Blue Pools in Lynn Canyon

For residents of North Vancouver, there is no better way to spend a hot summer day than exploring the lower stretches of Lynn Creek and cooling off in its clean, clear waters. There are several well-known swimming holes between the creek’s headwaters and its mouth in the Burrard Inlet as well as some lesser-known gems such as the series of pools near InterRiver Park.

The Blue Pools, as they are known, are contained within the lower part of the canyon section of Lynn Creek. High water flows have carved deep bowls into the rock over many thousands of years, leaving a series of nice deep pools that are perfect to ride out a summer heat wave. Not only is the water cold and refreshing, the bottom of the deep canyon setting gets very little sunshine and is generally a few degrees cooler than just up the hill at the parking lot.

Water levels on Lynn Creek fluctuate widely, and while these pools are often almost completely still water, there are also times when the creek is a raging torrent and it would be extremely dangerous to swim at this location. In general, the creek will be at low flows during middle to late summer, but always use common sense and don’t swim in fast moving water.

From InterRiver Park, follow the gravel road past the baseball diamonds toward the creek and head upstream. There are several access trails branching off to your left heading down toward the water, where you’ll find the lowest of the Blue Pools, just before the canyon opens up and the creek fans out into a rocky boulder garden. The rocky shoreline is rough, but there are a few places to set up shop and hang out. If it seems a little busy, continue upstream and explore the canyon.