The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Stanley Park National Historic Site

Siwash Rock is a dramatic sea stack rising just offshore beneath the park’s rugged sandstone cliffs, and is one of Vancouver’s most recognizable natural landmarks. Formed millions of years ago by a volcanic intrusion, it resisted erosion better than the surrounding rock, standing about 15–18 metres tall and is the only sea stack of its kind in the Vancouver area. The coastal forest backdrop, open water, and views across English Bay make it one of the most photographed spots along Stanley Park’s waterfront.

Lost Lagoon is a freshwater lake at the entrance to Stanley Park. Before the Stanley Park Causeway was built, this area was a tidal mudflat connected to Coal Harbour and would disappear at low tide, inspiring the name given by poet E. Pauline Johnson. Today, the lagoon is one of Vancouver's best places for urban wildlife watching, with ducks, great blue herons, turtles, and other water birds regularly seen along its shores. The flat path around the water also offers beautiful reflections of the downtown skyline and surrounding trees.

Prospect Point sits on the northernmost end of Stanley Park and is most famous for its observation decks. Paved walkways descend below the bridge where the Prospect Point Lighthouse sits on the shores of the water. There is a large Canadian flag and plenty of informational signage to read up on.

Here, the Avison Trail crosses over Stanley Park Causeway via a sidewalk on Stanley Park Drive and gives one of the best viewpoints over Lions Gate Bridge. There is an informational sign on the sidewalk about the bridge, and the viewpoints look straight down the bridge from between the forests.

The Bridle Path is a route open to hikers, horseback riders, and cyclists. It's a well-maintained and scenic winding path through thick forests, open meadows, and riverbanks. The pathway is wide and explores the heart of Stanley Park.

The Seven Sisters Replantation was a community-led effort focused on helping restore native plants and trees and improving trail conditions. This area was named after 7 tall trees that were cut down in the 50s. There is informational signage here to learn all about these giant trees and the 7 stumps that remain.

The Stanley Park Seawall is a paved waterfront path that circles the edge of Stanley Park, offering continuous views of the ocean, mountains, and city skyline. This iconic section of the Vancouver Seawall follows the shoreline of English Bay and is popular with both walkers and cyclists. Gentle grades, wide paths, and frequent viewpoints make it one of the most scenic and accessible urban waterfront routes in Canada.

The English Bay Bathhouse is a historic waterfront facility built in 1931 to replace earlier wooden bathing pavilions. Today, it offers public change rooms, restrooms, and lifeguard services right on English Bay Beach and also serves as a central hub for events like the annual Polar Bear Swim. Its concrete design is characteristic of early 20th-century beach architecture and beautifully complements the scenic waterfront promenade, and is a popular spot for both residents and visitors.