Mount Seymour Park
Park overview
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.
Visitors 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 restricted to hiking. Winter trails are put in place mid-December thru March 31 each year. Winter snowshoe trails and ski trails marked by BC Parks do not require a permit or pass. The park also offers extensive winter recreation facilities including skiing, snowshoeing and a supervised snow play area operated by Mt. Seymour Resorts. Mount Seymour also offers a multitude of activities for summer, including hiking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and mountain biking.
Special Features
- There are impressive views of the lower mainland, the Fraser Valley and Mount Baker from Deep Cove lookout parking lot and from the parking lots and pull-outs near the top of the mountain.
- Mt. Seymour Resorts operates skiing and snowboarding, tubing and other other winter activities within an 81-hectare controlled recreation area in Mount Seymour Park under a park use permit.
- Parking: Winter parking designations are in effect from November to April. Visitors accessing the backcountry, outside of the Mt. Seymour Resorts Ltd. controlled recreation area, are required to park in parking lot 1 and lower parking lot 5. Overnight parking is permitted in parking lot 1. Mt. Seymour Resorts Ltd. requests that all those parking overnight post emergency contact, departure and expected return information in a visible location on the dashboard of their vehicle.
- Visitors using recreation services within the controlled recreation area are required to have a valid area pass (e.g. lift tickets and snowshoe trail passes) and can park in parking lots 2, 3, 4 and 5. (See location and maps)
Advisories
Dates of operation
Open to public access year-round
Current status:Open to public access
Safety info
- Trail report [PDF] (February 24, 2022)
Backcountry Safety Notices
- Please note that open fires are not permitted in the backcountry.
- The mountainous backcountry of this park can be extremely rugged and unforgiving. Park visitors accessing the backcountry should be experienced and properly equipped. Anyone planning to travel in the backcountry (whether overnight or for just a few hours) should inform a friend or family member of their intended route and anticipated return time. A good trip planning form can be found on the AdventureSmart website.
- Mt. Seymour Resorts Ltd. requests that anyone parking overnight post emergency contact information, including departure and expected return time, in a visible location on the dashboard of their vehicle.
- Mountain weather conditions often change suddenly and dramatically. Be prepared, take warm clothing, rain gear, and navigational equipment, and know how to use them. If mist and fog should close in and you become lost or disoriented, stay where you are until the weather clears or you are found. Never leave the trail.
Camping
- Total number of campsites
- Total reservable frontcountry sites: 1
- Total groupsites: 1
Free day-use passes
Free day-use passes are required to visit Mount Seymour Park December 15, 2021 to March 31, 2022. Passes are available to book starting at 7am, two days in advance of your visit.
| Location | Pass required | Timing | Overnight stays |
|---|---|---|---|
Upper mountain trails including the Seymour Main trail and Dog Mountain trail Parking lots P1 and Lower P5 BC Parks pass is not required for upper lots P2, P3, P4, and Upper P5. These lots require a Mount Seymour Resort ski pass. | Vehicle Maximum of eight people per vehicle. | AM 7AM to Noon or PM Noon to 4PM | Overnight campers must have reserved consecutive day-use passes for the days they will be using the parking lot |
Find out more about BC Parks’s free day-use pass program. Please recreate responsibly.
Group Campsite Reservations:
Group campsite reservations are accepted at this park year-round.
There is one group campsite at this park which can be reserved. This group site is not available for booking during the winter season, due to high visitor volumes and snow conditions.
The group campsite is a short 50m walk from parking lot #1. The site offers a pit toilet, large group shelter with wood stove, five picnic tables, and a single outside group fire pit. Drinking water is available. All wood must be brought in by the party or purchased from Mt. Seymour Resorts.
Regular group camping charges per night are the base rate for the site, which is $80.00 per group site per night, plus $5 per adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1 per child (6-15). Children under 6 are free.
Wilderness camping is permitted North of Brockton Point. Specific sites are not designated. Campers should choose locations carefully to avoid environmental damage. Open fires are not permitted. Currently, camping fees are not being collected.
The group campsite is available year-round for walk-in camping.
