The forest trails are great, we didn't make it to the lighthouse but still enjoyed this location very much. There is parking you do have to pay but it's not too bad. Walking around the massive, ancient trees provides a deep sense of peace and wonder. It is scenic and accessible for hiking in the area. read more

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The highlight of this park is a lovely, historic lighthouse built on a huge granite boulder - but to get to the lighthouse, you hike through a massive old-growth forest with magnificent views of Burrard Inlet and downtown Vancouver off in the distance! The original lighthouse was wooden and lit in 1875 - this current lighthouse was built in 1912 out of concrete on top of a massive granite boulder. It's still in use today although the light is now automated. You can't access the lighthouse itself - it's closed off by fencing. But there are some buildings surrounding the lighthouse with interesting info signs on the parts they played during WWII. There's also picnic tables if you need a rest or some snacks. The trail up to the lighthouse viewpoint are wide and very well maintained. The entire trail is a moderate loop just over 4 miles long with almost 450 feet elevation gain according to AllTrails. Due to time constraints, we only hiked from the parking lot to the lighthouse viewpoint- it was pretty easy and it's less than a mile to the lighthouse with just over 100 feet of elevation gain. So round trip we did less than 2 miles. There's a large parking lot at the trailhead that's pay-to-park. We paid via QR code on one of the signs easily - we had good cell signal. It was just over $10CAD for about 2 hours so very reasonable. read more

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I'm here for the lighthouse. I'm always here for the lighthouse. Yes, the highlight of Lighthouse Park is the lighthouse at Point Atkinson and it was built in 1912. A few gun emplacements and defenses were added during World War 2 though much of that is just shells these days. On a beautiful Saturday morning, it was a nice hike. I was lucky to find a parking space for the Sprinter van and the lot was pretty much filled by the time I got back. It's not paved or even level but it works and it's free. The forest is a moderate hike. Some elevation changes and some of it is smooth enough for a lazy and out-of-shape Yelper like myself. It's old growth forest and absolutely beautiful with a well marked trail. The reward at the end is the lighthouse and the view of the Burrard Inlet with Vancouver Harbor way off in the distance. Some captions at the lighthouse keeper's buildings explain what it was like. And if you want to climb down the stairs to the shoreline, that's an option. Several folks insisted on climbing out on the rocks because they do. For me, this is as far west and north as I'm getting on my 2023 tour. Zoom in on https://www.yelp.com/collection/eLMa9EPZj-zXQWZdH4n_5A/2023-is-fabulous and you'll see the route! It's back towards home from here! [Review 20868 overall - 45 in British Columbia - 1852 of 2023.] read more

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We came here cause I wanted to see a lighthouse. The day was rainy and gloomy, so that kind of sucked. Unfortunately, from where we were, we were not able to get close to the lighthouse and I don't think you can get close to the lighthouse no matter where you come in from. But the views are spectacular and there's a lot of different hikes in the area. read more

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Lighthouse Park, which gets its name from a lighthouse at Point Atkinson, is a popular park for hiking and walking. Despite being born and raised in Vancouver, I have never been to Lighthouse Park before, and I went for the first time today with my hiking group. There are many trails within the park, and while many are flat, easy walks (including the trail from the park entrance to the lighthouse), there are trails with some elevation that may be challenging for people with no hiking experience or for people with mobility issues. The route my group and I took today was: Birdsong Path; Juniper Point Trail to Juniper Point; Shore Pine Trail to Shore Pine Point and Lighthouse Viewpoint; Point Atkinson; Valley Trail; Arbutus Trail to Eagle Point; Valley of the Giants Trail; Summit Trail; back to the parking lot. Walking at a leisurely pace, stopping to take many photos, and a break for lunch took 3 hours and 20 minutes. It was a lovely hike, the trails a mixture of flat and easy, stairs and boardwalks, terrain with roots and rocks, and short inclines that got your heart pumping, although nothing overly strenuous. I look forward to going back and spending hours exploring the other trails. Other things to note: parking is limited and the small parking lot fills up quickly, but Lighthouse Park is accessible by the #250 bus, which stops at Marine Drive and Beacon Lane, a five minute walk to the park. (Even though the #250 bus runs fairly frequently, the one that goes to Lighthouse Park only runs every half an hour.) In the parking lot, as well as at the lighthouse view point, there are port-o-potties, but they are absolutely DISGUSTING -- the ones in the parking lot were completely covered in PISS -- some man (because there is no way a woman could have physically done it) sprayed all over the back of the toilet seats. Outhouses would have been preferable. [Yelp collections: Hiking; Parks and Gardens] read more

