Lost Lagoon

Lost Lagoon is a serene freshwater lake at the entrance of Stanley Park, home to swans, herons, and ducks, offering peaceful views and a scenic walking path.

Lost Lagoon is a tranquil freshwater lake located at the entrance to Stanley Park in Vancouver. Once a tidal lagoon connected to Coal Harbour, it became a freshwater lake in the 1920s after the construction of the causeway that now leads into the park. The name “Lost Lagoon” was coined by Canadian poet Pauline Johnson, who described how the water would vanish with the tides before it was enclosed.

Today, the lagoon serves as a peaceful urban sanctuary, surrounded by walking trails, lush vegetation, and views of the city skyline beyond the trees. It’s a haven for local wildlife—visitors often spot swans, herons, ducks, and beavers gliding across the still waters. The Stanley Park Nature House, located on its southern shore, offers educational exhibits about the park’s ecology and conservation efforts.

Lost Lagoon remains one of the most photographed and beloved spots in Stanley Park—a serene retreat where nature and city life blend harmoniously.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Vancouver
Stanley Park
Stanley Park is a massive 1,000-acre urban park in Downtown Vancouver, known for its forests, beaches, wildlife, and the iconic totem poles at Brockton Point.
English Bay Beach
English Bay Beach is Vancouver’s lively seaside spot, perfect for swimming, sunsets, and relaxing with mountain views and cafés nearby.
Stanley Park Rose Garden
Stanley Park Rose Garden boasts 3,500+ roses, peaceful paths, and scenic seating, offering a fragrant and colourful oasis in Vancouver’s Stanley Park.
SS Empress of Japan Figurehead
The SS Empress of Japan Figurehead, a dragon carving from a 1891 liner, now stands in Stanley Park as a replica; the original is kept in the Maritime Museum.
The Hollow Tree
The Hollow Tree is a centuries-old Western Red Cedar in Stanley Park, preserved after storm damage and cherished as one of Vancouver’s oldest natural landmarks.
Girl in Wetsuit Statue
The Girl in a Wetsuit is a bronze statue near Stanley Park, honouring Vancouver’s maritime life, depicting a young woman in a wetsuit gazing across the water.

Related Tours

Explore Stanley Park: Private 2-hour Tour in Vancouver

Spanning over 1000 acres, Stanley Park is Vancouver’s largest and most beloved green space, taking up a significant chunk of the city’s Downtown peninsula. A designated Canadian National Historic Site, visitors to the park can find a myriad of monuments, artefacts and works of art in addition to its many gorgeous gardens, centuries-old trees and a wide variety of wildlife. Our 2-hour private tour is the perfect way to explore the park with a local guide, covering a carefully chosen selection of landmarks, monuments and natural wonders.

On this private 2-hour tour, you will:

  • Get to know Vancouver’s crown jewel, Stanley Park, with a local driver guide;
  • Enjoy convenient hotel pick up and drop off at the central location of your choice;
  • Travel comfortably through the city and around the park in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle;
  • Visit the famous totem poles and hear the complex history behind them;
  • See the Brockton Point Lighthouse and the Nine O'Clock Gun and discover why the nightly cannon fire was once essential to maritime operations in the area;
  • Admire iconic art pieces around the park, including the Harry Jerome Statue, the “Girl in Wetsuit” sculpture, and the SS Empress of Japan figurehead;
  • Pass by the Hollow Tree, ​​a massive centuries-old red cedar, and learn about the different flora and fauna that thrive in the park;
  • Take in spectacular views of the city and surrounding landscapes at Prospect Point;
  • Stop and smell the roses at the Stanley Park Rose Garden;

Embrace the serenity of the Lost Lagoon and uncover the poetic meaning behind its name.

Immerse yourself in the scenic beauty and cultural heritage of Stanley Park, Vancouver’s cherished green oasis, on this private tour of one of the largest and most fascinating urban parks in North America. Beginning with convenient pick-up directly from your downtown hotel, your friendly local driver-guide will take you on a leisurely exploration, a mix of driving and on foot, through the park’s lush forests, scenic lookouts, and historic landmarks. You’ll travel comfortably by vehicle between the park’s highlights, and at each stop, you’ll have time to get out, explore, and take in the sights on foot.

As you travel along the seawall and winding park roads, your guide will share stories of Vancouver’s past and present, weaving together its Indigenous heritage, natural beauty, and coastal charm. You’ll visit the striking Brockton Point Totem Poles, where each intricate carving tells a tale passed down through generations. Nearby, you’ll find the Nine O’Clock Gun, a time-honoured cannon that has marked the end of each day since the late 19th century, and the emblematic Brockton Point Lighthouse, standing proudly where ocean and city meet.

Throughout the park, you’ll discover iconic works of art that celebrate Vancouver’s spirit, like the Harry Jerome Statue, honouring one of Canada’s greatest athletes, and the graceful “Girl in Wetsuit”, inspired by the city’s connection to the sea. You’ll also spot the intriguing SS Empress of Japan figurehead, a striking relic of Vancouver’s maritime history and long-standing connection with Asia. You’ll also make your way up to Prospect Point, the highest point of the whole park, where breathtaking views of the Lions Gate Bridge and North Shore Mountains stretch before you, and stop by the Hollow Tree, a centuries-old cedar that has become one of Stanley Park’s most photographed natural landmarks. If time allows, you can stroll through the fragrant Rose Garden, admire Ferguson Point and Third Beach, and finish your visit at the tranquil Lost Lagoon, where waterfowl glide across the surface and the noise of the city melts away.

At the end of your visit, your driver-guide will return you to your chosen downtown location, leaving you refreshed, inspired, and with a deeper connection to the beauty and history of this extraordinary park, a pivotal part of the city that truly encapsulates Vancouver’s perfect balance between nature and urban life.

x

Guides

Join the fastest growing community of professional tour guides.

Partners

Use our easy to integrate toolset to include Tours & Attractions in your customer journey.