From neighbourhood green spaces to world-ranked sanctuaries, Vancouver's parks are treasured, and more importantly, used. They are the backyard of the city - places like Pacific Spirit Park where residents walk the dog and Capilano River Park where they take the kids to learn about salmon. They are where people walk and picnic and play. They are the romantic places where love begins and they are the pretty places like Queen Elizabeth Park where bridal couples take their wedding photos. They are Lynn Canyon where hikers challenge themselves physically and they are Lighthouse Park a place to pull up a log and watch the boats sail by. There are hundreds of parks within the metro area.
Learn More About Highlight Parks in Vancouver:
Stanley Park
Queen Elizabeth Park
Lighthouse Park
Capilano River Park and Salmon Hatchery
Pacific Spirit Park
Lynn Canyon Park Stanley Park
Stanley Park hosts eight million visitors a year. With 405 ha/1000 ac this oasis of tranquillity has room for them all, a park for all seasons and many reasons.
Within walking distance of downtown hotels, Stanley Park is the place to go for an afternoon. Walk, cycle or rollerblade the 8.8 km/5.5 mi seawall that circumnavigates the park and provides unforgettable ocean, mountain and city views. Or spend a week exploring its 27 km/17 mi of forested trails, two fresh water lakes and many activities.
What's special? - A free shuttle does pick-ups and drop-offs from 15 points of interest during the summer months.
- The Vancouver Aquarium, Canada's largest aquarium facility, is located in the heart of the park.
- Painter's Circle – art in the park.
- Great Blue Herons and Bald Eagles nest in the top branches of old growth cedar, hemlock and fir.
- Tennis courts, a pitch and putt golf course and playing fields.
- Brockton Point totem poles.
- Playground and Children's Farm.
- Heated pool at Second Beach, spray-pool at Lumberman's Arch and beach bathing at Second and Third Beaches.
- Miniature train carries 200,000 happy passengers over trestles, through tunnels and back to the station through an enchanting forest. In October it morphs into "The Ghost Train" for Halloween fun then lights up the night with its "Bright Nights" Christmas display during December.
- TUTS – Theatre Under the Stars – a musical theatre tradition at Malkin Bowl each summer.
- Four full-service restaurants and several concessions.
- Rose and Perennial gardens.
More information?
Stanley Park Site
Queen Elizabeth Park
Perched on the hill that marks the highest point in the city, this urban park with its manicured gardens is a first choice location for wedding photographers.
What's special? - The Quarry Gardens – an excavation site that was reborn as the dramatic setting for seasonally cultivated gardens.
- Bloedel Conservatory – a glass-covered dome celebrating all that is tropical – Koi fish, plants, trees and over 100 free-flying tropical birds.
- The Arboretum – an expanding collection of some 1500 specimen trees.
- Painter's Corner – displays the work of local landscape painters and portrait artists.
- Expanses of green space and mature broad-leafed shade trees that encourage picnics and gatherings and lazy afternoons with a good book.
- Athletic activities: lawn bowling, tennis and Tai Chi in the morning.
- A par 3 pitch and putt golf course in a park setting.
- A full-service, upmarket restaurant with magnificent views of the city.
Close to?
Cambie and 33rd Avenue, just minutes from downtown Vancouver.
More information?
Queen Elizabeth Park Site
Lighthouse Park
Point Atkinson Lighthouse is a beacon for boaters and a classic shot for photographers. It is just a ten-minute walk from the parking lot.
A network of connecting trails (10 km/ 6.2 mi) explore the park: rocky shorelines of bays and coves; dense old-growth forests; and granite outcrops that are 96 to 187 million years old. Situated on a promontory, the park provides exceptional views: Stanley Park and the city to the east; Bowen Island and the Strait of Georgia to the west.
It's the place to pull up a log, get comfortable and watch the boats go by – pretty sailboats, stately cruise ships and hardworking little tugs pulling barges bigger than apartment buildings. Sunsets? Lighthouse Park has the best view in the city.
Close to?
The park is accessed off Marine Drive in West Vancouver, about 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver.
More information?
Lighthouse Park Site
Capilano River Park and Salmon Hatchery
Capilano River Park is another of Vancouver's urban wilderness parks that while set in the midst of a residential area, preserves its wild side for animals and people alike.
What's special? - The salmon hatchery rears and releases millions of coho salmon and steelhead fry. On their migratory return, the adult salmon struggle past viewing windows set into the fish ladders. The ladders assist them up and over the dam. It's an unusual perspective, being literally face to face with these fish who are completing their journey against all odds. There is no charge to visit the display.
- Cleveland Dam is crucial to the city's water supply, regulating the flow of water over a spillway that offers a great view to visitors who walk across the dam.
- The Capilano Pacific Trail runs 7.5 km/4.5 mi down the canyon to Ambleside Park where the river empties into the Pacific Ocean. The second-growth evergreens and predominance of ferns on the forest floor are pure west coast rainforest. It's a beautiful hike in any weather as the dense canopy makes the best kind of umbrella.
Close to?
The park is about 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver, located in North Vancouver off Capilano Road.
Pacific Spirit Park
This massive green space is beloved for its dense canopy of interconnecting deciduous and coniferous trees. Trails are springy with a mulch that has been laid down over centuries, making it the best place in the city for a walk or a run or a ride. Dogs love it too!
Located on the west side of the city, the park separates and wraps itself around the University of BC. As it does, it touches the Fraser River, the Strait of Georgia and Burrard Inlet. There are 73 km/45 mi of interconnecting trails covering a diverse terrain that includes rainforest, marshland and sandy beaches. At its eastern end the park extends into Camosum Bog, a 12,000-year-old ecosystem.
Close to?
The best way to approach the park for the first time is to pick up a map and get oriented at the Park Centre located at 4915 West 16th.
Lynn Canyon Park
Lynn Canyon Park wraps itself around the deep gorge carved out of the mountains by Lynn Creek. Extending into the gorge, a suspension bridge sways some 17 storeys (50 m/164 ft) over the creek, crashing through the canyon below.
It is the route of choice to the other side – and free of charge. But for the faint of heart,a fixed bridge crosses the canyon downstream at Twin Falls. It also connects with the system of well-marked trails that offer routes for all abilities. Also of interest are the interpretive displays at the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre.
Close to?
The park is about 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver, located in North Vancouver off Lynn Valley Road.
More information?
Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre