Ultimate Guide: Exploring Grouse Mountain with Kids in Vancouver
Just a short drive north from Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in Vancouver is the adventure hub of Grouse Mountain. Just fifteen minutes from downtown Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is Vancouver’s premier four-season attraction, offering cultural, educational, and outdoor adventures all rolled into one extraordinary destination.
Although a visit to Grouse Mountain came highly recommended by our friends, their descriptions were not very clear about what it was or what we would be doing when we got there. Once we arrived, however, we immediately knew why it had rave reviews – it was an outdoor playground full of wild animals, shows, good food, hiking trails, and a ropes course, all with killer mountain views and mountain vibes.
Whether you’re visiting Grouse Mountain with kids in the golden warmth of summer, the blazing color of fall, or the snowy magic of winter, this mountain has something extraordinary waiting for your family at the top. Here’s everything you need to know before you go: ticket prices, food options, restroom locations, seasonal events, how to get there, and the rich Indigenous history that makes this remarkable land so much more than a backdrop for adventure.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, we may receive a small commission if you book travel or make purchases using these links.
Why Visit Grouse Mountain with Kids
Grouse Mountain is a wonderful family-friendly destination to:
Our Experience
- Destination: Vancouver, Canada
- age of our kids: 2 & 5 years
- Length of stay: 3 Days
- time of year: October
Quick Tips
When To Visit
July and August are the best months to visit Vancouver with kids. This is when the city is at its most reliably sunny and warm (averaging 22°C/72°F), all outdoor attractions are fully operational, the beaches are swimmable, the Richmond Night Market is running, and Stanley Park’s water park and miniature train are in full swing. The long daylight hours — often until 9pm — give families extra time to explore.
June and September are excellent runner-up months. Crowds and prices drop noticeably compared to peak summer, the weather is still generally pleasant, and most family attractions remain open. September in particular has a reputation among locals as the best month in Vancouver — warm, dry, and golden.
We travelled to Vancouver in October – a perfect fall period with cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and beautiful fall leaves.
Before You go
- You can purchase tickets online or at the entrance to the gondola
- Parking is $10 - $12. There is a small parking lot at the entrance to the gondola. Arrive early to get a parking spot. In the summer, Grouse Mountain offers a free shuttle from downtown Vancouver.
- Plan to walk a lot. Bring a stroller or child carrier for little ones, and lots of snacks to keep your kids motivated along the journey.
- Grouse Mountain hosts a variety of activities during the day, such as ranger talks and a lumberjack show. Make sure you time your day around which activities you would like to participate in by viewing the schedule in advance.
- The park takes 2-2.5 hours to explore at a minimum, not including stops for food or educational activities.
- Buy an e-sim to save on cellphone roaming costs
What To Pack
- Standard diaper bag essentials
- Strollers are not allowed on the bridge, treetops adventure, or cliff walk.
- Ergobaby or soft baby carrier, if needed
- Bring clothes for the outdoors - dress for a day in the wilderness, with hats, layers, and comfortable shoes.
Costs
| Item | base cost |
|---|---|
| Entrance fees | Free for kids ages 0-4 | CAN $39 for children ages 5-12 | CAN $55 for youth ages 13-18 | CAN $75 for adults ages 19+| Family ticket for two adults and 2 children CAN $189 |
| Parking | $10 for 3 hours, $12 all-day |
| Add-Ons | |
| Meals | $15-20/ person |
Getting There
We flew into Vancouver (YVR) from Oakland, California. We have also flown into Bellingham, Washington, USA, located just a one-hour drive south of the city, and cross the border in a rental car. The border crossing was quick and easy.
Grouse Mountain is a 15 minute drive from downtown Vancouver. Parking is $10- 12 for the day.
No car? No problem! Catch a free shuttle from downtown Vancouver (included with your ticket price).
travel
Stay in the Lonsdale District of North Vancouver
North Vancouver, located just across the strait from downtown Vancouver, was a calm respite from the business of the city.
Great for clean accommodations in a calm neighborhood | $$
- Kitchen
- Free street parking
- Near mountain activities
My family booked a vacation rental in North Vancouver, within walking distance of Lonsdale Ave, the main business district, and close to parks and playgrounds.
Staying in North Vancouver meant that we were closer to the outdoor activities that make Vancouver such a gorgeous city, like Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and Grouse Mountain.
History Corner
The North Shore and Capilano River valley have been shaped by the labor and presence of communities of color in ways that most visitors never learn. First Nations peoples have made their home along the Pacific Northwest coast for nearly 14,000 years. The mountain has long held spiritual and practical significance for the Squamish Nation in particular — its forests, waterways, and wildlife were central to the seasonal rhythms of Coast Salish life.
