Vancouver Ancient Forest: Explore Historic Stanley Park

Discover Vancouver’s ancient forest in Stanley Park on this unique tour led by big tree seeker Colin Spratt. Explore Canada’s largest maple tree, 1000-year-old cedars, and learn about the park’s history and the original coast Salish people.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Stanley Park - Experience the last remaining old growth in the city’s historic Stanley Park. Follow our expert guide to these natural wonders, including 600 year old towering douglas firs, 1000 year old wide and wondrous cedars, and the largest known maple tree in all of Canada. As we marvel at these ancient trees, we’ll also learn about the…
What's Included
  • Walking Tour
  • 600+ year old Douglas fir trees
  • Historical artifacts including old maps, 120 year old postcards, and photographs
  • Guidance by expert big tree seeker Colin Spratt, member of the BC Big Tree Committee
  • 1000 year old western redcedar trees
  • Visit to Canada’s Largest Maple Tree
Additional Information

This is Vancouver’s only ancient big tree tour. Within walking distance from downtown Vancouver you will be guided by well known big tree seeker Colin Spratt through Vancouver’s last ancient forest located in historic Stanley Park. The tour lasts around 3 hours and in that period of time you will visit Canada’s largest maple tree, 1000 year old cedars,…

Location
Ferguson Point
Stanley Park Drive
I’ll be standing on the large concrete platform right beside the road. You can park right in front of the meeting spot. If the lot is full, additional parking is available at the Third Beach parking lot, just a 2-minute walk from Ferguson Point.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(190 Ratings)
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Anonymous
Apr 22, 2025
A short but expanding... - 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.
Review provided by Viator
Wendy
Apr 14, 2025
A wonderful and memorable experience - Colin had us captivated with his incredible knowledge and enthusiasm. It was wonderful to get off the beaten path and discover these amazing trees that we would never have found by ourselves. We learnt so much and the entire tour was a feast for the eyes, just so beautiful 😍
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rebeca_s
Apr 14, 2025
Educational and Astonishing - Collin has a wide knowledge of the history of Stanley Park and the type of trees, that was a great plus.
Review provided by Viator
P1207ukalmam
Oct 13, 2024
Tree-t yourself to this tour 🫡 - Our guide Colin was excellent and very knowledgeable. It was a drizzly day but we didn't mind. He met us on time and we got to learn some of the basic history of the park before actually starting the hike. I learned a lot about trees and he was great at answering all the questions. 10/10
Review provided by Tripadvisor
678anyas
Oct 11, 2024
An Awe-inspiring Morning Spent in Nature - The ancient tree tour was absolutely fantastic! For those visiting Vancouver, but especially those living in the city — it was eye opening to learn about the incredible resiliency of the ancient trees. Colin was very knowledgeable, down to earth and passionate about his line of work, which really came through. Spending time in the beauty of Stanley Park’s old growth forest will leave you in awe. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone I come across!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dream17030349532
Oct 3, 2024
Wonderful tour - Very knowledgeable guide and a most informative walk through the forest. A hidden gem of Vancouver. Thoroughly enjoyed the three hours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
D3621cdrebeccad
Sep 20, 2024
A real tree-t! - We had a great time on the tour - it really flew by, and we learned so much about trees and natural history, as well as the cultural and social history of Stanley Park and Vancouver. Colin was a friendly, informative guide and a great storyteller - we saw a whole different side of Vancouver and learned why protecting their ancient trees is so important. Really recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Francis_w
Sep 20, 2024
GREAT TOUR - Learning about the intricacies of the finding and protecting of ancient trees Colin our guide a strong advocate of their protection went into detail of the ECO system and how nature auto preserves itself with the use of fallen trees, truly amazing.
Review provided by Viator
Nancy_c
Sep 19, 2024
A nature lover's dream - A very enjoyable tour with a very knowledgeable guide. It was surprising to find such a serene place so close to the bustling City. I have a new found appreciation for ancient trees!
Review provided by Viator
Pookycake
Sep 18, 2024
A Phenomenal Walking Tour in Stanley Park - My partner and I came upon the Ancient Trees of Vancouver Walking Tour quite by chance – on Instagram, of all places. Being lovers of the outdoors, and always open to enjoying some forest therapy, we decided to check this tour out. Like so many reviews before this one, we were not disappointed! Colin Spratt, the creator of the tour and our knowledgeable guide, masterfully combined history, ecology, botany, anthropology, environmentalism, and his own love of the forest to weave a fascinating tale that takes the avid listener from pre-colonial times to the present. In doing so, Colin helps you gain an even greater appreciation for the forest, its old growth giants, and why they remain so important for us and our own survival. The best part? All of this information is presented in a form that’s easily digestible – like having a casual conversation – as you stroll through Stanley Park looking at old maps, historic photos and, of course, the ancient trees you’ve come to see. It takes a special person to convey such information in a way that is appealing and understandable to all over the course of 3+ hours, and Colin does this with ease. I don’t want to spoil too much of the tour; so, I’ll only mention a few highlights that really caught my attention: First, the meeting place near Third Beach. It’s a little out of the way, but the choice is deliberate. Yes, you can use the washroom and get some snacks, but there’s also a giant – right here – that often gets overlooked: The largest known alder tree in BC. While not as impressive as giant cedars or douglas firs, the alder is noteworthy for its species. Second, Stanley Park’s famed “Hollow Tree” (see my earlier review on this site). It is, as Colin says, the most “touristy” part of the experience, but people still love to see it. Third, Canada’s largest known Maple tree – such an impressive sight and really helps to put everything into perspective. To quote an earlier review, these trees are “awe-inspiring.” In short, the tour is one that every visitor should add to their itinerary. You’ll learn a lot; you’ll get to walk amongst old growth giants; and, you can smile knowing you’re contributing to a worthwhile cause because a portion of ticket sales go towards tree conservation. Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $40
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).