Stawamus Chief Provincial Park
Towering nearly 2,000 feet or 710 metres above Squamish, the Stawamus Chief (pronounced St-a-wamus) is one of the largest granite monoliths in North America.
Named after the First Nation village of St-a-wamus at the north end of the Squamish River, “The Chief” looms over the teal blue waters of Howe Sound and offers visitors breathtaking views from the top. Carved in granodiorite that cooled beneath the ceiling of the early Coast Mountains, the sheer cliff faces provide critical nesting habitat for the endangered Peregrine falcon.
As a world-renowned rock-climbing destination, how you choose to venture to the top of The Chief is up to you.
How to get here
Stawamus Chief and Shannon Falls Provincial Parks lie side-by-side along Hwy 99, between Vancouver and Squamish. Access to the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park is from the day-use parking lot at the base, just 2 kms south of Squamish.
Things to do
Sightseeing
The best views of the Stawamus Chief are from downtown Squamish, the Squamish Estuary, the top of the Sea to Sky Gondola and the pedestrian bridge accessed from the Stawamus Chief parking lot.
Hiking
Hiking trails on The Chief are easily accessible from the day-use parking lot at the base as well as from Shannon Falls Provincial Park. For walkers looking to explore the base, there are easy-to-intermediate trails tucked inside the rainforest. A wide gravel path runs between the parking lots and through the large boulders, offering great views of the chief.
For those looking to hike upward, all three peaks of the Stawamus Chief can be reached on foot. Expect the trail to the first peak to take between 2-4 hours roundtrip or you can extend your day by hiking to peaks 2 and 3.
- First Peak: 1.5-kilometre trail with an elevation gain of 540 metres. (Most popular, 2-4 hours roundtrip)
- Second Peak: 1.7-kilometre trail with an elevation gain of 590 metres (best view)
- Third Peak: 1.8-kilometre trail with an elevation gain of 630 metres (most quiet)
Please note pets must be on a leash at all times except on the Chief Peaks trail.
Rock Climbing
Traditional climbers, sport climbers, and boulderers will all find routes to send and projects to work within the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park boundary.
Climbers hoping to reach the top by scaling the granite walls can take their pick from a variety of different routes. Classic climbing routes up the Stawamus Chief include the Squamish Butt Face (5.9), Angel's Crest (10b), and the Grand Wall (11a).
It’s a rock climber's paradise that will keep even the most advanced rock climbers challenged for an entire season.
Picnics and Camping
At the base, there is a popular first-come-first-serve camping area with walk-in and drive-in sites. There is also a slacklining park, day-use picnic tables and public restrooms.
Useful Information
When
Be sure to check the BC Parks website for the latest seasonal, trail and park updates.
