Squamish Travelers Recommend

Located midway between Vancouver and Whistler, Squamish—known as the adventure capital of Canada—is a veritable playground for outdoors lovers. From hiking to rock climbing, wildlife watching to white-water rafting, here are our top picks for summer fun in Squamish.

• Go stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking down the scenic Squamish River.

• Navigate exhilarating Class III and IV rapids while white-water rafting down the Elaho or Cheakamus Rivers. Alternatively, opt for a gentle rafting trip down the Squamish River at dusk.

• Don a harness and climbing lanyards, and make your way along the Squamish Via Ferrata. This climbing route is equipped with fixed cables and ladders, making it suitable for all experience levels.

• Admire the spectacular scenery of Canada’s west coast, including Howe Sound, Squamish Chief Mountain, and Shannon Falls, from a Sea to Sky Gondola cabin.

• Soar over the breathtaking peaks, emerald lakes, and plunging valleys of British Columbia during a flightseeing airplane ride above Squamish Valley.

• Look for local wildlife, including goats, eagles, and even grizzly bears.

• Go camping and sleep among the peaks of the Coast Mountains.

• Hike the trails of the Garibaldi Provincial Park, Squamish’s biggest provincial park.

Squamish, a former logging town on the way to Whistler, has emerged as a mountain destination in its own right. Here’s how to get a taste of the action if you only have one day to spend in Squamish.

Morning: White-Water Rafting

While you can participate in just about any outdoor adventure in Squamish, white-water rafting ranks among the best. Spend the morning conquering the Class I-II rapids of the Cheakamus River or the more thrilling Class III-IV rapids of the Elaho River. As well as tackling the rapids, you’ll increase your chances of spotting bears, beavers, and deer. If you’d prefer to stay dry, admire British Columbia from the air on a backcountry flightseeing tour that takes you high above the glaciers, lakes, and peaks of Canada’s wilderness.

Afternoon: Adventure On Land

Now you’ve seen Squamish from the water, enjoy the region on dry land. Choose to explore the coastal rainforests on a manual or electric bike tour; enjoy views of Howe Sound while climbing the Sea to Sky Corridor’s Via Ferrata; or tackle the rope courses at the family-friendly Rope Runner Aerial Park. Squamish is also a well-known rock climbing destination with routes suitable for climbers of all ages and abilities; an afternoon of guided rock climbing includes all necessary equipment.

Night: Cleveland Avenue

Take the evening to explore the town itself, staring with a stroll down Cleveland Avenue— downtown Squamish’s main street. Grab a bite at a local restaurant; have a locally-brewed beer or cider; or, if you’re visiting during the summer months, listen to some live music. If you haven’t had enough of the outdoors, consider a twilight float trip along the Lower Squamish River instead. Mild rapids make for a leisurely float and are perfect for spotting wildlife as dusk settles on the Coastal Mountains.

Located  in the heart of the Canadian wilderness, Squamish attracts outdoor adventurers from around the globe; it also serves as the gateway to top British Columbia destinations such as Vancouver and Whistler. Three days give you ample time in the great outdoors, so here’s how to spend 72 hours in Squamish. 

Day 1: Around Town

While Squamish is best known as a base for outdoor adventure, it’s worth spending time exploring the town itself. Don’t miss Shannon Falls Provincial Park, home to the third highest waterfall in British Columbia; the collection of old train artifacts at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park; and the Sea to Sky Gondola that takes passengers to Summit Lodge for stellar views and access to hiking trails—city tours are a great way to tick off multiple attractions in one go. If time permits in the afternoon, test your balance at the 4-level rope course at Rope Runner Aerial Park and then when dinner time rolls around, take a stroll down Cleveland Avenue for an evening of dining and drinking.

