Cypress Provincial Park
Know Before You Go
Backcountry Safety Notices
- Trail report
- Get safety information and winter ski activities and conditions (non-government website)
-
Current Conditions - North Shore Avalanche Bulletin
The mountainous backcountry is extremely rugged. Hiking in this area should be attempted only by experienced backcountry travellers. Anyone contemplating an extended or overnight hike should inform a friend or family of their intended route and anticipated return time. Please note that open fires are not permitted in the backcountry.
National Topographic Series Map Sheet 92G/06 (North Vancouver) at a scale of 1:50,000 cover the park area. This map is available from Government Agents and most map retailers in British Columbia.
There is a drinking fountain located at the Cypress Bowl Recreations Cafeteria Building. Water is scarce along the Howe Sound Crest Trail. Carry lots of water or a water filter and fill up wherever possible.
During the period from November to May, backcountry travellers are required to show a Backcountry Access Pass to travel through the Controlled Recreation Area, which is operated under permit by Cypress Bowl Resorts. This pass is available without charge and may be obtained from Cypress Bowl Resorts.
About This Park
The towering North Shore Mountains which form a backdrop to the bustling
city of Vancouver have beckoned outdoor recreationists for many years. Until
the opening of the Lions Gate Bridge in 1939, a fleet of ferries transported
hikers and skiers across Burrard Inlet on the first leg of their journey
to Hollyburn Ridge, which is now part of Cypress Provincial Park.
Bounded on the west by Howe Sound, on the north and east by the ridgetops of Mount Strachan and Hollyburn Mountain and to the south by West Vancouver, Cypress sits like a ship's crownest high above Vancouver.
On a clear day the views are spectacular! To the south is the sprawling metropolitan area of Vancouver, while to the southeast is snowclad Mount Baker in the Cascade Mountain chain. To the west and southwest lie the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island with Georgia Strait in the foreground.
The diversity of natural features, old-growth trees and outdoor recreation opportunities both summer and winter, is due partly to the climate of coastal British Columbia. The mean annual temperature of around 9-10 degrees Celcius (49-50° F) results in many warm days for hikers and sightseers. No matter what the season or the weather, Cypress Provincial Park is an enjoyable place to be. Along with hiking and sightseeing, photography, wilderness camping, mountain biking (in limited areas), skiing and other snow-related activities are just some of the activities the park offers.
Park Size: 3,012 hectares, including the Howe Sound Crest Trail.
Location and Maps
The access road to Cypress Provincial Park is from the Upper Levels Highway (routes 1 and 99) in West Vancouver and enters the park at an elevation of 300 m. From the city of Vancouver, access is by crossing the Lions Gate Bridge to the Upper Levels Highway via Taylor Way in West Vancouver. The closest communities are West and North Vancouver.
Maps and Brochures
Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
- Park Map (PDF - updated July 2011)
- Brochure (PDF)
- Howe Sound Crest Trail Brochure (Map) (PDF)
- Howe Sound Crest Trail Brochure (Text) (PDF)
- Yew Lake Barrier Free Interpretive Trail (PDF)
Nature and Culture
- History - The official opening of the Lions Gate Bridge linking Vancouver and West Vancouver by His Majesty King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1939, signaled the end of the West Vancouver Ferry era and heralded the start of a population expansion in the city. As the population of the area increased there was an increasing necessity for more areas for skiing and hiking which resulted in the creation of the park.
- Conservation - The park has many natural highlights, including several sparkling mountain lakes--such as Blue Gentian, First, Yew, Cabin and West--that are nestled below the peaks of Mount Strachan (1,454 m), Black Mountain (1,217 m) and Hollyburn Mountain (1,325 m). Where the access road enters the park, at an elevation of 300 m, you pass first through a coastal Douglas-fir forest; this is a fire-scarred area with even-age stands of mixed Douglas-fir and western hemlock. Logging activities prior to the establishment of the park have opened much of the forest floor to the luxuriant growth of vine maple and cedar. Between 800 m and 940 m elevation, the forest gradually changes and, as the ridgetops are approached at 1,300 m above sea level, mountain hemlock, amabalis fir and yellow cypress--for which the park is named--predominate. The lush understory consists largely of shade-tolerant ferns, huckleberries, red and white heather, and false azaleas.
- Wildlife - A variety of large and small mammals inhabit the park. Coyotes and deer are often seen close to the access road. Black bears, squirrels, hares and weasels may be encountered in the backcountry. Adding colour and sound to the park are a variety of birds like ravens, gray jays, chickadees, warblers, woodpeckers, grouse, hawks and owls.
- General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information
Activities Available at this Park
Cycling
Hiking
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.
Read more about hiking in Cypress Provincial Park.
Pets on Leash
Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings.
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.
Wildlife Viewing
Winter Recreation
Cypress Bowl Recreations Ltd. is located within the provincial park. They offer a full range of downhill skiing, a cross-country ski facility, tobagging opportunities and provides snowshoeing trails in the Nordic ski area. The alpine ski area features three chairlifts and a double rope-tow that services a wide range of slopes and runs opportunities.
Read more about skiing in Cypress Provincial Park.
BC Parks maintains three backcountry winter trails for snowshoeing and backcountry skiing. BC Parks provides a designated trail for snowmobile use. The trail begins at Parking lot 5, travels beside the road to the powerlines, then follows the powerlines to the Trans Canada Trail. Snowmobiles are permitted on the Trans Canada Trail within the Park. The trail is very dependent on the level of snow as Parking Lot 5 and much of the trail is at the 850m elevation level.
Snowmobiles are not permitted outside of the designated areas. Tobogganing is only permitted in the designated area. Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour offer skiing opportunities nearby.
Facilities Available at this Park
Picnic Areas
This park has two (2) day-use/picnic areas. The Quarry picnic area has a large grassy area with eleven (11) picnic tables. Highview has a small grassy area and six (6) picnic tables. The Highview day-use area is mainly a lookout over Vancouver, Fraser Valley and the south end of Vancouver Island. Both the day-use areas have two (2) pit toilets and picnic tables with barbeque attachments, bring your own briquettes. There are no fire rings and fires are not permitted.
Parking fees are no longer being charged. Find out more.
Pit or Flush Toilets
Walk-In/Wilderness Camping
Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed at higher elevations beyond the alpine and Nordic ski areas and along the Howe Sound Crest Trail, but no facilities are provided.
There are 4 preferred sites along the Howe Sound Crest trail.
- Plateau above Enchantment Lake (11km from Cypress Bowl);
- Magnesia Meadows (14.5km from Cypress Bowl );
- Brunswick Lake (19km from Cypress Bowl);
- Deeks Lake (22km from Cypress Bowl).
