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Squamish is a town in the Sea to Sky region of British Columbia. Located half-way between Vancouver and Whistler, Squamish calls itself The Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada due to the abundant Rock Climbing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Golf, Fishing, Kayaking, Bouldering, White Water Rafting, Horseback Riding, Scuba Diving, and other activities readily available in the area.

Get in

Map
49°42′36″N 123°8′53″W
Map of Squamish

Squamish is on Highway 99, 60 km north of downtown Vancouver (about a 45 minute drive). The town is also serviced by bus companies:

  • Greyhound Bus, travels between Vancouver and Whistler six to seven times per day, stopping in Squamish.
  • Perimeter Bus, +1 604 717-6600, [1]. Runs direct from Vancouver's airport to Squamish with their YVR-Squamish Express service. 6 daily departures in winter.

Get around

Squamish sprawls over a large area for a town its size, so a car is the easiest way to get around.

See

  • 1 Eagle Run, Government Rd, near the Easter Seal Camp (Turn west off Highway 99 at Garibaldi Way -- a right turn if coming from Whistler; left turn from Vancouver -- a Petrocan, 7-11, and Husky mark the corner. Turn right on Government Rd at the T-junction 30 m later, and wind down the road about 1km. There is ample parking next to the Easter Seal Camp/Camp Summit area.). Between mid-November and late February, Squamish hosts hundreds of Bald Eagles who winter here and feast on the plentiful salmon coming up the rivers to spawn. The most popular viewing area is Eagle Run on the Squamish River. There are a number of interpretive displays and seats in the viewing area. Eaglewatch volunteers usually staff the viewing area on weekends from Dec to early Feb and may set up telescopes at the interpretive centre. Free. 
  • 2 Shannon Falls Provincial Park, Highway 99 & Shannon Falls Park Rd (turn at the lights 2 km south of Squamish). Shannon Falls are the third highest falls in British Columbia at 335 meters. The main trail is a paved ten minute walk from the parking lot to a viewpoint at the bottom of the falls. Another, steeper trail (also about ten minutes), leads to a second viewpoint. There are also other hiking trails in the park and some rock climbing routes. 
  • 3 West Coast Railway Heritage Park, 39645 Government Rd, ☏ +1 604 898-9336. 10AM-5PM. A treasure trove of old train paraphernalia reflecting Western Canada's Heritage. The star attraction is "The Royal Hudson", a steam train currently being restored there, but there are a variety of cars and locomotives to see and tour. The 3 km miniature train ride is good fun for kids of all ages. $10/$12/$15 (students/seniors/adults). 

Do

  • 1 Alice Lake Provincial Park (Access road is 11 km north of Squamish on Hwy 99). Four lakes with a number of trails connecting them. There are a couple of beaches on Alice Lake, and hiking and mountain biking trails nearby. 
  • Rafting - Squamish has amazing rafting on the Elaho and Squamish Rivers a mere 25 miles north of the town in the Squamish Valley. The rapids are class 3 and 4, including the spectacular "Devils Elbow". Canadian Outback Adventures is the primary outfitter in this region.
  • Rock Climbing - Squamish is world renowned among climbers. The towering granite monolith, the Stawamus Chief, serves as the primary draw. There are over 600 established routes in the area, most of them traditional in nature, requiring the placement of gear for protection. There are many sport routes in the area with fixed/bolted protection though the majority of sport climbing in the area is along the Squamish-Whistler corridor. The boulders located at the base of the Stawamus Chief are starting to attract many climbers. This is to be partially attributed to the Climbing DVD 'Rampage' starring Chris Sharma. There are several quality guide books available for the established climbers as well as several commercial guides for hire.
  • 2 Sea to Sky Gondola, 36800 Hwy 99, ☏ +1 604 892-2550. M-Th 9AM-5PM, F-Su 9AM-9PM (mid May to mid Oct); Th-Su 10AM-4PM (mid Oct to May). Climb aboard a gondola for some great views of Howe Sound, the Chief and Squamish. The ride is 10-12 minutes and climbs 885 m up Mount Halbrich. Up top, there is a chalet/restaurant, suspension bridge, some hiking trails and three viewing platforms. The Summit Lodge Viewing Deck is the most accessible (it's right next to the restaurant and the top of the gondola) and provides views of Howe Sound. The nearby Spirit Viewing Platform also provides views of Howe Sound, as well as information on the local First Nations people. The Chief Overlook Viewing Platform, with possibly the best views, looks out over the Chief and the Squamish Valley. It is accessed by the 1.6 km Panorama Trail, which is fairly wide and mostly packed dirt but does involve some hilly terrain. From the chalet, there is also access to backcountry hiking, rock climbing and mountaineering. For those who want a workout, you can hike from the base of the gondola to the top and then pay to take the gondola down. $35 (adult), $33 (senior), $23 (youth 13-18), $14 (child 6-12). 7% discount if tickets purchased on-line. One-way download $10. 
  • 3 Stawamus Chief Provincial Park, Highway 99 (1 km south of town). The park provides a number of hiking trails that lead to each of the three peaks on the Stawamus Chief. It takes some effort to get to the top but the views of Howe Sound and the Squamish River valley are outstanding. Hiking times range from 3-6 hours, with the hike to the first peak being the shortest. 

Buy

Eat

Along Highway 99 you'll find the usual fast food fare with a higher concentration near the city center exit.

  • 2 Fergie's Cafe, 70002 Squamish Valley Rd (coming from Hwy 99, it's on your right just before the bridge over the Cheakamus River), ☏ +1 604 898-1537. Daily 8AM-4PM. Cute little restaurant that serves some huge breakfasts and lunches. The food is mostly locally sourced and organic. There are eggs, bacon, sausage and eggs benedict for breakfast, house specialties like home-made sausages and pulled pork, and a selection of burgers and sandwiches like an apple sage pork burger and a smoked chicken club (with actual chicken breasts and not deli meats). Part of the charm is the seating — there are a few tables inside but most of the seating is outside at picnic tables set on their attractive grounds. It's a pricey for a sandwich, but the food is good quality and the portions large. The service can be very slow though when busy. $8-16. 
  • 3 Howe Sound Brewpub, 37801 Cleveland Ave (at the Howe Sound Inn & Brewing Co), ☏ +1 604 892-2603. Brewpub known for its in-house beers. The menu has a selection of burgers, pizzas and normal pub favourites. Brunch is served on weekends and holidays. There is also a dining room with a different menu and an inn. $6-15 for an appetizer, $11-15 for a main. 

Drink

  • Howe Sound Inn & Brewing Company, 37801 Cleveland Ave. 

Sleep

  • 1 August Jack Motor Inn, 37947 Cleveland Ave, ☏ +1 604 892-3504. Non-descrept on the outside but clean and functional rooms. There is high-speed internet in the lobby and most rooms can access the free wifi. Some rooms have kitchenettes. $65-$75, kitchenette $15 extra. 

Go next

Visiting other spots in the Sea to Sky corridor holds many sightseeing and recreation possibilities:

  • Britannia Beach - 10 minutes south of Squamish by car. It has the BC Mining Museum and scuba diving can be done at nearby Porteau Cove.
  • Garibaldi Provincial Park - hiking to beautiful alpine lakes and vistas.
  • Whistler - 55 km north of town, Whistler is one of the biggest ski resorts in North America and an all-year playground of recreational activities.
Routes through Squamish
Cache Creek ← Whistler ←  N  S  → Lions Bay-Britannia Beach → Vancouver


This city travel guide to Squamish is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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