Robert WebbDid you know that the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park’s bridge can support the weight of 96 full-grown elephants? If that doesn’t reassure you of its strength and stability, we don’t know what will.
Brace yourself for a journey through Vancouver’s iconic treetop haven. Read our AWESOME guide that unlocks the secrets of Capilano Suspension Park, revealing its natural wonders and thrilling adventures.
Time Zone
Pacific Standard Time (PST) (UTC-8)
Best Time to Go
The best time to go to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is all year-round! If you want to see a significantly less packed scene, go early in the morning or immediately before they close on a weekday.
Things to Know
Currency: Canadian Dollar
Language: English
Calling Code: +1
What is the history of Capilano Suspension Bridge Park?
Capilano, meaning “beautiful river” in the Squamish Nation’s Kia’palano, started as 6,000 acres of dense forests along the Capilano River.
Back in 1889, a Scottish civil engineer and land developer named George Grant Mackay took on the challenge of suspending a footbridge made of hemp rope and cedar planks across the canyon.
With the assistance of August Jack Khahtsahlano and a team of horses, they swamed the ropes across the river, which were then pulled up the other side and anchored to substantial buried cedar logs.
As time marched on, Mackay’s bridge and cabin became a go-to spot for locals seeking adventure. However, after Mackay’s passing in 1903, the hemp rope bridge made way for a sturdier wire cable bridge.
In 1914, Edward Mahon took ownership of the Capilano Suspension Bridge, introducing the Tea House and making further enhancements, including reinforcing the bridge with additional wire cables.
Then, in 1935, “Mac” MacEachran, a former forest ranger, stepped in and acquired the Capilano Suspension Bridge. It was under his ownership that First Nations were invited to showcase their totem poles in the Park.
Fast forward to 1953, and Rae Mitchell is the new owner of the bridge. By 1956, he undertook a remarkable feat, reconstructing the bridge in just five days and enclosing the cables in 13 tons of concrete at either end.
Finally, in 1983, Nancy Stibbard took over the Capilano Suspension Bridge from her father, Rae Mitchell. Nancy’s noteworthy achievements even led to her induction into the Canadian Tourism Hall of Fame in 2000.
Is the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park worth visiting?
The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is definitely worth visiting. The best part is that it’s a fantastic destination all year round.
The park offers various attractions depending on the season, including the enchanting Love Lights, the mesmerizing Canyon Lights, and the thrilling Canyon Frights.
However, the real star of the show is the suspension bridge that gracefully sways through the ancient, towering forest.
How to Get to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
By Shuttle: If you’re coming from downtown Vancouver, catch the free shuttle to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Just make sure to have proof of Park admission for the return trip.
By Car: From downtown Vancouver, head west on Georgia St., cross Lions Gate Bridge, and take the North Vancouver exit to Marine Drive. Turn left onto Capilano Road and drive for 1.6 km (1 mile).
By Public Transit: Take the 240 bus at WB W Georgia Street towards EB E 15 Street. Walk towards NB Lonsdale Avenue and hop on the 232 bus heading to Grouse Mountain. It’ll drop you off at NB Capilano Road, and from there, it’s just a 4-minute walk to the park.
What to Do in Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Walk the Suspension Bridge
Address: 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4J1, Canada
Phone: +1 604-985-7474
This wonderful park lets you walk atop giant trees that overlook a dense rainforest. The suspension bridge is absolutely at any time of day.
Visit the park during the holiday season and you’re met with an enchanting lit forest that looks straight out of a fantasy realm. Don’t fret, the bridge is sturdy (and yes, it’s supposed to sway a bit when the weather is windy).
Discover Coastal Rainforests at Treetops Adventure
Address: 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4J1, Canada
Phone: +1 604-985-7474
This attraction was impressively created with modifications. A pulley and ropes were used to build the bridges here at Treetops Adventure, and are all attached to eight 250 year old Douglas-fir trees.
The Treetops Adventure gives you a unique viewpoint as you walk along through the top of the forest, and let us tell you, the views are unparalleled. Plus, the walkways here don’t shake as much as the main suspension bridge.
Explore at the Edge on Nature at the Cliff Walk
Address: 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4J1, Canada
Phone: +1 604-985-7474
If you’re not scared of heights, the Cliff Walk is another cool activity inside the park. You get to go on this narrow walk on top of a forest, with fantastic views of the river valley, trees, and the support systems of the cliff walk bridge.
This one’s really thrilling, and there are plenty of information plaques along the way about the park and its history. Just slow down a bit as you may run into a few people while you circle this bridge.
Traverse the Living Forest
Address: 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4J1, Canada
Phone: +1 604-985-7474
The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park also has an enchanting living rainforest where you’ll get to see 1,500 year-old trees, a granite canyon, and forest animals.
It’s quite simply a place that helps you appreciate the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and to be humbled by the majesty of the rainforest. It’s better to go early in the morning because it gets crowded in the daytime, though.
Visit the Birds of Raptors Ridge
Address: 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4J1, Canada
Phone: +1 604-985-7474
You can check out the Great Horned Owl or the Bald Eagle at the Birds of Raptors Ridge inside the park. There are also other birds here like owls, hawks and falcons—all here, uncaged, free to fly in and out whenever they please.
That means, there are different sets of birds here every day.
