Things to do in North Vancouver

18 activities, venues and outings in North Vancouver, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

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

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
Do
Deep Cove Kayak
Offers lessons, guided tours, and rents kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards. There are a variety of boat styles to suit your skill level and rentals range from a couple of hours to multi-day kayaking trips up Indian Arm. Reservations are recommended on summer weekends.
Mar Sat-Sun 10AM-dusk, Apr-May Sept-early Oct daily 10AM-dusk, June 9AM-dusk, July-Aug Mon-Fri 9AM-dusk Sat-Sun 8AM-duskStarts at $39 (stand-up paddleboard), $39 (single kayak or canoe), and $59 (double kayak) for two hours
Do
Endless Biking
Rentals, lessons and guided rides. The guided rides range from scenic cross-country (bike rental included) to all-mountain rides (bike rental extra). Rentals range from e-bikes and cruisers to hardtail and full-suspension bikes, and can be booked by the hour or over several days.
9AM-6PMRentals: $35-65 for 4 hours, $50-95 for 24 hours; Guided rides $175-$220 per person (scenic), $275-465 for two riders (all-mountain & gravity tours)
Do
Grouse Mountain
Accessed through the Grouse Mountain Skyride at the northern end of Capilano Road (Exit 14 from Hwy 1 or bus #236 or #232). It is known for its terrain parks (Jib, Rookie and Advanced) and the great views it provides of Vancouver. You can also snowshoe on the trails at the top of the mountain. The ski area is usually open as long as the Skyride is open (9 am to 10 pm). Full day Downhill tickets are $45 (adult), $35 (youth), $35 (seniors) and $20 (child) with discounts for night skiing (4 pm).
Do
Grouse Mountain Regional Park
Features the Grouse Grind, The busiest and best-known hiking trail in the Lower Mainland, the Grind is more of a fitness challenge than an outdoor experience. Nicknamed "Nature's Stairmaster", the 2,830 steps (2.9 km) climb nearly 1,000-m up the forested slopes of Grouse Mountain. There are unfortunately no real views from the trail but it does give a real sense of accomplishment when you break through the trees at the top and see the chalet. Fit hikers can do it in under an hour, the average time is 1.5-2 hours. Good footwear is recommended (no flip-flops), and in the late afternoon, make sure to allow enough time to complete the climb before dusk. Travel is one direction — up. Downhill travel is not permitted for safety reasons so hikers are expected to take the Grouse Mountain Skyride back down. It's possible to take the neighbouring BCMC trail back to the parking lot, but it is easy to miss the turns in that trail and the downhill is very hard on the knees.
Usually open May-Oct from an hour after dawn to a couple of hours before sunset (roughly 6:15AM-7:30PM in summer)Use of the trail is free, the tram ride back down is $15
Do
Indian Arm / Say Nuth Khaw Yum Provincial Park
Indian Arm Provincial Park
Charter a boat or rent a kayak in Deep Cove to explore this nearly 20 km long fjord. Sights include the mountain scenery, the two pumphouses along the eastern shore, and two waterfalls: Silver Falls and Granite Falls. Activities include fishing, crabbing or swimming. There are also three camp sites with minimal facilities within the park if you wish to stay overnight: Twin Islands (49°20'55.1"N 122°53'29.2"W), Granite Falls (49°27'02.4"N 122°51'43.1"W) and Bishops Creek (49°25'58.5"N 122°52'24.3"W). All but Bishops Creek have government wharves but no overnight moorage is allowed. These campsites are all boat-in only. Remember leave no trace.
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Inter River Bike Park
A bike skills park with three tracks: a beginner paved pump track, a more advanced dirt track and a BMX track. All tracks are open to the public, although the BMX track is closed when events are on.
Do
Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve
The main feature is the paved multi-use 10-km trail in the Seymour Valley Trailway. There are also a number of side trails of varying length and trail quality.
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Lynn Headwaters Regional Park
A popular spot with locals that has picnic tables on the river close to the parking lot. There are a number of trails of varying difficulty on the other side of the river. The most common are to take the trail along Lynn Creek or do the Lynn Loop, a 5 km trail that loops through the forest and back along Lynn Creek to the parking lot. There are also longer, more difficult trails that go into the mountains.
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
A ski area in Mt Seymour Provincial Park that provides downhill skiing, tubing, a toboggan area and snowshoeing.
9:30AM–4PM, with night skiing until 10PM as snow conditions permit (usually early/mid Dec to March)$51/39 (adult full day/after 4PM), $44/34 (youth & student), $42/32 (senior), $24/20 (child 6-12)
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
Do
Mount Seymour trails
Around 110 trails, mostly intermediate and advanced. Old Buck is the climbing trail from the main parking lot to access other trails. There are also some beginner trails/access roads near the Northlands golf course that can be reached from Northlands Drive.
Do
Quarry Rock hike
An up-and-down hike through the forest with plenty of cedars, waterfalls and wooden bridges along the way. The reward is a big outcrop with nice views of Deep Cove and Burnaby Mountain. It's a very popular hike so expect to share the trail. Total hiking time is typically around 45 minutes each way and the hike can be done any time of the year.
Do
Reckless Shipyards
Bike rental shop that focuses on e-bikes and is close to Lonsdale Quay and the Spirit Trail. Rental options include e-bikes, e-mountain bikes and some (non-electric) cruisers.
Regular bike $23 for 2 hrs, $30 for 4 hrs & $40 for a full day; standard e-bike $28 for 2 hrs, $40 for 4 hrs & $70 for full day; e-mountain bike $70 for half day and $90 for full day
Do Not mapped
Spirit Trail
Paved multi-use trail stretching across most of North Vancouver with some waterfront and nature sections, a couple of interesting bridges, and access to Lonsdale Quay and the Shipyards.
Do
Essential Cycles
305 Mansfield Place
Mountain Bike rentals, tours and lessons. Wide selection of brands including Commencal, Giant and Guerrilla Gravity. Rentals: $65 for 4 hours, starting from $95 day, multi day at discount available. Half day and full day tours available and start from $275
Do
Mount Fromme trails
Around 80 trails, mostly intermediate and advanced.
6AM-10PM, but the gate on the road closes at dusk

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