Capilano Suspension Bridge Bridge

Historic suspension bridge spanning Capilano River in Vancouver

Spanning the Capilano River in North Vancouver, the Capilano Suspension Bridge park features a 137-m long bridge, treetop walkways, and a cliffwalk. Visitors come for short rainforest hikes, totem pole displays, and photo views above the canyon.

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Capilano Suspension Bridge at a Glance#

Address: 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Website: https://www.capbridge.com

Hours: Daily 9am-5pm (hours vary seasonally)

Admission: Adult CA$~60 (approx.; check website for current rates)

About Capilano Suspension Bridge#

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a pedestrian suspension bridge and private park in North Vancouver, British Columbia, first spanned in 1889. It is a signature visitor attraction for the Lower Mainland and combines the historic bridge with additional canopy and cliff attractions.

The main bridge stretches about 137 metres across the Capilano River and sits roughly 70 metres above the water, providing sweeping views of the canyon. The park also includes the Treetops Adventure - a series of elevated platforms and short suspension bridges through old-growth firs - and the Cliffwalk, a cantilevered walkway clinging to the granite canyon wall.

The original bridge was built in 1889 by George Grant Mackay as a private crossing; it was later rebuilt and upgraded with steel cables and placed in commercial operation. Over time the site expanded into a managed tourist park under private ownership, with major additions such as the Treetops Adventure in the early 2000s and the Cliffwalk in the 2010s.

The attraction sits in Capilano Canyon in the District of North Vancouver, on the North Shore of Burrard Inlet, across the water from downtown Vancouver. It is a short drive or shuttle ride from central Vancouver and is located in a forested canyon above the Capilano River.

  • Bridge dimensions: 137 metres long and about 70 metres above the Capilano River, making it one of the longest and highest pedestrian suspension bridges in the region.
  • When to visit: Best visited on weekday mornings to avoid peak crowds and for clearer photographic light along the canyon and canopy trails.

What to See#

  • Capilano Suspension Bridge: A 137-metre-long suspension bridge that crosses the Capilano River canyon and sits roughly 70 metres above the water, forming the central attraction of the park.
  • Treetops Adventure: A network of elevated platforms and short suspension bridges among old-growth Douglas firs, reaching approximately 30 metres above the forest floor and designed to showcase the canopy.
  • Cliffwalk: A narrow, cantilevered walkway attached to a granite cliff face opened in the 2010s, offering close-up views of the canyon wall and river below.

How to Get to Capilano Suspension Bridge#

From downtown Vancouver take the SeaBus from Waterfront Station to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver, then transfer to a local TransLink bus that runs up to the Capilano area (check current route numbers/timetables); the final bus stop or drop-off is a short shuttle/bus ride from the park entrance. By car, head north over the Lions Gate Bridge (Highway 1/Marine Drive), follow Capilano Road to the park-the drive is about 15 km from downtown Vancouver (roughly 20-30 minutes depending on traffic) and parking is available at the attraction.

Tips for Visiting Capilano Suspension Bridge#

  • Arrive at opening on a weekday to beat the tour-bus crowds that arrive mid-morning; first entry slots are usually the quietest for crossing the bridge and photographing the canyon.
  • If you have tickets, use the free Capilano shuttle from Canada Place (for ticket holders) or the park's main parking rather than trying to find street parking in North Vancouver-both save time on busy days.
  • Buy timed-entry tickets online to skip long ticket lines and then explore the Cliffwalk and Treetops Adventure after the bridge, where crowds are typically thinner and wildlife sightings are more common.

Best Time to Visit Capilano Suspension Bridge#

Best visited in spring or early autumn for milder weather and smaller crowds; expect peak crowds in summer and during holiday light events.

Summer (Peak)
Jun-Aug · 18-25°C
Warmest, sunniest period and the busiest time for tourists; expect crowds on weekends and near the bridge.
Winter (Wet)
Nov-Feb · 0-8°C
Cooler and rainier - the park is less crowded but trails can be muddy; holiday periods (late Nov-Dec) can be busy for seasonal displays.
Shoulder seasons
Mar-May, Sep-Oct · 6-15°C
Quieter weekdays in spring and autumn are ideal for avoiding crowds while still enjoying good views and milder weather.

Weather & Climate near Capilano Suspension Bridge#

Climate

Capilano Suspension Bridge's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 22°C. Heavy rainfall (2190 mm/year), wettest in November.

Air Quality: AQI 25 Good
Best Time to Visit
AugustJulySeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
-21°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor 1° - 5° 0° 298 mm overcast 94% 3.2 m/s 0.1 low 8.5h
February Poor 2° - 7° 2° 207 mm overcast 92% 3.1 m/s 0.2 low 9.9h
March Poor 3° - 9° 3° 208 mm overcast 91% 3.2 m/s 0.4 low 11.7h
April Poor 5° - 12° 7° 164 mm overcast 84% 3.0 m/s 0.8 moderate 13.6h
May Acceptable 8° - 16° 12° 120 mm overcast 78% 2.9 m/s 1.3 high 15.2h
June Good 11° - 18° 15° 94 mm overcast 78% 2.9 m/s 1.5 high 16.0h
July Very Good 13° - 21° 17° 62 mm partly cloudy 76% 2.8 m/s 1.7 very high 15.6h
August Excellent 13° - 22° 18° 66 mm partly cloudy 77% 2.5 m/s 1.4 high 14.2h
September Good 11° - 19° 15° 88 mm partly cloudy 81% 2.3 m/s 0.8 moderate 12.4h
October Poor 7° - 13° 9° 233 mm overcast 86% 2.6 m/s 0.4 low 10.6h
November Poor 4° - 8° 3° 366 mm overcast 91% 3.2 m/s 0.1 low 8.9h
December Poor 1° - 6° 0° 284 mm overcast 94% 3.3 m/s 0.0 low 8.0h

Nearby Attractions to Capilano Suspension Bridge#