First pick
Mosquito Creek Park
Park or garden · 320 m outside town
27 ha7.5 km of path
1 h 40 minto walk all 7.5 km of path
3.3 km northfrom the centre
Mosquito Creek TrailWestside TrailCentral-Eastern Route+5 paths
Directionsto a point inside
Photo: Miranda.Kopetzky · CC BY-SA 4.07.5%protected within 10 km
Outdoors in North Vancouver · parks, protected land & trails
The The Trans Canada Trail passes North Vancouver
For a swim, Ambleside Beach is the nearest of 66 beaches within 5 km. A provincial park, Mount Seymour Park, lies 4.8 km away. Protected areas cover 7.5% of the land within 10 km; for the typical Canadian town it is 2.3%.
Protected land
7.5%
of the land within 10 km
Typical Canadian town: 2.3%
Protected areas
13
within 10 km, 13 public
Typical Canadian town: 14
Nearest national park
51 km
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
Nearest provincial park
4.8 km
Mount Seymour Park
Walking routes
4
named, within 2 km (OpenStreetMap)
Beaches
66
within 5 km (OpenStreetMap)
Character
The outdoors in North Vancouver, in short
Each figure against Canadian towns of 2,500+; tap a tile for the detail.
On a national routeThe The Trans Canada Trail passes within 2 kmBeaches66 beaches within 5 kmProtected land all round7.5% of the land within 10 km, more than 80% of Canadian townsWalking routes4 named routes within 2 km
For someone who likes to get outside, North Vancouver’s draw is the The Trans Canada Trail, with its beaches close behind.
Against other towns
North Vancouver against other Canadian towns
Each figure against the 2,611 Canadian towns and neighbourhoods of 2,500+ (not city hubs or reserves), with the town marked and the typical one’s line. Canada’s grades don’t include the outdoors, so this page compares the figures rather than grading them.
Protected within 10 km7.5%Share of the land and water within 10 km of the town’s edge in a protected or conserved area
Protected in town0%Share of the town’s own area in a protected or conserved area
Public protected areas13Areas within 10 km held by a government or an Indigenous nation
Walking routes4Named OpenStreetMap walking and hiking routes with 300 m+ within 2 km
Beaches66Beaches mapped on OpenStreetMap within 5 km
CPCAD 2.9.0 (ECCC, 2026), OpenStreetMap (November 2026). Distances from the town’s outline.
Towns its size
Among 40 towns its size, North Vancouver ranks 11th for protected land within 10 km
The 40 Canadian towns nearest in population (51,346 to 85,944 residents), by the share of the land within 10 km that is protected. Hover for each one’s figures; click for its page.
Protected within 10 km
North Vancouver7.5%
Towns its size2.4%
Towns in British Columbia6.7%
Typical Canadian town2.3%
Public protected areas
North Vancouver13
Towns its size6
Towns in British Columbia14
Typical Canadian town4
Walking routes
North Vancouver4
Towns its size1
Towns in British Columbia1
Typical Canadian town0
North Vancouver beats most towns its size for walking routes; 10 of 39 do better.
Every town in the comparison
| Town | Protected within 10 km | In town | Areas | Routes | Beaches | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort McMurray AB | 34% | 35% | 21 | 1 | 289 |
| 2 | Langford BC | 27% | 18% | 41 | 7 | 19 |
| 3 | Shawinigan QC | 24% | 61% | 40 | 16 | 10 |
| 4 | Châteauguay QC | 19% | 0.8% | 34 | 0 | 3 |
| 5 | Port Coquitlam BC | 15% | 5.6% | 125 | 3 | 30 |
| 6 | Saint John NB | 14% | 11% | 63 | 3 | 97 |
| 7 | Rimouski QC | 8.8% | 3.6% | 43 | 10 | 48 |
| 8 | Whalley BC | 8.2% | 1% | 125 | 5 | 7 |
| 9 | Fleetwood BC | 7.8% | 7.9% | 162 | 10 | 0 |
| 10 | Lindsay ON | 7.6% | 9.2% | 60 | 5 | 9 |
| 11 | North Vancouver BC | 7.5% | 0% | 13 | 4 | 66 |
| 12 | North Bay ON | 7.4% | 5.6% | 4 | 4 | 13 |
| 13 | Mirabel QC | 5.9% | 0.3% | 76 | 1 | 2 |
| 14 | Stouffville ON | 5.9% | 0.5% | 51 | 1 | 1 |
| 15 | Fredericton NB | 4.3% | 0% | 26 | 2 | 16 |
| 16 | Mascouche QC | 4% | 0% | 32 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Chomedey QC | 3.9% | 0.1% | 43 | 0 | 2 |
