MOUNT SEYMOUR PROVINCIAL PARK, NORTH VANCOUVER, BC

DISTANCE FROM VANCOUVER: 20 KM, 30 MINUTES

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

Park Info

Located just 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver, Mount Seymour Provincial Park has been enjoyed by generations of Lower Mainland residents. The park offers viewpoints overlooking the city of Vancouver and east over Indian Arm Provincial 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 Mount Seymour Resorts. Mount Seymour also offers a multitude of activities for summer recreationalists, include, 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.

Park Size: 3508 hectares

Special Notes:

• A private company operates skiing and other winter sports facilities and offers a variety of services for park visitors. These include four lifts, a tow, various ski slopes and runs in the alpine ski area. A ski school and ski equipment rentals are also available. A snowshoe interpretive program is offered during the winter operating season (check with Mount Seymour Resorts at 604 986-2261 for details). The cafeteria at Parking Lot 4 offers a selection of meals and refreshments. Click here to view a non-government web link, for additional information.

Stay Safe:

• The mountainous backcountry is extremely rugged and hiking in this area should be attempted only by experienced and properly equipped backcountry travelers. People contemplating an overnight or longer hike should inform a responsible person or agency of their intentions. This information should include estimated departure and return times.
• The mountain weather can change very quickly, be prepared by taking warm clothing and/or rain gear. 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.
• Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.

Location

• Location Map

The entrance to Mount Seymour Provincial 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.

Nature & 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 1920s. 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.
• Conservation - The park lies in the coastal western hemlock and mountain hemlock biogeoclimatic zones. Below 1,000 metres, old-growth Douglas-fir and western redcedar 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.

Map / Brochure

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

• Park Map (PDF - updated June 2008)
• Park Map - Upper Mountain Trails (PDF)
• Brochure (PDF)

Contact Info

Ellen Fulton
Phone: 604-986-9371
info@seatoskyparks.com

Activities Available At This Park

		Cycling

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 he\she is riding is legal. Fines are issued for riding illegal trails. There are many restricted trails: Upper 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

		Fishing

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 have an appropriate licence.

		Hiking

Mount Seymour Provincial Park has 14 hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty. Trail maps are available at the information board at the Kilometre 0 Parking Lot near the park's entrance, at the north end of Parking Lot 4 and at the Band-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

		Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is permitted on the Old Buck Trail from the Kilometre 0 parking lot to the Historic Mushroom parking lot. Use is not recommended because of high mountain bike use.

		Interpretive Programs

The Sea to Sky Interpretive Programs are available for groups and designed to showcase the natural habitat and geography of the parks within the Sea to Sky corridor. A very unique program titled “Bear Habitat” which utilizes a variety of props and games that focus on the habitat and characteristics of the black bear is offered at this park as well as Alice Lake and Porteau Cove provincial parks. For details or to book a group, please contact:
Ellen Fulton, Sea to Sky Parks; Ph: 604-986-9371 or email: info@seatoskyparks.com

		Pets on Leash

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or 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.

		Swimming

There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

		Winter Recreation

Mount Seymour Resorts operates downhill skiing and other winter sports facilities and offers a variety of services for park visitors. These include four lifts, a tow, various ski slopes and runs in the alpine ski area. A ski school and ski rentals are also available. Please check with the resort office for more details at 604-986-2261. Click here to view a non-government web link, for additional information.

Visitors can use cross country skis on the BC Parks winter trails when the snow conditions are good.

Snowshoeing can be done on the BC Parks Backcountry Access. As well, Mount Seymour Resorts provides snowshoe trails for which a pass is required.

Tobogganing is permitted only in the designated areas defined by the privately controlled Mount Seymour Recreations Ltd. These areas are located at the top of the mountain and ski hill staff can direct you when you arrive.

Facilities Available At This Park

		Cabins / Huts / Yurts

A private company operates skiing and other winter sports facilities and offers a variety of services for park visitors. These include four lifts, a tow, various ski slopes and runs in the alpine ski area. A ski school and ski equipment rentals are also available. A snowshoe interpretive program is offered during the winter operating season (check with Mount Seymour Resorts at (604) 986-2261 for details). The cafeteria at Parking Lot 4 offers a selection of meals and refreshments. Click here to view a non-government web link, for additional information.

		Campfires

Campfires are not permitted within the backcountry. Camp stoves may be used instead. Campfires are not permitted within the park except for at the group campsite; please use the campfire ring provided. Firewood can be purchased from the Park Facility Operator or you may bring your own. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don't gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere 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.

		Group Camping

There is one group campsite at this park. Group sites may be booked year round through the Mount Seymour Resorts Ltd. 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 (5) 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 Mount Seymour Resorts. Scavenging for firewood and removal of any vegetation dead or alive is against park regulations - Tickets are issued for this offence. Click here for reservation information for this group campsite.

		Picnic Areas

This park has 5 day-use/picnic areas.

Day-use Area Vehicle Parking Fee: $1.00 per vehicle / hour to a maximum of $3.00 per vehicle per/day. For information about yearly parking passes, or further information about parking fees, click here.

*Parking fees are only in effect between June 1 and October 31.

Group Picnicking Fee: $50.00 per group

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 7 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 and brochures.

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 top of the mountain and 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 Avalanche Advisory bulletin. As you are in the base area of Mount Seymour Resorts, 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. In winter, our snowshoe and ski trails begin at the kiosk and are free of charge. Visitors who are planning to stay overnight in the backcountry must leave their cars in parking lot #2, between the overnight parking signs.

		Pit or Flush Toilets

Pit and flush toilets are located throughout the park.

		Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

Walk-in camping is permitted in the backcountry only - North of Brockton Point. Specific sites are not designated. Campers should choose locations carefully to avoid environmental damage. Open fires are not permitted in the backcountry. This park has a group campsite which can be reserved by calling 604-986-2261 Ext 214. The group campsite is available year round. Click here to view a non-government web link, for additional information.

		Winter Camping

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.