A ngelina Aucello of Just Another Points Traveler spent a day in Vancouver recently, as it was her first time there — and among other places, she visited Stanley Park.
I was in Vancouver during the past year as well. It was by no means my first time there. It is a very nice city to visit; but my biggest complaint is the highway system there. Highway 99 goes right through downtown Vancouver as Granville Street, which is filled with traffic lights and — well — filled with traffic. Unless you travel well out of your way east of Vancouver, there is no way to bypass the city easily…
…and why would you bypass the city? To get to North Vancouver, of course!
One popular area of North Vancouver is the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, containing the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge which seems to stretch precariously 450 feet across — and 230 feet above — the Capilano River in the middle of a forest. I have visited here more than once; and if you have never been here before, this park and its suspension bridge is a must to experience at least once. You can feel your heart sink into your stomach as the bridge sways and jumps as people walk over it.
If the admission rate of $39.95 is expensive enough for you to give visiting Capilano Suspension Bridge Park a second thought, may I suggest Lynn Canyon Park and Suspension Bridge instead? The suspension bridge at Lynn Canyon Park is narrower than the one at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, which is older and sways 20 metres higher above the Capilano River than the suspension bridge at Lynn Canyon Park sways above Lynn Creek — but do not let that deter you. The experience is definitely similar…
…and free of charge.
You read that correctly: there is no fee to access the suspension bridge — as well as the trails and waterfalls within the 617 picturesque acres of forest — at Lynn Canyon Park, which is fewer than four miles east of Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Parking is free of charge at Lynn Canyon Park as well.
Please see the photographs I posted below.
INFORMATION
Lynn Canyon Park and Suspension Bridge
3993 Peters Road
North Vancouver, British Columbia V7J 1Z1
June to September: Open 10:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon
October to May: Open 12:00 noon until 4:00 in the afternoon
The only days which Lynn Canyon Park is closed is on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
3735 Capilano Road
North Vancouver, British Columbia V7R 4J1
1-877-985-7474 or 604-985-7474
The only day which Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is closed is on Christmas Day; but hours vary. Please click here for the hours in which Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is open.
Both parks are easily accessible by car or bus.
All photographs ©2013 by Brian Cohen.