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I have always wanted to visit Lighthouse Park after a friend told me about it. I was hesitant to go on my own as I was recovering from MVA injuries and I was told there are some steep and rocky areas to maneuver. I finally found someone willing to go with me recently and it was quite manageable. The park is quite big with several trails. We went to Juniper Point lookout on our first visit. The trail is near the parking lot entrance. A short part is accessible friendly and there are a few benches along the way to rest. The trail got a bit more challenging after the sign indicating the end of accessible part. It became steeper and there were lots of roots and rocks. These helped in forming natural steps and to hold on to when getting down the slope. Juniper Point lookout has a gorgeous view of the sea. It is a cliff so be careful not to be too close to the edge. To get to Point Atkinson Lighthouse, you need to walk past the parking lot, continuing on the paved lane. This is much easier as you don't have to deal with loose gravels. Once you reached the area with many wooden buildings, take the East Beach trail to get to the lighthouse. If you scramble down to the rocky beach, you can see the bunker too. It's under the lighthouse and covered with graffiti. Go during low tide to get to the bunker. The sign indicating lighthouse is a shorter trail and scramble up on the rocks. You only get a partial view of the lighthouse. There are wooden bridges and stairs on the trails which do help in getting over the harder parts. I have not tried the other trails but I will probably be back to do those. Each trail takes about 20-30 mins to get to the cliff side. I'm glad I finally got to visit it. Weekdays are less crowded and go when it's dry weather. I would imagine the trails being slippery when it's rainy season. read more

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Really nice beautiful park close to Horseshoe Bay. Parking is available in a few small unpaved lots. The park is basically a large sloped forest. Plenty of trails crisscrossing the area. Nothing is terribly steep, but there are definitely some ups and down, as well as the occasional flight of stairs. The best views are along the rocky areas along the waterline. These ones are tricky to access. Be prepared to use one's hands. The lighthouse in the name refers to Point Atkinson, which is a historic site and makes for a great postcard shot. See my separate review for the lighthouse area. Definitely worth checking out at least once. Also great for tourists who want to see what the West Coast is all about. read more

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If you haven't been to this side of beautiful city vancouver then you are missing on something. Picturesque, fairly easy trails and breathtaking view of lighthouse and ocean horizon with sailing oil tankers takes your breath away. You can follow the wide trail from the entrance of the park to go straight to lighthouse view which is about 10 mins walking trail. Or take the narrow trail towards starboat cove. There are picnic tables. Washrooms are not the cleanest but best a forest could have. Rocky pathway through the rocks takes you to the top of the big rock for the view of light. You could just be mesmerized by the beauty of this sight and sit here long time . I would go again and again to explore this beautiful and well preserved beauty of Vancouver. I wish i could tent here and have a bonfire. Parking is scant as its in posh residential area. read more

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Although not very large and with a main trail that is quite straightforward if you only just want to visit the lighthouse that is the focus of its name, Lighthouse Park invites people to explore it, as many smaller paths branch out from the main one. And you will find many small adventures in this unassuming park that is actually an old-growth forest - from cliffs and coves that do not seem so obviously there to a WWII era bunker that has become home to colorful works of graffiti, Lighthouse Park provides hours of play and discovery while simultaneously being a respite from bustling Vancouver 30-40 minutes away. Not only will you get a great and serene view of the city in the distance, but also of the natural beauty that defines the Burrard Inlet, which is adorned by anything from large oil tankers that dwarf the paddle boarders that go buy. read more

