Visiting VanDusen Botanical Garden during COVID-19

We recognize the positive impact outdoor spaces have on the physical and mental well-being of our community members. A series of new operational measures have been implemented to ensure visitors can enjoy the garden safely.

COVID-19 update: VanDusen

May 1, 2020: VanDusen Botanical Garden is open, under new, enhanced operational procedures to ensure public, member, and staff safety.

Tickets are only available for purchase online and members are also required to book in advance.

If you're feeling sick, particularly if you're experiencing flu-like symptoms, please stay home.

Booking tickets
Planning a visit
Visiting the garden

Booking tickets

Tickets can only be purchased online at designated entry times to manage capacity and to limit contact upon entry.

Book now

We are not accepting the Tourism Challenge Privilege Pass, discounts, or coupons for garden entry.

A service fee of $1 will be added to each ticket for non-members. This fee allows us to offer ticketing from an online platform to ensure that we can manage capacity and provide our visitors with the safest, touch-free experience.

Passes and 3rd party ticketing

We are accepting Destination Experience Passes, the Park Board complimentary or gift pass (green or blue), and VanPass tickets at this time. If you have one of these passes or vouchers, please call the VanDusen Admission line at 604-257-8463 in advance to reserve your entry time. Ticket holders must provide both their booked VanDusen ticket and their pass/voucher upon entry.

To redeem your valid, not-expired, VBGA complimentary (Bring a Friend) guest pass, present the pass at the VanDusen admission desk. These passes will be accepted on a first come first served basis due to current COVID-19 capacity limitations and protocols. If the entry time you arrive during is fully booked, you may experience a wait time.

We are not accepting the VBGA School Program Family Pass, the Tourism Challenge Privilege Pass, or coupons for admission at this time.

Planning a visit

Visitors and members are required to book an entry time in advance online.

Entry times are available every 30 minutes. Visitors are welcome to arrive anytime within their designated entry time.

View our location and current hours of operation

If you require an attendant

You do not need to purchase a ticket for them. Purchase your own ticket online, and let our staff members know your attendant is accompanying you when you present your ticket for scanning.

Leisure Access Pass (LAP) holders

To book a ticket at the Leisure Access Program (LAP) rate, please call 604-257-8463, or 604-257-8666 (Monday to Thursday, 10am to 5pm only) for instructions on how to book.

Ticket holders must present both their VanDusen ticket and LAP card at the entry point for scanning. We are operating under a limited capacity and encourage everyone to book their visit in advance.

Changes to entry times

Missed entry time: you will not be permitted into the garden and must reserve a different entry time if space permits (a ticket service fee may apply).
Garden closure: you'll be contacted by MyZone and we will allow you to exchange your ticket for another date or time.
Rescheduling day or time: contact MyZone directly at vandusensupport@myzone.com. A service fee may apply.

Vancouver Botanical Garden Association members

Members are required to book online for a specific entry time. The password has been provided in all member email since our reopening in May. Email membership@vandusen.org if you did not receive this email.

Member cards are required at point of entry. Contactless membership scanning is enforced.

VGBA complimentary (Bring a Friend) guest passes

To redeem your valid, not-expired, complimentary (Bring a Friend) guest pass, present the pass at the VanDusen admission desk.

These passes will be accepted on a first come first served basis due to current COVID-19 capacity limitations and protocols. If the entry time you arrive during is fully booked, you may experience a wait time.

Complimentary (Bring a Friend) guest passes were not distributed after March 16, 2020. Only physical passes in current circulation with a valid not-expired date will be honoured at the VanDusen admission desk.

Questions?

Email membership@vandusen.org if you have any questions.

Visiting the garden

Visitors must arrive within their designated entry time. The entry time listed on your ticket is not a time slot.

The recommended visit time is up to 90 minutes.

We encourage you to present your ticket on a mobile device, but you can print it out too.

