Delta: Nature, Trails and History

Delta is a destination where natural areas, trails and regional history offer distinct points of interest. When choosing a hotel, you can first decide which themes you want to shape your stay: trails and several types of outdoor activity at Watershed Park, wetlands and birdlife, or historic sites and exhibitions. The destinations below provide specific points of reference. The connection between Ladner and Tsawwassen via the Barns to Beaches Bike Route also offers a different focus from a stay centred mainly on the Discovery Centre or rural heritage.

Nature and Landscapes in Delta

Burns Bog is home to 175 bird species, 41 mammal species, 11 amphibian species, 6 reptile species and about 4,000 invertebrate species. Burns Bog is notable for its diverse wildlife.

The George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary lies in the heart of the Fraser River Estuary. It covers nearly 300 hectares of managed wetlands, natural marshes and low dikes, and is located in Delta. Boundary Bay Regional Park surrounds Boundary Bay, an internationally recognized Important Bird Area on the Pacific Flyway. Wetlands and a significant bird area are therefore central themes alongside the region’s other landscapes.

Deas Island Regional Park is also defined by its location: it lies on the Fraser River and Deas Slough. When comparing Delta’s natural destinations, you can distinguish between the Fraser River Estuary, Boundary Bay and the waters around Deas Island Regional Park, rather than treating them as a single landscape.

Compare Trails and Routes

Watershed Park is the largest park in Delta. It has eleven kilometres of gravel trails for cycling, hiking, jogging and horseback riding. People of all ages use the trails year-round. For trip planning, the park thus provides both a specific trail-length figure and several named activities.

The scenic Barns to Beaches Bike Route is a 16-kilometre route connecting Ladner and Tsawwassen. The scenic Ladner Millennium Trail has a different destination: this trail connects Ladner with Deas Island Regional Park. The two names can therefore be distinguished by their stated endpoints: the bike route runs between Ladner and Tsawwassen, while the trail leads to Deas Island Regional Park.

Delta Nature Reserve has around 4.5 kilometres of trails. The length figures refer to different places and types of routes: gravel trails in Watershed Park, a bike route between two communities, and trails in the Nature Reserve. So for comparison, the number alone is not what matters; it is also important to consider which of the described trail types and destinations suit your travel interests.

History and Heritage

The Douglas J. Husband Discovery Centre brings together original objects, digital experiences and stories about Delta’s history. This accessible venue also offers free guided tours, where experts share more about the region’s history. If you plan to join a tour, check the current times in advance. A water table at the Centre shows how the Delta region was formed more than 9,000 years ago, adding a very long-term perspective to the historical themes.

The Delta's Rural Heritage Driving Tour features a selection of historically significant rural buildings and sites in Delta. For another way to explore regional heritage, the Delta Heritage Passport – Volume 1 lists historic sites in Delta marked with a commemorative plaque or interpretive sign.

The Delta Heritage Passport – Volume 2 covers Annieville and Sunbury in North Delta. The two volumes therefore focus on different parts of the region: Volume 1 leads to marked historic sites in Delta, while Volume 2 covers the communities of Annieville and Sunbury in North Delta. Together with the selection of rural buildings and sites on the Rural Heritage Driving Tour and the exhibitions at the Discovery Centre, they provide a specific overview of different historical themes for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Burnaby, Surrey, Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Bowen Island, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Langley

For the broader travel overview: Metro Vancouver.