Lighthouse Park - Parks Near Me

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Lighthouse park is a beautiful park that's a stone's throw away from downtown Vancouver. I recommend everyone who enjoys watching BC's nice coastline scenery to take the time to come here at least once! It's pretty much impossible to get lost here. The main trail is wide and loops around back to the parking lot. The sign posts were clearly marked with trail markers and directions to each viewpoint. Free maps of the trail are available at the parking lot area. It's easy to find out where you are based on the signposts all around the trails along with the map in hand. If you accidentally take a weird small trail, it will eventually connect to one of the main trails that loops around the park. It's an easy trail because a vast majority of the main trails are well laid out and mostly flat with a gentle incline. Many of the trails have a built-in wooden plank or carved out steps for easy climbs up steep terrain. A hiking stick would be helpful for older folks, but definitely not needed for most people. The park is also great for families for a relatively easy hike to one of the MANY viewpoints. The viewpoints of the landscapes aren't impressively breathtaking, but they are still pretty nice on sunny days and they are easy to get to. I love how there are so many viewpoints along the main trail by the water on many different elevations. The mountains and the city of downtown Vancouver can be seen in the distance on clear sunny days. Many sailboats, kayaks, ferries, and oil tankers can be seen in the water. If you're lucky, you can find animals along the way. My friend and I were lucky enough to spot a seal peeking out of the water! On the other hand, the star attraction, the actual lighthouse that the park is named after, was covered by a bunch of trees so I couldn't get a good view of it. Maybe I was in the wrong viewpoint for it... Here's a useful tip: Lighthouse park is one of the most famous parks in BC so it tends to be crowded on sunny days, especially weekends. To avoid the crowds, come early! My friends and I came early in the morning and parking was relatively easy to find. We found a parking spot pretty much right in front of the trail entrance as soon as we came. No waiting needed! By early afternoon while we were on the way out, parking was scarce. Many cars were waiting for other cars to get out. Because we arrived at the park early, a lot of times we got viewpoints all to ourselves since most of the park visitors hadn't arrived yet. We took our time taking pictures and finding the best positions for the most Instagram-worthy scenery shots. So trust me on this, come as early as possible. It will be a more pleasant experience. Also, for whatever reason, the washroom outhouses on some trails were out of order so make sure to go to the ones by the parking lot. Overall, lighthouse park is a pretty easy hike with some good viewpoints. They're not spectacular but worth the trip at least once. It's not a far drive from downtown and takes only a couple hours to explore most of it. The trail is great for people who are total beginners to hiking and children, or people who simply want an easier hike. And yes, it's dog friendly. Dog bags are available near the parking lot entrance. I came across many, many dog owners along the trail. No wonder it's one of Vancouver's more popular tourist attractions. read more

Lighthouse Park - Parks Near Me

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We got there at 7 am and had a nice peaceful walk under the trees. Someone left walking sticks and we used them, then brought them back. They were very helpful on the rocky areas. read more

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This is one of my favorite places and the hike itself is not hard, but the scenery itself is beautiful

What a beautiful place for a quick and easy hike! They have a good number of trails where you can pick and choose your route depending where and how long you would like to hike for. A lot of great viewpoints where you can take some awesome photos of the light house and the view. We took the route right down to the rocks by the lighthouse and up and the round trip took a bit less than 2 hours for a very leisure walk. The best part is it is much quieter and crowded compared to Quarry Rock, but the elevation much less at Lighthouse park, so it's better for those who are just looking for an easy hike. read more

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Really awesome little park with a bunch of hiking trails and also a cool beach where you can hang out on the rocks and stare into the bay and Vancouver across the water. Super helpful that they have great bathroom amenities and also lots of options for different trails. Also, you can get down and see the lighthouse - but not too close. Walk down the driveway past the gate and you're basically at somebody's house, but staring at the lighthouse from a much closer vantage point. Cool little insider trick is that there's a an old war bunker sitting up on the hill - it's a bit hard to get to and you have to be fleet of foot but worth the trip up there for a nice view and some cool graffiti on the inside. About 30 miles from downtown Vancouver but definitely worth the trip. read more

Lighthouse Park - "Secret" bunker. - Parks Near Me

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Beautiful park combining the experiences of old growth forest and coastal vistas. I hiked the juniper loop to juniper point and spent time at the point. A perfect way to spend a couple of hours! read more

