do in Coquitlam
Coquitlam’s biggest draws are its parks, ranging from a landscaped lake in the middle of the town centre to a protected wetland where bald eagles and herons are a regular sight.
Minnekhada Regional Park
A protected wetland and forest park on the city’s northeastern edge, known for its marsh boardwalks, viewpoint trails, and reliable birdwatching.
Explore Minnekhada Regional Park
Como Lake
A neighbourhood lake with a paved loop trail, popular with walkers, joggers, and families feeding the resident ducks and geese.
Explore Como LakeRight in the town centre, Lafarge Lake and the surrounding Town Centre Park are worth a stop even without a dedicated visit: the lake was created from a former gravel quarry donated to the city, and the park around it now holds sports fields, an aquatic complex, and one of the city’s best-known cherry blossom displays in spring. It sits directly next to the Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain station, making it an easy add-on to a visit to Coquitlam Centre mall.
Getting Around Coquitlam
Coquitlam is connected to the rest of Metro Vancouver by the Millennium Line’s Evergreen Extension, which runs through the city with stations at Burquitlam, Coquitlam Central, Lincoln, and Lafarge Lake-Douglas. The line links up with the wider SkyTrain network at Lougheed Town Centre in Burnaby, making a trip in from downtown Vancouver straightforward without a car. Coquitlam Central Station also connects to the West Coast Express commuter rail line and to Port Coquitlam via bus. Within the city, TransLink bus routes fill in the gaps between SkyTrain stations, regional parks, and neighbourhood centres.
Local Tip
If you are coming from Vancouver without a car, the SkyTrain to Lafarge Lake-Douglas or Coquitlam Central station is the easiest way in. Both stations put you within walking distance of Coquitlam Centre mall, Town Centre Park, and connecting buses toward Como Lake.
Before You Go
Minnekhada Regional Park is a natural, largely unpaved area without SkyTrain access, so plan on driving or arranging a ride. Trail conditions can get muddy after rain, so sturdy footwear is worth packing.
Coquitlam in Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coquitlam part of Metro Vancouver?
Yes. Coquitlam is one of the municipalities that make up Metro Vancouver, located in the Tri-Cities area alongside Port Moody and Port Coquitlam.
How do I get to Coquitlam from downtown Vancouver?
The Millennium Line SkyTrain runs directly from the Vancouver network through Lougheed Town Centre into Coquitlam, with stations at Burquitlam, Coquitlam Central, Lincoln, and Lafarge Lake-Douglas.
What is Coquitlam known for?
Coquitlam is known for its mix of regional parks and wetlands, its SkyTrain-connected town centre, and neighbourhoods like Maillardville, one of British Columbia’s earliest French-Canadian communities.
What are the best parks to visit in Coquitlam?
Minnekhada Regional Park and Como Lake are two of the most visited, alongside Lafarge Lake and Town Centre Park in the city centre.
Plan Your Visit to Coquitlam
Browse Coquitlam’s parks and trails, or explore what is nearby in Port Moody and the rest of the Tri-Cities.
Start With Minnekhada Regional Park