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Is the Free Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge really as good as Capilano? Come along with us and compare the two suspension bridges in Vancouver, BC

Bill and I are always looking for free things to do in any place we visit. The Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver BC is near the top of all the “must do” lists for Vancouver. But it’s very pricey – over $100 for Bill and I to visit.

So I asked my traveling friends for advice and learned about the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, also in North Vancouver, but totally FREE. That’s more like it for someone like me whose middle name is Frugal! 😊

Was it all it was cracked up to be? Was it as good as or even better than Capilano? Come along and see for yourself.

Quick Facts about the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge

Hours: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Amount of Time: Minimum 1 hour
Cost to Get In: FREE
Pets Allowed?: On the trails north of Twin Falls Bridge, dogs must be leashed. South of Twin Falls Bridge, dogs can be unleashed as long as they are well controlled.
GOOD TO KNOW: The Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge will be closed October to December 2025 for repairs. Trails will also be closed from the East Lynn Canyon parking lot to the bridge.

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The Map

A map shows the trail systems, water and bridges at Lynn Canyon Park in North Vancouver BC

Pros about the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge

It’s Free to Visit

Unlike other expensive options in the area, Lynn Canyon Park is free to enter. The bridge is free, the trails are free, the picnic area is free. Entrance to the Ecology Center is by donation with a recommended amount of $2 CAD. Parking is not free from March to October.

Note, when the Suspension Bridge opened in 1912, it cost 10 cents to cross it. Now it’s free so it’s one of the very rare things that have gone DOWN in price instead of UP!

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The Bridge is Easy to Get To

Once you are parked, head towards the large Cafe building (you can’t miss it). From there, the signage is clear showing you the short trail to get to the bridge.

A woman leans on a wooden fence with a sign that says Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge in front of her. To the right, a group of people are heading down the wooden stairs.

The Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is 50 meters above Lynn Creek below. If you’ve never been on a suspension bridge before, they are generally quite bouncy when crossing, especially if there are a lot of people on them. I always recommend holding on to the sides tightly.

This one is not too long (130 feet), but it’s quite steep to descend and then climb up the other side.

The Lynn Canyon Suspension bridge with it's metal fence railings goes across a large green space over the Lynn River.

Looking through a chain link fence, viewers can see people coming and going on the suspension bridge above the trees below.

If you want to take photos from the middle of the bridge, hang on super tight to your phone or camera! Otherwise, the bounciness might cause it to slip out of your hand. Here’s the view from the bridge of Lynn Creek below:

A waterfall tumbles into the dark narrow creek far below the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge .

Man in bright orange shirt and woman in maroon shirt smile from the middle of the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. — That’s us in the middle of the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge!

The Trail System in Lynn Canyon Park is Awesome

The Trails at Lynn Canyon Park are generally well-maintained and easy to hike, although after a rain, they are known to get muddy and slippery. Many are packed gravel, some are boardwalks and there are lots of wooden stairs.

Popular Trails at Lynn Canyon Park include:

Lynn Canyon Loop – Combines three of the most popular attractions in the park – the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, Twin Falls and the 10 meter pool – 1.4 miles, 357 feet of elevation gain, 48 minutes, mostly Easy, but with lots of stairs to climb.
Twin Falls Loop – Offering lush forest views, a bridge over the waterfall and vibrant green pools of water – 0.8 miles, 160 feet elevation gain, 25 minutes, Easy
Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and 30 Foot Pool Loop – Known for it’s wildlife and bird sightings, this trail takes you from the suspension bridge up a long staircase to a view above the 30 foot Pool – 1.4 miles, 282 feet of elevation gain, 42 minutes, Moderate exertion
The Baden Powell Trail – a portion of this multi-day trail system passes through Lynn Canyon Park, including crossing the Suspension Bridge. It ranges from paved trails to very steep portions. We hiked the easy part right by the bridge and it was lovely to be in the dense lush forest!
There are 25 more trails that are within or pass through Lynn Canyon Park. Read about them here.

You can even buy a Trail Map at the Ecology Center to guide you in a variety of Loops and Out-and-Back Trails.

A set of gray wooden steps climbs through the green forest.

The Lynn Canyon Cafe

The Lynn Canyon Cafe sells a wide variety of food items as well as souvenirs from your time at the Park. Visit their website to learn more. Public washrooms are available outside the Cafe year-round. And the Ranger Station and First Aid Station are located on the east side of the building.

The Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre

Start your visit at the L ynn Canyon Ecology Centre, located near the Lynn Canyon Cafe building. Here, you can view interactive exhibits, learn about natural history, or talk to park rangers to get information about the local fauna and flora. You can also get a park map for exploring Lynn Creek and many hiking trails.