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First visit to the park recently. Impressed with the variety of trails throughout. There's a straighter, flatter, paved trail...for those who might need it...that goes down the center of the park. There are many other more rustic, narrow and/or rougher options on both sides. We took one trail on the east side of the park with great views across the water. Great for dogs, Lighthouse allows off leash on the trails. We had to carry our little one for much of the trail we took, but enjoyed encountering many well-behaved off leash pups along the way. Be prepared to climb a bit for cool views above the lighthouse! Overall a great hiking with beautiful scenery and ample parking. read more

Lighthouse Park - Parks Near Me

All the parks in Vancouver are amazing! Lynn Canyon, Stanley, Lighthouse, they all have so much to offer! West Vancouver is a little out of the way, but it's worth the drive. We came out here Saturday and hiked around and just enjoyed the scenery. You drive through a neighborhood to get to the parking lot. Parking lot was packed when we got there Saturday afternoon, but we found parking eventually. You can't get up close to the lighthouse. You see it from a distance. There's a couple of picture opp spots, I think the best is when you go west of the lighthouse. There's the rocks and you're right on the water. The trail keeps going from the 1st viewpoint. The hike to the lighthouse is short, less than a mile. So beautiful! read more

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Another cool park very close to the city. I really enjoyed the trails - well maintained through the cedar and Douglas fir trees. Lots of nice spots along the coves to climb around rocks and view the sea. Overall, amazing spot that's a hidden gem not too far from the city. read more

Ohh, how I loved Lighthouse Park! We went toward sunset on a weekday evening. It was so quiet! Only one other car in the lot and we never even saw those people. We hiked over to the lighthouse and I couldn't get over how lush and green it was. The path was a bit muddy due to rain during the day, but not terribly so. After we found the lighthouse, we went on another path and ended up at this amazing viewpoint on top of some rocks. The path there was a bit challenging at times, especially with wet surfaces. But it was a fun challenge and I adored the views. I'd love to return to this park sometime to explore more... when I'm not running out of daylight! read more

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Great little hike! The end of the little hike rewards you with amazing views of the Vancouver skyline with the ocean of course, a beautiful lighthouse also has a little beach, We love to take our dog here. It does get busy and parking lot is small. read more

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Peaceful park to overlook the downtown Vancouver and Mount. Baker. It takes only 10 minutes from the parking lot to the lighthouse, though you can't walk close to it. The big rocks are fun for boys to climb up and down. read more

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Amazing trails leading to magnificent views..so many hidden gems in West Vancouver. A

Beautiful old growth park with trails to the ocean and incredible views! Trails for all levels of hikes with dogs welcomed. read more

Lighthouse Park - Lighthouse Park - Parks Near Me

What a hidden gem. The parking is free. The walk/hike to the lighthouse is all downhill, be prepared to walk uphill for a while on the way back to the car. I recommend staying to the right of the lighthouse. It will lead you to a trail along the coast where you gain beautiful views of the lighthouse in the distance and you can see some seals if you are lucky! We saw about 7 seals, super curious. The sore side was absolutely beautiful and there were plenty of hiking trails around this park to get a good hike in. We did 6 miles alone here just exploring. read more

With trails hugging the coast and meandering into the rainforest, following a creek up past large mossy trees and then jutting out on multiple outcroppings for views of the water, this beautiful park is really worth the time to visit. These are easy to follow, kid and dog friendly hikes. We took our time today and enjoyed the serenity of the park, stopping for lots of breaks and resting on the rocks at the water's edge. We spotted a Seal and two Eagles circled above us all in the same resting point. Wear sturdy footwear, as the roots and rocks can be really slippery in the damp forest so be mindful as you walk. This park rocks! -and yes, pun intended. read more

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This was beautiful to see. Keep in mind that you will have to do a fair amount of walking in order to see the actual lighthouse. It's a little far from downtown Vancouver, but definitely worth the drive. read more

Lighthouse Park - Parks Near Me

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This is one of my favourite parks due to it being a little more difficult to get to. It's seclusion makes for a peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life while still being within reach. There are a ton of great trails to wander, rocks & sand to soak in the sun under, and even a decent place to go climbing. The trails are also pet friendly. If you wander down to the edges you either get a great view back into downtown Vancouver our out onto the water. read more