Specific sites are not designated. Campers should choose locations carefully to avoid environmental damage and be prepared for all weather conditions. Open fires are not permitted in the backcountry. Currently, backcountry camping fees are not being collected.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
This park has five day-use and picnic areas:
Old Buck trailhead
This is not a picnic area. This day-use area provides parking for the lower mountain trails. It is a popular spot to go on a mountain bike ride or walk your dog. Trails from this spot are varied in length and continue to the top of the mountain. A pit toilet is provided as well as an information board, park map and park brochures. It is located near the park entrance on the west side of the road.
Baden Powell trailhead
This area provides parking for about seven vehicles to access the Baden Powell trail. There are two picnic tables located under the forest canopy on the east side of the road. There is one pit toilet that is wheelchair-accessible, however there is a steep incline that may require assistance. An information kiosk contains a park map.
Vancouver picnic area
The Vancouver picnic area is a nice spot to have an afternoon picnic. There are three tables available as well as a pit toilet and park information shelter. Access to the Mushroom parking lot trail as well as the old buck access trail start here. Many people begin their mountain biking day from this parking lot. On a nice weekend day, this area may be very busy.
Deep Cove lookout
Deep 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. No tables.
Mount Seymour trailhead
Located at the end of Mount Seymour road, this trailhead offers access to upper mountain trails. The park information kiosk contains a map, summer and winter trail updates and, in the winter, an avalanche advisory bulletin. The park information kiosks are at the base of the controlled recreation area (CRA) operated by Mt. Seymour Resorts Ltd. Flush toilets are available as well as a cafeteria, telephone and change rooms. In the summer months, picnic tables are set in a grassy area just north of the parking lot. Visitors during the winter season (November to April) who are not using the CRA but wish to enjoy the backcountry are required to park in parking lots 1 and 5. Overnight parking is permitted in parking lot 1.
Campfires are not permitted within the backcountry. Camp stoves may be used instead. Campfires are only permitted at the group campsite, please use the campfire ring provided and bring your own firewood. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act ). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented.
Activities
In-depth visual planning resources to help hikers make informed decisions and stay safe along Mount Seymour Trail.
Mount Seymour Park has 14 hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty. Trail maps are available at the information board at the Old Buck parking lot near the park’s entrance, at the north end of parking lot 4 and at the Baden-Powell parking lot. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure. In addition, winter trails are created annually.
- Trail report [PDF] (February 24, 2022)
There are no lifeguards on duty.
Elsay Lake can be fished but is not stocked. Access is by the Elsay Lake trail only. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must must hold a valid fishing licence.
Mt. Seymour Resorts Ltd. offers interpretative spring, autumn and summer programs for both adults and children.
For prices and availability, please contact Sea to Sky Parks:
Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in park buildings. Signs are posted and fines are issued for pets off their leash. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
Mountain biking is permitted only on designated trails within the park boundary. These trails are shown on the park brochure or on the kiosks at each day-use area. It is the responsibility of the rider to know whether the trail they are riding is legal. Fines are issued for riding illegal trails.
There are many mountain bike restricted trails: opper old buck access trail, Mount Seymour main trail, perimeter trail, Goldie Lake trail, Flower Lake trail, Mystery Lake trail, Old Cabin trail, Dinky Peak trail, and any other trail that is not specifically designated for mountain bike use. Bike helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are permitted on signed or designated trails within Mount Seymour Park, provided they meet the definitions and criteria for e-bike use as outlined in the BC Parks cycling guidelines.
Horseback riding is permitted on the Old Buck trail from the Old Buck parking pot to the Historic Mushroom parking lot. However, horse use is not recommended because of high mountain bike use.
Winter trails
Between mid-December and March 31st each year, BC Parks put out two backcountry ski trails within the park. Both trails begin at the park kiosk located at the North end of parking lot #4 nearest Mystery Peak Chairlift. At the kiosk, the latest trail conditions and Avalanche Hazard ratings are posted. Snowshoers, backcountry skiers, snowboarders and hikers use the backcountry trails throughout the season. Passes or permits are not required to use the BC Parks Backcountry access.
