Île Bizard Island
Island in Montreal with parkland and residential areas
Part of Montreal's west island chain, Île Bizard hosts Parc-nature du Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard with forests, cycling trails and wetlands; locals come for birdwatching, picnics and seasonal outdoor activities.
Île Bizard at a Glance#
Address: Île Bizard, L’Île-Bizard-Sainte-Geneviève borough, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Website: https://montreal.ca/
Hours: Parks generally open dawn-dusk
Admission: Free (public parkland)
About Île Bizard#
Île Bizard is an island in the Hochelaga Archipelago that forms part of the city of Montreal, Quebec, and is administered as the borough of L’Île-Bizard-Sainte-Geneviève. The island combines low-density residential areas with significant green space and shoreline.
Notable features include extensive woodland and shoreline parks, maintained trails and local recreational facilities. The island is frequented by residents and day visitors for walking, birdwatching and shoreline access.
Formerly an independent municipality, it became part of Montreal during municipal reorganizations in the early 2000s. Geographically, it lies to the northwest of the Island of Montreal in the Lake of Two Mountains and is reached by road bridges from the island of Montreal.
- Municipal status: Part of the City of Montreal since 2002 and administered within the borough of L’Île-Bizard-Sainte-Geneviève, offering accessible natural areas close to the city.
What to See#
- Bois-de-l’Île-Bizard (nature park): A protected woodland and shoreline nature park that covers a large portion of the island and offers walking trails and seasonal wildlife viewing.
How to Get to Île Bizard#
Île Bizard is northwest of downtown Montréal. By car it is about 20-35 minutes from downtown via Autoroute 40 west and local roads; parking is available in municipal lots. Public transit reaches parts of the island from Montreal’s transit network (STM buses to L’Île-Bizard-Sainte-Geneviève borough); check local STM schedules for current routes and times.
Tips for Visiting Île Bizard#
- If visiting the Parc-nature du Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard, bring binoculars for waterfowl; spring migration is especially lively.
- Allow extra time for the winding roads - the island's lanes can be deceptively slow in summer.
- Check local municipal websites for seasonal closures of certain trails or facilities.
Best Time to Visit Île Bizard#
Late spring through early autumn is best to enjoy the island's natural areas and to see waterfowl; weekends are busiest.
Weather & Climate near Île Bizard#
Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -15°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (982 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -15° - -6° | -17° | 77 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -14° - -4° | -16° | 60 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -8° - 1° | -8° | 63 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 0° - 9° | 2° | 79 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 7° - 18° | 13° | 81 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 12° - 23° | 18° | 89 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 16° - 26° | 21° | 89 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 15° - 25° | 20° | 92 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 10° - 20° | 15° | 89 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 4° - 13° | 7° | 86 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -1° - 6° | -2° | 95 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -10° - -2° | -12° | 82 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