| 18 | St. Albert AB | 3.4% | 2.1% | 7 | 7 | 1 |
| 19 | Welland ON | 3.2% | 0% | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Granby QC | 2.5% | 3.6% | 18 | 0 | 6 |
| 21 | Simcoe ON | 2.3% | 4.7% | 102 | 5 | 36 |
| 22 | Aurora ON | 2.2% | 0.6% | 42 | 1 | 0 |
| 23 | Georgetown ON | 1.8% | 3.5% | 38 | 6 | 2 |
| 24 | Grande Prairie AB | 1.7% | 0% | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| 25 | Sault Ste. Marie ON | 1.6% | 7.5% | 10 | 0 | 3 |
| 26 | Belleville ON | 1.2% | 1.8% | 18 | 1 | 0 |
| 27 | Blainville QC | 1.1% | 0% | 27 | 2 | 0 |
| 28 | Bradford ON | 1.1% | 1.3% | 28 | 5 | 1 |
| 29 | Brandon MB | 1.1% | 0.9% | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | Saint-Jérôme QC | 1% | 0.1% | 16 | 0 | 3 |
| 31 | Saint-Hyacinthe QC | 0.7% | 0% | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | Keswick ON | 0.7% | 0.9% | 13 | 1 | 14 |
| 33 | Roseborough ON | 0.7% | 0% | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 34 | Woodstock ON | 0.4% | 0% | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| 35 | Prince George BC | 0.3% | 0.5% | 5 | 1 | 51 |
| 36 | Caledonia ON | 0.2% | 0.4% | 17 | 4 | 7 |
| 37 | Sarnia ON | 0.2% | 0.3% | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| 38 | Drummondville QC | 0.1% | 0.2% | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 39 | Cornwall ON | 0.1% | 0% | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| 40 | Medicine Hat AB | 0% | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1 |
The map
Where the green is in North Vancouver
Green space, woods, protected areas and footpaths in and around the town; tap a number for its park or wood.
Green: OpenStreetMap parks, gardens, playing fields and woods. Hatched: CPCAD protected areas.© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); CPCAD (OGL-Canada)
Places to walk
30 parks and woods to walk in, in or near North Vancouver
The biggest is Mosquito Creek Park, 27 ha. Biggest first, numbered as on the map.
30 named parks and woods, 236 ha in all
Parks & gardens 211 haWoods 25 ha
The green is scattered, with no place over 12%.
Mahon Park
Park or garden
28 ha3.8 km of path
50 minto walk all 3.8 km of path
1.0 km north-westfrom the centre
Directionsto a point inside
Loutet Park
Park or garden
23 ha4.9 km of path
1 h 5 minto walk all 4.9 km of path
2.1 km eastfrom the centre
Keith Creek TrailSalop TrailInsanity
Directionsto a point inside
Princess Park
Park or garden · 60 m outside town
14 ha3 km of path
40 minto walk all 3 km of path
2.6 km north-eastfrom the centre
Lynn Valley Link
Directionsto a point inside
Heywood Park
Park or garden
13 ha2.7 km of path
35 minto walk all 2.7 km of path
2.0 km north-westfrom the centre
Directionsto a point inside
Murdo Frazer Park
Park or garden · 330 m outside town
11 ha3.5 km of path
45 minto walk all 3.5 km of path
3.0 km north-westfrom the centre
Expedition 5Expedition 7
Directionsto a point inside
Greenwood Park
Park or garden
12 ha2.4 km of path
30 minto walk all 2.4 km of path
1.5 km north-eastfrom the centre
Directionsto a point inside
Grand Boulevard
Park or garden
9.9 ha3 km of path
40 minto walk all 3 km of path
1.2 km eastfrom the centre
Directionsto a point inside
All 30 named parks and green spaces
Mosquito Creek ParkPark or garden · 27 ha · 7.5 km of path · just outside town
DirectionsMahon ParkPark or garden · 28 ha · 3.8 km of path
DirectionsLoutet ParkPark or garden · 23 ha · 4.9 km of path
DirectionsPrincess ParkPark or garden · 14 ha · 3 km of path · just outside town
DirectionsHeywood ParkPark or garden · 13 ha · 2.7 km of path
DirectionsMurdo Frazer ParkPark or garden · 11 ha · 3.5 km of path · just outside town
DirectionsGreenwood ParkPark or garden · 12 ha · 2.4 km of path
DirectionsGrand BoulevardPark or garden · 9.9 ha · 3 km of path
DirectionsWilliam Griffin ParkPark or garden · 9.3 ha · 2.5 km of path
DirectionsKirkstone ParkPark or garden · 11 ha · 1.8 km of path · just outside town
DirectionsLynn Canyon ParkWood or forest · 25 ha · 1.4 km of path · just outside town
