Top 10 Parks in Vancouver that You Must Visit

Judy Houghton
8 Min Read

If you're looking for an outdoor escape, Vancouver is home to some of the best parks in North America. From towering forests to seaside cliffs, these ten parks offer something for everyone. 

Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to read a book or an exciting place to explore with your kids, Vancouver's parks have you covered. And if you want to discover even more exciting activities you can browse our extensive selection in Vancouver!

Stanley Park

Stanley Park is one of the largest urban parks in Canada, located in the heart of Downtown Vancouver. 

This park is a great place for everyone to enjoy the outdoors. It is especially popular with cyclists, as there are many bicycle trails throughout the park.

stanley park

However, if you're up for a stroll there are several walking trails, which wind through the forest and offer stunning views of the cityscape. 

Stanley Park is also home to a number of sculptures and monuments, as well as the Vancouver Aquarium and the Nine O’Clock Gun.

stanley park rock

When you visit you have a good chance to see a variety of wildlife, including squirrels, coyotes, and raccoons.

coyote

Whether you're looking to explore nature or simply take in the sights, Stanley Park is a great place to visit!

Queen Elizabeth Park

One of Vancouver's most popular parks to enjoy gorgeously-landscaped quarry gardens and blooming plants is Queen Elizabeth Park

The park is one of the most beautiful places in the city, and it's a world-class public space.

queen elizabeth park

In the middle of it lies a beautiful Bloedel Conservatory. A magnificent glass dome with tropical plants from all over the world is a spectacular sight.

From the top of the conservatory, visitors may enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the park, city, and mountains.

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Lynn Canyon

Lynn Canyon Park is a popular destination among tourists and locals of Lynn Valley. It's a great place where you can hike and learn about Vancouver’s ecosystem. 

lynn canyon_path

At 50 meters (160ft) above the canyon, the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is the main draw and offers access to hiking trails as well as amenities like the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre

Park has an extensive trail system that offers both uphill and downhill slopes with wooden boardwalks, stairs, or elevations that allow for the natural passage of wildlife.

This pristine area provides the perfect escape from your ordinary surroundings while still allowing you to get some exercise!

lynn canyon bridge

A few other features make this place worth checking out: there are several viewpoints where you can take pictures looking down into kayakers' paradise or gaze upward at sky-high waterfalls.

Pacific Spirit Regional Park

The great outdoors awaits at Pacific Spirit Regional Park. 54 kilometers (34 miles) of trails through beautiful scenery that will make your heart sing!

Pacific_Spirit_Regional_Park

You can take an easy three-hour hike, and explore all the areas by walking on paths that wind their way through beautiful scenery and offer spectacular views of nature along the route!

Whether you're a runner, cyclist, or horseback rider there's plenty of room to explore here. You'll find multiple trails that are perfect for your specific activity!

pacific spirit regional

Oh, yes! The best part about this park?

You can take your dog out too! There are many multi-use paths where pets are welcome.

John Hendry Park (Trout Lake Park)

The Trout Lake Community Centre is a great place for family walks and playtime activities. The small sandy beach offers off-leash dog runs, making it one of Vancouver’s favorite places to take Fido on relaxing summer nights.

In addition, there are so many things that make John Hendry Park an excellent destination. This location has a wide range of activities that can be done both indoors as well as outdoors.

john hendry park

Walking trails with great views along Vancouver’s North Shore Mountains, great children's playground, a small sandy beach, softball, basketball and tennis courts, Trout Lake Rink, and the Trout Lake Community Centre

It’s one of the nicest and most popular parks within the City of Vancouver, especially during the summertime.

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Capilano Suspension Bridge & Park

If you're looking to take an adventure that will make your heart pound, then look no further than Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is an iconic and most popular tourist attraction in Vancouver. The reason it's so popular?

It offers visitors a unique mix of adventure, history, and culture. Inside the park, you can find 3 main attractions: Capilano Suspension BridgeTreetops Adventure, and Cliffwalk.

capilano suspension park

The majestic 450-foot-long Suspension Bridge is a sight to behold as it swings back and forth above the Capilano River. Visitors can enjoy tremendous views of both lush forest floors below or crystal clear waters in between mountains on either side, all while being suspended 230 feet up.

On Treetops Adventure, you can cross 7 suspension footbridges offering views 110 feet above the forest floor.

