About Squamish

Stawamus Chief overlooking the town of Squamish

Squamish is an English adaptation of the Indigenous word, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh.

Loosely translated, it means “Mother of the Wind” and “people of the sacred water”. The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) have lived and thrived here for many thousands of years, forging a resilient culture and powerful connection to the lands and waters.

Historical photo of the Squamish Train Station

Explore Recent History

Over the last few hundred years, settlers have woven their own stories into the fabric of the community. Squamish roots run deep, from the arrival of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway to strong ties with logging, mining and farming.

Discover Our History
Black Bear in the Forest

A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Squamish is located within the Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region. The prestigious UNESCO designation is awarded to ecologically unique areas that are working to strike a balance for humans and nature to coexist in a sustainable way.

Learn More about A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Bird siting on grass stem and calling

Bird Watchers Unite

Squamish has become a bird-watching paradise. With one of North America’s largest congregations of eagles and more than 240 bird species, we are part of the Sea to Sky Bird Trail.

BC Bird Trail

Iconic Landmarks

View of the Stawamus Chief and Squamish

Carved in granodiorite that cooled beneath the ceiling of the early Coast Mountains, this 710-meter-high granite monolith is the second-largest in the world. Known as Siy’ám’ Smánit to the Squamish Nation, legend has it that a two-headed sea serpent once scaled Stawamus long ago.

Close up of Shannon Falls

Known as Kwékwetxwm in the Squamish Nation language, Shannon Falls is 335 metres in height, making it BC’s third tallest falls. For Indigenous people, this was a place for resource gathering and also where medicine people trained.

View of Garibaldi Mountain from the Squamish Estuary

The pointed stratovolcano seen from all directions in Squamish is part of the Garibaldi mountain massif. Also known as Diamondhead by settlers and Nch'kay' in Squamish Nation language, this iconic landmark is featured in the Great Flood story.

Stand up Paddler boarders in the Squamish Estuary

This peaceful wetland at the mouth of the Squamish River is a wildlife hotspot where birds, bears, wolves, sea lions and salmon can be spotted. The site where the river meets the sea was the seasonal village of Skwelwíl̓em for the Squamish Nation.

Squamish Stats & Facts

Front view of the Squamish Adventure Centre

Squamish Adventure Centre

Visit our travel hub for trip info and community exhibits.

Group hiking Alpha

Things to Do

Hit the trails or explore culture, dining and attractions.

We value your privacy
We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalized ads or content, and analyze our traffic. By clicking "Allow Cookies", you consent to our use of cookies. For additional details view our Privacy Policy.
Cookie preferences

You can control how your data is used on our website. Learn more below about the cookies we use by reviewing our Privacy Policy.

Your cookie preferences have been saved.