Mount Seymour Park

3,509 ha

Area

1936

Established

Class A

Park class

Park

Type

About this Park

Located just 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver, Mount Seymour Park has been enjoyed by generations of Lower Mainland residents. The park offers viewpoints overlooking the city of Vancouver, Mount Baker, and east over Indian Arm Park.

There are opportunities for bird and wildlife viewing, and four areas for day-use picnicking are available. There are several lakes in the park. Elsay Lake is the largest. Its waters and those of De Pencier, Gopher, and Goldie drain eastward to Indian Arm. Some of the smaller lakes and ponds feed their waters west to the Seymour River.

You will find many trails of various lengths and difficulty. Lower mountain trails are used extensively by mountain bikers and hikers, while upper mountain trails are for hiking only. Winter trails are put in place each year. The park offers extensive winter recreation facilities including skiing, snowshoeing, and a supervised snow-play area operated by Mt Seymour Resort.

There are impressive views of the Lower Mainland, the Fraser Valley, and Mount Baker from the Deep Cove lookout parking lot and from the parking lots and pull-outs near the top of the mountain.

Safety information

Trail conditions report [PDF]

The mountainous backcountry is extremely rugged and unforgiving, and weather can change suddenly. Prepare for backcountry and winter travel by visiting our backcountry guide and winter safety page.

Campfires are not allowed. Bring a camp stove for cooking.

If you are parking overnight, Mt Seymour Resorts Ltd. requests that you post emergency contact information, including departure and expected return time, in a visible location on the dashboard of your vehicle.

Current avalanche conditions can be found at avalanche.ca.

Location notes

The entrance to Mount Seymour Park is on Mount Seymour Road, just north of Mount Seymour Parkway in North Vancouver. It is 15 km northeast of downtown Vancouver via the Second Narrows Bridge and Mount Seymour Parkway. The closest communities are Deep Cove, North Vancouver, and Lynn Valley.