Chinese and South Asian workers who built the Canadian Pacific Railway and worked in the North Shore’s sawmill and lumber industries in the 1880s and beyond were among the first non-Indigenous people to labor on this landscape — often under exploitative conditions and racist laws that denied them basic rights.
Japanese Canadian families built deep roots across North Vancouver before the injustice of World War II internment stripped them of their homes, businesses, and communities.
The grizzly bears at Grouse Mountain — beloved by children of all backgrounds who press up against the glass each day — are cared for as part of the mountain’s wildlife rehabilitation mission, a fitting symbol of a landscape that, at its best, holds space for all living things.
Our Experience
We found local BIPOC families and tourists all enjoying the sunshine on the beautiful fall day.
Learn More
- Read about the Tslei-Waututh Nation
- Learn about Squamish community
- Donate to the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society
- Donate to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society
Antiracist Travel Considerations
Why you should go to Grouse Mountain with your Family
Ride the godola
Fun ride for the whole family
- Free
- 10 min
There are two ways to reach the top of Grouse Mountain – by hiking straight up the mountain via the 1.5 mile Grouse Grind trail, or by riding a gondola.
Tickets to ride the gondola are included with the mountain admission ticket, so I advise you take the free ride unless your kids are up for a challenging hike.
The gondolas are large enough to fit a big group of people, and lined with windows so everyone has an epic view as you scale the mountainside.
Our kiddos watched as we whooshed into the air on our one-mile journey, flying above our cars, above the trees, until suddenly we could see the ocean and downtown Vancouver. The views were incredible, and the ride was fast.
See the grizzly bears
Great for animal-loving kiddos
- Free
- 15 minutes
Two rescued grizzly bears live at Grouse Mountain in a safe enclosure with plenty of viewing opportunities for visitors.
Follow the painted bear tracks from the gondola to find the bear enclosure and see who in your family can spot the bears first.
We planned to arrive at the bear encounter around the time that a ranger would be speaking so we could learn some bear facts too.
My kids loved watching the bears take a dip in the “dirty water pool” as my toddler called it. She was so concerned that the bear was drinking dirty water, which wasn’t really dirty for a bear, that she offered it some water from her water bottle. So generous.
Swing from the Tree Canopy with your Kids
Great to get the wiggles out
- Free
- 30 min
The Kids Tree Canopy Adventure is included in the price of admission and takes littles and their caregivers along fully contained cargo net bridges from treehouse to treehouse.
It is safe, fun, wobbly, and open to all ages.
Tickets include free shows and presentations throughout the park
Entertaining shows, some might be sensitive for younger audiences
- Free
- 20 minutes
Check the schedule before you go. There are multiple shows and presentations throughout the day.
We attended an owl encounter, met an owl, and learned some interesting owl facts from an experienced ranger.
We also saw the lumberjack show which was intended to be kid friendly but ended up being a little too intense for our preschooler.
Not sure if the script will change, but the storyline was full of slapstick humor about a competition between two lumberjacks who sometimes intentionally thwarted each other’s efforts, got into a bit of a fight, almost blew each other up, and ended with a surprise guest intentionally falling off a very high tree.
My toddler was enthralled, but my preschooler was so concerned about why they would try to hurt each other, why they were fighting, and really believed they got blown up or almost fell to their death.
This was not a show I would recommend for all kids. You know your kids best.
Where to Eat at
Grouse Mountain with Kids
Altitudes Bistro
We opted for a nice sit-down lunch after a morning full of hiking, animals, shows, and tree fun.
The Altitudes Bistro had sweeping views of Vancouver and the mountains below right from our seats. Watch the gondola go up and down from your window while you wait for your food with a drink from the bar. Our kids were provided crayons and coloring pages, too.
The kids’ meals were served in an adorable paper gondola that delighted my children. The grown-up meals were not as festive but were very tasty. Try the Mountain Nachos (CAN $25) and a salad.
Lupins Cafe
Get a quick-service meal at Lupins Cafe. The tables fill up fast during the lunch hour so make sure to get in line quick!
Read on
Check out our children’s book recommendations that feature BIPOC voices to deepen our understanding of the experiences we share together at Bookshop.org.
Final Thoughts
Grouse Mountain ended up being a surprisingly fun place to visit with two little kids. I wasn’t sure what I was getting my family into when we booked our tickets online, but I am glad we did.
We saw many other families of color and international families there, enjoying the outdoors with their kids.
Because of the size of the park, even though there were many visitors at the time of our visit, it never felt crowded. Also, the hiking trails were flat and easy enough for a family with a preschooler or a young baby in a carrier or stroller.
What’s your favorite summer or fall activity at Grouse Mountain? Share in the comments below.
reflect