DirectionsMoodyville ParkPark or garden · 5.2 ha · 1.6 km of path
DirectionsVictoria ParkPark or garden · 4.1 ha · 1.8 km of path
DirectionsBridgman ParkPark or garden · 4.0 ha · 1.4 km of path
DirectionsSunrise ParkPark or garden · 5.6 ha · 0.3 km of path
DirectionsTempe Heights ParkPark or garden · 3.0 ha · 1.4 km of path
DirectionsKings Mill Walk ParkPark or garden · 2.9 ha · 1.3 km of path
DirectionsSeylynn ParkPark or garden · 2.7 ha · 1.4 km of path
DirectionsEastview ParkPark or garden · 2.9 ha · 0.9 km of path
DirectionsWagg Creek ParkPark or garden · 2.8 ha · 0.8 km of path
DirectionsRay Perrault ParkPark or garden · 3.4 ha · 0.5 km of path
DirectionsHarbourview ParkPark or garden · 2.1 ha · 1 km of path
DirectionsEvergreen ParkPark or garden · 3.4 ha · 0.4 km of path · just outside town
DirectionsLynnmouth ParkPark or garden · 2.4 ha · 0.7 km of path
DirectionsDelbrook ParkPark or garden · 2.7 ha · 0.6 km of path · just outside town
DirectionsWaterfront ParkPark or garden · 1.7 ha · 0.7 km of path
DirectionsHigh Place ParkPark or garden · 1.7 ha
DirectionsBrooksbank ParkPark or garden · 1.3 ha · 0.2 km of path · just outside town
DirectionsFairmont ParkPark or garden · 0.7 ha · 0.4 km of path · just outside town
DirectionsPark & Tilford GardensPark or garden · 0.6 ha · 0.3 km of path
DirectionsSource: OpenStreetMap parks, gardens, commons and woods with a name, in the town or within 400 m, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Sizes are the mapped outline’s.
Close to home
In North Vancouver, a park is close to every home
Residents of each 2021 dissemination area, at a point inside it, within 400 m (about a 5-minute walk) of a park or playing field mapped on OpenStreetMap.
Within 400 m (100%)Further (0%)
North Vancouver100%
Towns in British Columbia72%
Typical Canadian town83%
It is above the typical Canadian town (83%).
Protected areas
7.5% of the land around North Vancouver is protected
Every protected and conserved area in CPCAD within 10 km of the town’s edge: parks, reserves, wildlife areas and conservation land.
Inside North Vancouver0%
Within 10 km7.5%
Towns in British Columbia6.7%
Typical Canadian town2.3%
Each of the 13 is held by a public body. Say Nuth Khaw Yum Park [A.K.A. Indian Arm Park] covers 6,689 ha, the most of any named area.
Capilano River Regional ParkNature reserve · 100 ha · 1.1 km from the edge of town
Stanley ParkProtected area · 302 ha · 1.8 km from the edge of town
Maplewood Flats Conservation AreaNature reserve · 23 ha · 2.3 km from the edge of town
Lynn Headwaters Regional ParkNature reserve · 895 ha · 2.9 km from the edge of town
Mount Seymour ParkProvincial park · 3,509 ha · 4.8 km from the edge of town
Renfrew Ravine ParkMunicipal park · 4.6 ha · 5.4 km from the edge of town
Cypress ParkProvincial park · 3,012 ha · 6.3 km from the edge of town
Belcarra Regional ParkNature reserve · 1,030 ha · 7.9 km from the edge of town · Indigenous name: təmtəmíxʷtən
Burnaby Lake Regional ParkNature reserve · 29 ha · 8.5 km from the edge of town
Captain Cook ParkMunicipal park · 3.7 ha · 8.7 km from the edge of town
3 more named areas within 10 km are in the figures.
Source: Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD) 2.9.0, Environment and Climate Change Canada. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
National & provincial parks
51 km to Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
National parks (Parks Canada) and provincial or territorial parks by direction and distance from the town’s edge: every one within 10 km, and the nearest of each within 100 km.
National parkProvincial park
Provincial park
Mount Seymour Park
4.8 km north-east35 km²since 1936
Provincial park
Cypress Park
6.3 km north-west30 km²since 1975
Provincial park
Say Nuth Khaw Yum Park [A.K.A. Indian Arm Park]
9.9 km east67 km²since 1995
National park reserve
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
51 km south67 km²since 2010
Nearer still is Mount Seymour Park, a provincial park 4.8 km away. Within 10 km are 3 provincial parks.
