So you want to visit Stanley Park in Vancouver, Canada eh? Well done, you have made an excellent choice (as long as it’s not raining)!
Stanley Park is a favorite spot for locals and travelers. Although almost entirely surrounded by water this park is easily accessible by foot, bike, car, or even rollerblades if you still possess this underrated skill. There are over 1000+ acres of park to explore, but there are five particular spots to adventure to if you are a first-time visitor.
First Nation Totem Poles
Stanley Park was first opened in 1888 but its history goes back even further. Long before European boots stood on British Columbia soil, this area of Canada was called home by the First Nation people. Stanley Park paid tribute to the original inhabitants by commissioning the carving of Totem Poles displayed near Brockton Point.
While building my simple truck camper setup, I gained a huge respect for the craft of woodworking. When gazing upon these Totem Poles my simpleton brain cannot fathom the patience and skill required for these pieces of art.
If you aren’t familiar Totem Poles, Canada’s First Nation and Native Americans carved these wooden symbols as ways to tell stories, honor gods or document the cultures historical events. I can tell you this method of recording history is way more fun to analyze than a textbook.
The Seawall
From the Totem Poles take a walk on the seawall. This wall circles the outside of Stanley Park and provides a nonstop view of Vancouver’s’ waterfront and the Pacific Ocean.
The path is flat and paved which makes it easy to walk or bike. There is even a dedicated rollerblade lane, which for me brings back memories of skinned knees and dorky helmets, but I can appreciate Vancouver’s inclusivity for all methods of transportation. If tiny wheels strapped to your feet isn’t your thing, there are a ridiculous amount of spots to rent bikes just outside the park and it is entirely possible to circumnavigate the whole seawall in a day.
Brockton Point
A short walk from the Totem Poles is Brockton Point. A red and white lighthouse sits above the seawall at this section of the park marking the easternmost point of Stanley Park. This dainty little lighthouse is over 100 years old and overlooks Coal Harbor. From here you can observe giant container ships sailing through or watch seaplanes land nimbly on the deep blue inlet.
Prospect Point
The next stop on your Stanley Park Tour is Prospect Point which is the most northern tip of Stanley Park. This is also the highest point in the park. There is a garden to stroll through and a restaurant if you’re hungry but most people visit Prospect Point to get the best view of Lion’s Gate Bridge. If you ever watch a Vancouver Canucks hockey game on TV this is guaranteed to be shown at least once in those post commercial shots of a cities landmarks that they do in every city. The Lion’s Gate bridge is named after The Lions, a pair of mountain peaks that can be seen from most of Vancouver on a clear day.
The Hollow Tree
For the life of me, I don’t know why a hollowed out tree is so fascinating but there is just something about it you can’t help yourself from pulling over and taking a picture. In the days of black and white photos, people came from all over the country to back their car up into the hollowed out base of the red cedar tree and park it there for a photo op. More bizarrely, someone once brought an elephant to the park and had it stand inside the tree. Why would someone do this you ask? Well, why not?
Today you cannot park your car (or large circus animal) in the tree because Vancouver does not trust your driving ability but you can still stand inside the massive hollowed out tree and imagine all the other weird stuff people tried to fit in this tree.
Enjoy Stanley Park!
Plan to spend about 3 hours sightseeing in Stanley Park. If it ever stops raining in Vancouver, drop what you’re doing and make a beeline for the park. It’s rich history and great views make it a relaxing and fun place to spend some much needed outdoor time.
Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.
