Hanging Freely on the Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver

Established in 1889, the Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver is one that hangs freely across the Capilano River at an astonishing 446 feet in length and 230 feet by height. The bridge belongs to a private facility, which charges admission to an average of over 800,000 visitors each year.

One of Vancouver’s most prized possessions, the Capilano Suspension Bridge exudes historical characteristics that has become a tourist treasure for the province of British Columbia. It originally built by George Grant Mackay, a Scottish civil engineer and park commissioner for Vancouver, but the bridge has gone through many rebuilding stages over the last century.

Tourists on the Capilano Suspension Bridge

The bridge’s first stage of architecture saw hemp ropes with a deck of cedar planks in 1889, but as soon as 1903, the bridge was renovated to become a wired cable bridge. By 1935, the bridge had already seen its third owner, Edward Mahon, as he invited local natives to place their totem poles in the park, effectively giving it a native theme. In 1956, the bridge was completely rebuilt.

Today, the bridge is owned by a private facility by way of Nancy Stibbard, who is the fifth owner of the Capilano Suspension Bridge. The bridge of today is made of reinforced steel safely anchored in 13 tons of concrete on either side of the river canyon.

To gain an in-depth knowledge of the history behind the Capilano Suspension Bridge, there are story centres placed all over the various park routes of exploration. These story centres feature life-size photomurals, artifacts and antiques along with “voices from the past” and informative flipbooks that chronicle the early history of the bridge during the development of Vancouver as a city.

In May 2004, the Treetops Adventure was opened, which features rain forest ecotours, award-winning gardens, nature trails, period decor and costumes, exhibits highlighting the park’s history and the surrounding temperate rain forest, along with North America’s largest private collection of First Nations totem poles. Furthermore, the guests and tourists that attend can also watch a First Nations performance featuring their traditional “Regalia” ceremonial dress, masks, dancing, and storytelling.

For North America, the Treetops Adventure is the first venue of its kind. It features the same concept as the actual Capilano Suspension Bridge, only you’re not suspended over a river, but instead amongst the treetops as high as 100 feet above the forest floor. Visitors of this adventurous treetop exploration get to travel from one douglas fir tree to another via a series of elevated suspension bridges.

In 2011, yet another new feature will opening at the Capilano Suspension Bridge and that’s the Cliffhanger. No you won’t be seeing a reprisal of Sylvester Stallone from 1993’s “Cliffhanger” film, but the official website of the Capilano Suspension Bridge does say this:

Opening in Spring 2011, this heart-stopping cliffside journey takes you through rainforest vegetation on a series of unobtrusive cantilevered and suspended walkways jutting out from the granite cliff face above Capilano River to previously unexplored areas of the park. Not for the feint of heart, it is high and narrow and, in some sections, glass (very strong glass) is all that separates guests from the canyon far below.

Not only is the Capilano Suspension Bridge a great place to explore for your own curiosity as a local resident, out of town visitor or tourist, but it’s an experience that children will not forget. I can remember the first time I embarked across the suspending bridge as a five year old, and that memory has stuck with me more so than any other time I have gone again. The great thing about now from then though is that the Capilano Suspension Bridge actually caters to young families with kids now.

Aside from the Treetops Adventure, there are treehouses in the middle of the forest. Before the kids start running around though, they will likely run into the fudge store, where a total of 10,000 pounds or more of fudge is enjoyed each year by visitors of the park.

Nature also comes calling at this park as there are many animals to witness beyond the greenery that naturally infiltrates this park. Everyday from June 19 to September 6, you can see birds of prey including hawks, falcons, and owls, among other birds. Additionally, there are ponds in the park that have become habitats for schools of fish.

The main attraction is surely the impressive Capilano Suspension Bridge, which has been a century-long attraction, but there’s even more hidden gems to explore in this beautiful park that stays open year round. So don’t hold back, visit during any season and discover the true beauty of British Columbia all in one park, as the bridge writes another century-long book of history.