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.

The Hollow Tree is one of Stanley Park’s most iconic natural landmarks—a massive, centuries-old Western Red Cedar that has become a symbol of Vancouver’s history and resilience. Estimated to be around 700 to 800 years old, the tree’s hollow trunk once provided a whimsical photo opportunity for generations of visitors who posed inside it, sometimes with cars, horses, or entire families fitting into its vast cavity.

Although the original tree was damaged by storms in 2006, public affection for it led to a major preservation effort. Engineers and conservationists stabilised and restored the remaining trunk, ensuring that the Hollow Tree could continue to stand as a cherished heritage feature within the park.

Today, it remains a beloved attraction near the park’s west side, admired both for its immense size and for the stories it holds—an enduring reminder of the ancient rainforest that once covered the region. 

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.
Lions Gate Bridge
The Lions Gate Bridge, spanning Burrard Inlet, is an iconic Vancouver landmark offering stunning city, mountain, and harbour views.
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.
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.
Siwash Rock
Siwash Rock is an 18-meter volcanic formation in Stanley Park, famed for its striking appearance and Indigenous legend of a man turned to stone for his honesty.

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.

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