Cypress Park
About this Park
Cypress Park is a great place to visit in any season. Hiking, skiing, snowboarding, snowtubing, snowshoeing, and wilderness camping are just some of the activities this park offers.
Take a virtual tour of Cypress Park
The park’s southern section is surrounded by Mount Strachan, Black Mountain, Hollyburn Mountain, and West Vancouver. The northern section follows the Howe Sound Crest Trail, offering beautiful views of Howe Sound and the Salish Sea.
To the south is the sprawling metropolitan area of Vancouver. To the southeast is snowclad Mount Baker in the Cascade Mountain range. To the west and southwest lie the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island, with Georgia Strait in the foreground.
The mountains sitting directly across Burrard Inlet from Vancouver have attracted visitors for decades. Until the Lions Gate Bridge opened in 1939, ferries ran between Vancouver and the area now known as Cypress Park.
Cypress Mountain Resort operates a ski resort in Cypress Park. This offers downhill and nordic skiing activities. For more information, see the Cypress Park: Hiking and skiing page.
Location notes
Cypress Park is on the North Shore of Metro Vancouver. It is a short drive across the Lions Gate Bridge from downtown Vancouver. The closest communities are West and North Vancouver.
The road to Cypress Park is from the Upper Levels Highway (Routes 1 and 99) in West Vancouver. From the city of Vancouver, cross the Lions Gate Bridge to the Upper Levels Highway via Taylor Way in West Vancouver.
For the Hollyburn (nordic skiing) area, please follow the road for 12.8 km and turn right. For the Cypress Bowl (Alpine skiing) area, continue another 2 km to the end of the road.
Activities
- 278:Hiking Cypress Park is a popular destination for hiking year-round. For trail details, see the Cypress Park: Hiking and skiing page. To download maps that include trail details, see the maps and location section.Cypress Park’s terrain is often rugged and can be hazardous in bad weather. Check the trail conditions report in the visitor guidelines before heading out. Please follow the guidance posted on signs and keep to designated trails.In winter, you will need the appropriate clothing and equipment. You may also need a backcountry access corridor pass (BAC). For information on the BAC, see the visitor guidelines.To learn more about winter hiking in this park, please see the winter recreation section.The Eagle Bluffs and Howe Sound Crest trails are popular summer hiking routes in this park. BC Parks strongly discourages winter travel to Eagle Bluffs and along the Howe Sound Crest Trail past Bowen Lookout. The videos below provide safety tips for using these trails:
- 278:Wildlife viewing Many large and small mammals live in this the park. For details, see the wildlife section. There are many wildlife viewing opportunities, including from several viewing stops along the Yew Lake Barrier Free Interpretive Trail. Coyotes and deer are often seen close to the access road.Never approach, feed or disturb bears or other wild animals. For information on how to stay safe, visit our wildlife safety page.
- 278:Pets on leash Dogs and other pets are welcome but must be leashed. Please dispose of their waste responsibly. For more information, see the pet etiquette section of the responsible recreation page.Other than service animals, pets are not allowed in park buildings. Pets are not allowed on the Yew Lake Trail when it is snow free. Always follow the guidance posted on signs at the trailhead. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to the potential for dangerous wildlife encounters. For detailed information on staying safe around wild animals, see the wildlife safety page.
- 278:Cycling Bicycles are only allowed on park roads in Cypress Park. Bicycles are not allowed on any trails in this park. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in B.C. For information on bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes), see the E-Biking section.
- 278:E-Biking Bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails in Cypress Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motor vehicles are allowed. The only exception is for authorized staff with identified trail maintenance bikes, conducting work for BC Parks.
- 278:Winter recreation Cypress Mountain ResortCypress Mountain Resort is entirely within this park. It offers downhill skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowtubing, and 11 km of self-guided snowshoeing trails. Tobogganing is only allowed in the designated area.The alpine ski area features six chairlifts: two high-speed quad chairs, two quad chairs, and two double chairs. For more information, see the Cypress Mountain Resort section of the ‘Cypress Park: Hiking and skiing’ page.Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour also offer skiing opportunities on Metro Vancouver’s north shore.Backcountry winter trailsBC Parks maintains three marked snowshoeing and backcountry skiing trails in the backcountry of Cypress Park. To download maps with details of these trails, see maps and location. The trails are: Bowen LookoutBlack Mountain PlateauHollyburn PeakAll three of these trails travel through avalanche terrain. You are responsible for your own safety, so visit avalanche.ca for up-to-date avalanche information. For advice on staying safe, see our winter safety page.The Black Mountain and Bowen Lookout trails must be accessed via the backcountry access corridor (BAC), which is marked by green circular signs. The trails themselves are marked by red poles.To use the BAC, you need a backcountry access tag. Get your tag from the Brown Bag Room in the Black Mountain Lodge before heading out. There is no charge for backcountry access tags.BC Parks strongly discourages winter travel to Eagle Bluffs and along the Howe Sound Crest Trail past Bowen Lookout.Peak-time parkingCypress Park is an extremely popular destination. During the winter, parking availability can become very limited, especially on weekends and holidays. Park only in the designated areas identified by signs or traffic control staff.Please carpool whenever possible. Alternatively, take the Cypress Coach Lines bus. During the ski season, Cypress Mountain Resort operates a free shuttle bus running between Lot 3B and the downhill and nordic ski areas.
Facilities
- 278:Accessibility information Accessibility information is available for this park.
- 278:Picnic areas Cypress Park has two day-use picnic areas, just off the main access road:Quarry Picnic Area A large, grassy area with 11 picnic tables. Hi-View Lookout (also known as Barrett’s View) A small, grassy area and six picnic tables. Mainly used as a viewpoint.Both these areas have picnic tables with barbecue attachments. Each has two pit toilets. There are no fire rings in these picnic areas, and fires are not allowed anywhere in Cypress Park.
- 278:Pit or flush toilets Pit and flush toilets are available throughout Cypress Park. Flush toilets are provided at Cypress Mountain Resort (in the Black Mountain and Cypress Creek lodges). They are open from 7am to 11pm. Besides a rustic pit toilet in Magnesia Meadows, no toilet facilities are provided on the Howe Sound Crest Trail.
Location
49.41344, -123.20631 · Vancouver
