Stawamus Chief Provincial Park

About This Park

Stawamus Chief Provincial Park protects the 700-metre massive granite cliffs that stand at the southern entrance to Squamish on the scenic Sea to Sky Highway.

The park provides rock climbing opportunities of international significance. Hiking trails to The Chief’s three summits offer rewarding views of Howe Sound, Squamish town site and surrounding mountains. This park has opportunities for camping, hiking, rock climbing and scenic viewing atop the Chief.

Size: Park – 530 hectares; Protected Area – 2 hectares
Date Established: Park – July 28, 1997; Protected Area – June 25, 2012

Special Features

The Stawamus Chief is one of the largest granite monoliths in the world and provides good nesting habitat for the Peregrine Falcon. Please respect the wildlife and keep your distance. Viewing is best with a pair of binoculars.
Please obey posted closures of climbing routes on the Chief during the critical nesting season of the Peregrine Falcon.

Know Before You Go

Stay Safe

Trail and stair treads may be slippery in the winter, please use extra caution and watch for falling ice.
The Chief Trail is a steep and difficult climb, requiring hikers to be in good physical condition. Hikers should be prepared with sturdy footwear, clothing, food and water.
Obey posted closures of climbing routes on the Chief during the critical nesting season of the peregrine falcon.
Rockfall debris is present on the upper sections of the Angel’s Crest Trail. Please use extra caution in this area.

Special Notes

BC Parks and a volunteer group of climbers have developed the below strategy to manage rock climbing in Stawamus Chief, Shannon Falls and Murrin Provincial Parks. The strategy will be used to direct management activities related to rock climbing in the three parks. It must be stressed that this strategy is site specific and will not be applicable to the situations found in many other provincial parks.
Stawamus Chief, Shannon Falls & Murrin Provincial Parks Rock Climbing Strategy [PDF]
Best Practices Guide for Rock Climbing Route Development in the Squamish Area Provincial Parks [PDF 2.2MB]. This Best Practices Guide recommends new guidelines and considerations for rock climbing route cleaning, including route development, and intends to balance climber’s needs with protecting the environment and public safety.
BC Parks has implemented a parking enforcement policy at Stawamus Chief and Murrin Parks.
Provincial parks along the Sea-to-Sky corridor have experienced exceptional growth in visitor numbers, leading to parking congestion and illegally parked vehicles. Public safety is paramount for BC Parks, and new parking policies are in place to ensure safe access for all.

Visitors must park in designated parking lots and observe the “no parking” signs posted. BC Parks has implemented a tow-away policy for any vehicles parked illegally.
Please be aware, camping is allowed on designated sites only and all equipment, tents, etc., must be on the designated site.
Generator use is only permitted between the hours of 9am – 11am, and from 6pm – 8pm. View the generator policy

Reservations

Free Day-Use Pass Reservations

As of June 23, 2021, free day-use passes will be required to visit Stawamus Chief Provincial Park – Chief Peaks/Backside Trail. Reserve your free day-use pass at Discover Camping. Passes are available to book starting at 7am, one day in advance of your planned visit.

Trail or Trailhead	Pass required	Timing	Overnight stays
Chief Peaks Trail (also called the Backside Trail), Sea to Summit Trail	Person – One pass per person with a maximum of 4 people per booking.	AM/PM – AM pass requires an arrival before 1pm. PM pass requires an arrival after 1pm.	Camping at Stawamus Chief campground is available on a first-come, first served basis. Overnight campers must have reserved a day-use pass for date of entry only.

Find out more about BC Parks’s free day-use pass program. Please recreate responsibly.

Location and Maps

Please note: Any maps listed are for information only; they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Location Map

Please note: Any maps listed are for information only; they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Location Map

Located immediately adjacent to Shannon Falls Provincial Park at Squamish, BC. Squamish and Brackendale are the communities nearest to this park.

Maps and Brochures

Any maps listed are for information only; they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Nature and Culture

Cultural Heritage: Named after the First Nation village of St-a-wamus at the north end of the Squamish River.
Wildlife: Obey posted closures of climbing routes on the Chief during the critical nesting season of the peregrine falcon.