The Mount Seymour Backcountry Access trail takes you to the saddle between 1st and 2nd pump and offers great views. Trail length is 7km return. Trail rating is moderate to difficult depending on snow conditions. Return time is 3 hrs on skis, 4 hrs 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 1.5 hrs on skis, 2 hrs on snowshoes.
Backcountry travellers are encouraged to follow the bamboo marker poles with orange paint on top. Follow safe practices and carry appropriate gear at all times.
Learn about winter safety in the backcountry before visiting.
Mount Seymour ski resort
Mt. Seymour Resorts Ltd. operates skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, and tobogganing within a Controlled Recreation Area (CRA) in Mount Seymour Park under a park use permit. The resort is comprised of 39 runs (12 of which are lit 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, located at parking lot 2. All restaurants offer a wide selection of meals and refreshments. For more information on Mt. Seymour Resorts Ltd. visit www.mtseymour.ca or call 604-986-2261.
Parking
Winter parking designations are in effect from November to April. Visitors accessing the backcountry, outside of the Mt. Seymour Resorts Ltd. CRA, are required to park in parking lots 1 and 5. Overnight parking is permitted in parking lot 1. Mt. Seymour Resorts Ltd. requests that all those parking overnight post emergency contact, departure and expected return information in a visible location on the dashboard of their vehicle. Click to view winter parking designations.
Visitors using recreation services within the CRA are required to have a valid area pass (e.g., lift tickets and snowshoe trail passes) and can park in parking lots 2, 3, 4 and 5. (See location and maps).
Tobogganing is only permitted in the designated areas defined in the CRA operated by Mt. Seymour Resorts Ltd. These areas are located near parking lot 2.
Maps and location
The entrance to Mount Seymour Park is located on Mount Seymour Road just north of Mount Seymour Parkway in North Vancouver, 15 kilometres northeast of downtown Vancouver via the Second Narrows Bridge and Mount Seymour Parkway. The communities closest to this park are Deep Cove, North Vancouver, and Lynn Valley.
Park and activity maps
- Park map [PDF] (Updated June 2008)
- Park map - upper mountain trails [PDF]
- Brochure [PDF]
- Parking lots [PDF]
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: January 31, 1936
- Size: 3509 hectares
Park contact
Sea to Sky Park Services Ltd.
604-986-9371
info@seatoskyparks.com
seatoskyparks.com
Nature and culture
History
Established in 1936, the park was named for Frederick Seymour, Governor of British Columbia from 1864 to 1869. Although the first recorded climb of Mount Seymour was made in 1908 by a party from the BC Mountaineering Club, Mount Seymour was virtually unknown to most of the residents of Vancouver and vicinity until the late 1920's. In 1929, members of the Alpine Club of Canada explored the mountain as a potential skiing area and the following year applied for a 21 year lease covering the primary skiing terrain, however the Depression years forced the club to drop the lease. In 1984 the controlled recreation area and its facilities was awarded to Mt. Seymour Resorts Ltd. under a park use permit.
Conservation
The park lies in the coastal western hemlock and mountain hemlock biogeoclimatic zones. Below 1,000 metres, old-growth Douglas-fir and western red cedar are interspersed with second-growth coniferous and deciduous trees and a variety of shrubs. At 1,000 metres and above, forest cover is mostly amabilis fir, yellow cedar and mountain hemlock. Some of the higher meadows are cloaked with sub-alpine flowers, providing colourful early summer displays.
Wildlife
A variety of large and small mammals inhabit the park. Coyotes and deer are often seen close to the access road. Black bears, bobcats or cougars may be sighted in the backcountry. It must be strongly emphasized that bears, cougars and bobcats are wild animals and should never be approached, offered food or tormented.
Among the smaller species and birds to be found in the park are varying hare, Douglas squirrel and pine marten. The Canada jay, identified by its raucous call and social manners, is a frequent visitor to hikers’ lunching spots. Other indigenous birds include the raven, Steller’s jay (the official bird of British Columbia), chickadee, kinglet, sapsucker, grouse, and siskin. During their annual fall migration, several species of hawks may be spotted.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.