17 Things to KNOW Before Visiting Capilano Suspension Bridge

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Posted on Last updated: May 23, 2023

Categories BC's West Coast, British Columbia, Canada, Destination Guides, North America

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If you’re looking for breathtaking views and exciting activities all within easy reach of Vancouver, the Capilano Suspension Bridge is the perfect destination. You won't believe this incredible spot is less than 15 minutes from downtown! This landmark is easily one of the best things to do in Vancouver with its unique combination of nature and culture that make for a great day out.

Visiting a bridge may not sound like the most exciting activity, but the Capilano Suspension Bridge will change your mind. There's so much to explore and the views are stunning. When we went, we immediately understood why over 1.2 million people visit the bridge every year!

Vancouver is one of our favorite cities, and the Capilano Suspension Bridge is one of its most beautiful attractions, so we’ve put together this guide containing everything you need to know before you go.

Capilano Suspension Bridge is a 140-meter (460-foot) long bridge that is suspended 70 meters (230 feet) high over the Capilano River. It first opened in 1889, making it one of the oldest tourist attractions in Vancouver.

The bridge was originally made of hemp ropes and cedar planks, which were replaced with wire cables in 1903. Then, it was sold in 1935 to Mac MacEachern who invited local Indigenous carvers to place totem poles in the park in order to recognize their connection to and influence upon the area.

The suspension bridge was rebuilt again in 1956, then in 1983 Nancy Stibbard purchased the park – and she still owns it to this day! Stibbard began developing the park and transformed it into the popular tourist attraction that it is today, earning herself a place in the Canadian Tourism Hall of Fame.

Today, there are a ton of attractions in the park besides the bridge itself (all included with your admission ticket!), including a cliff walk, a Treetops Adventure, and an Indigenous cultural center. The park is also filled with old-growth Douglas Firs, cedar forests, and lush rainforests, making it a great place for nature lovers.

There are also several other suspension bridges, walkways, and exhibits to explore at your own pace, and you can learn a ton along the way – we certainly did. You don't just go to Capilano to walk across a bridge but to experience Vancouver's unique culture and breathtaking natural beauty.

The bridge is inside Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, which is in North Vancouver. It's 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) north of downtown Vancouver, across the Lions Gate Bridge – which is only a 10-15 minute drive … depending on traffic of course!

The park is close to Stanley Park and Grouse Mountain, so it's easy to combine a visit to the bridge with other popular tourist attractions. If you need help figuring out an agenda for your time in Vancouver that combines all of these stops, check out our guide on how to spend three days in Vancouver!

The best way to get to the bridge is by taking the free Capilano Suspension Bridge shuttle. This runs every day between Canada Place in Downtown Vancouver and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. It also stops at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Blue Horizon Hotel along the way, which is super convenient if you’re staying there or nearby!

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park opens at different times throughout the year, usually at 8:30 am during the summer and as late as 11 am during the winter months. The shuttle times change accordingly, but the first bus usually departs Canada Place 30 minutes before the park opens and then leaves every 15-30 minutes throughout the day after that.

The last shuttle to the park is usually an hour before the park closes, but that would cut your visit really short – we were there for hours!

It's also a fairly quick Uber ride from downtown Vancouver to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. An UberX should cost you between $17-$20 CAD, although prices do tend to surge when the roads are busy, so bear that in mind when budgeting. If you’re keen to get to the park nice and early, we recommend scheduling a ride the night before so that you don't end up waiting for ages in the morning!

It takes just under 15 minutes to drive from downtown Vancouver to Capilano Suspension Bridge, and it's a pretty easy drive. Take Highway 99 North and merge onto the Lions Gate Bridge, then follow Capilano Road until you reach the park.

While we do think the free shuttle is the best way to get there, driving might be more convenient if you’re planning on exploring other nearby attractions after your visit to the bridge.

Related Read: The waterfront area of Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver is nearby and worth exploring. You’ll find a pier, parks, restaurants, shopping, and even a waterpark!

Yes, but you’ll have to pay for it! Parking costs $8 CAD for three hours, and bear in mind that the parking meters only take credit cards. If you want to pay by cash or debit card, you can do so through the ticket agents at the main entrance to the park, but to be honest it's a lot easier to just bring your credit card and save your spare change for another time.

You can also pay using the PayByPhone app, which is really convenient, plus it lets you see how long you have left before your parking expires. Nothing ruins your day like returning from an awesome adventure only to find a parking fine slapped across your windshield. The location number is 4536, but this is displayed in the parking lot so there's no need to memorize it.