Management Planning

Management Planning Information
Approved master plan for Stawamus Chief Provincial Park [PDF 2.11MB]. Because of the large size of the file, the photos are listed separately:

Master Plan Photos

Final Report Photos

Disclaimer:
This is not the original management planning product. This document has been scanned from the original format of the plan. It may contain some formatting changes, however the content is consistent with the original.

Activities Available at this Park

Climbing

This is a world class climbing destination. Climbing closures are in effect generally from March 15 until July 31 to minimize disturbance to nesting Peregrine Falcons. However, area closures may change year to year depending on where these magnificent falcons choose to raise their families.

Commercial climbing such as guiding and giving instruction is prohibited unless authorized by a valid Park Use Permit. Bouldering opportunities exist at the base of the Stawamus Chief.

Hiking

For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.

Hiking trails are accessed from the day-use parking near the campground. They follow Oleson Creek before dividing into separate trails to each peak. The trails are also accessible from Shannon Falls Provincial Park. Be properly prepared for a strenuous hike and changing weather.

First Peak: 1.5-kilometre trail with an elevation gain of 540 metres.
Second Peak: 1.7-kilometre trail with an elevation gain of 590 metres.
Third Peak: 1.8-kilometre trail with an elevation gain of 630 metres.
To Shannon Falls: 1.5-kilometre hike from the Stawamus Parking Lot.

Pets on Leash

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times except on the Chief Peaks trail. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Wildlife Viewing

Fantastic views of Howe Sound and the Squamish Valley from all peaks. Excellent viewing area from the highway pull out day-use area. Peregrine Falcon can be viewed from the highway pull out day-use area.

Facilities Available at this Park

Drinking Water

Cold water taps are located at the entrance to the campground. There are no water taps at the highway pull-out day-use area. Taps are shut off during the off-season.

Picnic Areas

This park has a day-use/picnic area. There are pit toilets and one covered shelter available. There are no barbeque attachments on the picnic tables. The gate is locked from 11pm to 7am. The day-use area located within the highway pull out is provided with picnic tables, information kiosk and pit toilets. This area provides an excellent vantage for watching climbers and viewing the Peregrine Falcons. There is another day-use area located adjacent the campground which hosts picnic tables and offers a spectacular for of Squamish and Howe Sound.

Pit or Flush Toilets

This park has pit toilets located in both the day-use and campground areas. There are no flush toilets.

Vehicle Accessible Camping

This park offers 52 vehicle-accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis; campsite reservations are not accepted. Vehicle sites are not suitable for large RVs.

Sites are very shaded with mature second-growth coniferous trees. There is parking for extra vehicles in the day-use parking lot, available for a fee. The gate is locked between the hours of 11pm and 7 am, and during the winter season. Walk-in camping is available when the gate is locked. If there are no staff available to direct you to a site, find a site that is not occupied by equipment or a valid camping permit. Campground fees are to be paid in cash at the entrance of the campground through a self-registration envelope system.

The closest store is in Squamish, approximately a 5-minute drive north on Highway 99. There is a pay phone located next to the information kiosk. There are storage lockers located next to the cooking shelter. No campfires are permitted. Campsites are small and overcrowding is not permitted.

Drive-in/Walk-in Camping Fee: $10.00 per person / night (persons 6 years of age or older)

Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

Walk-in campsites are provided. The 57 sites are less than a 5-minute walk from the parking lot. The tent pads are raised gravel pads with a wooden border. Tent pads are small and overcrowding is not permitted. Sprawling of gear and camping equipment off of the tent pad is prohibited, thus ensuring understory vegetation is not damaged. A central cooking shelter is available. Park visitors must bring their own cook stove; campfires are prohibited. Campsites are extremely shaded with large mature coniferous trees. Please store all food in the storage lockers located throughout the campground and in the cooking shelter.

Backcountry Camping Fee: $10.00 per person / night (persons 6 years of age or older)

Winter Camping

This park has winter camping opportunities; however, the gates are locked in the winter, so camping is walk-in only and no services are provided.

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