Beautiful Lynn Canyon Hike - Suspension bridge & waterfalls

Lynn Canyon Park is an enchanting forest with beautiful waterways, mossy forests and well-maintained tracks. It is part of the stunning Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve with some of the best North Vancouver trails. For us, the Lynn Canyon hike was the perfect way to escape the concrete jungle in Vancouver City. It is one of the best free things to do in Vancouver and is a fun hike that follows Lynn Creek deeper into the valley. One of the highlights of the Lynn Canyon hike is the 50 meters (160ft) high suspension bridge with views on a waterfall. Read in our complete guide everything about the Lynn Canyon hike and what to expect.

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How to get to Lynn Canyon Trailhead

Lynn Canyon Park is located in North Vancouver and is easily accessible by car or public transport. So in case you’re visiting Vancouver and plan on driving around with a car – have you already booked your rental car?

By car, you have to take the Lions Gate Bridge or Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing from Vancouver downtown, both of which lead to the North Shore. Then you have to follow signs for Lynn Valley which will take you over Lynn Valley Road towards the parking.

The great thing about the Lynn Canyon hike is that you can also reach the trailhead by bus! We purchased a day Compass Card and headed to Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver. Here we boarded the SeaBus, a passenger ferry that crosses Burrard Inlet. It’s a scenic 12-minute ride to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. After arriving at Lonsdale Quay, we hopped on the bus route #228, but you can also take #229. Both will take you directly to Lynn Canyon Park.

Go on a guided hike to Lynn Canyon

Don’t want the hassle of traveling by public transport or rental car to Lynn Canyon?
Book this small-group guided walking excursion to Lynn Canyon Park including pick up from your hotel in Vancouver. Learn everything about the local ecosystem from your guide and take in the spectacular views of the canyon while walking.
Or go on this hike and bike tour. First, you’ll hike through Lynn Canyon and then hop on a bike to explore Seymour Demonstration Forest

Parking at Lynn Canyon

There are two different parking areas to choose from depending on which section of the trail you like to start.

Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge parking lot

The easiest place to park at Lynn Canyon is at the Lynn Canyon Cafe and Ecology Centre. This parking lot is the closest to the suspension bridge, and there are toilets and a cafe at the trailhead. Parking is paid from March 1 to October 31 and free during the other months in winter.

Lynn Canyon Park East parking lot

The east parking lot can be reached via Lillooet Road and is a great place to park if you plan on combining the Rice Lake trail with the Lynn Canyon Hike.

How long is Lynn Canyon hike

Lynn Canyon hike is a 2.3 km long trail passing the three major attractions of Lynn Canyon which are the suspension bridge, Twin Falls, and 30-foot pool. This loop includes all three in a relatively easy and family-friendly hike through the vibrant rainforest and across several bridges with scenic views.

How long does it take to hike to Lynn Canyon suspension bridge?

On average, it takes about an hour up to 1.5 hours to complete the Lynn Canyon loop hike at a moderate pace. This includes time spent at the suspension bridge and enjoying the surroundings. If you’re fast you can hike the whole loop in 45 minutes. If you only want to visit the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge and see the waterfall, then you can also just park at the cafe and walk a few minutes until you are on the bridge.

More hiking trails in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park

There are several other trails in Lynn Canyon that offer shorter and longer walks. If you want to extend the Lynn Canyon hike, you can add the trail to Rice Lake making it a 6 km hike instead of 2.3 km. For even longer explorations you can opt for the Baden Powell Trail that runs through Lynn Headwaters Regional Park and continues beyond it. If you choose to hike a portion of this trail within the park, you can customize the length of your hike. And if you prefer to hike longer, you can decide to continue on the Baden Powell Trail outside the park.

Lynn Canyon hike difficulty

Lynn Canyon hike is a short, gentle trail with only 108m (354 ft) elevation gain. Some parts of the trail may be uneven because the terrain includes dirt paths, wooden stairs and bridges and some natural obstacles. Therefore I rate this Vancouver hike as easy to moderate, depending on your fitness level. Lynn Canyon is unfortunately not wheelchair friendly.

What is the best time for Lynn Canyon Hike?

Lynn Canyon is a great place to visit in any season and at any time of the day. Protected by the forest, it is a great short hike near Vancouver on a rainy, moody day. In fact, the forest becomes even more enchanting and mysterious with foggy weather and the waterfalls become more powerful. But also during the summer months it is a great place to find protection from the sun and cool off at the 30-foot natural pool.

In terms of the best time of the day to go to Lynn Canyon you can expect the trail to be more busy in the weekends and during midday. So start early or some later in the afternoon for a more peaceful experience.

About Lynn Canyon, Vancouver BC

This fantastic north Vancouver trail is a great way to escape the concrete jungle of the city. Lynn Canyon is the largest park in North Vancouver with 617 acres and offers a beautiful scenery of pine trees and wildlife which you can explore for free. The Lynn Canyon suspension bridge is one of the most popular attractions along the Lynn Canyon hike and is a spectacular sight with the waterfall down below.

Which is better to visit, Capilano Suspension Bridge or Lynn Canyon?

Are you doubting between visiting Capilano Suspension Bridge or Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge? Here’s a breakdown of both pro’s and cons.

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Pros:

Larger Scale: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is a much larger, more developed attraction with additional features like treetop walks and a cliff walk. With 137 metres (450 feet) long Capilano is the longest suspension bridge in the world!
Amenities: It offers more amenities, including dining options and a gift shop.
Night Experience: Capilano offers a unique night experience during certain times of the year with the suspension bridge illuminated.

Cons:

Crowds and Entrance Fee: It tends to be more crowded, and there is an entrance fee of 60 CAD per person.
Commercialized: Some visitors find it more commercialized compared to Lynn Canyon.

Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge

Pros:

Free Admission: Lynn Canyon is a free alternative, making it more budget-friendly.
Natural Setting: It provides a more natural and less commercialized setting, appealing to those seeking a quieter experience.
Ecological Education: Lynn Canyon emphasizes ecological education with interpretive signs along the trails.

Cons:

Smaller Scale: It’s smaller compared to Capilano, with fewer additional attractions.
Limited Amenities: Amenities are limited compared to Capilano.

Where to stay near Lynn Canyon hike

West Vancouver: This is the closest urban area to Lynn Headwaters Regional Park. You can find all sorts of hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts in West Vancouver.
North Vancouver: Located just across the Burrard Inlet from West Vancouver, North Vancouver also offers a variety of accommodation options.
Downtown Vancouver: If you don’t mind a bit of a drive, downtown Vancouver provides a wide range of hotels for all budgets.
Squamish: A bit farther north, Squamish is a popular outdoor recreation destination. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Lynn Canyon hike and offers various accommodation choices.

More Canada travel inspiration

I hope you enjoyed this complete guide about the Lynn Canyon hike near Vancouver. For more travel inspiration of Vancouver, British Columbia and Alberta, head over to our other Canada travel guides.

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