Whats great about this park? It's only 30 minutes from Vancouver. It's easy to get to. It's a forest of "gigantic Douglas firs." It has a lighthouse (duh). It has a number of trails to choose from. The trails meander through the forest and lead down to various rocky beaches around the park. The trails are marked with trail names throughout, but unless you have memorized the trail map back at the parking lot (ala an "Amazing Race" challenge), good luck! And with all these cute little trail marker signs, not one points the way back to the parking lot. Having become a big fan of the TV drama "Harper's Island" where some psycho keeps chopping people up in the forest, I would appreciate knowing how to run back to the safety of my car when THAT GUY jumps out from behind a tree! OK?! Anyhow, the lighthouse was pretty cool, but I agree with Megan S.--not super cool. Snapped a few good photos, didn't see any bald eagles, worked up a sweat and didn't get axed! Overall, a successful day at the park. I definitely would recommend it if you have a few hours and you want to escape the city for a fairly easy hike. read more

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The combination of accessibility, hill climbs and rocky outcrops to scramble up makes this park absolutely top-notch for wearing out energetic children. With the views of the city, giant Douglas Firs, Western Redcedars and Hemlocks it is also a great place to take out-of-town visitors for a multi-faceted Pacific coast experience. My recommendation is to turn east from the south end of the car park and head for the 'Valley of the Giants' trail for the best blend of city views and forest experience. read more

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This is a great hiking and picnic spot in Metro Vancouver is you would like to be somewhere slightly out of the metro area. I live next to Stanley Park so I'm always on the lookout for other urban hiking and picnic spots. The park is the at the most western end of Metro Vancouver at the mouth of Howe Sound. It has a small parking lot so arriving early is recommended. Different trails lead to you various boulder edges and rock beaches overlooking Burnaby Mountain, Downtown Vancouver, Lions Gate Bridges, and the overlapping mountains to the west of Howe Sound depending on where you end up. The Howe Sound view is absolutely beautiful. To me it rivals some of the fjords I've seen around Oslo (no along western Norway where the dramatic ones are). Pack a lunch. A perfect way to spend a sunny (or even cloudy day - you will enjoy the different hues of the Sound) day for the cost of your food. The downside of the location is that you really need a car to get there but it's common with most provincial / state parks if you are looking for secluded and serene locations. Bring a hiking stick because there is a sign at the entrance warning wildlife sightings. read more

Lighthouse Park is another fabulous transit-friendly hiking destination in Vancouver. The clear trails and dense forest canopy make a great rainy day destination. Walk along ocean-side trails amidst great fallen giants and a lighthouse, see the BC ferries come and go, and watch kids and dogs scramble over the shore combing for beach finds. We last visited during very moody weather and really enjoyed the visit. A great trip when an overcast day threatens to try and keep you indoors. read more

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Close and accessible to downtown Vancouver, Lighthouse Park offers great, short and relatively easy hikes with rewarding picturesque vistas. From the parking lot we headed out to Juniper Point, then back along the Juniper Trail to Shore Pine Trail, down towards the Shore Pine Point lookout, and then down to the lookout off the West Beach Trail before settling on the rocks of West Beach Trail enjoying the view of the lighthouse for which the park is named. Ambling along the trail and admiring the views from each of the lookouts we came across, the roundtrip journey took us about an hour and a half. Well marked, a relatively easy gradient and with plenty of maps available at the information board, I would highly recommend this park for family and pet friendly hikes. read more

Lighthouse Park - View from Juniper Point over Howe Sound - Parks Near Me

I love taking clients engagements here if they're looking for outdoor photographs. It's such a beautiful park, gorgeous ocean views, easy enough of a hike and a big enough variety of spaces to get a great amount of shots. Definitely worth the little drive that it is! read more

Lighthouse Park - Vancouver Engagement Session - Parks Near Me

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Beautiful lighthouse, nice but short hiking trail. Parking is a bit difficult during peak times. read more

Lighthouse Park - Parks Near Me

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Great place to frequent if you don't mind a steep trail or two. Worth the visit from over town.