Affected activities and events

Parking lot: open for visitors. If you are not able to maintain a 2-metre distance from others when exiting your vehicle, wait inside until it is clear to get out.
Indoor events, meetings, and guided tours: cancelled until further notice
Limited capacity outdoor rentals are available. Visit our outdoor rentals page for details.
At this time, group photography is not permitted during public garden hours. Group photography includes photo shoots for weddings, engagements, family groups, and graduations.
For more information on our current photography and film options, visit our commercial filming and photography page.
Maze: open (one person or household at a time)
Pathways: some are one-way
The gift shop is now open Friday to Sunday, from 10am to 5pm. Capacity is limited for the safety of all patrons, so you may experience a wait time to enter the shop. Guests will be asked to hand sanitize before entering the gift shop and masks are mandatory. The gift shop is closed Monday to Thursday.
Truffles Cafe: open with new hours
Visitor Centre: open for washroom use and entering and exiting the garden

Physical distancing from others

Help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Masks are now mandatory in all indoor public spaces. Masks are optional and encouraged for outdoor spaces.
Everyone is required to keep a 2-metre distance from others outside their bubble at all times.
Signs are placed throughout the garden to remind visitors to physically distance.
Markers are placed on the ground to show 2-metre spacing at each queue.
Stanchions are set up to ensure safe entry and exit of visitors through the Visitor Centre.
There are no wheelchairs available for borrow.
All regular garden rules still apply (including no pets, bikes, drones or other equipment).

Cleaning and washrooms

The Visitor Centre washrooms, portable toilets, high-touch points, and ticketing huts are cleaned thoroughly throughout the day
The Education Centre washrooms are closed, but there are two portable washrooms within the garden with hand sanitizer and mobile handwashing stations available.

We are not recruiting volunteers at this time. Only a limited number of Park Board and VBGA staff are working on site.

Ticket disclaimer

Tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable (and so cannot be re-sold), and will not be replaced if expired, destroyed, lost or stolen.

The original ticket purchaser is solely responsible to ensure that this ticket is not duplicated or transferred in any way. Tickets obtained from sources other than our website may be lost, stolen, or counterfeit, and if so, are void.

If in our sole discretion, we determine that a person is re-selling any ticket(s), we reserve the right to revoke and cancel the order and the related ticket(s) and will not permit any future purchases by that person or any affiliated person. We also reserve the right, without compensation or refund of any amount paid, to revoke tickets, refuse admission, or dismiss, any person whose conduct management deems disorderly or fails to comply with policies or rules and regulations of the venue.

Code of conduct
General garden rules
- We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and weather appropriate clothing. Shirts and shoes are required.
- Walk and explore the garden along designated pathways and lawn areas only.
- To protect our botanical collections, please do not pick or remove any plant materials such as flowers, seeds or foliage. All plant material must be left in the garden.
- Dispose of waste in the garbage and recycling bins provided.
- Baby strollers, wagons and wheelchairs are welcome. Please leave rollerblades, skate boards, and tricycles at home and lock up bicycles outside the Visitor Centre.
- Working guide and service dogs are welcome. Leave pets at home.
- Do not feed or handle wildlife.
- Supervise children at all times.
- Bring a picnic and a blanket to enjoy in the garden. Lawn chairs and coolers are permitted on the Great Lawn only. Portable grills are not permitted.
- Keep personal items with you at all times. The garden is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings. If you find something in the garden that does not belong to you, return it to a staff member or volunteer.
Prohibited at any time
- Use of drones
- Balls, frisbees, hula hoops, hockey sticks and other sports equipment.
- Swimming in the lakes, ponds and waterfall.
- Amplified music.
- Outside alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at on-site licensed establishments. Smoking of any kind, including vaping.
- Tripods in garden beds or pathways. They may only be used in grassy areas.
COVID-19 protocol
- Wear a mask inside the Visitor Centre building.
- Make sure to maintain physical distance of at least 2 metres from others while in the garden.
- Stay home when sick.
- Wash your hands.
- Respect one-way paths in the garden.
- At this time, group photography is not permitted during public garden hours. Group photography includes photo shoots for weddings, engagements, family groups, and graduations. For more information on our current photography and film options, visit our commercial filming and photography page.
- Elopements are not permitted at this time. All weddings must be booked through our rental department. Visit our outdoor rentals page for details.

Connect with us

Ticketing questions

MyZone
vandusensupport@myzone.com

If you require urgent assistance, or have questions that do not relate to online ticketing, reach out to us through our social media channels.