Where to Stay near Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
North Vancouver Hotel
Address: 1800 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7P 3B6, Canada
Phone: +1 604-987-4461
Pricing: $
A 4-minute drive away from Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, the North Vancouver Hotel is a quaint, low-rise hotel with comfy rooms.
Rooms are standard abodes with all the basic necessities such as no-frills furnishings, minifridges, coffeemakers, and kitchenettes. Inside, there’s a seasonal heated outdoor pool and laundry facilities.
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites
Address: 1748 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7P 3B4, Canada
Phone: +1 604-337-8393
Pricing: $
The Econo Lodge Inn & Suites gives off a motel vibe, with clean rooms and an unbeatable location. You’re literally 10 minutes away from downtown, Stanley Park, and the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
They have a pool that’s great on a hot day (only 8 people allowed at a time). The expression “You get what you pay for” is what you get here. Other amenities include a meeting room, coin laundry and parking.
SureStay By Best Western
Address: 1634 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7P 3B4, Canada
Phone: +1 604-987-8185
Pricing: $
Located at the foot of Grouse Mountain, SureStay By Best Western offers casual rooms that you can upgrade to include living areas and pull-out sofas. Decent rooms for the price, free parking, safe and friendly staff.
The building was not new but everything was spotless. The hotel has an informal restaurant within the premises, a seasonal outdoor pool, a business center, and a meeting space.
ThistleDown House Bed & Breakfast
Address: 3910 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4J2, Canada
Phone: +1 604-986-7173
Pricing: $$
This lovely bed and breakfast is a craftsman-style heritage home where you get to stay in cozy rooms, styled with antiques, artwork and handcrafted furnishings.
The cherry on top here is the fireplace located in almost all the rooms. Plus, a multi-course breakfast is served each morning, and there’s a garden and veranda for relaxation.
Loden Hotel
Address: 1177 Melville St, Vancouver, BC V6E 0A3, Canada
Phone: +1 604-669-5060
Pricing: $$
About 17 minutes from Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, you’ll find the Loden Hotel. This awesome boutique spot blends right into the neighborhood.
The nearby restaurant, with its top-notch room service, became our go-to after other letdowns. We had four meals in two days, and no complaints—amazing French cuisine.
Where to Eat in Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Cliff House Restaurant & Bar
Address: 3755 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4H9, Canada
Phone: +1 604-985-7474
Pricing: $$$
Overlooking the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is the Cliff House Restaurant & Bar. This joint right here serves up comfort food that we all know and like. A bit pricey but it’s a convenient place to eat.
We highly recommend you get the pulled pork sandwich. The meat was perfect, the sauce was so tasty, and the fries were very nicely done.
Loggers Grill
Address: 3755 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4H9, Canada
Phone: +1 604-985-7474
Pricing: $$$
The Loggers Grill is the place to be if you’re big on barbecue. They’ve got certified Angus beef, hotdogs, Beyond Meat burgers, and Canadian sirloin beef. All this with a generous portion of fries.
Our advice? Get the salmon burger if you want to get a taste of fresh BC seafood. It’s packed with a west coast steelhead salmon in a brioche bun and it’s just oh so juicy.
Bufala Edgemont
Address: 3280 Edgemont Blvd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 2P2, Canada
Phone: +1 604-770-2822
Pricing: $
For Italian fare, Bufala Edgemont’s Neapolitan-style pizzas are a must. Their doughs are freshly made and cooked in their 800 degree stone oven.
Plus, the choices here are endless as they’ve got a nice and tasty selection of Italian-inspired pizza flavors. We loved the flavor of the Margherita Pizza, but you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Kypriaki Mediterranean Grill
Address: 1346 Marine Dr #106, North Vancouver, BC V7P 1T4, Canada
Phone: +1 604-985-7955
Pricing: $$
Great food and atmosphere here at the Kypriaki Mediterranean Grill. They whip up some impressively authentic Greek and Mediterranean food, with the beef souvlaki as the main highlight.
Other crowd favorites include moussaka, calamari, tzatziki, and roast lamb. If you’d like to get a taste of everything, it’s a good idea to get the platter.
Cantina Norte
Address: 3246 Connaught Crescent #108, North Vancouver, BC V7R 0A7, Canada
Phone: +1 604-670-8226
Pricing: $$
This gorgeous Mexican restaurant is not only adorned with traditional decor, but also has a spectacular food presentation that symbolizes the true spirit of Mexican cuisine.
For main, we recommend getting Mexican paella. It was extremely filling, and it had small pieces of chorizo, shrimps, and mussels. Also, don’t miss the mango chimichanga and banana coconut cream pie.
Where to Shop in Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Capilano Trading Post
Address: 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4J1, Canada
Phone: +1 604-985-7474
The Capilano Trading Post is the spot to score Capilano merch, goodies, souvenirs, and treats. There’s over 6,000 square feet of shopping area to cover.
You’ll spot familiar brands such as North Face, Herschel, and Fjallraven, local brands, and a great collection of Canadian collectibles and First Nations designs.
Apps to Download for a Trip to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
PayByPhone: cashless parking app that lets you register and pay for parking in Vancouver.
GasBuddy: locates gas stations near you and displays prices, sends price hike alerts, and notifies you of deals.
Waze: online navigation app that provides turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates, and user-generated reports on accidents, hazards, and road closures.
AllTrails: a running and hiking app with over 400,000 trails, trail information, maps, detailed reviews, and photos.
