Free things to do in North Vancouver

10 places in North Vancouver with free entry or no charge, based on guide listings and map data.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

See
Capilano Fish Hatchery
This is a working fish hatchery on the Capilano River within Capilano River Regional Park. There are many displays about salmon and the glass walls allow you to see the salmon jumping up the ladder during spawning season (roughly July to November). Within the park, there are many hiking trails and a picnic area at the Cleveland Dam.
Open daily spring/summer: 8AM - 9PM; at other times: 8AM - duskFree
Do
Capilano River Regional Park
26 km of hiking trails mostly set in the rain forest along the Capilano River canyon. Trails are up and down with occasional steep sections. The Second Canyon Viewpoint Trail (starts near the fish hatchery) provides some stellar views of the canyon and Cleveland Dam in spring when water levels are high.
June-Aug 7AM-10PM, Sept-May 7AM-8PMFree
See
Cates Park
Good-sized community park with beaches, views, play areas and trails. The western part of the park has a sand and pebble beach with views of the Second Narrows Bridge, Burnaby Mountain, Burrard Inlet and the entrance to Indian Arm. There are a number of picnic tables, grassy areas and two playgrounds for children. In summer, there's a concession stand (Wally's Burgers). Easy to walk trails through the forest along the shore lead to the eastern part of the park, which has another playground, tennis courts, rocky beach and views of Indian Arm.
6AM-10PMFree
See
Cleveland Dam
Located within Capilano River Regional Park. A good spot to take in the view. Looking north from the dam are the Lions and Capilano Lake, while south is the nearly 300 ft high spillway from the dam and Capilano Canyon. There are also some picnic tables nearby. The dam was built to build a reservoir for Metro Vancouver's drinking water and has appeared in TV shows (Smallville) and movies (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes).
Free
See
Lynn Canyon Park
A great little park set on the forested slopes of Lynn Creek. The main draw is the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, which is shorter, less busy but almost as high as the more noted Capilano Suspension Bridge. The bridge connects to hiking trails on the both sides of the creek, with a common 20-30 minute hike being a loop that crosses the suspension bridge and follows the canyon down to Twin Falls. The creek is a popular swimming spot in the summer with pools above the suspension bridge and below Twin Falls. But be careful if swimming — the water is icy cold (it is snow melt, after all) and read the warning signs; there are deaths almost every year.
Open daily 7AM-duskFree
Do
Maplewood Flats
A conservation area and popular birders' destination on Burrard Inlet. A restored mix of deciduous forest, meadow and wetland supports local wildlife and migratory birds. There are about 3 km of trails (mostly wheelchair accessible) and some benches and platforms to take in the view.
6AM-10PMFree
Do
Mount Seymour Provincial Park
Provincial park with 14 hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty, from a couple of km to 14 km (all distances round trip). Sights include views of Greater Vancouver, lakes, forest trails and climbing some peaks. The trail to Dinky Bluff is under 1 km with a small elevation gain and provides views of the Lower Mainland. Dog Mountain is a popular trail with views of Vancouver and the Seymour River valley. The trail is rolling and mostly in forest until you reach the bluff, distance is about 6 km roundtrip. Another popular but more difficult trail is to the top of Mount Seymour. Return distance is 8 km and the elevation gain is 450 m. Hikers are rewarded at the top with panoramic views of the Lower Mainland, the North Shore Mountains, and on clear days, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Most trails are accessed from the north end of Parking Lot 4 (the parking lot at the end of the road). There are also information boards with trail maps at a few of the parking lots along the access road (including the main trailheads at Parking Lot 4). Most trails are not open in winter due to the snowy conditions and the operations of the ski resort.
Free
See
Park and Tilford Gardens
Well maintained and pleasant garden in the southwest corner of the Park & Tilford shops. From the entrance, it doesn't look large, but there are eight themed gardens blended together with over 300 plants. The gardens include: the Oriental Garden, the White Garden, the Rock Pool, the Native Garden, the Herb Garden, the Display Garden, the Colonade Garden and the Rose Garden. During December, the garden opens at night for a Christmas lights display and a room with Santa Claus. Opened in 1969, the garden was a gift to North Vancouver from the distillery that owned the land, and a promotional tool for the distillery's liquor. The distillery is long gone now but the garden is still enjoyed.
Open until duskFree
See
Victoria Park
Lovely midtown park with walking paths, gardens, and several sculptures and other pieces of public art. On the east end is a Cold War air raid siren that was saved from removal and preserved as a municipal heritage site.
Free
See
Wildlife Refuge
The purpose-built enclosure to house Coola and Grinder, two grizzly bear cubs that were orphaned. There are periodic ranger talks about the bears and feeding sessions.
spring through fall 9:30AM-duskFree

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to North Vancouver (CC BY-SA 4.0).