Bear in mind that parking is pretty limited, so if you’re driving yourself it's best to get there early before the lot fills up. There is free overflow parking available during peak seasons, so if you get there and the main lot is full, staff will direct you to the alternatives. This will be either Handsworth School, where you can park for as long as you like, or to the 6-hour parking lot in the Connaught Building in Edgemont Village. From either lot, you’ll be able to take a quick free shuttle ride back to the park's main entrance.

This is a really popular attraction, so it's best to visit Capilano Suspension Bridge early in the morning or later on in the afternoon. It's much easier to enjoy the beauty of the bridge without the crowds, and arriving early also means you’re more likely to get a spot in the parking lot if you’re driving yourself.

We went early in the morning and were able to enjoy the bridge without any crowds, which really made our visit extra special. If you’re visiting at peak times the bridge can get crowded, which slows you down and makes it difficult to take photos.

The bridge is quieter during winter in Vancouver and the park is just as stunning – if not more so! – so this is an ideal time to visit. It also makes a great rainy day activity as it's actually very atmospheric to visit when it's raining, so don't be put off by the threat of a little wet weather. Plus, the lack of crowds really ups the "peaceful escape" factor.

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is open every day of the year except for Christmas Day, but opening hours do change according to the season.

Usually, from late November until January, the bridge opens from 11 am until 9 pm for the Canyon Lights. We’ll go into more detail about this later on in the blog, but if you’re visiting during these months, it's definitely worth trying to catch this event!

For the last week or so of January, the park opens from 9 am to 5 pm, and then for most of February the hours change to 10 am – 8 pm for the Love Lights show.

From March until the end of April, the hours change to 9 am – 7 pm and then extend to 8:30 am – 8 pm for the busy summertime in Vancouver. In the autumn, the bridge opens from 9 am – 5 pm until the festive season rolls around once more!

Tickets for the Capilano Suspension Bridge cost (without tax):

When you buy your ticket, you’ll need to select an arrival slot, which is a 30-minute window during which you can enter the park. This helps to keep crowds down, so be sure to plan accordingly and arrive on time. There's no limit to how long you can spend in the park, as long as you leave before closing time, but you can't leave and come back later.

Your ticket includes admission to all of the park's attractions, like the Treetops Walk and the Living Forest Exhibit, so although it seems a bit pricey at first, it's definitely worth the money if you plan to make the most of all that the park has to offer!

If you’re visiting when a special event is being held, like the Canyon Lights or Love Lights events we mentioned earlier, then admission to the event is included in the price of your ticket, so it won't cost you anything extra – yay!

A quick note that tickets will appear to be cheaper when you buy at the ticket window at the park versus buying ahead of time on Viator (where we always book), but that's because the price quoted above doesn't include tax. In reality, you’ll pay the same amount whether you walk up on the day or if you book ahead through Viator, but Viator gives you the added bonus of being able to change or cancel your booking up to 24 hours in advance along with the book now, pay later option!

This is a huge advantage when it comes to the Capilano Suspension Bridge since it is an outdoor, weather-dependent activity. We always book through Viator because we want that flexibility to ensure we don't miss out on our bucket list activities or have them ruined by bad weather.

If you are looking for a better deal, there are "Evening Tickets" sold directly on the park's website that are good from 5 pm until the park closes – which can be 7 pm, 8 pm, or 9 pm depending on the season. Honestly, because there is so much to do here (especially if it's your first visit), we still highly recommend the day pass so you don't have to feel rushed at all.

If you do purchase a senior, youth, or student ticket, make sure you have ID to verify your age. If you’re a British Columbia resident, you don't get a discounted ticket rate, but you do get a free annual pass with the purchase of a regular ticket.

Yes, you can! Capilano Suspension Bridge Park only closes on Christmas Day, so no matter which time of year you visit, the bridge will be open and ready for you to explore.

We found that visiting the bridge was actually a great winter activity in Vancouver, too. The sights and sounds of the forest are different in winter, and it was much quieter than it was during the summer. Plus, the river flow is more powerful at this time of year.

Related Read: For more winter fun, make the drive from Vancouver to Whistler (or jump on a tour to Whistler) and explore the best snowy activities Whistler has to offer – think skiing, snowboarding, tubing and even winter ziplining!

There are quite a few places to eat and drink inside Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, including the Cliff House Restaurant where you can eat locally sourced seafood on a patio overlooking the canyon. They also have some great craft beer here too – our favorite!

There's also the Loggers’ Grill, which is perfect for a quick bite, and a cafe where you can grab some coffee or a light sandwich. Across the suspension bridge is The Cabin, where you can find hot chocolate and baked goods, including their Beaver Balls, which are mini pancakes smothered in maple syrup. It doesn't get much more Canadian than that!

