Ancient Trees of Vancouver Walking Tour
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Vancouver, Canada
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
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Overview
There is a world of ancient trees to discover within walking distance of downtown Vancouver. Take a tour of Vancouver’s last ancient forest, located in Stanley Park. Gaze in awe at 800-year-old cedars, towering firs, and more. Discover the park’s history and explore how the forest has evolved over the years, piecing together its past with old maps, postcards, and photographs.
- See the area’s most impressive trees as you are guided along the park trails
- Learn the forest’s history via old maps, photos, and postcards from archives
- A small group means the tour doesn't feel crowded
- Morning and afternoon tours for flexibility
What's Included
- Ancient giant western red cedar trees
- Towering 800 year old Douglas fir trees
- Expert Guide and well-known big tree seeker and BC Big Tree Committe member Colin Spratt
- Walking Tour
- Old Maps, 120 year old postcards, and photographs to help tell the story
- Pick-up and drop off at the meeting point
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Second Beach Swimming PoolStanley Park Dr, Vancouver, BC V6C 2T1, Canada
Meet beside the entrance to ‘Second Beach swimming pool’ in Stanley Park, across from the concession stand and washrooms near the parking lot. Search “Second Beach Swimming Pool” on Google or Apple maps. Enter “8501 Stanley Park Dr” for Uber and Lyft to avoid long park routing.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Stanley Park
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 225 reviews
Susan_K, Sep 2025
The ancient trees of Stanley Park were mind blowing - as was the tour guide. He was truly amazing - entertaining, educational, passionate about everything related to trees and Vancouver. This tour was the highlight of our time in Alaska and Vancouver.
Laila_N, Sep 2025
Colin was absolutely fantastic. We really enjoyed the tour. Colins wealth of knowledge about Vancouvers history & Trees was really interesting. His delivery of the tour was well thought out & we highly recommend it to anyone visiting Vancouver
Gail_W, Sep 2025
Very rewarding walk through Stanley Park with Colin. He shared the history of the pack, the City if Vancouver and the first peoples of the area. He showed us some amazing ancient trees on easy walking trails. His passion was visible on every one of his stories.
Steven_R, Sep 2025
Great guide who is a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm. The ancient tree tour is a real gem and a beautiful break from urban attractions!
Adrian_P, Sep 2025
Fascinating 3 hours. Great guide who was knowledgeable, fun and for the balance of nature, science and history perfect for the tour. The visuals are fantastic too. Highly recommended.
JILL_P, Sep 2025
Probably not something I would have done had our friends not highly recommended it. They loved it and so did we! Colin is great! Sooo knowledgeable! Definitely changes the way you think about trees. We learned so much and will absolutely look at them differently now. A MUST DO!
Lyndin_C, Sep 2025
Easily the best choice I made in my week-long visit to Vancouver. Colin was passionate, knowledgeable, patient, and accommodating. It’s clear he cares a lot about the trees and our forests. The work he does spreads awareness, and I would go as far as saying that it’s making our world a better place.
So grateful I was able to check this off of my bucket list. Highly recommend.
Jana_H, Aug 2025
Colin is an excellent guide. He has a gift for the way he educated us on the beautiful huge trees we saw and the history of the area. It was the favorite for our group.
Kim_F, Aug 2025
Wow! This is a five star tour! Colin’s deep knowledge and experience highlights his passion and translates into an incredible tour. Colin’s ability to weave historical facts, local legends, photos, and personal anecdotes into an engaging narrative was impressive. Colin introduced us to both the fragility and resilience of the beautiful ancient trees in Stanley Park. We are so grateful we had the opportunity to explore the forest with him.
Evie_K, Aug 2025
Colin is a very knowledgeable guide and passionate about his subject. Very enjoyable and interesting tour.
Jeffrey_D, Aug 2025
Ancient Trees of Vancouver was really interesting and great fun. The guide was wonderfully informative. We highly recommend this tour.
SHEILA_R, Jul 2025
Colin was wonderful! His passion for these magnificent trees shines through on this tour! An absolute must if in Vancouver. Tour is in famous Stanley Park.
Kristen_W, Jul 2025
Extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about big trees and the history of the area. We are so glad we decided to book this tour. We would recommend this to anyone traveling to Vancouver
John_M, Jul 2025
If you find yourself in Vancouver, make sure to treat yourself to a tour of the ancient trees in Stanley Park with Colin as your guide. This experience was an unexpected gem and highlight of the trip- all thanks to Colin’s remarkable skills and passion.
From the moment we met Colin, his enthusiasm for the natural world was palpable. He’s not just a guide; he’s a knowledgeable conservationist with an incredible understanding of both ecological and human affairs. His depth of experience allowed him to weave stories and history into every aspect of the tour.
One of the many awe-inspiring highlights was learning about the 1000-year-old western red cedar, affectionately known as the “grandfather tree.” Colin shared incredible insights about the ecology of the forest, including the concept of nurse logs, where fallen trees nurture new life. We witnessed firsthand how new species sprang forth from old trunks, emphasizing the amazing cycle of life and regeneration.
Colin’s detailed explanation about the hollowness of many of these towering cedars fascinated us. We discovered that these hollow trees even serve as homes for bears!
The stories that Colin shared about how the First Nations people viewed the cedar as the “tree of life” were particularly moving- as the fibers of the cedar were literally woven into their everyday life and textiles. He explained how the wood was used for constructing longhouses and canoes, and how the bark served as a vital resource for clothing and rope. It was a profound moment to learn that 99 percent of a tree is “dead,” yet this dying material is what protects and nurtures new life.
