Lynn Canyon is a popular destination located on the North Shore of Vancouver, British Columbia. It may be best known for the suspension bridge there. This is different from the Capilano Suspension Bridge, which is the longest one in the world. Both are located in a beautiful part of British Columbia and make a great part of a trip itinerary, each offering a different experience.
| Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge | Capilano Suspension Bridge |
|---|---|
| 157 feet long | 450 feet long |
| 164 feet high above the bottom of Lynn Canyon | 230 feet high from the Capilano River |
| Park is 617 acres of forest, including second-growth trees | |
| Built in 1912 | Built in 1882 with hemp ropes and cedar planks, replaced by wire cables in 1903, and rebuilt in 1956 |
| Free | Fee |
| Part of a municipal park (public park) | owned by Capilano Group |
A Kids-Friendly Afternoon in Lynn Canyon Park
My friend and her two kids were visiting Vancouver earlier this month. After losing touch for years, it was a surprise to hear from her. I was happy to get together to catch up and meet her kids. While they invited me to visit Stanley Park and kayaking in Deep Cove, we only managed to go to Lynn Canyon and the Japanese Festival together.
I first picked up my sister and then my friend and her kids before driving to North Vancouver. The exit to Lynn Canyon off Highway 1 is Exit 19 Lynn Valley Road. Following this road takes you to the park. By the time we arrived in the afternoon, the parking lot was already quite full. Still we found a spot and then it was off to the suspension bridge. Our destination was the river.
Here’s a handy list of exits of BC’s highways.
The afternoon was still sunny and the path had generous cover, which made for very interesting patterns on the forest floor. It was a lot of space for the kids to run free in. We scrambled up onto big boulders and walked bouncingly over the suspension bridge single file, which allowed for two-way foot traffic. The bridge was packed both ways and if you were quick, a series of quick selfies was possible. The Lynn Canyon park is open year-round and the slower, quieter times would be great personal photography sessions.
We soon found our way to the river, down from the swimming hole. It was already quite busy with kids running around and playing in the shallow waters. That was great for my friend’s kids and gave us time to chat. We spent the last afternoon hours here, before deciding to go for dinner at Kamei Royal downtown Vancouver. We often ate at the one on Broadway when we were growing up.
Hiking Trails
Lynn Canyon Park has many hiking trails, which we gave a miss that day. The most accessible one is the Lynn Canyon Loop which is 1.4 miles and takes you to the bridge, 30 Foot Pool, and Twin Falls. In the summer, when we went, it can get very busy. While this is generally an easy trail, the stairs can make it more challenging for some people. Dogs on leash are welcomed.
The 30 Foot Pool is very popular swimming hole, with both locals and tourists. Even in the summer months, the water remains cold, though in the hot sun, it makes for a cool break.
The Baden Powell Trail is a hike that takes you through the North Shore. A portion is in Lynn Canyon, which also connects to the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve and Lynn Headwaters Regional Park.
Getting to Lynn Canyon
As a municipal park, Lynn Canyon is accessible by public transportation. Coming from downtown Vancouver, the sea bus will take you to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. From the bus loop, both #228 and #229 drop you off at the Lynn Valley Centre. This is about a 15-minute walk from the park’s main entrance. If you don’t want to walk, you can also transfer to Bus #227, a community shuttle.
The official address is 3690 Park Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7J 3K2, Canada