Vancouver Capilano Suspension Bridge is considered one of Vancouver- Canada’s most visited tourist attractions for its historical background and unique activities. This 137-meter stretched historic bridge will take you from First Nations totem poles to the natural tranquility of the temperature rainforest. It becomes a tourist attraction during the winter season because of the holiday light (they are calling it Canyon Lights) across the bridge and the whole area. However, the ticket price for the bridge is higher than that of other tourist attractions. So, one might ask a question in 2024-25, is it still worth it to go the bridge at a cost of almost 75 dollars? In this blog, I will break down most of the questions regarding the Suspension Bridge and most importantly the pros and cons of the bridge. So, let’s start.
Overview of the Vancouver Capilano Suspension Bridge
The Suspension Bridge was built in 1889 by George Grant Mackay and August Jack Khahtsahlano where they grabbed the name from Squamish Nation’s Kia’palano means “beautiful river”. The bridge is a part of Capilano Suspension Bridge Park which includes some additional unique activities such as the Cliffwalk and Treetop where several small suspension bridges are present. The bridge got its media appearance in several television shows including MacGyver, Sliders, The Crow: Starway to Heaven, and Psych. Also, it has been featured in the racing games Mario Kart Tour and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Attractions and Canyon Light Experience
There are several viewpoints in the park. Let me give a brief description about the viewpoints so that you can understand what the park is offering.
- The Capilano Suspension Bridge itself: The 360-degree view standing in the middle of a 137-meter long bridge is breathtaking. You can have a panoramic view of the Capilano River, lust forested canyons, and the towering trees around you. The gentle swing of the bridge adds a thrilling touch to the experience which is a plus. Just enjoy the swaying adventure. Don’t get tensed that the bridge will fall apart. One quick fact, the bridge can carry 75 full-grown elephants at a time. The park authority gives the chance to enter a certain number of people to the bridge at a time.
- Cliffwalk: The cliff walk provides a dramatic Canyon view along with a close-up look at the rugged terrain below. If you are looking for a small adventure, it is a must. Glass floors and open railings along some sections of the walkway give a thrill to your body and mind.
- Treetop Adventure: This series of small suspension bridges will take you to the high into the tree tops offering an astonishing view of the dense temperate rainforest. From the platform, you can see the forest from a vantage point usually reserved for birds and squirrels. Don’t forget to look around. I was mesmerized to see the structure of the treetop structure and I think it was worth watching.
- Canyon Lights: Canyon lights are an added bonus. During the holiday season from November to January, the whole park is decorated with Canyon Lights. The evening suspension bridge is more beautiful than daylight. The small fairy lights begin to glow up and the whole park looks like a Disney theme land. The treetop adventure was my favorite one. I felt like I was traveling like a squirrel from one tree to another at night with lights glowing in my eyes. In one word, it’s beyond imagination what I observed at the treetops.
- The Living Forest: There are several viewpoints if you deep dive into the temperate west-coast ecosystem. The most viewed places are Nature’s Edge, Raptor’s Ridge, and Critter’s Hollow.
- Story Center: The Story Center is at the front of the park beside the entry point. In this pathway, you will trek back to 1889 with rare photographs, murals and artifacts. The storytelling was nice and it’s enjoyable if you bring your kids for the first time to hear the story.
- Kia’palano: The Indigenous peoples have called this land home for thousands of years. At Kia’palano, you can explore the deep connection between their culture and the natural world.
Suspension Bridge Ticket Price Breakdown
In recent times, the bridge has become the main attraction in Vancouver city and the ticket price hike is a part of that. Though the price is high, thousands of visitors come to different parts of the world to visit the place because of its beauty covered in a modern way. I visited the Bridge last month and here is the overview of the ticket price:
Adult (18-64 years): 71.95 CAD + GST
Seniors (65+ years): 66.95 CAD + GST
Students (18+ years): 59.95 CAD + GST
Youth (13-17 years): 42.95 CAD + GST
Child (6-12 years): 24.95 CAD + GST
The tickets can be bought directly from the website. One can also buy the ticket in person at the park but it will cost several bucks extra. So I preferred to go with the online option. As I am still a student, it cost me around 61 CAD overall to enter the park. You can access all the features in the park by the ticket price. However, you have to pay the parking ticket if you bring your own car. One of the parks worth mentioning is the shuttle service. There is a shuttle bus that comes free with the ticket. The bus starts from Canada Place in Downtown Vancouver in a different time zone all over the day. So, if you are worried about transportation, please look at their website for the bus schedule for the specific day.
Is it worth it to go Capilano Suspension Bridge in 2024/25
The answer is yours. But I can give you my perspective here. Let’s talk about the pros and cons. The main attraction is the spectacular views surrounding the park during festival seasons with canyon lights.Christmas at Capilano Suspension Bridge is something else. It can be a unique seasonal experience for tourists who like organized tourist spots. The park is well-organized and family-friendly. Kids will love the friendly environment around it and there are a lot of activities for the young and elderly people. It can be considered a family-friendly holiday experience for most of the people who have kids. Also, it has multiple attractions at one location. During off-season, there is a lot to offer in nature. You can just walk around Nature’s edge with a long tree around you. You can see several birds in the Rapture’s Ridge which can be a beautiful opportunity to observe nowadays. Overall, the place is full of history. You can learn the history of the First Nation’s people and the making of the bridge. Also, the totem poles are the main attractions in Vancouver. You can find several poles there. Lastly, you can take photographs near nature. For me, the cottage is very nice where you can have a reflection in the pond’s water. You can find the cottage at the path of Nature’s edge.
The drawback is the crowds during peak times. When I visited the park, I couldn’t stay longer on the bridge because of the large number of tourists. Also, you might consider the typical weather in Vancouver, it’s raining all the time. During December it is cold if the weather is rainy. The park becomes very slippery during those times. Also, as there is a high number of tourists, tickets are sold out most of the time.
Now, if you ask me whether these activities are still worth it for 75 CAD, I will say yes if you visit Canyon Lights during the holiday season. If you feel nature more, I suggest visiting Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. It is still in Vancouver but you can be directly connected to nature. Also, that is free!! So, my conclusion is divided into two genres of tourists. If you are a family-friendly tourist, go for Capilano. If you like nature and adventure more and looking for a budget alternative, you can go to Lynn Suspension Bridge. The choice is yours.
Tips for visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge
- Stay aware of the slippery park. Try to look after the kids to prevent any kind of unwanted events.
- Book the ticket earlier during the holiday season. Otherwise, there is a high chance you will not get the ticket on your preferred day.
- Don’t buy the souvenirs from their gift shops. Those are expensive. You can find a cheaper alternative in Vancouver city.
- It is impossible to predict Vancouver weather. So, bring umbrellas or a raincoat for rain. Also, wear non-slip shoes for extra protection from slippery surfaces in the park.
- Don’t forget to take a shuttle bus which comes with the ticket. Check the schedule of shuttle buses from their websites.
- Try to visit during the evening period for the lights. Most of the time during the evening period the crowds are less compared to the daytime.
- You will get the opportunity to visit the famous Lion’s Gate Bridge on the way to visit the park. Don’t miss that.