Drawbacks of the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge

The Hours are Confusing

If you Google the hours for Lynn Canyon Park, it will often show you the hours for the Lynn Canyon Ecological Center which are much shorter than the Park itself. Basically the park is open from Dawn to Dusk, but always check here for the latest info.

In the popular summer months, the park is open from 7 AM to 9 PM and the Ecological Center is open from 10 AM to 4 PM. You always want to make sure you’re back to your car before dark as the park is not well-lit.

Parking Can Be Really Hard to Find

We went on a late Sunday afternoon, thinking the park would have cleared out by then. We were wrong. The place was PACKED and we drove around for at least 25 minutes before we found a parking spot.

Parking is also NOT free at Lynn Canyon Park. There are many apps you can use to pay for parking or find a kiosk and enter your license plate and credit card.

We observed several parking attendants going around checking all the cars license plates and ticketing those who had parked without paying.

We also noticed lots of people parking outside of the park in the residential neighborhood. I imagine those residents were NOT happy to have hundreds of cars lining their streets!

Kari’s Travel Tip: Go on a weekday, or very early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Or take public transit to get there instead of driving (see below for details)

Pros about the Capilano Suspension Bridge

It’s a Much Longer Bridge!

The Capilano Bridge is 460 feet long, 3 and a half times the length of the Lynn Canyon Bridge at 130 feet.

A long gray bridge spans before us with people walking at the far end of it. Green vegetation and trees are on both sides of the bridge.

A bridge in the distance stretches across a wide open area, surrounded by trees.

There’s more to do at Capilano

Besides the Suspension Bridge, they also offer activities such as the Treetops Adventure, Raptor Ridge, Cliffwalk, The Living Forest, Guided Talks with Park Guides, Cultural and History Events, and more. So if you pay the admission to get in, there’s plenty to do.

A free Shuttle is available from Vancouver

They make it super easy to reach Capilano with a free shuttle from downtown Vancouver. Pickups occur throughout the day from Canada Place and the Hyatt Regency. Check here for the current schedule.

Drawbacks of the Capilano Suspension Bridge

It’s Expensive

If Bill and I had gone to Capilano, it would have cost us over $100 USD for an adult and a senior ticket. We didn’t think that was worth it, given that Lynn Canyon is free and we didn’t have much time available the day we went.

It Can Get Very Crowded

Weekends and holidays can get very crowded at Capilano. We recommend you go during the week or early in the morning.

Someone also told me that when lots of cruise ships are in port in Vancouver, then Capilano can get Extra crowded. It’s a popular excursion for cruisers on Port Days! Here’s a website where you can check to see how many ships are in port on any given day.

How to Get To the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver

Drive

From Vancouver, take Highway 1 to #Exit 19 for the Lynn Valley Road. If you are coming from the west on Hwy 1, stay right as you exit and you will be on Lynn Valley Road. If you are coming from the east, after you take the exit, turn right onto Lynn Valley Road. Travel up Lynn Valley Road past the Lynn Valley Mall. You will eventually see a sign for Lynn Canyon Park at Peters Road. Turn right and continue along Peters Road until you turn left into the park.

Take Transit

Your best bet is to take the #228 Lynn Valley bus from Lonsdale Quay. It stops at the corner of Lynn Valley Road and Peters Road. Then you will walk 15 minutes down Peters Road to reach the park.

Alternatively, the #227 community shuttle runs every day between Phibbs Exchange and Lynn Valley Centre, passing near the Lynn Canyon Park. Get off the #227 at the corner of Peters Road and Duval Road, then follow Peters Road on a 5 minute walk to the park.

You can always visit translink.ca to figure out your ride.

Bike

Vancouver is a great city for bikes! All of the TransLink buses have bike racks available. Follow the instructions for either the #228 or the #227 above.

Conclusion: Is the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge in Vancouver Worth a Visit?

Maybe?

The two parks offer vastly different experiences. Capilano is much more commercial, with amenities and prices to match. If I had a whole day available, I’d probably go there as there is plenty to do to fill several hours, or even a whole day.

Lynn Canyon is much more of a Hidden Gem, frequently visited by North Van locals as well as visitors. If you are into hiking, or you’re short on time, then I definitely recommend visiting Lynn Canyon. Other than paying for parking, visiting the park is free.

More Info on Canada

Here are some more posts about Canada, British Columbia and Vancouver, including some that I’m still working on. If you’d like to receive emails when I’ve posted new content to the site, please complete the short form above.

Vancouver:

Vancouver Island:

Taking the Ferry to Vancouver Island? Learn from Our Experiences (and Our Mistakes)
Butchart Gardens: A Visual Tour of Canada’s Most Beautiful Garden
Coming Soon: Things to do in Campbell River, BC
Coming Soon: Things to do in Victoria