Day Trip From Vancouver, BC
Capilano Suspension Bridge Offers Views Of The Canadian Rainforest
With over 850,000 visitors a year, the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park has become one of Vancouver’s most popular attractions.
Many Attractions In Popular Vancouver Park
Treetop Adventures, a series of seven suspension bridges stretched between giant Douglas fir trees, elevates guests up to 100 feet above the rainforest. Standing on the platforms next to these mature trees and gazing upwards, visitors understand the magnitude of their size as the tree soars another 250 feet above them.
The seven acre rainforest features Three Sister Ponds and Trout Pond with meandering wooden trails that allow a leisurely stroll. The Cliffhanger Walk, also a series of wooden walkways and stairs, reveals the underbelly of the Suspension Bridge, the original flume track the old loggers used to move trees into the river below, and an observation deck.
The park also boasts the world’s largest private totem pole collection, an interactive Living Forest exhibit, free guided eco-tours, a First Nations artisan center, and a children’s Rainforest Explorer program.
Shopping And Dining At Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park
The 1911 Trading Post offers original First Nation art, over 20,000 Canadian souvenirs and a fudge factory, which makes a variety of fudge daily.
The park offers several restaurants from the Loggers Grill, featuring barbeque favorites to the Canyon Café where visitors can pick up casual fare such as sandwiches and coffee.
The Bridge House, originally home to previous Capilano Suspension Bridge owner, Mac MacEachran, now houses fine wines, homemade soup and entrees. Or stop by for High Tea every afternoon from 2P-4: 30P.
History Of The Suspension Bridge
In 1898, Scottish engineer George Grant McKay, built a bridge constructed of hemp rope and cedar planks across the Capilano River, creating Vancouver’s first tourist attraction. Suspended over 220 feet above the canyon floor, the sway of the bridge (now made out of cedar planks and steel cable) stills holds the same thrill that it did 110 years ago. Visitors alternately cling to the railing or challenge themselves to walk unaided for the full 450-foot length of the bridge, giggling along the way.
Over the years, the elements have tested the strength of the bridge. In 2006 a 45-ton tree fell on the south end of the bridge during a fierce snowstorm. While closed temporarily for clean up and repairs, the bridge remained practically undamaged. Hurricane Freda, in 1962, destroyed 82 trees, eight of which fell directly on the bridge.
Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park Information
3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver, Phone: 604-985-7474
Hours of operations vary on a monthly basis. For this and additional
information, please visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park website.
Rates (In Canadian Dollars)
Adult: $27.95
Senior (65+): $25.95
Student (17+ and with ID): $21.75
Youth (13 - 16): $16.65
Child (6 - 12): $8.75
Child under 6: FREE
Special rates are available for residents of British Columbia.
Capilano Suspension Bridge and the east side of the park are not accessible to
wheelchairs. Free admission is offered to wheelchair bound visitors for the west side
of the park so they can enjoy the restaurants, shops, totem poles, carving centers, gardens and story center.
Don’t forget that a valid passport is now required to visit Canada from the United States.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
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Trees
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Bridge House
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