Best Spots for Autumn Photos in Stanley Park

It’s my favourite time of year in Vancouver, when all of the autumn colours are at their brightest, on the boughs in the trees, and crunching under our feet. I have been doing “Today in Vancouver” daily photowalks for the last five years so I’m going to share some of my top places to take autumn photos in Stanley Park.

Take me to the map

West Georgia Entrance

The south side of West Georgia, west of Denman Street, is bright red in the first week or two of October. The north side, at Devonian Harbour Park, usually turns red around the third and fourth week of October. Both have fantastic canopies for some dreamy fall photography.

Vancouver Rowing Club

From Devonian Harbour Park, on the north side of West Georgia Street as you head into Stanley Park, you can get a lovely framed view of the Vancouver Rowing Club.

If you’re walking on the Seawall, just past the Vancouver Rowing Club, there’s a nice row of leafy trees near where the horses are stationed ahead of the Vancouver Aquarium turn-off.

Totem Poles

Around the totem poles in Stanley Park, there are a few of my favourite features: The Susan Point Gateways, which are colourful and wonderful photo frames at any time of year, and the circle of trees around the Portugeuse Joe statue. That corner of the park and seawall also has this awesome puddle that’s out on the seawall under a giant oak. It’s always there – yes I have a favourite permanent puddle – and it’s great for some reflection shots with the Downtown Vancouver skyline in the background.

This is a great spot, and time of year, to take a tour with Talaysay Tours. Learn about the area’s history, and its nature, through an Indigenous lens.

Brockton Point Lighthouse

The trees right on the top of the hill turn bright red pretty early in October but right now (October 15th) they’re just starting to lose some of their leaves, so hurry! You’ll get great photos with the Lions Gate Bridge, the lighthouse, and the North Shore in the background too.

Japanese Canadian War Memorial

This is a very special spot in the park, which is both somber yet beautiful given its setting. Surrounded by cherry blossoms in the spring, the canopy is even brighter in late October when the thick boughs of oranges, reds, and greens embrace the monument.

The nearby alley of sycamores leading down to Lumberman’s Arch is also great, but usually once the canopy has started to fall in November. The rusty orange branches mirroring the crunchy pathway below for some nice symmetry.

Seawall at Ravine/Beaver Lake

If you’ve followed the Seawall this far, great! You can duck under Stanley Park Drive through a little tunnel and follow the Ravine Trail to Beaver Lake for more seasonal flora, or just pause in this corner for a moment to capture the Seawall scenery, and the North Shore colours across the water.

Tatlow at Lovers Walk

I already mentioned my favourite puddle in the park, well I also have some favourite trails. There’s a network of over 20kms of trails (resource 1, 2, 3), from the sea up to Prospect Point. One of my favourites is Lovers Walk and its intersection with the Tatlow Trail is beautiful. You have towering evergreens that lead into leafy corridors.

Lost Lagoon

Lost Lagoon will have your best chance to spot wildlife, from otters and beavers, to turtles, herons, ducks, geese, and other water foul, adding a unique element to your photography. All around the lagoon, the colours change at a different pace so you have lots of time throughout October to get some great seasonal shots. There’s also a great view of the West End skyline, with its pops of colour, from the north side.

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