John Hendry Park (Trout Lake)
John Hendry Park, home to Trout Lake, is a beloved community hub and a beautiful escape from the city.
Discover a Vancouver gem that's well off the radar of most tourists. John Hendry Park, affectionately known as Trout Lake, is a gorgeous 27-hectare park that's home to the city's only natural freshwater lake. With a sandy beach, extensive sports facilities, and a vibrant community feel, it's a perfect local-style escape just a short walk from the bustling Commercial–Broadway SkyTrain station.
Why Visit John Hendry Park?
- Freshwater Swimming: It's the only park in Vancouver with a lifeguarded freshwater beach, offering a different experience from the city's ocean beaches.
- Vibrant Farmers Market: Home to one of the city's largest and most popular farmers markets every Saturday (typically May to October).
- A Community Hub: With a modern community centre, ice rink, sports fields, and picnic areas, the park is always buzzing with local life.
- Dog-Friendly: A large, designated off-leash area at the north end of the lake makes it a paradise for dogs.
What to See & Do
- Relax at Trout Lake Beach: Enjoy sunbathing on the sand or take a dip in the lake. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months.
- Visit the Farmers Market: Browse for fresh local produce, prepared foods, and crafts from dozens of vendors.
- Walk the Lakeside Trail: A scenic trail loops around the entire lake, perfect for a relaxing walk or jog.
- Play Sports: The park features numerous tennis courts, basketball courts, and sports fields.
- Enjoy a Picnic: There are plenty of grassy areas and designated picnic spots, some with public BBQs.
Food & Drink Options
- Park Concession: A concession stand near the beach operates during the summer.
- Farmers Market: On Saturdays, the market is a fantastic place to grab lunch from a variety of food trucks and vendors.
- Commercial Drive: The park is a short walk from "The Drive," one of Vancouver's best neighbourhoods for cafes, restaurants, and gelaterias.
Pro Tips & Local Insights
- Check Water Quality: Before swimming, it's always a good idea to check the latest water quality reports from the Vancouver Park Board, as the beach can occasionally close.
- A Park with Two Names: While most locals call it Trout Lake, the park's official name, John Hendry Park, honours the early lumber industrialist whose family donated the land to the city in 1926.
- Festival of Lanterns: If you're visiting in late summer, don't miss the Illuminares Lantern Festival, a magical community event held in the park.
Nearby Attractions (Transit-Friendly)
- Commercial Drive: Just a 10-minute walk away, "The Drive" is a vibrant neighbourhood known for its Italian heritage, eclectic shops, and lively cafes.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: NoJohn Hendry Park (Trout Lake) Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Thursday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Address: 3300 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC V5N 4M4, Canada
Phone: (604) 873-7000
Official Website: John Hendry Park (Trout Lake)
John Hendry Park (Trout Lake) Reviews
Rated out of 5
This is a beautiful city park with lots of parking around this park. It has a free run dog park in the northern beach.
The southern beach park are open for swimming in summer.
The views are beautiful all year round. It's good having a long of short walk around the lake or a half lake.
There are lots of people come here for fall colours.
wah chi yip - 7 months ago
It's a beautiful park near the city, offering serene views and a peaceful atmosphere. Whether you're looking to go for a gentle walk, have a picnic, or just enjoy some quiet time by the water, this place is perfect. The trails are well-maintained and provide easy access to enjoy the natural beauty. It's also a great spot to relax near the water and a very good place for the kids to play in the playground nearby. The park is clean and well cared for, making it an ideal location for family outings or a solo adventure. It's definitely worth a visit if you like the outdoors and want to reconnect with nature.
Tony - 11 months ago
Wonderful Vancouver City park located along Victoria Drive between 13th Avenue and 19th Avenue, for both visitors and residents alike. Kid and dog friendly. You will meet the nicest people there.
Terrance O'Hearn - 3 months ago
Very lovely and great place to spend the day. The beach is nice and we did see some people swimming but the park itself it perfect for a leisurely stroll. We saw a lot of happy dogs with their humans. Daughter and I were at the farmers market and there were a lot of interesting stalls and food trucks. The port a potties near the farmers market are really indescribably bad. No paper, water is non functional and potty super dirty. Hand sanitizer is provided. A better option are the clean and bountiful washrooms at the arena which is a ten minute walk through the park. It’s best to plan ahead so you are in close proximity to these nice facilities when the need arises, but, if you gotta go…..
Jane Darling - a year ago
This is such a nice park, met a good friend here today there was lots of parking available. All the cherry blossoms were coming out, the back side of the lake where the boardwalks used to be were a bit flooded still and the whole park was still kinda muddy, I noticed lots of people not picking up after there dogs. That's really annoying! There is a sandy beach on far right side and trails that go all the way around with lots of fields nice view of the mountains. This place definitely takes me back. Spent lots of time here with good friends.
Russell Toopitson - a year ago
Directions
| SkyTrain Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Expo or Millennium Line | Commercial–Broadway Station | ~10 Minutes |
| Expo Line | Nanaimo Station | ~9 Minutes |
How to get to John Hendry Park (Trout Lake) by SkyTrain
From Commercial–Broadway Station, walk one block east on E Broadway to Victoria Drive, then turn right. Walk south for about 10 minutes to E 15th Avenue, where you'll see the park entrance.
Alternatively, from Nanaimo Station (Expo Line), walk north on Nanaimo Street to E 22nd Avenue. Turn left and walk west into the south side of the park. This route has a slightly shorter walk.
Map & Instant Route Finder
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Accommodations near John Hendry Park (Trout Lake):
Photo Gallery
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A beautiful fall evening at Trout Lake with Grouse Mountain rising up the background cc licensed photo by Michael Nugent -
Dogs enjoying a swim in Trout Lake in Vancouver -
A couple enjoying a quiet picnic in the park cc licensed photo by Ruth Hartnup -
There are plenty walking paths meandering through the greenspace in John Hendry Park
Video
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