The park has four sets of toilets, including some near the entrance and more on the far side of the Capilano Suspension bridge. There's also a gift shop where you can grab a souvenir to commemorate your visit, and there's free WiFi available so that you can post all of your Capilano selfies in real time!

Of course, the Capilano Suspension Bridge is the star of the show, but all the experiences below are included with your admission ticket which works out to a pretty sweet deal!

This is likely what you came to see and the suspension bridge delivers on views that's for sure! It's 70 meters (230 feet) above the ground and stretches over a river canyon, so you can expect fantastic views of the treetops and the rushing river below. The bridge is narrow and bouncy, so crossing it might get your nerves jangling a little bit, even though there's a chain-link fence on either side. It's not daredevil-level excitement, but it's still a pretty unique experience!

The Treetops Adventure is a series of seven suspension bridges and several viewing platforms that are attached to centuries-old Douglas Fir trees in a way that doesn't restrict their growth. At the walk's highest point, you’ll find yourself 33 meters (110 feet) above the ground, which gives you some pretty sweet views of the forest canopy and floors. In fact, we think that the Treetops Adventure is just as good as Capilano Suspension Bridge itself!

Built in 2011, the Cliffwalk follows the curve of the granite cliff face and offers a completely different perspective of the Capilano River Canyon. The walk is 213 meters (700 feet) long in total and it's 70 meters (230 feet) high, so you can expect some pretty spectacular views.

The Cliffwalk is pretty narrow and consists of bridges, stairs, platforms, and even some glass planks that allow you to stare down into the canyon below. The walk definitely got our adrenaline pumping a bit, but it can actually support the weight of 35 killer whales at once, so don't worry: it's totally safe!

Kia’palano educational center is a great place to learn about the area's traditional Indigenous culture. It's located close to the park entrance and you can even sign your name in the guest book beside the Millennium totem pole – if you have a flick through, you might even spot ours!

The Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations have a strong connection to Capilano – in fact, the word Kia’palano means "beautiful river" in Squamish. At the Kia’palano center, you will learn many local Indigenous stories and see some amazing artwork, including the collection of giant totem poles that have been carved in the park over the past eight decades.

Raptors Ridge is an educational facility that focuses on the conservation and rehabilitation of birds of prey. It's located on the far side of the bridge, and here you’ll find more than 15 species of native birds, including owls, falcons, and hawks. Their main facility is in Maple Ridge, but from May – October every year, they bring a selection of birds to Capilano, so you can get up close and personal with them.

The birds return to the main facility every night where they enjoy an open environment in which they can freely fly and hunt, and no birds are brought to the park two days in a row.

We learned so much during our visit to Raptors Ridge, and it was awesome to see so many majestic birds of prey up close. It was also really special to learn about the conservation and rehabilitation efforts the facility undertakes on a daily basis. Plus, the handlers are super knowledgeable and can answer literally any question you might have.

The Canyon Lights is an awesome annual event from late November until late January when the bridge and the Treetops Adventure come alive after dark with a multicolored light display. There's also live music, a scavenger hunt, and a hot chocolate station to help you warm up. There's a really great atmosphere and it's a magical way to experience the park – we highly recommend it!

For a tour that also includes a chance to see the glittering lights, this Canyon Lights tour is our pick. You’ll start off by touring through the city's coolest neighborhoods, beaches, and forests before heading to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park as it starts to get dark to enjoy the Canyon Lights. This is one of the top Vancouver city tours if you’re short on time. Plus, booking this tour includes round-trip transportation and admission to the park all for $144 CAD per person.

The Living Forest is an exhibit in the West Coast Rainforest on the far side of the bridge, close to Raptors Ridge. It's a walkway with information points and interactive exhibits that teach you all about the local forest ecology. Some of the trees in this forest are over 1,500 years old, so it's really cool to learn more about their history, and how everything in the forest works together to create a thriving ecosystem.

The Nature's Edge boardwalk is right by the Living Forest and the Treetops Adventure, and it's easy to walk along so it's great for all visitors. It's basically a chance to soak in even more of the park's stunning beauty – you’ll be able to take in views of the river and surrounding forests, as well as learn more about the local flora and fauna.

This is similar to the Canyon Lights event, except this time, it takes place throughout February and is Valentine's themed! There's a romantic light tunnel and even a giant chandelier suspended in the rainforest, and some extra Valentine's activities in the days leading up to the 14th. If you’re on a romantic trip to Vancouver in February, definitely come and check this out.

