Ministry of Environment - Stawamus Chief

Parks Listed Alphabetically: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

As of May 8, 2008:

Please store all food and other bear attractant items in the storage lockers located in the campground.
Highway construction around the entrance to Park will be ongoing until Summer 2008. Parking areas are open to the public but please use caution in the area and stay clear of heavy equipment.
Notice to Rock Climbers:
- Since the mid-1980’s Peregrine Falcons have been returning to nest in the Dihedrals Area. Climbers have observed a voluntary closure to protect the nesting falcons from disturbance. Following up on this effort by climbers, BC Parks places restrictions on certain routes from March 15 - July 31.
- Routes Closed are: Millinnium Falcon, Sports Illustrated, Cloud Burst, Sea of Tranquility, Getting Down on the Brown, Supernaut, Clean Corner, Negro Lesbian, Crap Crags, Slow Dyke, Illusion, Planet Caravan, Warriors Wasteland, Freeway (above 5th pitch), The Big Stick, Brothers in Arms, Western Dihedral (4th pitch and above).
  - No new route activity above Negro Lesbian and Freeway.
  - Route Closures may change pending peregrine falcon behaviour.
- Open Climbs are: Arrow Root, Cleaning the Brain, Deadend Dihedral, Rutabaga, Sticky Fingers, Slow Duck, Time Passages, Freeway (to the top of 5th pitch) and Western Dihedral (to the top of the 3rd pitch).
- Please report any observations to: 604-898-3678 ext 234

Park Info:

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. Established in 1997, the 517-hectare 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.

Special Features:

The Stawamus Chief is the second largest granite monolith 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 or other viewing aide.
Please obey posted closures of climbing routes on the Chief from March to July, during the critical nesting season of the Peregrine Falcon.

Park Size: 517 hectares

Special Notes:

BC Parks and a volunteer group of climbers have developed the attached 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.
To view the Stawamus Chief, Shannon Falls & Murrin Provincial Parks Rock Climbing Strategy document, click here.

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

Location:

Location Map

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

Map/Brochure:

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

Location Map
Brochure (92 kb pdf)
Brochure Map (100 kb pdf)

Nature & Culture:

Cultural Heritage - Named after the First Nation village of STA-a-mus at the north end of the Squamish River.

Wildlife - Obey posted closures of climbing routes on the Chief from March to July, during the critical nesting season of the peregrine falcon.

Visitor Safety:

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 from March to July, during the critical nesting season of the peregrine falcon.

Visitor Safety Information (park safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

Reservations:For parks that accept reservations, all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover Camping.

Reservations are not accepted at this park, all campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis. For parks that accept reservations or information on the reservation service, click here.

Explore Parks: Fees, park listings, what you should know before you go and other useful links.

This park offers several vehicle accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis - campsite reservations are not accepted. Vehicle sites are not suitable for large RVs. The remaining sites are walk-in sites. There are 63 sites in total. 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. Setting up of slack lines is prohibited within the park. Campsites are small and overcrowding is not permitted.

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.

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $10.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only): $5.00 per senior's couple/night

Campground Hours of Operation All dates are subject to change without notice
Opening and Closing Campground Dates: (campground is accessible but may not offer full services such as water, security, etc.)	May 1 - October 15 (Gate is closed during the off-season)
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees:	May 1 - October 15 Off-season: walk-in from gate; no fee, no services
Campground Reservable Dates:	Not applicable
Total Number of Accessible Campsites:	15 vehicle accessible and 47 walk-in sites
Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable: (all remaining sites are first-come, first-served)	Not applicable
Note: The above information is for the campground only. Park users can still walk into the park if conditions such as weather permit. Check the "Attention Visitor Notice" above for park alerts.

Walk-in campsites are provided. The 47 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 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.

No group campsites.

This park has a day-use/picnic area. There are pit toilets and one (1) 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.

There are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.

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.

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

No showers.

No sani-station/dump facilities.

Campfires are not permitted.

There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.

There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.

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 500 metres.
Second Peak: 1.7-kilometre trail with an elevation gain of 700 metres.
Third Peak: 1.8-kilometre trail with an elevation gain of 750 metres.
To Shannon Falls: 1.5-kilometre hike from the Stawamus Parking Lot.

This park does not have a playground.

No swimming.

There are no opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.

This park does not have a boat launch.

No fishing.

Cycling is not permitted.

No horseback riding.

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.

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.

No winter recreation opportunities.

No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.

No windsurfing opportunities.

No waterskiing opportunities.

No hunting in the park.

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. 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.

No spelunking or caving opportunities.

No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.