Pay Parking at West Vancouver Hiking Trails

Pay parking went into effect at three popular West Vancouver hiking trails, including Lighthouse Park, Whytecliff Park, and Nelson Canyon (Whyte Lake Trailhead).

The District of West Vancouver voted in 2023 to charge visitors to these parks $3.75 per hour plus taxes and fees to park, which amounts to a total of $5.23 per hour. For example, if you plan to spend a few hours at Lighthouse Park which is a good amount of time for a hike and to enjoy the views, it will cost you $15.69.

To pay for parking, users will need to scan a QR code posted on a sign at the park or use the phone apps hangTag or PayByPhone. There are no machines that accept cash or credit cards.

The parking fees went into effect on February 12, 2024 and there is a $98 fine through Impark for not paying.

If you have concerns about this parking policy, you can contact the District of West Vancouver.

What do you think about pay parking at trails? Several other hiking areas have also implemented paid parking during the summer months, including Lynn Headwaters Regional Park and trails beginning from Lions Bay. Let us know what you think in the comments below.

11 responses to “Pay Parking at West Vancouver Hiking Trails”

  1. NOYB says:

    One of the richest postal codes in Canada with the property taxes for all the multimillion dollar houses and the geographic area isn’t even very large compared to neighbouring North Vancouver. It’s already 5.25 an hour for parking PLUS the cut IMPARK takes and I believe IMPARK is owned by 11 international investment firms. Glad we enjoyed these parks many times without having to spend a day’s earnings. West Vancouver has gotten very greedy in the last 20 years.

  2. E says:

    I just looked at the bus from Park Royal to Lighthouse Park. It takes 30 minutes and either arrives 25 minutes before the meet up time for my organized hike or later than the time. I had planned to drive to Park Royal and take the bus from there since transit from Central Lonsdale to Lighthouse Park would take 1 hour 2 mins. Either way, transit is just not an option. As a senior this restricts what I am able to do if I can’t afford the ridiculous parking fees West Vancouver is charging. Another way for the “haves” restricting the “have nots” from enjoying our local trails. The drawbridge to West Vancouver continues to close. Next we’ll need a visa/passport to enter the exclusive zone.

  3. Mary B says:

    I strongly disagree with this system of pay for use. Many people truly do not know how long they are going to be, and the fees being charged are exorbitant. It just adds more stress to try and go and get de-stressed. If the city wants us to not drive anywhere to access nature, why doesn’t it fix access to Capilano Pacific Trail – the walking route for nearby residents has been cut off since January 2021. Thanks for nothing.

  4. Penelope Hedges says:

    How are tourists supposed to pay? Does the QR code take them to a place they can enter their card? Why should we pay at all? These parks are paid for through property taxes one way and another. You don’t always know how long you will be so you can’t always know how much to pay. More than $5/hr to park is worse than many downtown rates. I won’t be visiting or bringing out of town visitors to West Van places until they cancel this policy.

  5. Darren says:

    If something that was free now costs money, indicates greed and/or a broken system!

    Lets just take the “or” out of the above statement and find a way to fix both problems instead of offloading the problem!

  6. Charlotte Henriksson says:

    I strongly disagree with pay parking to access nature. West Vancouver residents (me included) get a break with a $20 pass but if you are from other parts of the city you pay $3.75 per hour. Every person I met on trail disagrees w this tax grab. Access to nature should be a right for all Canadians. Whyte lake trail connects to provincial park that all Canadians are taxed for. I hike in NV all the time and always able to find alternative free parking. I also play soccer on NV fields and not charged extra although I’m a WV resident. West Vancouver mayor and council do not promote health, fitness and mental health by restricting access to nature.

  7. Kathleen Daigle says:

    Unbelievable. Not all tourists\seniors whomever has a phone! Tourists will use a credit card. At least give some options! It’s not going to make me ride transit or bike.
    Get it together.

  8. Cathi says:

    I don’t mind paying for parking but that is too much to ask per hour. Family picnic is now an extra $20-$25. For some that could be the deal breaker. What extras does this park have to warrant charging parking?

  9. Karin says:

    Don’t mind paying for parking, but not accepting credit cards is going to frustrate a lot of people. Not everyone is savvy enough to figure out how to scan a QR code or install an app

    I have contacted West Van District with my concerns

  10. Anonymous says:

    Well my evening plan to watch the sunset just changed that ridiculous. I’m going on a hike to get away not worry if I’m going to get a ticket cause I hiked slower. How much really goes back to the park?

  11. Ben says:

    I visited both Whytecliff and Lighthouse park with a friend who owns a car within the last week, and although I got to experience first hand the annoyance of having to pay in order to visit a park, I nonetheless support the measure. Revenue to maintain the park and its facilities aside, I think the pay parking encourages people to consider public or active transportation, which is a net win in my books. Less carbon emissions, less congestion on Marine Drive too, and in the parks entrances. Good measure.

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