Park overview
Shannon Falls Park is directly next to Highway 99. It is a popular day-use park offering picnicking, hiking, and access to the well-known trail in Stawamus Chief Park.
The tumbling waters of Shannon Falls originate from Mount Habrich and Mount Sky Pilot. They rise 335 m above Highway 99, making this the third highest falls in British Columbia (ranking behind 481 m Della Falls in Strathcona Park and 396 m Hunlen Falls in Tweedsmuir Park).
There is a small concession and information centre offering snacks, information, and souvenirs. This is next to the flush toilet building on the trail to the waterfalls, and it is managed by the park operator.
Advisories
Dates of operation
The park gate is open March 15, 2023 to October 15, 2023
Current status:
Open
- Facility type
- Picnic areas
- Main operating season
- 2023: March 15 to October 15
- Service note
- gate is closed between 10pm and 7am
Safety info
- Trail and stair treads may be slippery in the winter. Please use extra caution and watch for falling ice.
- Stay on trails and within the viewing area. Rocks and river edges can be extremely slippery.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
Shannon Falls Park includes a day-use area with picnic tables, most of the which are equipped with barbeque holders. Barbeque briquettes are not available at the park. The day-use area has garbage cans as well as pit and flush toilets.
There is also a group picnic area, which can be reserved. This area does not have picnic tables. The group picnicking fee is $50 per group. For more information, see group picnic area, above. For information on reserving a picnic area, see the picnic shelters page.
A park-use permit is required for special events. Fires are not permitted in the day-use area. The parking lots are extremely vulnerable to vehicle break-ins. This park is very busy during summer months and is frequented by several bus-tour companies. The gate is closed between 10pm and 7am.
Pit and flush toilets are located throughout the park. The flush toilet building is closed after Thanksgiving (mid-October) and re-opens around May 15.
Activities
An easy 350 m walking trail along Shannon Creek passes through a forest of Western hemlock, Douglas fir, and Western red cedar. This leads to a spectacular view of Shannon Falls.
Be cautious of slippery wooden walkways and rushing water during heavy rains. Heavy rains can cause suddenly increased water flow, which may carry debris. Wading in the creek or climbing onto rocks and debris is extremely dangerous.
For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Taking shortcuts destroys plant life and soil structure.
There are viewing platforms in this park that offer spectacular views of Shannon Falls.
Pets must be leashed 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 the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife.
Cycling is permitted on roadways and trails in Shannon Falls Park.
Bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy is for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
There are climbing opportunities in Shannon Falls Park, including some multi-pitch and bolted routes. However, there are no designated trails to the climbing routes.
Read the best practices guide for rock-climbing route development in the Squamish area parks [PDF] to see new guidelines and considerations for rock-climbing route cleaning, including route development. This guide aims to balance climbers’ needs with environmental considerations and public safety.
This park is open during winter months, with reduced services. Access may be limited due to snowfall.
Shannon Falls Park is directly next to Highway 99, 58 km north of Vancouver and 2 km south of Squamish. Shannon Falls is immediately adjacent to Stawamus Chief Park. Squamish and Britannia Beach are the closest communities.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: August 29, 1984
- Size: 86 hectares
Park contact
Facilities in this park are operated by Sea to Sky Park Services Ltd.
Other facilities are operated in a volunteer partnership agreement between BC Parks and the Squamish Access Society.
Nature and culture
Culture
This area holds significant spiritual value to the Squamish First Nation, the first people to live in this area. They told of a two-headed sea serpent, Say-noth-ka, who lived in and around Howe Sound. According to legend, this beast travelled both on land and in water. Some versions say it was Say-noth-ka who formed Shannon Falls. By slithering and twisting his powerful body up the mountainside on repeated expeditions, Say-noth-ka gradually wore down a spillway for those cascading waters.
History
In 1792, Captain George Vancouver set up camp just west of the falls. The falls were named after the landowner who, between 1890 and 1900, used the area’s clay deposits to make bricks. The land was sold to Brittania Copper Mines in 1900. In the 1930s, the area was used as a relief camp for the workers building Highway 99. In 1976, the area was purchased by Carling O’Keefe Brewery, who used the pure mountain water to brew their beer, and made the area a logging show park. In 1982, O’Keefe donated the land to BC Parks. Throughout the park area, there is evidence of logging activity that occurred here roughly 90 years ago. A number of excellent springboard notches on old stumps are scattered throughout the forested area and much of the deadfall also exhibits evidence of the logging techniques of this period.
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.