Mount Seymour Provincial Park – North Vancouver
Mount Seymour Provincial Park – North Vancouver
Total KMs of Trail: lots
Hikes: 14 trailsDifficulty: All
Season: Year-Round
Highest Point: 1,449 m (4,754 ft)
Scenery: ★★★★★
Camping: YesFrom Vancouver: 50 minutes
Public Transit: No
Dog Friendly: Yes
At about 40 minutes from downtown Vancouver, Mount Seymour Provincial Park is the go to recreational mountain of the area.There are 14 different hiking trails within the park ranging from all length and difficulties which provides the right activity for everyone. The most popular hike in the park is the Dog Mountain Lookout, a 5 km round-trip hike with minimal elevation which takes regularly 2 hours to complete. Although, the best views in the park are achieved from one of Mount Seymour's individually more challenging three peaks. Reaching the third peak, more commonly known as Third Pump Peak is a round trip of between 4 to 5 hours over 9 km depending on trail conditions and endurance of the hiker. On the way to the summit, the trail traverses the two previous peaks, First and Second Pump, removing 30 to 40 minutes per peak to shorten the length of your hike.
Mount Seymour Provincial Park is dog friendly and backcountry camping is permitted in several areas of the park, specifically 1 km away from the Seymour ski resort property which offer paid skiing and snowboarding services during the winter. The provincial park grounds are open to backcountry skiing and snowboarding but are not monitored and partakers must venture at their own risk. Remember to always pack the necessary gear for your hike / adventure and plan according to the weather conditions. There have been numerous counts of fatal avalanches in the backcountry. Do not wander away from marked trails or beyond your comfort level.
VIEWPOINT IN MOUNT SEYMOUR PROVINCIAL PARK: YES
The park has numerous viewpoints including all the mountains peaks but there are also very easily accessible viewpoints.
Deep Cove Lookout:
The first one being the Deep Cove Lookout situated on the third switch-back of Mount Seymour Road. There is parking for approximately 15 vehicles at the Bowen Lookout Lookout, as well as a pit toilet but unfortunately no picnic tables. There is also access to the upper mountain trails from this viewpoint area via the perimeter trail and access to the Upper Old Buck Trail.
CAMPING IN MOUNT SEYMOUR PROVINCIAL PARK: YES
Walk-in camping is permitted in the backcountry only, North of Brockton Point. Must be further than 1 km from Seymour Mountain Resort Property. There are no specific sites designated and campers should choose locations carefully to avoid environmental damage. Open fires are not permitted in the backcountry.
MOUNTAINS IN MOUNT SEYMOUR PROVINCIAL PARK: YES
There are numerous mountains accessible within Mount Seymour Provincial Park, such as the casual Dog Mountain or the individually more challenging 3 Mount Seymour Peaks.
DOG FRIENDLY IN MOUNT SEYMOUR PROVINCIAL PARK: YES
Dogs must be on-leash at all times in Mount Seymour Provincial Park hiking trails. There are wild animals such as bears in the park, and steep cliffs where it would be dangerous for your dog to roam free. Keep your dog under control and do not take them beyond their capacity. Please pick up after your dog and dispose of all waste in designated bear proof garbage bins.
FAMILY FRIENDLY IN MOUNT SEYMOUR PROVINCIAL PARK: YES
Mount Seymour Provincial Park is brimming with actives of all sorts and difficulty making this park a go to place for the whole family.
HIKING IN MOUNT SEYMOUR PROVINCIAL PARK: YES
Hiking is the most popular activity on Mount Seymour as the park offers trails of all lengths and difficulty. Choose between 14 different hiking trails to satisfy your needs.
Old Buck Trail // Dog Mountain // Brockton Point // First Peak // Second Peak // Third Peak // Mystery Lake // Elsay Lake //
SWIMMING IN MOUNT SEYMOUR PROVINCIAL PARK: YES
There are a number of lakes in the park where people may swim, although there are no lifeguards on duty.
FISHING ALLOWED IN MOUNT SEYMOUR PROVINCIAL PARK: YES
Visitor are allowed to fish in Elsay Lake but it is not stocked. Access is by the 20 km round-trip Elsay Lake trail only. Anyone fishing or angling in must hold a valid fishing licence. All fresh water fishing regulations apply.
SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING IN MOUNT SEYMOUR PROVINCIAL PARK: YES
During the winter, the Provincial Park is open to backcountry skiing and snowboarding beyond Brockton Point. Skiers and snowboarders must yield to hikers and snowshoers. Access to the Mount Seymour Resort Ski area is through paid admission only.
CYCLING IN MOUNT SEYMOUR PROVINCIAL PARK: YES
Cycling on Mount Seymour Road is permitted and offers nearly 13 km of gradual incline from bottom to top; a popular training location amongst cyclists in Vancouver. On the other hand, cycling is NOT permitted on the Provincial Park trails, however the mountain is full of designated mountain biking trails below the 4th switch-back.
MOUNTAIN BIKING ON MOUNT SEYMOUR: YES
Mountain biking is NOT permitted on the Provincial Park trails, however the mountain itself is full of designated mountain biking trails below the 4th switch-back which are accessible from the park's parking lots.
HORSEBACK RIDING IN MOUNT SEYMOUR PROVINCIAL PARK: YES
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.
PICNICKING IN MOUNT SEYMOUR PROVINCIAL PARK: YES
This park has five day-use/picnic areas:
Old Buck Trailhead - Baden Powell Trailhead - Vancouver Picnic Area - Deep Cove Lookout - Mount Seymour Trailhead
TOILETS IN MOUNT SEYMOUR PROVINCIAL PARK: YES
Pit and flush toilets are located throughout the park.
PARKING IN MOUNT SEYMOUR PROVINCIAL PARK: YES
There is a large main parking area at the top of Mount Seymour Road where most of the parks attractions are accessed from. The gate to this main parking area is gated and closed every night. Overnight hikers must park in the designated overnight lot on the 5th and last switch back of Mount Seymour Road.
