Canada Unbound: A Photo Tour of Beautiful British Columbia
Capilano River Regional Park
Sunrise, 7:47 a.m.
Parks like the Capilano River Regional tend to open at the first light, offering plenty of breathtaking trails to explore.
Cleveland Dam
Responsible for a portion of Vancouver’s drinking water, the Cleveland Dam not only serves as a reservoir, but also as a must-see natural attraction for it’s ever-changing landscape. The majority of the dam is off limits to tourists, but it can be viewed comfortably from Capilano River Regional Park.
Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge
There are two suspension bridges in the North Vancouver area—Capilano and Lynn Canyon. Ask the locals, and they'll all agree that Lynn Canyon is the local gem. Plus, it doesn't hurt that it's free to cross.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
If you didn't get enough out of the tightrope walk across the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park should be your next stop. Besides the popular suspension bridge, there's a cliff-walk and treetop experience. Don’t leave your wallet behind, though; these views come at a tourist-friendly price.
Sea to Sky Highway
There are plenty of eye-catching views to chase in greater Vancouver, but the best of them can be found when driving up the Sea to Sky Highway. Make sure to visit the Sea to Sky Gondola; Porteau Cove and Brandywine Falls Provincial Parks; and Whistler, known for its world-class skiing and resorts.
Porteau Cove Provincial Park
Located on the Howe Sound (the southernmost fjord in North America), Porteau Cove is a small provincial park with seasonal offerings like camping, scuba diving, windsurfing, and swimming. Scuba divers find the area particularly thrilling, because the cove features a series of artificial reefs and two sunken vessels.
Porteau Cove Lookouts
Soak in breathtaking vistas ranging from the islands beyond Porteau Cove to the mountains along Howe Sound at one of the many lookout points. They're also easily accessible from the provincial park's walkable trails.
Brandywine Falls Provincial Park
Not to be confused with the same-named falls in Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley National Park, British Columbia's Brandywine Falls is a 230-foot waterfall just off the Sea to Sky Highway, a popular stop on the way to Whistler.
Buntzen Lake
It’s easy to forget that Buntzen Lake is just an hour away from the mainland. When calm, the surrounding landscape mirrors into the smooth surface of its waters.
The Sideways Forest
Trippy, right? Here’s a little secret that only locals know: Just after the bridge that lies between the Cleveland Dam and Capilano Lake, there’s a clearing in the area known as the Sideways Forest. Hike upward, stand in the middle, and try snapping a photo with your camera tilted to the side.
Golden Ears Provincial Park
Named for two hulking ear-like peaks, Golden Ears Provincial Park, one of the largest in the region, is the site of Alouette Lake, where this shot of a dock on the western shore was taken.
Whytecliff Park
Tucked away in the Horseshoe Bay neighborhood of West Vancouver, Whytecliff Park is home to more than 200 species of marine life. At low tide, you can walk the rocky breakwater to an islet just off the shore.