37+ very best things to do in Squamish BC

Squamish BC is the adventure capital of Canada. Or so says the sign as you drive into town from Vancouver. I don’t know if the town itself decided that or whether someone else decided it for them, but either way, when you check out this guide to the best things to do in Squamish, it’s pretty clear that whoever came up with that title was right.

The town of Squamish is one that I’ve spent many a weekend in while living in Vancouver. From ski touring to snowshoeing, camping, hiking, trail running, mountain biking, eagle watching and just hanging out we’ve done many of the best things to do in Squamish over the years. And now, some of our friends now live up there!

If you’re looking for new things to do in Squamish, or are a visitor driving up the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler, you absolutely have to check out this guide to what to do in Squamish BC.

I’ve shared some things that most people miss, as well as the best local haunts for coffee and brunch that you have to check out!

Looking for more things to do in Vancouver and nearby? Check out my Vancouver travel guides which are full of information on the best things to do in Vancouver, the best Vancouver restaurants, and detailed guides for each of the main neighborhoods.

Best things to do in Squamish BC

1. Hike up the Chief

You simply can’t come to Squamish without noticing the huge rocky cliff that stands over the town. This rock is the Stawamus Chief or just ‘The Chief‘ and is one of the most popular hikes in Squamish.

The hike is a moderate to hard one involving loads of steps (especially at the start), and then some ropes and chains as you navigate the final climb to get up peak 1.

There are three peaks to the Chief hike, with most people opting to stop at Peak 1 which is where you’ll get one of the best views of downtown Squamish and the Howe Sound. However, I recommend continuing onto Peak 2 and Peak 3 of the Chief as you get different vantage points and Peak 2 was my favourite.

If you don’t want to hike solo, you can also book this guided hiking tour of the Chief which includes a visit to a brewery afterwards as well as transport from Vancouver.

I’ve some other great guided hiking tours near Vancouver here.

AllTrails is my go-to hiking app for finding, planning, and navigating while I’m out on the trails. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you can be confident you’re still on the right track, even without mobile signal.

2. Get donuts from Fox + Oak

After my first trail running race in Squamish we stopped at Fox and Oak in downtown Squamish as I’d seen photos of their amazing donuts online. Let me tell you, they did not disappoint!

Fox and Oak are renowned in Squamish for their donuts and great coffee. They have a great location in downtown Squamish just across from Junction Park & O’Siyam Pavilion with views of the Stawamus Chief.

Their flavor combos change every day with seasonal variations. They also do vegan and gluten-free donuts too. The best way to see what they’ve got is to follow them on Instagram.

3. Take a rock climbing lesson

Climbing and Squamish go hand in hand but it doesn’t have to be super gnarly.

Though climbing the huge granite walls of the Chief is on many climbers’ bucket lists, there are plenty of easy crags and boulders to climb around Squamish.

TheCrag.com is the best website for finding routes in the area but it should go without saying that if you’ve never climbed outdoors before you should take a lesson.

We took our first lesson with one of the companies in Squamish and it wras great to know we were in safe hands.

The Burgers and Fries area in Squamish is a great place for beginners with some easier top-roping areas to try out.

This half-day climbing experience takes place in either Squamish or Whistler and you’ll be with a knowledgeable local climbing guide with all equipment provided.

4. Hike to Elfin Lakes

Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park is one of the best backcountry hiking experiences in Squamish.

Garibaldi Provincial Park stretches from Squamish all the way up to the north of Whistler and there are several great hiking trails in the park including Garibaldi Lake which you get to North of Squamish and Wedgemount Lake, North of Whistler.

Elfin Lakes starts from the Diamond Head trailhead and it’s the closest entrance point into Garibaldi Provincial Park from Squamish. The return hike is about 22 km long though there aren’t any super steep sections. You’ll start on an old logging road before entering the forest and then the meadows and the beautiful mountain scenery.

I’ve hiked this trail several times and skied it in the winter on a backcountry ski trip to Red Heather Hut. You can camp at Elfin Lakes if you’re interested in backcountry camping, stay in the Elfin Lakes hut, or just do the out-and-back trip as a day trip.

