Among the many things to do in Vancouver, the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park will be one of them (atleast based on TripAdvisor and Google). But if you don't want to shell out $50+ for the entry ticket, you could head on to the Lynn Canyon Park, a free park with its own set of suspension bridges and sights in the North Shore.
The Lynn Canyon Park officially opened to the public in 1912 and has been a popular destination among tourists as well as the local residents of Lynn Valley ever since. From downtown, you can take bus 210 that takes you directly to the park. It is pet-friendly so you can bring your four-legged furry friend if you want to do a hike with your dog.
There are a number of things to do here:
Suspension Bridge
The main attraction, the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge towers 50 meters (160ft) over the canyon. Though it is free, it is not as dramatic as the Capilano Suspension Bridge. However, it does have its own charm!
Baden Powell Trail
This trail crosses the entire North Shore region and passes through Lynn Canyon Park. It is well marked and provides a variety of rugged and smooth sections for novice to advanced hikers. It takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours to hike the section of the Baden Powell Trail that passes through Lynn Canyon Park.
30 Foot Pool & Beyond
On the North side of the suspension bridge the trail to the left leads you North West through the park. A short walk will take you to the popular 30-Foot pool. The 30-foot pool is one of the most popular locations among tourists and locals. It is a very large area with great spots for a picnic and it features a beautiful swimming hole. In the summer months you will find several visitors taking a quick refreshing swim to cool off. Take extra caution as the water is extremely cold, even in the summer months.
After the 30-Foot pool there is a very large stairway. This will take you to the Pipe Bridge, which crosses the canyon and leads to the North entrance of the park at the top of Lynn Valley Road. The stairs also lead you to the Northern region of the park, the Seymour Demonstration Forest and Rice Lake park entrance. If you do not wish to venture into these areas, the trail loops back towards the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge.
Twin Falls Trail
Twin Falls is East of the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge and can be accessed from either side of the bridge. If you do not cross the bridge from the main entrance, proceed east past the Lynn Canyon Café and follow the trail down towards the river. A short walk will take you to the Twin Falls Bridge which offers a beautiful view of a waterfall and large pool below.
If you cross the suspension bridge and would like to get to Twin Falls, follow the boardwalk towards the right after the bridge and then follow the trail East to Twin Falls. There is a sign that will point you in the right direction.
Twin Falls is less accessible than the 30-Foot pool and not as popular among visitors. If you are looking for a quiet place to sit by the river, this is the spot. After the Twin Falls Bridge you can reach the river by climbing down a steep bank. If you cross the river there is a long riverbank with lots of sitting room. The sun will stay most of the day until it drops behind the trees. There are also other short trails further down that will take you to the riverbank.
Lynn Headwaters & Rice Lake
If you are looking for another hike along the river, Lynn Headwaters is nearby and is a nice leisurely walk. There are several great spots to stop along the water for a picnic. It is possible to swim, but is not recommended when the river reaches high levels.
Also nearby is Rice Lake which is accessible by Lynn Canyon Park and Lynn Headwaters. There is lots of parking and its a great place to spend a few hours. A trail circles around the lake and has several different viewpoints of the lake. You will often find that fishing is popular here as the lake is stocked with trout each year. Unfortunately swimming is no longer permitted in Rice Lake.
Lynn Canyon Cafe
What makes nature more fun is food (lol). Fortunately, this park also has its own concession spot. The Lynn Canyon Cafe, located right at the entrance to Lynn Canyon Park, is a great place to stop for a refreshment and a snack before and after you start your day of hiking. It’s a west coast style cafe with beautiful dramatic wooden beams that decorate the interior and exterior of the building.
It used to be pretty crowded pre-COVID, but since then, the cafe as well as the overall park are not as crowded and offer safe social distancing. The Cafe provides some delicious baked goods and excellent menu options including burgers with all the fixings.
The Ecology Centre
The Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm. It is a small center with some history on the ecology of the place and a few small exhibits. However, they do regular programming for children so give them a call to see what is going on!
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