Day 2: Outdoor Adventure

Most visitors who come to Squamish come for one reason, the great outdoors. No matter the season, you’ll find plenty of ways to experience Mother Nature’s wonders in this part of British Columbia. Grab a paddle for a white-water rafting trip along the challenging Elaho or family-friendly Cheakamus Rivers; rent a kayak or stand-up paddle board to explore the region’s alpine lakes; or explore the wilderness on hiking tour. The region is well-known for its rock climbing, and climbing sessions typically include all necessary equipment and route suggestions for all ability levels. Squamish is also an excellent spot for mountain biking; opt to take an excursion on a manual or electric bike. 

Day 3: Greater British Columbia

Now that you’ve experienced the best of what Squamish has to offer, spend day three exploring a different part of British Columbia. Whistler lies just 34 miles (55 kilometers) north of town and boasts one of North America’s biggest ski resorts. Alternately, head 40 miles (64 kilometers) south to the city of Vancouver, where stress-free sightseeing tours typically cover Gastown, Granville Island, Stanley Park, and the Capilano Suspension Bridge. You’ll also find plenty of other places to explore on the Sea to Sky Corridor, including Britannia Beach, the alpine lakes of Garibaldi Provincial Park, or the sleepy community of Pemberton.

Known as Canada’s adventure capital, Squamish is ready for action year-round. From snow sports to wildlife watching, here are some winter activity options to add to your Squamish itinerary. 

Flightseeing

See the scenery of British Columbia from above during a flightseeing tour. Your pilot will steer the plane over the Squamish Valley between the towns of Squamish and Whistler, giving you incredible views of glaciers, dense forests, and snow-capped peaks.

Sea to Sky Gondola

Travel up to 2,900 feet (884 meters), admiring views of the Coast Mountain peaks and Howe Sound on the Sea to Sky Gondola. At the summit station, sip a hot drink while enjoying the snowy vistas, or brave the cold temperatures and embark on a snowshoeing hike through the frosty forest. 

Eagle Viewing

Peak eagle-viewing season in Squamish is November through February, when wintering bald eagles congregate in the Brackendale area to feed on salmon. Take a trip on a raft known as an eagle float for a chance at views of these magnificent creatures while winding down the lower Cheakamus and Squamish rivers.

Winter Sports

The snow-covered terrain of Squamish is the perfect setting for outdoor winter activities. You’ll find groomed snowshoe and cross-country ski trails in nearby Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, while Whistler Olympic Park—now a public facility with ski jumps and almost 56 miles (90 kilometers) of cross-country routes—is less than an hour away by road.

Squamish is Mother Nature’s playground and a world-class destination for outdoor adventurers of all ages and abilities. Two days in the British Columbian town give you time for multiple adventures; here’s how to spend 48 hours in Squamish.

Day 1: Climbing and Biking

**Morning:**Kickstart your trip with some rock climbing; tours include all necessary equipment, and cater to just about any ability level. If you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, opt for a morning of hiking in Shannon Falls or Alice Lake Provincial Parks.

**Afternoon:**Spend the afternoon exploring wild British Columbia on a mountain bike. Beginners can book an introductory riding session with an instructor, while more experienced bikers can rent a high-performance mountain bike to explore the region’s 125 miles (201 kilometers) of trails.

**Night:**Refuel after the day’s adventures with dinner and drinks in Downtown Squamish. You’ll find restaurants, craft breweries, cideries, and shops—plus live music in the summer months—on Cleveland Avenue, the town’s main thoroughfare.

Day 2: On the Water

**Morning:**Experience Squamish Valley from the water this morning. If you’re a thrill seeker, take a white-water rafting trip down the Elaho or Cheakamus River. Or, for a more relaxed alternative, take a kayak tour of Squamish Harbour or rent a stand-up paddleboard to explore an alpine lake at your own pace. 

**Afternoon:**Unwind this afternoon with a spa treatment. If you still have energy to spare, test your nerves—and your balance—at the town’s aerial adventure course. If you’re visiting between mid-November and late February, consider heading to Eagle Run on the Squamish River to observe bald eagles feasting on salmon.

**Night:**Squamish is a short drive from Whistler, so take this evening as an opportunity to experience the mountain town’s legendary nightlife. For something more relaxed, sit down for a quiet dinner at your Squamish hotel.