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Advisories

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Total number of campsites
Total vehicle-accessible sites: 52
Total walk-in sites: 57
Vehicle-accessible camping

Stawamus Chief Park offers 52 vehicle-accessible campsites on a first come, first served basis. Campsite reservations are not accepted. Vehicle-accessible sites are not suitable for large RVs.

Sites are shaded by 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 11pm and 7am, 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 five-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 and walk-in camping fees are $10 per person per night. Children under six years of age camp for free.

Walk-in camping

Stawamus Chief Park offers 57 walk-in campsites. These are less than a five-minute walk from the parking lot. Campsites are shaded by large mature coniferous trees.

A central cooking shelter is available. You are advised to bring your own cooking stove as campfires are prohibited. 

Each campsite has a raised gravel tent pad with a wooden border. Food storage lockers are located throughout the campground and in the cooking shelter.

Walk-in camping fees are $10 per person per night. Children under six years old camp for free.

Tent pads are small and overcrowding is not allowed. Sprawling of gear and camping equipment off the tent pad is prohibited, to ensure vegetation is not damaged. 

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.

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

Stawamus Chief Park has a day-use and picnicking area located within the highway pull-out. There are picnic tables, a covered shelter, an 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 next to the campground, which has picnic tables and offers spectacular views of Squamish and Howe Sound.

There are no barbeque attachments on the picnic tables. The gate is locked from 11pm to 7am. 

Pit or flush toilets

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

Hiking

Hiking trails at Stawamus Chief Park are accessed from the day-use parking area near the campground. They follow Oleson Creek before dividing into separate trails to each peak. The trails are also accessible from Shannon Falls Park. 

  • First Peak 
    1.5km trail, elevation gain of 540m
  • Second Peak 
    1.7km trail, elevation gain of 590m
  • Third Peak 
    1.8km trail, elevation gain of 630m
  • To Shannon Falls 
    1.5km hike from the Stawamus parking lot

Hikers at Stawamus Chief Park should always be properly prepared for a strenuous hike and changing weather. Watch this video to get in-depth planning advice that will help you stay safe on Stawamus Chief Trail.

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.

Wildlife viewing

Stawamus Chief Park offers fantastic views of Howe Sound and the Squamish Valley from all peaks. Peregrine falcons can be viewed from the highway pull-out day-use area.

Pets on leash

Pets must be on a leashed 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 the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife.

Climbing

Stawamus Chief Park is a world-class climbing destination. Bouldering opportunities exist at the base of the Stawamus Chief. 

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 or giving instruction, is prohibited unless authorized by a valid park-use permit.