Cliffwalk is a series of narrow bridges, stairs, and platforms that follow along the Capilano River. The granite precipice it's built on has only 16 anchor points supporting this structure!

capilano suspension park bridge

The lush forests and breathtaking views make Capilano Suspension Bridge Park an adventure that you won't want to miss!

Jericho Beach Park

Jericho Beach is without a doubt one of Vancouver’s most beautiful seaside locations.

With its small pond, grass lawns, trees, and picnic tables it's a perfect place for those who want to enjoy their day at the beach with family or friends. But there's plenty more than just sunbathing!

jericho beach park

The east side of the beach caters to swimmers and the west side to sailboats and windsurfers.

The abundance of green space makes this a popular destination for people, who come to walk, run or bike along the water's edge.

The area also has sports fields, tennis, and beach volleyball courts that are perfect if you're looking forward to an active lifestyle with your family!

Jericho Beach Vancouver

The adorable and lively presence of bunnies at Jericho Beach is often noticed by visitors. The area appears to be full of colorful creatures, some of them are small or large enough that they could hop across your plate!

VanDusen Botanical Garden

Exploring VanDusen Botanical Garden is like taking a journey through 7500 plant species and varieties from all around the world! Spotting local birds won't be hard with its lush interior that's full of life.

You can find a collection of several sculptures, including fountains, sited throughout themed gardens.

VanDusen botanica

Inside this botanical oasis, you can visit Meditation GardenVegetable GardenAlma Vandusen GardenStone GardenMazeLivingstone Lake, and seasonal winter Festival of Lights.

VanDusen is a place where you can always find something going on, from public art displays and lectures to seasonal flower displays, family activities, and courses.

Check the VanDusen website to see what event would you like to plan for yourself and your family.

VanDusen garden

There are plenty more surprises waiting for those who explore this 55-acre oasis, such as dining at Garden Cafe at VanDusen or Shaughnessy Restaurant on-site while enjoying views.

vandusen maze
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Ambleside Park

What better way to spend your summer days than at the beach? Ambleside has some great scenic views and is perfect for long walks year-round.

The great thing about Ambleside Park is that it offers so much to do. There are fields for playing both basketball and football, a skatepark, a pier, and plenty of children's play areas.

amble side park

This park is also great if you are a dog owner - the off-leash area is 3.52 hectares of grassy areas, trails, and a dog beach where your furry friend can get some fresh air while you enjoy the nice weather at one of their many picnic areas!

One of the beautiful coasts in Vancouver is waiting for you to enjoy its breathtaking sunsets and magnificent views. Visit Ambleside Park and enjoy the views of English BayLions Gate Bridge, and the Vancouver City!

Lighthouse Park

Lighthouse Park is one of the most scenic parks in Greater Vancouver, located on a stretch that overlooks West Van's ocean views.

The lighthouse at Point Atkinson is one of the most photographed and recognizable landmarks in all Lower Mainland.

lighthouse park sunset

While the lighthouse itself cannot be accessed by the public, the park has awesome lookout points that give you amazing views of the area - some of them are Juniper PointWest Beach and Eagle Point

The breathtaking views of Lighthouse Park are not just limited to the scenic beauty. You may spot various wildlife from the viewpoints, such as various birds, geese, ducks, seals and even whales!

lighthouse park 2

Visitors can enjoy a variety of trails that pass through old-growth Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir trees. The path is easy-to-go up hills but has some short drops as well, making it perfect for all abilities!

To Sum It All Up

Vancouver is truly a nature lover's paradise with an abundance of stunning parks and outdoor spaces to explore. From Stanley Park's towering forests to Lighthouse Park's breathtaking ocean views, there is something for everyone in this beautiful city.

Whether you're looking for a peaceful escape or an exciting adventure, Vancouver's parks offer a wide range of activities and experiences. So, pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to explore all that Vancouver has to offer!

If you liked these ideas, be sure hop into our activity browser for even more fantastic things to do in Vancouver!

Judy Houghton
Content Manager

With over 15 years of experience in content creation, she has worked in various roles, including writer, editor, and content strategist, at multiple organizations. Apart from managing the content team at ActiviFinder since 2022, Judy loves to curate and write her own content, focusing on her passions for outdoor adventures, sustainable travel, and family-friendly activities.

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