Activities

15:Hiking Mount Seymour Park has 14 hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty. See trailhead information below. For trail descriptions, see the Mount Seymour Park: Hiking page.For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Taking shortcuts destroys plant life and soil structure.Free day-use vehicle passes may be required to visit in the winter. Visit the day-use passes page for details.Check the trail conditions report before heading out.For hiking trail maps, see maps and location.For more information on winter hiking, see the winter recreation section.Mount Seymour trailheadLocated at the end of Mount Seymour Road, this trailhead offers access to the upper-mountain trails. The park information kiosk at the base of the Mt Seymour Resort controlled recreation area (CRA) contains a map, summer and winter trail updates, and an avalanche advisory bulletin in winter. Flush toilets are available as well as a cafeteria, telephone, and change rooms. If you are visiting from November to April and you are not using the CRA, but wish to enjoy the backcountry, use parking lots P1 and P5. For overnight parking, please refer to the wilderness camping section.This video provides in-depth visual planning resources to help you make informed decisions and stay safe along Mount Seymour Trail.Old Buck trailheadThis trailhead provides parking for the lower-mountain trails. Trails from this spot vary in length and continue to the top of the mountain. A pit toilet, information board, and park map are located near the park entrance on the west side of the road.Baden Powell trailheadThis area provides parking for about seven vehicles to access the Baden Powell trail. There is one pit toilet and an information kiosk with a park map.Deep Cove lookoutDeep Cove lookout is a popular destination for great views west toward the Fraser Valley and Mount Baker. There is access to the upper-mountain trails from this area via Perimeter Trail, as well as access to the Upper Old Buck Trail. Facilities include a pit toilet, park information shelter, and parking for approximately 15 vehicles.
15:Swimming Swimming is permitted in park lakes.
15:Fishing Elsay Lake can be fished but is not stocked. Access is by the Elsay Lake Trail only. For trail details, see the hiking section.
15:Interpretive programs Find fun summer outdoor learning experiences with Discover Parks Ambassadors here all summer long. For specific dates, along with many more seasonal and year-round activities, visit discoverparks.ca.
15:Pets on leash Pets must be leashed throughout your visit and are not allowed in park buildings. Signs are posted and fines are issued for pets off their leash. You must always be in control of your pets and dispose of their excrement in the wastebins provided.Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets. Pets can disturb sensitive ecosystems and could provoke bear attacks.To learn more about visiting parks with your pet, see the responsible recreation page. 
15:Cycling Mountain biking is permitted only on designated trails within the park boundary. Trails are shown on the kiosks at each day-use area. BC Parks issues fines for riding outside designated trails, and for constructing illegal trails.Mountain biking is not allowed on any other trail that is not specifically designated for mountain bike use. Specifically, mountain biking is not allowed on the following trails:Upper Old Buck Mount Seymour Main Perimeter Goldie Lake Flower Lake Mystery Lake Old Cabin Dinky Peak  Bike helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.For trail maps, see maps and location. 
15:Horseback riding Horseback riding is allowed on the Old Buck Trail from the Old Buck parking lot to the Historic Mushroom parking lot. However, it is not recommended, due to high levels of mountain bike use.
15:Winter recreation You may need a free day-use parking pass to visit Mount Seymour Park in the winter. See the day-use passes page for details.For maps, see maps and location.Before visiting, learn about winter safety in the backcountry.Winter backcountry trailsBetween mid-December and March 31 each year, BC Parks installs two winter backcountry ski-tour routes (up-tracks). Both routes begin at the park kiosk at the north end of parking lot P4, near Mystery Peak chairlift. The latest trail conditions and avalanche hazard ratings are posted at the kiosk. Snowshoers, backcountry skiers, snowboarders, and hikers can use the backcountry trails throughout the season.Navigate using the marker poles (orange bamboo, red plastic). Follow safe practices and always carry appropriate gear.The Mount Seymour Backcountry Access Trail takes you to the saddle between first and second pump and offers great views. The trail is 7 km return and the trail rating is moderate to difficult, depending on snow conditions. Return time is three hours on skis, four hours on snowshoes.The First Lake Trail has very little elevation gain, and loops out to the lake, then intersects with the Mount Seymour Trail to bring you back down to the parking lot. This trail is rated easy to moderate, depending on snow conditions. Return time is one-and-a-half hours on skis, two hours on snowshoes.For trail maps, see maps and location.Mt Seymour ski resortMt Seymour Resort operates skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, and tobogganing within an 81-hectare controlled recreation area (CRA) in Mount Seymour Park.The resort has 39 runs (12 for night skiing), dedicated snowshoe trails, and five parking lots.The resort has one high-speed quad chair, two double chairs, and a beginner-friendly magic carpet, offering a wide range of terrain. Ski and snowboard school, snowshoe tours, and ski and snowboard rentals are also available. The resort has a licensed restaurant and cafeteria in the Three Peaks Lodge, located at parking lot 4, and a café in the Enquist Lodge, at parking lot 2. All restaurants offer a wide selection of meals and refreshments.Tobogganing is only allowed in designated areas defined in the CRA, operated by Mt Seymour Resorts Ltd. These areas are located near parking lot 2.For more information on Mt Seymour Resort, visit www.mtseymour.ca or call 604-986-2261.ParkingIf you are recreating within the Mt Seymour Resort CRA, you must have a valid ski lift, snowshoeing, or other Mt Seymour Resort pass. Park in parking lots P2, P3, P4, and Upper P5. For full resort parking details, visit the Mt Seymour Resort website.If you are visiting the backcountry outside the Mt Seymour Resort CRA, park in parking lots P1 and Lower P5. You may need a free day-use parking pass to use these lots in the winter. Visit the day-use passes page for details.Overnight parking is allowed in parking lot P1. If you are parking overnight, Mt Seymour Resort requests that you post emergency contact, departure, and expected return information in a visible location on the dashboard of your vehicle.For maps of the CRA boundaries and parking lots, see maps and location.
15:E-Biking Bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are allowed on signed or designated mountain-biking trails within Mount Seymour Park. However, they must meet the definitions and criteria for e-bike use outlined on the cycling page.For trail information, see the cycling section.

Facilities

15:Picnic areas Free day-use vehicle passes may be required to visit in the winter. Visit the day-use passes page for details.Check the trail conditions report before heading out.Baden Powell trailheadThis area provides parking for about seven vehicles. There are two picnic tables under the forest canopy on the east side of the road. Access includes a steep incline. There is one pit toilet and an information kiosk with a park map.Vancouver picnic areaThere are three tables available, as well as a pit toilet and park information shelter. Expect this area to be very busy throughout the year.Deep Cove lookoutDeep Cove lookout is a popular destination for great views west toward the Fraser Valley and Mount Baker. Facilities include a pit toilet, park information shelter, and parking for approximately 15 vehicles. There are no picnic tables at this site.Mount Seymour trailheadThis area at the end of Mount Seymour Road includes information kiosks at the base of Mt Seymour Resort controlled recreation area. Flush toilets are available, as well as a cafeteria, telephone, and change rooms. In the summer, picnic tables are set in a grassy area just north of the parking lot.For maps, see maps and location. 
15:Pit or flush toilets Pit and flush toilets are located throughout the park.
15:Accessibility information Accessibility information is available for this park.

Location

49.38852, -122.91933 · Vancouver

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