Indian Arm facts for kids
Indian Arm is a long, narrow body of saltwater, like a deep valley filled with the ocean. It's a type of fjord found right next to the city of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. This amazing natural area was carved out by huge glaciers during the last Ice Age.
Indian Arm stretches north from Burrard Inlet. It sits between the towns of Belcarra on the east and the District of North Vancouver on the west. Further north, it opens into wild, mountainous areas. Captain George Vancouver first mapped Burrard Inlet and the entrance to Indian Arm in June 1792. A few days later, Dionisio Alcalá Galiano fully explored the arm.
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Exploring Indian Arm's Geography
Indian Arm is a saltwater fjord that goes about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north from Burrard Inlet. There are no bridges or roads that cross it. Roads only reach the towns at the southern end of the arm. The mountains here are very steep and hard to get through. This means most of the area has stayed wild, even though it's close to a big city.
At the very north end of the arm, you'll find the Indian River. There's a small dock there. You can reach this spot by boat from the Vancouver area. Or, you can get there by a logging road from Squamish.
Beautiful Scenery and Fun Attractions
The sides of Indian Arm are either covered in thick forests or have tall, bare granite cliffs. The water is narrow, and the mountains rise steeply right out of the sea on both sides.
You can see several waterfalls along the arm. The biggest one is Granite Falls, located at the north end on the east side. Spray of Pearls Falls is in the northwest corner at Wigwam Creek. Silver Falls is on the western side at Elsay Creek. Many other unnamed waterfalls appear in spring when the snow melts. In winter, you might even see frozen waterfalls!
When you visit, you might spot some cool wildlife. Look for seals, bald eagles, herons, and black bears. Every odd-numbered year (like 2023, 2025), a large group of pink salmon runs starts in July and lasts until October. This is a great time to see salmon and bears, especially near the Indian River estuary in the northwest part of the inlet.
Parks and Outdoor Fun
Indian Arm Provincial Park covers large parts of both sides of the fjord. It also includes Racoon and Twin Islands. This park is huge, covering about 6,826 hectares (16,867 acres). You can find wilderness campgrounds right by the sea at Bishop Creek (on the west side), Granite Falls, and Twin Islands.
The park is very popular with people who love boating and kayaking. Many day tours also visit the park by charter boat, leaving from places like Granville Island, Port Moody, or Coal Harbour. If you like diving, you can explore the shallow waters around Racoon and Twin Islands.
A challenging hiking trail goes around the edge of Indian Arm. It was finished in 2003. A trail builder named Don McPherson spent many years creating it. He also built the famous Grouse Grind trail up Grouse Mountain.
Other parks are also located around Indian Arm. The BC Hydro Buntzen Lake Recreation Area is next to the southeastern part of Indian Arm Park. Belcarra Regional Park is managed by Metro Vancouver Regional Parks. This park is around Bedwell Bay on the mid-western side of Indian Arm. It also includes the area around Sasamat Lake.
The Baden-Powell Trail is another challenging but well-kept hiking trail. It starts at Panorama Park in Deep Cove. It follows the slopes of the North Shore Mountains on the western side of Indian Arm. The trail ends in Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver.
Other parks along the shores of eastern Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm include Cates Park and Panorama Park in the District of North Vancouver. You can also find Barnet Marine Park in Burnaby, Rocky Point Park (which has a boat launch), Inlet Park and Tidal Park in Port Moody, and Thwaytes Landing Metro Park Reserve.
First Nations History
The Say Nuth Khaw Yum Heritage Park / Indian Arm Provincial Park was created in 1995. This was part of the BC Government's plan to protect natural areas in the Lower Mainland. The park is located in the traditional lands of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
In 1998, the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation and the Government of BC signed an agreement to manage the park together. The management board has an equal number of representatives from both the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation and the BC Government. They work together to manage all parts of the park and heritage area.
Communities You Can Reach by Water
If you head north from Deep Cove, you'll come to Woodlands. This is a community with homes right on the beachfront.
As you go further north, you'll find other cabins, beaches, and areas. These include Thwaites, Alder Point, Bergs, Croker Island, Indian River, Bedwell Bay, Belcarra, Anmore, Buntzen Bay, Jug Island, and Whiskey Cove.
Buntzen Power Stations
There are two old powerhouses along the eastern shore of Indian Arm. They are over 100 years old! Water from Coquitlam Lake travels through a very long tunnel, about 12,775 feet (3,894 meters) long, to Buntzen Lake. Buntzen Lake is about 150 meters (492 feet) above the ocean level in Indian Arm. Large pipes then carry the water from Buntzen Lake down to the two powerhouses on the shores of Indian Arm.
Buntzen No. 1 was built in 1903. It was made by the Vancouver City Light and Power Company. Its job was to create electricity for Vancouver's streetcars. Over the years, more powerful machines were added to it.
Buntzen No. 2 was built in 1912 by the British Columbia Electric Railway. It is located about a quarter mile south of Buntzen No. 1. This powerhouse was designed by a famous English architect named Francis Rattenbury. Today, both stations are controlled remotely by BC Hydro.
The Historic Wigwam Inn
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The Wigwam Inn is located at the very north end of Indian Arm. It first opened in 1910 as a fancy resort and fishing lodge. A daily sternwheeler boat called the Skeena would bring guests and supplies to the inn. Many famous people visited the inn over the years, including very wealthy individuals like oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller.
Today, the Inn is owned and operated by the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. It serves as a special place for club members to visit and stay. The docks at Wigwam Inn are not open to the public.
Images for kids
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A southward view of Indian Arm, taken along the Dilly Dally Loop Trail in Indian Arm Provincial Park
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Satellite photo of the Vancouver region; Indian Arm is in the upper right corner.
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Buntzen No. 1 before additions
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Buntzen No. 2 power plant
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Wigwam Inn
