Deas Island is a nature park located on an island in Delta, by the Fraser River.  Deas Island Regional park is a peaceful place for a picnic, quiet walk, kayak, or family BBQ.  In 1873  John Sullivan Deas ran a Salmon Cannery on the Island.  It processed more Salmon than any other on the Fraser River. Today, it is a tranquil park, the fraser river on one side, with clear views of the coastal mountains, and the inner slough on the other. There is ample free parking, washrooms, several historic buildings, a rowing clubhouse, individual and reservable large group picnic areas as well as very well signed trails through the forest. There is over 6 km of walking and biking trails on the island.  Its accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, and pet friendly. Bring your own food and drinks, there are no restaurants or stores on the island. 

 

Deas Island has been a family favourite for years. We have had many special picnics, and sunset walks through the shaded paths there.  I love how near to the city it is, but how incredibly quiet and peaceful it is, when we want to beat the crowds, this is our go-to.  The lighting was just gorgeous the last time we went, with the water looking a beautiful shade of jade green. We had a nice picnic, watched the rowers practice, and then took a look at the free VANCOUVER TRAILS SITE and saw that you can walk to the spot where the Massey tunnel goes under the water to Richmond. (we love Vancouver Trails because it is operated and updated by locals in Vancouver, and it is free, has pictures and is really simple to use) 

It was kinda cool to see the cars entering the tunnel, but just see quiet water above, weird to think of the hundreds of cars passing under our feet. We ended the evening with some sweet photography gems of the sunset over the slough.

 

Hiking, walking, cycling, horseback riding,  dogwalking, bird watching, BBQ fire rings,  picnic tables, Reservable large covered areas, fishing, dock, boat launch, Heritage buildings and raised lookout platform. (best spot for your insta sunset pic) Deas Island is home to the Delta Deas Rowing Club. This stretch of water is considered the best place to practice rowing in the province. The small pier was constructed by the Canadian Summer Olympic committee to train. It is naturally sheltered all year round, with no current and runs in a straight line for 1500 meters. If you want to learn to row, check out the Delta Deas Rowing Club WEBSITE.  It look like a lot of fun and great excersize. If you decide to kayak or paddleboard off the dock here, keep an eye out for the row boats which move very quickly through the water. There is a recreational use schedule posted in the park. Fishing is permitted of the shores of Deas Island, with a Tidal Sport Fishing Licence. Get one HERE

We have seen folks pull coho salmon here, and legend has it that the mighty sturgeon are there to be found.

Bring a pair of binocolers if you are a bird watcher, there are Bald Eagles, Hawks, Wrens, herons and Great Horned Owls. Look out for frogs and otters too.

*note- it is not advised to swim in this area, although the Fraser is beautiful to look at it has a very strong undercurrent particularly in this spot. The slough side although still, has bullrush reeds and underwater vegetation. 

 

Gates open from 7am-10 pm every day June – September, 8 pm close in the winter months.