Maplewood Flats Conservation Area


Managed by the Wild Bird Trust of BC, this delightful nature escape is surprisingly accessible from Vancouver yet it feels like a million miles from the city. Its tangle of trees, winding paths and protected wetland beach lure swallows, ospreys and bald eagles – and there are free guided nature walks the second Saturday of every month (10am); check their Facebook page for upcoming themes and other events.

It's a nature-lovers dream; on one of our visits a deer and fawn wandered languidly across the pathway in front of us.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Maplewood Farm

0.79 MILES

This popular farmyard attraction includes plenty of hands-on displays, plus a collection of more than 200 birds and domestic farm animals. Your wide-eyed…

2. Playland

2.05 MILES

Combining traditional rides and thrill-making coasters, this is Vancouver's main fairground attraction.

3. Lynn Canyon Park

2.12 MILES

Amid a dense bristling of century-old trees, the main lure of this popular park is its Suspension Bridge, a free alternative to Capilano. Not quite as big…

4. Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre

2.8 MILES

Located in Lynn Canyon Park, the Ecology Centre houses interesting displays on the area’s rich biodiversity, including dioramas and video presentations…

5. Polygon Gallery

3.51 MILES

North Van's former Presentation House Gallery renamed itself and relocated to this dramatic, sawtooth-roofed waterfront landmark in 2017, providing…

6. Grandview Park

3.62 MILES

The Drive's grassy alfresco neighborhood hangout is named after the sterling views peeking between its trees: to the north are the looming North Shore…

7. SFU Gallery

4.25 MILES

A small but well-established gallery showcasing local, national and international contemporary art.