I like this park a lot, especially during the summer, but Lighthouse Park desperately needs a wooden boardwalk style walkway for the trails that head west. During late fall, winter and early spring, the narrow trails with protruding bushes and plants can get very muddy and slippery. read more

I was told by a local that this beloved gem was the oldest unlogged forest in Vancouver. BFF went off to see the touristy Capilano suspension bridge and acrophobic me chose Lighthouse Park for an easier and a glorious, and less fearless stroll. The glorious adjective does indeed describe this park, with all its primeval trees, so tall, so stately, so humbling. The fearless part remains debatable. I know most Vancouverites are certainly more active than I am, but either they are descended from Dall's sheep, or the easy walks they are talking about aren't the trails I took! I started off easy on flat dirt roads that turned into steep climbs filled with tree roots and boulders, some with small nooks, great footholds if you have lotus feet or if you are a toddler. I went off to the see the lighthouse, climbed on some large boulders and saw some stunning views. Two women were perched casually on the edge of one boulders with a baby but then again, maybe I was hallucinating and they were eagles. But seriously, one tumble if you are clumsy and you are food for the critters(though after 2 pm there are more hikers along with their cute pooches and a better chance for rescue, unless your brains have decorated some rocks and there is no need for rescue). I took the East path to go down to the beach to get closer to the lighthouse. It was all scrambling down and through boulders at some point. My lust for adventure ended when I saw a local take a fall between rocks closer to the beach. And despite some dicey ugh moments, I still thought my visit to Lighthouse Park was one of the highlights of my trip. With the many trails, some difficult, the park seems larger than it is. And absolutely beautiful, full of good, clean air and the energy of the old forest. There truly is no poem as lovely as a tree. Lighthouse House is definitely worth a visit. Just be prepared with sensible shoes(though I did see some girls with flip flops who must have found the easy trails!). I went on impulse, regrettably didn't have my hikers but had my Jambu's with their nonslip soles. Try not to hike alone, as I did. There is a lot of shade but bring sunblock anyway. I didn't get bitten by any bugs but some trails had many gnats. Note: the 250 bus from downtown brings you to the stop for Lighthouse park. Note that the stop is not marked Lighthouse Park. There is a sign if you are coming from the north in West Vancouver, not visible in the other direction. Tourists usually come from the south so if you do, ask the bus driver to let you off at the right stop. I almost missed it but for a friendly, attentive local. The entrance to the park is not prominent. Once the bus lets you off, cross the road, walk past the bus stop on the opposite side of the road and walk straight, past houses. You will pass a house on the right with a sign. Do Not take the trail marked by that sign that says" To trail and private road only." That will lead you to someone's garden! Keep walking straight until you see the plaque, Lighthouse Park. Follow the many cars. The walk is maybe 10-15 minutes to get to the entrance of the park. Try to got to the park earlier in the day. The traffic will be less and the ride won't seem endless. Very important note: if you take the 250 from downtown to get to Lighthouse Park, double check the bus schedule. West Vancouver has some of the wealthiest residents in Vancouver so that means they have cars. The 250 bus is the only bus that runs that stretch of road on the west side but I was told by a local that it runs only 3 times a day on Sunday. If you miss your bus, Park Royal Mall has many buses that will go to downtown but it is a long, long way to walk there. The Canada bus system can throw you some unwanted surprises, as we found out when we visited UBC. Save yourself the agita and visit during a weekday and remember to check your bus schedule. read more

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Totally do it! 1) Situated in West Vancouver, Lighthouse Park is barely a half an hour's drive from downtown Vancouver, yet it's a completely different world. 2) It's a serene picture of fresh air, easy trails and giant trees. The different relatively short trails take you to secluded spots right next to the waters. 3) As you get closer to the lighthouse or any other viewpoint, you hear the crashing waves and smell the invigorating salty air. Then you find a spot on the rocks to take in the gorgeous sunset, endless blue skies and vast Pacific Ocean. If and when you need to get away, or just to enjoy the natural beauty BC has to offer, this place is highly recommended! read more

Great park with easy walks, old growth forest and plenty of breathing space. Public transport is available with the non-express bus to horseshoe bay.? read more

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Lighthouse Park is a great park for an introduction to hiking. The trail has interesting landscaping and the unique trees make it a sight to see. There is also a nice resting area for a drink and the necessary #1s or #2s. The bathrooms were clean! Look above and see some interesting bird species, including hawks. Some beautiful picture moments are also possible. Bring ski poles to assist in balance, especially if you are new to hiking or older and need stability. Enjoy Lighthouse Park in Vancouver!! read more