This full-day tour starts by taking you to Gastown, Granville Island, and Chinatown, all of which are some of our favorite parts of urban Vancouver to explore. You’ll get to ride up the elevator to the top of the Vancouver Lookout and then, you’ll head to Capilano Suspension Bridge to explore the natural beauty that lies just outside of the downtown area.

You can arrange to be picked up from either Vancouver or Richmond if you call ahead of time, or meet the tour bus outside of the Georgian Court Hotel. The entire day is only $168.53 CAD and includes admission to Capilano and the Vancouver Lookout. To get the best views of Vancouver, book this sightseeing tour online here!

In addition to taking you through downtown Vancouver and to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, this half-day tour also includes a visit to Stanley Park, which is an incredibly beautiful urban park on the edge of downtown. You’ll get to explore its gardens, trails, and beaches, and take in the gorgeous coastal and forest views. We love this area so having this stop included is like getting a bonus Stanley Park tour in addition to the awesome suspension bridge.

If you want to see both the urban and natural sides of Vancouver, book this tour online! Tickets are $144 CAD per person.

Nature lovers, this one's for you! On this North Shore day trip, you’ll visit Capilano Suspension Bridge and then make your way to Grouse Mountain, which is another of our Vancouver favorites. You’ll take a cable car up the mountain for fantastic views of the city and the surrounding wilderness. Plus, you’ll get to see the two resident grizzly bears that live on the mountain and see lumberjack and bird shows.

One thing to note is that this tour only runs from May – October, because Grouse Mountain is more of a skiing and snowboarding destination during the winter. You can book tickets for this 2-for-1 experience for $228 CAD through Viator.

A seaplane flight over Vancouver is an incredible way to see the city and the surrounding mountains and forests. And with this tour, you’ll get to take a 20-minute seaplane flight as well as visit Capilano.

We LOVED our seaplane ride over Vancouver and this is actually a relatively affordable way to take one since you’ll get a seaplane ride and your entrance to Capilano for only $209 CAD per person. Because this experience is so popular, it tends to sell out! So make sure you book tickets ASAP if this tour sounds perfect for you!

What we love about private tours is that they allow you to tailor the experience to your own interests, so if there's room in your budget, this private Vancouver tour is definitely worth considering. You’ll get to check out some of the city's most interesting neighborhoods and then enjoy a private tour of Capilano Suspension Bridge Park (with skip-the-line access!) to learn more about the history and engineering of the bridge.

You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Vancouver and have five hours to enjoy the best sights with a friendly local guide to answer all your questions and take photos for you! You’ll need a minimum of four people for this one and it's on the pricier side at $379 CAD each, but if you’re after a memorable way to see Vancouver, this is it! You can book the private tour online here.

Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:

Check out the Viator website here!

You’ll need around four hours to visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge, including transport there and back. There's a lot to explore in the park and if you want to take your time and enjoy it, four hours is a good amount of time.

Ideally, we recommend going early in the morning and using the other half of your day to check out one of Vancouver's many other awesome attractions.

Probably the most important thing to remember is to wear closed-toe shoes, especially for the Canopy Walk. Shoes with a decent grip are also a good idea, as the park gets a fair amount of rain and the walkways can be a bit slippery. And needless to say – absolutely no heels!

You’ll definitely want to bring something like a waterproof jacket to protect you from the rain – even if you’re visiting during summer, dry weather is never a guarantee.

And on the topic of changeable weather, we recommend bringing a light layer or two with you, even in the summer. If you’re visiting in the winter, layers are a must – it can get pretty chilly up on the bridge, but at the same time you might get warm after a while from all the walking you’ll be doing.

A water bottle is also a good idea, and you’ll definitely want to snap lots of photos, so don't forget your smartphone or camera

Plus, if you’re driving yourself or have a rental car, it's a good idea to bring a credit card for the parking lot unless you plan to use the Pay-By-Phone app.

Yes, the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is an amazing place for kids to explore!

Lots of the displays and exhibits are geared toward kids, and none of the walking is too difficult. However, children with a fear of heights will definitely struggle on the bridge, the Treetops Adventure, and the Cliffwalk, so that's something to keep in mind.

Strollers aren't allowed on the attractions in the park, but there is an area where you can securely park them while you explore the bridge and other attractions. Babies need to be in a carrier that's below railing height, and for safety reasons, shoulder carriers are not allowed. So all in all, it's a very family-friendly place as long as you’re prepared.

Related Read: Other family-friendly Vancouver destinations that are worth a visit include the Vancouver Aquarium and the Richmond Night Market!

