Where is the best place to park when visiting Bell Park?

The main parking lot is located off Paris Street near the Elizabeth Street entrance. There's also limited street parking along Paris Street and additional parking near the Science North entrance during off-peak hours.

Is the Bell Park boardwalk accessible for wheelchairs and strollers?

Yes, the boardwalk is fully paved and wheelchair accessible. The path is wide, well-maintained, and relatively flat, making it suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, and mobility devices year-round.

What other attractions are near Bell Park?

Bell Park is adjacent to Science North and Dynamic Earth. The area also features the Jim Gordon Boardwalk, several beaches, tennis courts, a playground, and the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre which hosts summer concerts.

Hidden Gem: Bell Park's Boardwalk at Sunset

Why This Spot Deserves Your Attention

This post covers the optimal way to experience sunset at Bell Park's boardwalk along Ramsey Lake in Greater Sudbury. Locals know the view rivals anything found in provincial parks, yet most visitors miss it entirely. The boardwalk offers a 1.2-kilometer accessible pathway with unobstructed western sightlines across the water, making it one of the most photogenic (and free) evening activities in the city.

The Logistics

The boardwalk stretches from the Bell Park Amphitheatre (accessible via Paris Street) to the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area trailhead. Parking is available in two locations: the Bell Park lot off Paris Street holds approximately 60 vehicles, while the Science North overflow lot (200 Ramsey Lake Road) offers additional spaces during peak summer evenings. Both lots are free after 6:00 PM.

During July and August, sunset times in Sudbury range between 8:45 PM and 9:15 PM EDT. Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled sunset to catch the golden hour when the nickel-mining history of the region seems to tint the sky with copper hues.

What to Bring

Bug spray: The lakeside location means blackflies and mosquitoes are active from May through early September.
Layered clothing: Temperatures can drop 5–10 degrees Celsius within an hour of sunset, even in midsummer.
A camera: The view frames Science North's iconic snowflake building against the western hills.

The Route

Start at the amphitheatre end and walk south toward the conservation area. The boardwalk features eight designated viewing platforms with benches positioned at optimal angles. Platform 4 (marked with a brass plaque) sits directly west and offers the clearest sightline. The full walk takes 15–20 minutes at a leisurely pace.

Nearby Amenities

Washrooms are located at the amphitheatre and remain open until 10:00 PM from June through Labour Day. The Fromagerie Elgin cheese shop (at the corner of Paris and Elgin) closes at 7:00 PM on weekdays—perfect for grabbing a picnic before heading to the park.

"The best part isn't the sunset itself—it's the 20 minutes after, when the tourists leave and the loons start calling across Ramsey Lake."

When to Go

September delivers the most dramatic displays. The angle of the sun aligns perfectly with the boardwalk's trajectory, and the cooler air reduces atmospheric haze. The third week of September typically sees sunset between 7:15 PM and 7:30 PM EDT.

Winter offers a different experience entirely. The boardwalk remains plowed and accessible year-round, and the low angle of the setting sun creates long shadows across the frozen lake surface. Dress for wind chill factors that regularly hit -25°C in January.

Final Notes

The City of Greater Sudbury maintains a live camera feed from the boardwalk available at greatersudbury.ca/livecams. Check it before driving out on questionable weather evenings. The pathway is wheelchair accessible and well-lit until 11:00 PM year-round.