Know before you go
Advisories
Safety information
- This park is patrolled by a Park Operator. In case of emergency, contact the Park Operator at the Service Area.
- Nairn Falls Park is situated along a fast flowing river. Some trails and campsites have steep banks and drop-offs. Remain on developed trails and stay within fenced areas. Use extreme caution when walking near the riverbank.
Special notes
- Park gates are open 24 hours and park operators are on site between 7am and 11pm.
- Outside the park, One Mile Lake is 2km north on Highway 99. This is a popular area for swimming and picnicking. There are no lifeguards at this lake.
- Activities popular in the Pemberton area include horseback riding, river rafting, or mountain biking.
- Campground quiet hours are 10pm to 7am: Music, generators, and other loud noises must be silenced between these hours.
- Generator use is only permitted from 9am to 11am, and from 6pm to 8pm. View the generator policy.
Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.
Visit responsibly
Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:
Maps and location
Getting there
This park is off Highway 99, approximately 92km north of Squamish, 32km north of Whistler and within the boundaries of the Village of Pemberton, just five minutes from Pemberton town center.
Camping
Frontcountry campgrounds
Things to do
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.
- Please watch children closely. The Green River is fast flowing and very cold. Children require close supervision at this park.
Nairn Falls Trail: Part of this 3 km round trip route is the traditional route used by the Lil’wat Nation to access the falls and Mount Currie. The trail starts at the day-use parking lot. Hikers should allow at least one hour for the hike and wear proper hiking attire. Please stay on the trail and take care along the steep banks and drop offs. This river runs very fast and is very cold. Mountain bikes are not permitted.
One Mile Lake Trail: Approximately 2 km north of the campground is a swimming and play area at One Mile Lake. The trail leaves the park from the southeast corner of the campground. This trail is not regularly marked and is not maintained. There are no lifeguards at the lake. Please keep a close watch on children.
Coudre Point: Another pleasant walk is around Coudre Point. The trail wanders along the riparian areas and bank of the Green river. The trails vary in length, all using a circular route starting near site 17, and ending near site 47. This is a fast-flowing river and care should be taken when near the river bank. Please keep an eye on your children at all times, especially near the water.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
The viewing platform, approximately a 1.5km hike, provides excellent views of Nairn Falls.
Pets and all domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. 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.
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia. The trail to Nairn Falls is closed to cyclists.
See the e-biking section below for details on e-bike use.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are permitted only on signed or designated trails within Nairn Falls Park, provided they meet the definitions and criteria for e-bike use as outlined in the BC Parks cycling guidelines.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead.
Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park.
To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.
Two hand pumps are located in the park. The pumps are shut off during the winter months.
This park has a day-use and picnic area. There are four picnic tables and two pit toilets.
This park has pit toilets. There are no flush toilets.
About this park
Nairn Falls Park was established in 1966. This park, long a spiritual site for the Lil’wat Nation, protects a special area of natural and cultural history. Nairn Falls is a dramatic example of the erosive power of water. Look for 'potholes' created in the rocks as the water spins trapped particles in ever-deepening circles.
Situated on the Green River, the park’s 171 hectares protect a mixed forest of western hemlock, western redcedar, and coastal Douglas fir. Also growing here is the western flowering pacific dogwood, which is the floral emblem for B.C. and a protected species.
Nairn Falls is home to some special wildlife. Of particular note is the rubber boa, one of the most cold-tolerant snake species. Smallest of the boa constrictor family, its average length is only 45cm (18in). Its nocturnal habits mean that this shy snake is rarely observed. The boa’s brown or gray, plasticine-like appearance and two blunt ends make it hard to identify as a living animal from a distance. If you see something that looks like a big brown or gray worm, please do not disturb it!
Small mammals and birds such as squirrel, raccoon, gray jay, and raven can often be seen.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.
Contact
Sea to Sky Park Services Ltd.
604-986-9371
info@seatoskyparks.com
seatoskyparks.com