Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Family of 4
$200-250 CAD (~$145-180 USD) for 2 adults + 2 kids ages 6-12
Duration
2-3 hours
Best Ages
All ages (best for 4+)
About
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is one of those places that delivers genuine adventure for families. The main attraction — a 460-foot rope bridge swaying 230 feet above the Capilano River — is dramatic enough to make parents grip the handrails while their kids run ahead giggling.
But the bridge is really just the gateway. Once you cross to the far side, the Treetops Adventure awaits: seven suspension bridges strung between massive old-growth Douglas firs, taking you through the forest canopy about 100 feet off the ground. The platforms are secure and the bridges have high railings, so it feels adventurous without being genuinely dangerous.
Kids who are old enough to walk independently (roughly age 4+) can navigate them with confidence.
The Cliffwalk is the park's newest addition and arguably the most thrilling. A series of cantilevered walkways jut out from a granite cliff face, some with glass-bottom sections that look straight down to the river below. It's not for every kid (or every adult), but the ones who do it feel like absolute heroes afterward.
Back on solid ground, the rainforest trails are genuinely beautiful — towering cedars and firs draped in moss, with interpretive signs that explain the coastal temperate rainforest ecosystem. There's a totem pole park with Indigenous art, and during holiday seasons, special events like Canyon Lights transform the entire park with thousands of LED lights strung through the trees and across the bridge.
The practical stuff: strollers can cross the main bridge on the flat boardwalk but cannot access the Treetops or Cliffwalk, so baby carriers are the way to go if you want the full experience. Washrooms and changing facilities are available. There's a small cafe on-site, but the food is basic — pack your own if you want a proper lunch.
The park runs a free shuttle from downtown Vancouver (picks up at Canada Place), which is honestly the best way to get there. Parking is available but fills up fast on summer weekends. Arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon — midday is when the tour buses descend and the bridge gets packed.
One important note: this is an outdoor attraction, and it's in the mountains. It can be noticeably cooler and wetter here than in downtown Vancouver, so dress in layers and bring rain gear even if the city looks sunny.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Nursing / Changing
Available
Kid Meals
Available
Setting
Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Early morning right at opening or late afternoon to avoid tour bus crowds. Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends.
Wait Times
Up to 30 minutes on summer weekends for bridge crossing; minimal on weekday mornings
Nearby Food
The park has a casual cafe and a small restaurant called The Bridge House. Nearby on Capilano Road, you'll find Bridges Restaurant and several options in North Vancouver's Edgemont Village.
Why Kids Love It
Walking across a bridge that's 230 feet above a rushing river? That's the kind of adventure kids talk about for years. The Capilano Suspension Bridge wobbles and bounces with every step, and kids absolutely live for that slightly scary thrill.
But the bridge is just the beginning. The Treetops Adventure takes you across seven smaller suspension bridges strung between 250-year-old Douglas fir trees, 100 feet up in the forest canopy. The Cliffwalk is a series of narrow walkways bolted to a granite cliff face, hanging over the canyon.
Brave kids feel like explorers. Nervous kids surprise themselves. The nature walk through the rainforest on the far side of the bridge is peaceful and full of interpretive signs about the coastal ecosystem.
In winter, the entire park is lit up with Canyon Lights — thousands of lights strung through the forest that transform it into something magical.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Take the free shuttle from downtown (picks up at Canada Place) to avoid parking hassles
- Cross the bridge first thing — it gets crowded by midday with tour groups
- Strollers can cross the main bridge but not the Treetops or Cliffwalk — use a carrier for babies
- The Cliffwalk has a minimum height requirement — check before promising little ones they can do it
- Dress in layers and wear good shoes — it's a rainforest, so it's often damp even when the city is dry
What to Bring
- Rain jacket or waterproof shell (it's a rainforest microclimate)
- Baby carrier instead of a stroller for full park access
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes with grip
- Camera — the views from the bridge and treetops are incredible
- Snacks and water (food on-site is limited and pricey)
Cost Info
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$200-250 CAD (~$145-180 USD) for 2 adults + 2 kids ages 6-12
Tips to Save
- Kids 5 and under are free.
- Buy tickets online in advance to skip the ticket line.
- Annual passes pay for themselves in 2 visits.
- Free shuttle bus runs from downtown Vancouver — saves parking costs.