Source: CPCAD 2.9.0 (ECCC): areas and outlines, distances outline to outline; directions from the town’s centre point.
Footpaths and woods
Paths to walk: 139 km in and around North Vancouver
OpenStreetMap footpaths, paths, bridleways and steps, and tracks open on foot, in the town and 1 km around it; woods as mapped (landuse=forest, natural=wood).
Footpaths
139 km
in and around the town (32.2 km²)
Woodland
6.7%
about 2.2 km² of mapped woods
Footpaths · km per km²
North VancouverTowns in British ColumbiaTypical Canadian town
Footpaths4.3
02.55 km per km²
Share of the land · mapped woods and forest
North VancouverTowns in British ColumbiaTypical Canadian town
Woodland6.7%
0%50%100%
Few places match it for paths: more than 86% of Canadian towns have fewer. It is less wooded than 56% of Canadian towns.
Source: OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Mapping varies by place: a dense figure can mean keen local mappers as much as many paths.
Walking routes
Where to walk from North Vancouver
Named walking and hiking routes on OpenStreetMap with at least 300 m within 2 km of the town, longest first; national routes lead.
NationalLocalOther waymarked
The Trans Canada Trail195.9 km
Baden Powell Trail42.8 km
North Shore Spirit Trail16.0 km
The Lap0.5 km
The The Trans Canada Trail is 196 km long on the map, and 16.4 km of it lies within 2 km of town. For a longer outing, the Baden Powell Trail runs 42.8 km.
Source: OpenStreetMap (route relations hiking, foot and walking), © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Trans Canada Trail sections as OSM maps them.
When to get out
Walking season in North Vancouver: May to September
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s 1991–2020 normals from Vancouver (Harbour) (4.0 km), and daylight at the town’s latitude. Good months: 12½+ hours of daylight, highs of 15–30 °C, little rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight (h) | 8.6 | 10.1 | 11.7 | 13.7 | 15.3 | 16.2 | 15.8 | 14.4 | 12.5 | 10.7 | 9.0 | 8.2 |
| High (°C) | 7 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 14 | 10 | 7 |
| Rain & snow (mm) | 237 | 117 | 163 | 118 | 73 | 66 | 44 | 49 | 71 | 157 | 245 | 200 |
Summer highs reach 23 °C in July; in December they stay near 7 °C. Most rain and snow falls in November, 245 mm; July sees 44 mm. Some 37 cm of snow falls each winter. The climate in North Vancouver →
Beaches
66 beaches within 5 km of North Vancouver
Beaches on OpenStreetMap within 5 km of the town’s edge, nearest first, with directions.
Ambleside Beachsand · 3.5 km from town
DirectionsSecond Beachsand · 4.2 km from town
DirectionsThird Beachsand · 4.2 km from town
DirectionsEnglish Bay Beachsand · 4.3 km from town
DirectionsSunset Beachsand · 4.7 km from town
DirectionsWithin 5 km is 68 km of coastline. Sandy ones: 5. The map adds 61 unnamed stretches of beach. No open data on beach water quality covers every province, so check with public health before a swim.
Source: OpenStreetMap (natural=beach), © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Things to do
North Vancouver has 12 viewpoints within 2 km
Viewpoints, peaks, waterfalls, picnic sites, nature reserves, playgrounds, dog parks, campsites and boat launches mapped within 2 km of the town.
Capilano Hill, 85 m, is the high point nearby. 136 playgrounds top the list.
Every named place, with directions
Hills and peaks 1
Capilano Hill85 m · 1.2 km from town
DirectionsNature reserves 3
Capilano River Regional Park1.3 km from town
DirectionsCapilano Suspension Bridge Park1.6 km from town
DirectionsPlus 1 nature reserve without a name on the map.
Picnic sites 4
Plus 4 picnic sites without a name on the map.
Playgrounds 136
Natural Playground0.4 km from town
DirectionsThe Swing1.0 km from town
DirectionsPlus 134 playgrounds without a name on the map.
Dog parks 7
Plus 7 dog parks without a name on the map.
Source: OpenStreetMap (tourism, natural, waterway and leisure tags), © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Gardens to visit
6 gardens within reach of North Vancouver
Gardens and arboretums within 15 km of the town’s edge, and the historic gardens, parks and estates in the town itself, nearest first.