Three of the park's top attractions – the Suspension Bridge, the Treetops Adventure, and the Cliffwalk – are not wheelchair-accessible. However, that's not to say that those in wheelchairs shouldn't visit Capilano.

There are still several attractions to enjoy, including Kia’palano educational center, and you get beautiful views of the canyon from the entrance. And since visitors with mobility aids can't experience the full extent of what Capilano has to offer, they receive free entry to the park.

Yes – with a few conditions in place. Number one: your pup must be well-behaved. Number 2: they must be on a leash. And, needless to say, you’ll be required to clean up after your furry friend if nature calls, so make sure to bring some poop bags with you!

Yes, absolutely. We love it here and think it's one of the most beautiful places in Vancouver – which is a pretty dang beautiful place! There's so much to explore and the scenery really does take your breath away. Plus, it's so close to the city center that it's easy to fit into a busy Vancouver itinerary.

So make sure you have your ticket and you’re all set. Happy exploring!

Related Read: If you can't get enough of wandering through the treetops, don't miss visiting Lynn Canyon and walking across the suspension bridge there too!

Vancouver is a city filled with tons of things to do and see. So while you’re here, don't miss out on some of the top attractions and activities:

Vancouver is one of the most popular cities in Canada. The fact is that in the summer and winter, the city books up in advance very fast! Booking your hotel or hostel well in advance is the only way to secure one of the top places to stay in Vancouver.

Here are a few great hotels in Van that we love:

If you’re traveling on a budget, look no further than The Cambie Hostel. It's located in the heart of Gastown and close to lots of bars and restaurants, and there's also a great bar attached to the hostel too.

It can always be a bit of a gamble trying out a budget hostel, but from our own experience, this one is a real gem! While the bathrooms are a little bit cozy, the rooms are clean, there's free Wi-Fi and the staff are really happy to help you out with anything you need. Private rooms here start at $100 CAD or bunks in dorm rooms are more around the $50 CAD mark. You can book your stay over on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com!

For a beautiful hotel close to Stanley Park you can't pass over the Times Square Suites. Toeing the line between affordability and comfort, it's very hard to fault this hotel and its location in Vancouver's west end is nothing short of perfect!

We stayed in their one-bedroom suite, and I’ve got to say that I had the most restful sleep in that bed than I’ve had in weeks! Rooms here start at $224 CAD per night and can be booked over on Booking.com.

The Hyatt Regency is situated right between Gastown and Stanley Park, so right in the heart of Van's action. As you can imagine, this is a luxury hotel stay at a well-known hotel chain, so you know your stay will be top-notch.

With a 42″ flat-screen TV is provided in every room. free Wi-Fi, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows, the views of downtown Van don't get much better than this. The Mosaic Bar and Grill serves some truly amazing food, and if you fancy something a bit stronger, the Grain Tasting Bar has some awesome signature cocktails. Book a luxurious stay here online.

If you’re traveling during these uncertain times, be sure that you have travel insurance!

SafetyWing is our go-to insurance when we are going on longer trips. They offer travel medical insurance that's super affordable (only $42 USD per 4 weeks!) and even have coverage in case you get that dreaded c-word. The only thing to note is that the insurance must be purchased once you’ve left your home country – we typically buy it as soon as we land at the airport.

We’ve personally used SafetyWing for many different trips, and we’ve been reimbursed for countless expenses when we’ve fallen ill. SafetyWing even covered our flights back to Canada in full when the pandemic first happened (when last-minute flights before the borders closed were super expensive!)

It's safe to say that travel insurance has saved us thousands over the years!

If you’re arriving in British Columbia via plane, then I can't recommend getting a rental car enough. British Columbia is a large province and traveling between the best places to visit in BC requires transport. Although you can use public transport on some occasions, this means your trip will not only require more time but more planning.

Car rental in Canada isn't relatively cheap, but it's not that expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. The cheapest car with a pick-up and drop-off in different locations is around $100 CAD per day. The price does vary though, depending on the time of year. For car rentals, I use the website Discover Cars. It's a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. In fact, I’ve used Discover Cars all over the world, including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia.

Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter.) Using Motorhome Republic, you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. Having a motorhome is a stunning way to see Canada, and using crown land and campsites, you can often camp for free or very cheap in the most beautiful places imaginable!

It's easy to see why the Capilano Suspension Bridge is one of the top attractions in BC! I mean the views are unbeatable and we love all the little extras like the Cliffwalk and of course the Canyon Lights. No matter what time of year you visit, this is the perfect way to escape the city for a few hours.

While you’re planning your Vancouver trip, make sure to read through our other West Coast blogs for more inspiration. You’ll find lots of info and guides on how to explore this beautiful province.

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