If you’re after a long hike, you can continue onto Mamquam Lakes and the Rampart Ponds Campground.

5. Catch a sunset from the Tantalus viewpoint

The Tantalus Viewpoint off the Sea to Sky highway is one of the best places, in my view to watch the sunset near Squamish.

Whenever I drive past this section of the highway after a day of skiing at Whistler I’m blown away by the beautiful Tantalus Mountain range; especially when the sky is orange.

You can also get a great view of the Tantalus Mountains from the Brohm Lake and Tantalus lookout trail which is one of my favourite hikes in Squamish and one I don’t see talked about much.

6. Visit Murrin Provincial Park

The Murrin Lake Provincial Park just south of Squamish is a great place for easy hikes in Squamish.

This park features a lake, Browning Lake, as well as a forested area with trails and climbing routes.

You can take a loop trail through the forest to come out at the beautiful Quercus lookout point where you’ll get views of the Howe Sound and the highway as it weaves its way alongside the ocean and the mountains.

7. Try mountain biking

The first time I tried mountain biking was in Squamish and then we both kind of got hooked and ended up buying our own bikes (or, in my husband’s case, 2 bikes).

We rented mountain biking from Dialed in Cycling near the Alice Lake turn-off in Squamish. The rentals were pretty cheap and you can ride straight onto both beginner mountain biking trails from their rental shop, or rent an e-bike and head into the hills and around Alice Lake.

If you have your own bike, my favourite trail in Squamish was Half Nelson. We rode it on a day that had been wet, muddy and misty and there was no one else around which is very rare. I had so much fun on that trail! Another great trail we did, but knackering since we cycled the whole way up, was Meadow of the Grizzly in the same area.

But honestly, there are endless opportunities for mountain biking in Squamish. Download TrailForks and read up on trails which seem to be at your level.

8. Enjoy other Squamish hikes

I’ve mentioned a few hikes in Squamish on this list already, but there are so many Squamish hiking trails to explore.

Some of my other favourite Squamish trails have been those in the Mt Crumpit area or the trail to Slhaney Peak. On these trails, you get some impressive views of the Chief which is almost better than actually being on the Chief.

There are also the trails around Alice Lake Provincial Park, those from the top of the Squamish Gondola, and tonnes of harder trails in Squamish Valley if you have peak bagging objectives and a 4×4.

9. Go eagle watching

Every winter, the Squamish River becomes home to the wintering bald eagles and you can view them from the Eagle Run in the Brackendale neighbourhood of Squamish at Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park.

Though you don’t necessarily need a pair of binoculars since eagles are big and you’ll see them flying above you or sitting in the trees, a pair is useful to have to get a closer look.

You can walk around the park and read more about the eagles on the information panels in the area. If you visit during a weekend you can sometimes see volunteers out in the park who’ll be able to give you even more details.

10. Explore downtown Squamish

Downtown Squamish is quite small, but it’s growing and it’s got some seriously cool places popping up that make a move from Vancouver to Squamish look more and more attractive each day.

In downtown Squamish, you’ll find a bunch of cafes and great Squamish restaurants, bars and pubs as well as parks and, of course, views of The Chief and Mt Garibaldi on a clear day.

Some of the best places to visit in Squamish are Grateful Gift Shop and Wild at Heart for some Squamish shopping and Fox and Oak, Zephyr Cafe and Sunflower Bakery for coffee or lunch.

11. Check out the shops and cafes off Mamquam Road

Just off Mamquam Road, north of downtown Squamish is a collection of cute shops and food places.

You’ll find Nootka + Sea which is a boutique shop selling cute clothing items, homewares and gifts, Cloudburst Cafe which does some of the best coffee in Squamish, and Locavore which is a restaurant that does some great meals which are perfect for after a day of exploring.

There’s also Alice + Brohm which is considered by many to be the best place for ice cream in Squamish. They have interesting flavours such as Lucky Charms and Flat White.

12. Walk around the Squamish Spit

The Squamish Spit sits at the southern end of downtown Squamish and it’s a great place to go for a walk by the water.