He described the tree spikes that crown the oldest cedars- intricate candelabra shapes that signify their ancient wisdom.
Colin doesn’t just share facts; he ignites curiosity and a sense of wonder in everyone around him. You leave the tour enriched and enlightened, possessing a newfound appreciation for the life surrounding you. Thank you, Colin.
David_W, Jul 2025
This tour was a unique and meaningful way to explore the forest and learn about some truly ancient trees basically in the middle of a city! Walking among cedars that are over 1,000 years old was powerful, and our guide Colin added so much depth with his thoughtful and charismatic storytelling and knowledge of the ecology and history of the area.
He was great with our kids (ages 7–11) — patient and engaged as they asked a steady stream of questions, helping them stay interested and involved throughout the walk.
We came away with a deeper appreciation for how slow-growing and resilient these trees are. We learned, for example, how Indigenous communities tested trees with antlers before carving canoes, how cedars naturally resist fire and rot, and how even a small seedling can be part of the same life cycle as a 1,300-year-old tree.
This is more than a nature walk — it’s a moving, educational experience that stays with you. Highly recommend to anyone, especially families, looking for something special! Thank you Colin!!!
Anna_V, Jul 2025
Amazing experience in Stanley Park! Colin is a wealth of knowledge and expert in his field. Very impressive. I learned so much about ancient trees. Loved every minute of this tour! Highly recommend!
Jane_B, Jul 2025
Colin gave us a wonderful tour of the ancient trees in Stanley Park. He has a wealth of knowledge about how the trees function in the ecosystem, how their ages are estimated, and the important roles they play. The tour was 3 hours, but the time just flew by because it was fascinating.
Carl_T, Jul 2025
This tour is a hidden gem. The guide's passion and knowledge were unparalleled. We were able to see and actually touch trees nearly a millennium in age, and encounter multiple instances of two or three generations of ancient trees living on top of each other. The tour guide opened our eyes to the hidden giants among us.
Pat_B, Jun 2025
This is a must do tour, it was the highlight of our Vancouver visit.
Passionate guide and ancient tree expert, we learned a lot and had a great walk in the forests of Stanley Park.
Susan_M, Jun 2025
What a unique and captivating tour this was! I was unable to bike with my friends on their tour but wanted to explore the park. I looked for something that including walking and came upon this. My husband and I love trees and I've always been fascinated by the CA sequoias. This tour was just too fabulous to describe! Our owner/guide is not only an expert in old large trees, but he also adds flavor to the tour with his knowledge and studies in history and much much more. I don't want to ruin all of the surprises and things you'll learn along the way. I just say book this tour! If you still want bikes, do both and you'll learn why!
Ellena_T, Jun 2025
What an amazing guide and park! If i could give this 10 stars i would say it was a 12!! Absolutely nothing negative about any of it! Tea restaurant before or after i recommend as well!
Chris_E, Jun 2025
Colin is extremely passionate and knowledgeable about ancient trees and it shows! We learned so much about the ancient trees of Stanley Park not to mention the history of the city, logging and conservation efforts.
All while on a delightful walk through Stanley Park. Highly recommend!
Anna_S, Jun 2025
Our guide was very knowledgeable about trees and the history of Vancouver and how it intertwined to create this amazing Stanley Park. I highly recommend to those who are curious about it! Highly recommend.
Evey_B, May 2025
Colin is one of the very best guides we’ve ever had! He is an expert in all things trees. He made our tour fun and poured so much insight and knowledge into it. Colin makes Stanley Park come alive and helps visitors truly understand the majesty of these trees and the eco-system. Highly recommend this tour.
Reena_P, May 2025
Colin is a wealth of knowledge and an incredible guide! We really enjoyed our experience on this tour and learned so much about the world of ancient trees. Highly recommended for anyone looking to learn more about the natural world through the gifts of Stanley Park!
Kathy_U, May 2025
Guide is extremely knowledgeable and personable. Is very passionate about identifying and saving the ancient trees throughout the world. Thoroughly enjoyed our tour!
Brandon_H, May 2025
The tour was very interesting. A very good time. Loved it. We saw a lot of stuff you don’t usually see as a regular tourist and we learned a lot also
ellen_c, May 2025
This fascinating tour was the best of all our tours in Vancouver. We learned about the history of Stanley Park. We visited trees over 500 to 1,000 years old, saw some of the widest and tallest trees in Vancouver and a hollow 700 year old red cedar stump. We learned the secret of how the ancient trees came to remain here and which species thrive The tour guide was excellent, very knowledgeable friendly and super fun -the best- the best tour in Vancouver
Liana_M, May 2025
Wow! What an amazing experience. The trees were magnificent, of course, but it was Colin, our extremely knowledgeable "I'm not a tour guide" tour guide who made this experience wholly worthwhile. His passion for the trees is evident in every word he speaks about them and Vancouver's history around the subject. This is a must-do experience for tourists and locals alike.
Anonymous, Apr 2025
A short but expanding journey. As a nature/forest/tree lover, I loved and appreciated this experience. Colin’s academic backgrounds/knowledge and love/passion for/about forests/trees/nature along with his philosophical thinking and good sense of humor made this tour exceptionally enjoyable. If you already love nature and feel connected to forests/trees or if you would like to enhance this innate connection, you will appreciate this tour.
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