Marshland, forest ridges, and granite knolls in the northeast corner of Coquitlam
A wetland sanctuary on Coquitlam’s edge
Minnekhada Regional Park sits where suburban Coquitlam gives way to open marsh and forested ridgeline, bordered by the Pitt-Addington Marsh and the Pitt River. The name comes from Sioux words meaning “rattling water,” a nod to the streams and wetlands that shape the landscape. Within a single visit you can walk boardwalks over open marsh, climb through second-growth forest, and stand on exposed granite knolls with views stretching toward the Pitt River valley and, on a clear day, Mount Baker in the distance.
The park is split roughly into two halves. One side holds Minnekhada Lodge and its gardens, a 1930s estate built as a hunting retreat and now used for weddings and events. The other side is the wilder section built around the marsh, laced with dykes, rocky outcrops, and thick stands of trees where beavers, black bears, and dozens of bird species make their home.
Photo gallery
The marsh at the heart of the park
The main marsh area is divided into upper and lower sections, separated by a dike and a small footbridge. Boardwalk sections carry you out over the water without disturbing the habitat below, and the open sightlines make this one of the best spots in the park to slow down and watch for wildlife. Wood ducks, herons, and other waterfowl move through the reeds, and beaver activity is common along the quieter channels.
Because the marsh sits at low elevation and stays wet through most of the year, it looks different with every season, from misty winter mornings to the buzz of insects and birdsong in the warmer months.
Trails and the five lookout points
Three main trails form the backbone of the park’s network: the Quarry Trail, the Fern Trail, and the Lodge Trail. Linked together they form a full loop of about 5.2 kilometres, mostly flat with a few short climbs. Add detours out to the park’s five lookout points and the distance stretches closer to 8 kilometres, with around 150 metres of total elevation gain.
High Knoll and Low Knoll
High Knoll is the most rewarding of the lookouts, reached by a short but steep climb to roughly 180 metres of elevation. From the top, the view opens south over the lower marsh and the Pitt River as it winds past the farmland below. Low Knoll is an easier alternative with a fuller view of the lower marsh, and it makes a good turnaround point for anyone who wants marsh views without the steeper grade.
Most visitors plan for around two to three hours to cover the main loop and a lookout or two, though birdwatchers and photographers often stay longer.
Minnekhada Lodge and the park’s history
Long before it became a regional park, this land was farmed and later turned into a private hunting retreat. Minnekhada Farm was purchased in 1912 by lumberman Harry Leroy Jenkins, and by the 1930s the property had passed to Eric Hamber, who built Minnekhada Lodge as a country escape for horse riding and hunting along the marsh. Colonel Clarence Wallace later took over the estate, and Minnekhada Farm was eventually folded into the regional park in 1995.
The Kwikwetlem and Katzie First Nations occupied the lands around Coquitlam Lake and the Pitt River watershed for thousands of years before European settlement, moving seasonally between high and low ground to follow the plant and animal cycles.
Today the lodge is open to the public on a limited monthly basis and is a popular venue for weddings, while the surrounding farm fields are being restored as a heritage estate. Access to the working farm itself is currently closed to the public.
Wildlife watching
Minnekhada is a designated Wildlife Watch site, and the mix of marsh, farmland, and forest supports a wide range of species. Bird watchers come for the waterfowl and songbirds that pass through the marsh, while sharp-eyed visitors sometimes spot beavers, turtles basking on logs, and black bears feeding along the forest edge. Bears are seen regularly enough that visitors should stay alert, keep a respectful distance from any wildlife, and never approach or feed the animals.
Before you go: Black bear sightings are common in the park. Make noise on the trail, keep food secured, and give any wildlife plenty of space. Bikes are not permitted on the park trails, though they are allowed along Oliver Road and the nearby Pitt River dykes, and camping is not permitted anywhere in the park.
Getting there and planning your visit
The park has two main entrances with parking. The Quarry Road entrance, off Victoria Drive in the northeast corner of Coquitlam, is the primary access point for hikers and bird watchers and connects directly to the main trail network. The Oliver Road entrance leads to Minnekhada Lodge and also connects to several of the park’s trails.
Parking is not free, and the Quarry Road lot fills quickly on sunny weekends, so an early start is worth it if you want an easy spot. Wheelchair access is limited: the ground floor of the lodge and the outhouse at the Quarry Road lot are accessible, but many of the trails and the pit toilets near the lodge are not.
Good to know: The park is open daily, though hours can shift seasonally, so it is worth checking current posted hours before heading out. Dogs are welcome on-leash throughout the park.
Five lookout points, a working dike system, and a marsh split by a single footbridge give Minnekhada a sense of scale that is hard to find this close to the city.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, dogs are welcome throughout the park as long as they stay on-leash. Please clean up after your dog and dispose of waste in the bins provided.
The Quarry, Fern, and Lodge Trail loop covers about 5.2 kilometres and takes roughly two hours at a comfortable pace. Adding detours to the lookout points brings the total closer to 8 kilometres and two to three hours.
High Knoll offers the most rewarding view, looking south over the lower marsh and the Pitt River from about 180 metres up. Low Knoll is an easier climb with a broad view of the lower marsh for those who want to skip the steeper trail.
There is no entrance fee to walk the trails, but parking at the Quarry Road lot is paid. The lot fills quickly on sunny weekends, so an early arrival helps.
Minnekhada Lodge is open to the public on a limited basis, typically the first Sunday of most months during set afternoon hours, and it is also available for private event rentals such as weddings.
Yes, it is a designated Wildlife Watch site. Visitors regularly see waterfowl, beavers, and turtles around the marsh, and black bears are seen often enough that staying alert and keeping a safe distance is important.
More parks nearby
Looking for other places to explore around Metro Vancouver? These are a good next stop.
Planning a day at Minnekhada Regional Park? Arrive early, bring water, and watch the marsh from the dike before the afternoon crowds arrive.
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