Capilano River Regional Park, Regional park in North Vancouver, Canada
Capilano River Regional Park is a regional park on the edge of North Vancouver, following the deep canyon carved by the Capilano River. Tall cedars and Douglas firs line the trails, while the river rushes over rocks far below.
The land here has been used by the Squamish and other First Nations peoples for centuries. The Cleveland Dam was built in 1954 to hold back Capilano Lake and supply drinking water to Vancouver, and the park grew around this infrastructure over time.
The park is used by locals for dog walks, family picnics, and quiet time among the trees. During salmon season, groups gather along the riverbank to watch the fish jump upstream, which has become one of the most anticipated annual sights in the area.
The park has two main entrances along Capilano Road, north of the highway, and parking can fill up fast on busy days. Coming early or taking transit makes the visit easier and leaves more time to explore the trails on foot.
An old Douglas fir in the park has been nicknamed Grandpa Capilano, its trunk measuring around 8 feet (2.5 m) across and leaning slightly from decades of wind. The salmon hatchery inside the park is operated by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and is open to visitors.
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