Things To Do in Stanley Park, Vancouver: A Complete Guide
There’s no question why Stanley Park consistently ranks among Vancouver’s top attractions. This beautiful park sits right on the edge of downtown and connects the city with the North Shore Mountains. It has great scenery, lots of trails and spectacular views of the water, mountains and Vancouver’s skyline, making it a great place to explore and enjoy. If you’re visiting Vancouver for the first time, this is one spot you absolutely have to make time for.
We’ve compiled our favourite things to see and do in Stanley Park to create the ultimate bucket list. It’s divided into two parts: ways to explore Stanley Park and things to see, including scenic viewpoints, landmarks and other iconic spots.
Here’s how to make the most of your time in Stanley Park, so you can take home epic memories of your visit.
Ways to Explore Stanley Park
Bike around Stanley Park
There’s no better way to explore Stanley Park than biking the Seawall, a scenic 10 km ocean path that wraps around the shoreline of the park. As you ride, you’ll have water and city views on one side, and Stanley Park’s old-growth forest on the other. You’ll see mountains, pass under the iconic Lions Gate Bridge and even have a chance to stop at two beaches along the way.
You can get a Mobi Bike through Vancouver’s bike sharing system, or rent a bike by the hour from one of the shops on Denman Street in Coal Harbour. Most rental shops have similar prices and bikes, so you can choose one by flipping a coin. Bike rental will cost you around $10 per hour, and an e-scooter around $20 (last checked in 2026). There are also other options: e-bikes, mountain bikes, tandems, etc. The hire should include a helmet (BC laws require wearing a helmet at all times), a lock and a basket (optional 😉). You can’t cycle on sidewalks, so if you’re not comfortable riding on the street, walk your bike from the rental shop to the park (it’s not far).
The seawall is completely flat and there’s a separate path for pedestrians, so you don’t have to worry about getting in someone’s way. Just be aware that the bike path is strictly one way! You can only ride from Coal Harbour to English Bay, not the other way round. Make sure you’re not ‘that’ person going the opposite direction 🙂 And remember that pedestrians always have the right of way in Vancouver.
If you’re more adventurous, you can cycle the entire length of Vancouver Seawall, not just the Stanley Park section. The Seawall is 28 kilometres long and extends from the Vancouver Convention Centre to Spanish Banks Park. The City of Vancouver has a great map of the Seawall on its website showing the 22km route from Stanley Park to Kitsilano Beach Park, and you can find it here.
Walk along the Seawall
Another option for getting around Stanley Park is to simply stroll along the Seawall. Walking the entire loop takes between 2 and 3 hours if you don’t stop, but you’ll probably want take breaks. The path is flat, well-maintained, and there are plenty of benches and small beaches where you can take a break, so it’s accessible for pretty much everyone regardless of fitness level.
You can start your walk at either Coal Harbour or English Bay. The eastern part begins in Coal Harbour and has views of Vancouver Harbour, the North Shore Mountains and the Lions Gate Bridge. The western side starts at English Bay and offers ocean views and beaches. There’s so much to see that we’ve written a separate guide about walking the Stanley Park Seawall.
Things to See in Stanley Park: Scenic Viewpoints, Landmarks and Other Iconic Spots
Discover the totem poles
Many spots in the park are worth visiting, but the totem poles at Brockton Point are especially unique. It’s a beautiful display of work by First Nation artists from British Columbia. The poles are colourful and rich with Indigenous history and symbolism. Take your time as you walk around because each carving tells its own story. You can also join a guided tour to learn more about the culture of the Vancouver’s Indigenous peoples.
You can get here by car or on foot. There’s a gift shop, a snack shop and washrooms nearby, so it’s very convenient.
Explore the nature trails inside Stanley Park
There are many trails and roads crisscrossing the park. You’ll find signs with a map of the park in many places, or you can download one from the City of Vancouver website. The trails are well-marked, but keep in mind the terrain may be a bit steep in some places. There are cliffs on the northwest side of the park, so you’ll find the steepest sections in that part. It’s not exactly the North Shore mountains, but it can be surprising because from the city the park looks relatively flat.
Visit Beaver Lake
Our favourite nature walk is from the Rose Garden to Beaver Lake. It goes through a beautiful old-growth forest lined with Hemlock, Cedar and giant Douglas Fir trees. In spring and summer, the lake is largely covered by water lilies and other plants. There’s a beaver lodge, but the beavers are elusive and usually come out at dusk or dawn. Still, this area is always full of wildlife, especially water birds and squirrels. It’s very quiet and a perfect spot to sit on a bench with a book or simply sit in silence and watch nature unfold.
Tall trees on the trail to Beaver Lake 
There are always many ducks at Beaver Lake
Go to the Lost Lagoon
Lost Lagoon is near the main entrance to Stanley Park. It’s a freshwater lake and the largest body of water in the park. You can do a short loop around it in about 30 minutes, but you’ll want to stop a few times and look around. You can often see turtles sunbathing on the rocks and many kinds of birds like great blue herons, ducks, geese, gulls and pigeons. It’s also an interesting contrast between the lake and the trees in the foreground and the high-rise buildings of the West End and Coal Harbour in the background.
Watch out for wildlife
We’ve seen raccoons, tortoises, squirrels, eagles, owls, herons, woodpeckers, and countless other birds, as well as seals and otters in the waters around the park. Beavers, coyotes and many other animals also live in the park. No bears though!
Relax on the beach
You’ll find lots of sandy spots along the Stanley Park seawall, but the official beaches are on the west side. There’s a small Second Beach (which has a heated swimming pool in summer) and a much bigger Third Beach with lots of parking and a concession stand. English Bay Beach (also called First Beach) is right at the edge of the park. They may not be as pristine as those in the Caribbean, but it’s still great to spend a day at the beach without leaving the city! The water isn’t as warm either, but we went for a swim in May and survived 😉
Grab something to eat or drink
There are a few places to get food or drinks in the park, but we usually bring our own or eat on Denman Street after walking or cycling in the park. Some of our favourites are Breka for coffee, pastries and sandwiches (perfect for a picnic in the park), Café Portrait for brunch, and Hook or Papi’s Seafood and Oyster Bar for drinks at sunset.
There are also various other activities, events, and places to visit in Stanley Park (like the Vancouver Aquarium), so it’s safe to say that Stanley Park offers something for everyone! 😊
Stanley Park FAQ
Is there an entry fee?
No, entrance into Stanley Park is completely free.
Is Stanley Park wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the seawall path has one lane for pedestrians and wheelchairs and another one for bikes. However, not all parts of the seawall are easy for wheelchair users to navigate. The City of Vancouver has a useful map of services in Stanley Park on its website, which shows which facilities and attractions in the park have universal access.
