Terra Nova Rural Park is easiest to reach from Richmond by car or taxi. It sits in the northwest corner of Lulu Island, at the west end of River Road in the Thompson area, so the trip depends a lot on where in Richmond you start.
Finding the right end of Terra Nova
The Terra Nova area has more than one access point, which trips people up. The rural park is along the West Dyke Trail at the west end of River Road, and the address commonly used for it is 2340 River Road. The City of Richmond lists free parking at the western end of River Road.
A separate piece of Terra Nova, the Natural Area, has its own address at 2700 Westminster Highway, west of No. 1 Road off Barnard Drive. Its gravel lot holds only about 10 cars. Enter the park by name or by the River Road address in your navigation app and check that the pin lands where you expect before you set off.
Planning the drive from Richmond
Drive times vary with the starting neighbourhood and with traffic, so use a navigation app for a live estimate. Both access points are in the northwest of the island, so heading toward the Thompson area gets you in the right region. Check DriveBC for closures if you are crossing town at a busy time.
- Wear sturdy shoes, since dyke trails and field edges get muddy after rain.
- Bring water and insect repellent in summer.
- Agree on a meeting point near the lot if you are joining friends.
Transit and taxi options
No bus route is listed here, because the right connection depends on your address. The TransLink trip planner will show whether a route gets near the River Road end or the Westminster Highway site. If it shows a long walk, a taxi is the practical answer.
The Vancouver taxi page covers service across the region, and the Uber estimate calculator shows a rough rideshare price. Tell the driver which entrance you want, since the two sites are not next to each other. Confirm any fare when you book.