Park and Tilford GardensGarden or park · at the edge of town
DirectionsStanley ParkNational Historic Site · 3.1 km from town
Its pageDr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese GardenGarden or park · 3.6 km from town
DirectionsQueen Elizabeth ParkGarden or park · 7.7 km from town
DirectionsVanDusen Botanical GardenGarden or park · 8.5 km from town
DirectionsNitobe Memorial GardenGarden or park · 13 km from town
DirectionsOne carries a national designation.
Sources: OpenStreetMap (leisure=garden), © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL, and Wikidata (CC0), as gathered in TownRatings’ Canadian attractions set; historic places from Parks Canada’s Directory of Federal Heritage Designations, the Canadian Register of Historic Places and Québec’s Répertoire du patrimoine culturel.
Next door
Next to North Vancouver
The nearest places, coloured by the share of the land within 10 km that is protected; tap one for its outdoors page.
North VancouverCapilano 5StrathconaCoal HarbourGrandview-WoodlandYaletownNorth Vancouver
Under 1%1–5%5–15%15–40%40%+
| Town | Protected within 10 km | Areas | Routes | Beaches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Vancouver | 7.5% | 13 | 4 | 66 |
| North Vancouver 2.4 km | 15% | 18 | 11 | 169 |
| Capilano 5 4.4 km | 8.4% | 7 | 2 | 69 |
| Strathcona 4.8 km | 3.8% | 13 | 4 | 76 |
| Coal Harbour 5.1 km | 3.9% | 12 | 3 | 76 |
| Grandview-Woodland 5.2 km | 3.5% | 12 | 4 | 51 |
| Yaletown 5.5 km | 4.7% | 12 | 3 | 77 |
For walking routes, North Vancouver leads the area with 11. North Vancouver has at least twice the protected share around it.
How to read these numbers
What this data can and can’t tell you
- Walking routes. A route counts when 300 m or more of it lies within 2 km of the town. Coverage of trails on OpenStreetMap varies by region.
- Beaches. A beach counts when its centre point lies within 5 km of the town’s outline. Names come from the map.
- Protected land. Measured on CPCAD’s outlines: the part of a 10 km band around the town that lies in a protected or conserved area, water included.
- Private land. Land owned by individuals, companies or conservation groups counts toward the figures but is never named: a person’s land isn’t a place to visit.
- National and provincial parks. National parks are Parks Canada’s; provincial parks are the province’s or territory’s, Québec’s parcs nationaux among them.
Questions about the outdoors in North Vancouver
What walking routes are near North Vancouver?
OpenStreetMap maps the The Trans Canada Trail, North Shore Spirit Trail and Baden Powell Trail close by, with others.
What is the nearest beach to North Vancouver?
The nearest is Ambleside Beach, 3.5 km from town.
Is there protected land near North Vancouver?
Protected areas cover 7.5% of the land within 10 km.
Is North Vancouver near a national park?
The nearest is Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, 51 km away.
Is there a provincial park near North Vancouver?
The closest is Mount Seymour Park, at 4.8 km.
What is the largest protected area near North Vancouver?
It is Say Nuth Khaw Yum Park [A.K.A. Indian Arm Park], a provincial park covering 6,689 ha.
When should you visit North Vancouver for the outdoors?
On the normals, May to September: that is when days are long, highs reach 15 °C and rain is light.
Sources
The sources behind North Vancouver’s outdoors figures
Protected areas: Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD) 2.9.0, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 2026: every area within 10 km and the nearest national and provincial parks, measured outline to outline.
Walking routes and beaches: OpenStreetMap, November 2026: named hiking, foot and walking route relations within 2 km and beaches within 5 km.
Towns: Statistics Canada 2021 Census boundaries and populations; the comparison is the Canadian towns and neighbourhoods of 2,500+, not city hubs or reserves.
When to go: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020, from the nearest station that publishes them.
Gardens: OpenStreetMap (leisure=garden) and Wikidata gardens within 15 km, as gathered in TownRatings’ Canadian attractions set; historic gardens and parks from Canada’s heritage registers (Parks Canada DFHD, the Canadian Register of Historic Places, Québec’s Répertoire du patrimoine culturel).
Green space, paths, woods, things to do: OpenStreetMap (Geofabrik’s Canada extract), November 2026: parks, gardens, playing fields, woods, footpaths, the coastline and things to do in and around each town.
Residents: Statistics Canada 2021 Census dissemination areas (population, boundaries), each at a point inside it.
Walking routes and beaches © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence (ODbL).
Not on this page: trailheads and trail grades, and beach water quality. No open Canadian dataset gives these for every town yet.
Adapted from Statistics Canada (Census of Population 2021, population estimates 2025, 2021 census boundaries) under the Statistics Canada Open Licence; this does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada. Neighbourhood names in some cities © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).