Camping in Squamish - Your Local Guide
Squamish is a great place to camp. Whether you're with the family looking for a basecamp for holiday adventuring, keen to find a spot on a lake or the ocean or into pitching a tent in the lush Squamish rainforest, there are plenty of options in and around Squamish.
For information about camping in BC Parks please check BC Park's website.
Please remember that if you are recreating outdoors, you must do so responsibly by leaving no trace, keeping wildlife wild and respecting the amenities, people and nature around us.
As of Thursday, August 4th, 2022 there is a campfire ban in effect for the District of Squamish. PLEASE DO NOT HAVE CAMPFIRES. Following suit with the BC Wildfire Service campfire ban, a ban has been issued on all campfires throughout the District as of noon on Thursday, August 4, 2022. The prohibition is being enacted to help reduce wildfire risk and protect public safety. It will remain in place until October 28, 2022, or until the provincial order is rescinded.
Important notice: No Camping or overnight parking is permitted in the Walmart parking lot in central Squamish. This is in compliance with District of Squamish bylaws. Vehicles will be towed at owners expense.
Family/RV Camping
Alice Lake Provincial Park
Located just north of Squamish off Highway 99 is Alice Lake Provincial Park. There is a large campground here, right on the lake. There is a good, family-friendly feel, and Alice Lake is an ideal base for all of your Squamish adventures. It's also the perfect place to end your day with a dip. Reservations fill up quickly and can be made on the Discover Camping website here.
View BC Parks Guide to Safe Camping
Paradise Valley Campground 
Located just up Paradise Valley Road, a short drive from Highway 99, Paradise Valley Campground has an escape-from-it-all feel and is located beside the stunning Cheakamus River. Visitors can enjoy easy access to plenty of amazing hiking trails, the Cheakamus, Cheekeye and Squamish Rivers as well as Brohm Lake. RV Camping and Campsites are available and there is an onsite shop that sells coffee, ice cream and milkshakes.
Mountain Fun Basecamp
Close to town, just south of Alice Lake Provincial Park on Highway 99, this little resort offers all the services for anyone looking to pitch a tent or park an RV. There are even cozy cabin-like rooms for rent if you're feeling a little more like glamping than camping. The bonus here is it sits right in the middle of some of the best mountain biking and hiking in Squamish. If you don't have a bike with you, Flying Spirit Rentals is located in the MTN Fun Basecamp office and offers a full fleet of options.
Klahanie Campground
Located just across from Shannon Falls in Darrell Bay, Klahanie Campground has been serving campers in the Sea to Sky for over 30 years. It's a great spot to relax and is a short walk to check out the base of the Stawamus Chief, Shannon Falls and the Sea to Sky Gondola. The views of Howe Sound here are breathtaking, and the campground features a private beach with epic views for watching the sun go down.
Rustic Campground
Stawamus Chief Provincial Park
Nestled in the forest below the 700-metre tall granite monolith known locally as the Chief. This provincial campground is the best place to camp if you're a rock climber, just pitch your tent, throw your gear over your back and a short walk through the woods brings you into the heart of some of the best rock climbing in the world. This campground is first come-first served.
View BC Parks Guide to Safe Camping
Mamquam River Campground
Squamish's newest campground is rustic but lovely and is situated next to all the conveniences of town and adjacent to the Mamquam River. Please note there is no running water or RV services, think backcountry camping made front country. Although outhouses are cleaned frequently, campers are encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes to clean surfaces before and after use.
Squamish Valley Campground
Just up the Squamish Valley road sits this beautiful campground along the Squamish River. The campground has a real rustic feel but is still relatively close to town. Campers can roam the 195-acre property which includes a private, sandy beach with views of the Tantalus Range! Open for RVs (with no hookup) and tents, outhouses are provided.
Cat Lake Recreation Site
North of Squamish just off Highway 99 you'll find Cat Lake, a beautiful spot tucked into the woods with a popular swimming lake. There are walk-in campsites all around the lake which are first come, first served. Turn right onto the Cheekeye Forest Service Road from the highway, travel approximately 2.5km and you'll find the parking lot on the right hand side.
*This site has bear problems each year and has been closed twice in Summer 2022 already. Be prepared to keep coolers in vehicle or food in caches on-site, do not leave food or garbage unattended for any length of time. Be respectful and keep your site clean.
Levette Lake Recreation Site
PLEASE NOTE: As of July 15, 2022 Levette Lake Recreation Site has been closed indefinitely due to the presence of an aggressive bear in the area.
Levette Lake is a beautiful lake with mountain views. To access this area you must take a very rough road- 4x4 vehicles only. There is limited camping area available due to sensitive ecosystems and rocky terrain. You must take all garbage out with you, there is no garbage pick-up here. Please use bear proof food caches available on-site whenever food or garbage must be left unattended.
Ocean Camping
Porteau Cove
There is no greater pleasure than pitching a tent and drifting to sleep to the sounds of waves crashing against the shores. The 56-hectare park offers a ton of exploring through its driftwood beaches, tidal and intertidal marine life, sunken ships, artificial reefs, picnic areas and pebble beaches. The campground includes 44 drive-in and 16 walk-in campsites that are reservable online.
View BC Parks Guide to Safe Camping
Campsite Availability
Looking to secure a campsite? Check out our handy campsite availability calendar to find available camping sites for your trip dates. Please note that recreation sites as well as the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park campground are first come, first serve with limited availability.
Camping Rentals
Tent, sleeping bag and other camping equipment rentals are available at Escape Route.
Responsible Recreation
Squamish is a beautiful place to camp and we want to make sure that everyone is able to enjoy it while having a safe and responsible adventure. Please follow these guidelines for respectful behaviour so that we can all enjoy our parks for a long time to come.