Summer parking and access at Lynn Canyon and Deep Cove

Lynn Canyon and Deep Cove/Quarry Rock are extremely popular international tourist destinations, and the number of people who visit these areas continues to climb.

However, the growing demand has had a significant impact on residents, businesses, and the local environment.

Neither of these locations were intended to be more than local community resources, and so parking lots are not designed to handle large vehicles such as tour buses, nor were narrow streets designed to handle high volumes of traffic. 

The significant traffic congestion results in gridlock, frayed tempers, bad driving, and poses safety risks to pedestrians and cyclists.

To keep these popular local resources safe and enjoyable for everyone this summer, we are once again implementing a number of parking and access rules.

Parking and access improvements at Deep Cove and Quarry Rock

These are the steps we are taking to make Deep Cove safer for everyone. These rules take effect for the May long weekend, and remain in effect until the Labour Day weekend.

Parking regulations and increased enforcement

  • Time-limited parking — Parking in select District lots is limited to 3 hours
  • Added enforcement — Extra Bylaw Officers are on patrol ticketing illegally parked vehicles, towing where necessary, and enforcing the smoking bylaw
  • Parking for locals — A Resident Parking Only zone on Caledonia Avenue ensures emergency vehicle access (this is the most frequently used access point for rescue calls to Quarry Rock)
  • Monitoring capacity — Park Rangers monitor and manage the visitor capacity at Quarry Rock to ensure public safety

Additional traffic control

At peak times, traffic control personnel will be stationed at:

  • Panorama Drive and Gallant Avenue — This will ensure access for local residents, marina users, and Indian Arm residents
  • Mount Seymour Parkway and Dollarton Highway — Vehicles will be turned away once the overflow parking lots are full

Learn more about parking in Deep Cove

Commercial bus restrictions

Large buses are not permitted north of Mount Seymour Parkway on Deep Cove Road without a permit. This includes all buses over 24 seat capacity (except Translink vehicles).

Learn about applying for bus permits

Community outreach

  • Community liaison staff — Community liaison staff will be in the village assisting businesses, residents, and visitors, answering questions, and making service requests for things like parking enforcement or public garbage can servicing
  • Park Rangers — Rangers will use social media to share real-time information about parking availability with visitors before they even get to the Cove.

Parking and access improvements at Lynn Canyon

These are the steps we take to make Lynn Canyon safer for everyone. Rules take effect for the May long weekend, and remain in effect until the Labour Day weekend.

  • Real-time traffic updates — Park Rangers will use social media to share real-time information about parking availability with visitors before they even get to Lynn Canyon Park
  • Increased parking enforcement — Bylaw Officers will be on patrol ticketing illegally parked vehicles and towing where necessary
  • Commercial bus restrictions — Large buses over 24 seats will be not be permitted to park in Lynn Canyon's west parking lot without a permit, and any bus operator who fails to follow the rules is subject to a fine
  • Improved signage — New signs will be posted at Lynn Valley Road and Peters Road, and on local streets to direct buses away from the park and back onto the arterial road

Learn about applying for bus permits