The Squamish Spit and Estuary is a protected area where wildlife such as deer, bobcats, beavers and bears live and roam. It is also a valuable habitat for more than 200 species of wintering and migratory birds.

You can view the trails in the Squamish Estuary and Spit on AllTrails.

13. Get brunch from Fergie’s Cafe

After cycling some of the Sea to Sky trails in Squamish Valley, we stopped off for brunch at Fergie’s Cafe which is something of a Squamish institution.

It’s a super cool cafe in a beautiful wooded, peaceful setting and the cafe itself looks a little like a treehouse but much cooler.

In the warmer months, there’s a large outdoor area you can sit for brunch and coffee, and in the winter there’s a beautiful inside area.

This place gets super busy, so expect a wait for a table, but it’s worth it for the eggs benny and the beautiful setting.

14. Visit the Britannia Mine Museum

The Britannia Mine Museum just south of Squamish is somewhere one of the best tourist attractions in Squamish, especially if you have kids.

The Britannia Mine was once a busy mine and now is one of the best museums in the area. You can take a walk into the mine to learn more about its interesting history.

Admission to the mine includes a guided underground tour, historical exhibits, gold panning, a chance to visit much-loved Squamish attractions of BOOM! where you’ll ride a train into the mine and watch the award-winning film, Ground Breaking.

Get your tickets for the mine here.

15. Ride the Sea to Sky Gondola

Another of the best Squamish tourist attractions is the Sea to Sky Gondola which whisks you up from the highway into the mountains for amazing 360-degree views of Squamish and the Coastal Mountains.

At the top, there’s a restaurant and cafe, a gift shop, several hiking trails and the Sky Pilot suspension bridge. In the summer they often have live music in the evenings which is super cool to be part of.

If you don’t want to pay for the up-and-down ticket for the Squamish Gondola, you can hike up the sea to the summit trail and then just pay for a download ticket. The trail is steep and hard so only recommended if you’re a regular hiker.

Get your tickets for the Sea to Sky gondola here.

16. Visit Mamquam Waterfall

The Mamquam waterfall is one of the best waterfalls near Whistler and a bit of a hidden gem to most people visiting Squamish.

This beautiful waterfall involves a bit of a walk, and then once you’re there you can walk down the trails around it to get an even better view of the falls.

The colour of the water there is the main attraction as it’s often really blue which is super cool to see.

17. Get a huge burrito from Sunny Chibas

Do as the locals do and get a huge burrito from Sunny Chibas after a day of adventuring near Squamish. The large burritos here are the size of a small child and they’ll really fill you up if you’ve been outdoors all day and have the hunger!

This popular burrito place almost always has a queue but it moves pretty quickly with most people popping in for takeout.

Is it the best burrito you’ll ever have or the most authentic? Probably not, but it is still very tasty and does the job.

We even hiked some up to Elfin Lakes with us one evening as we headed out on a backcountry trip and it was the perfect camp meal!

18. Check out some of the best lakes in Squamish

There are a tonne of beautiful lakes near Squamish. Some of them I’ve featured on this list of the best lakes near Vancouver.

Easily accessible lakes in Squamish include Alice Lake as well as the other lakes you’ll go past if you decide to hike the easy Four Lakes Trail. There’s also Brohm Lake and Browning Lake in Murrin Provincial Park.

Some of the other lakes near Squamish either require a hike like Garibaldi Lake or Elfin Lakes. And some require a river crossing followed by a steep hike like Lake Lovely Water.

19. Grab a flight from one of the best Squamish breweries

As Squamish grows in population, its craft beer places are growing too and there are now several really great breweries in Squamish.

There’s nothing quite like a cold beer flight after a day of being outdoors and my favourite breweries in Squamish are; A-Frame Brewing (which usually has a food truck outside), Backcountry Brewing (which does great pizza but is always super busy), and The Backyard. There’s also the more established Howe Sound Brewing which has a hotel and restaurant in downtown Squamish too.

20. Take a whitewater rafting tour

The Cheakamus River which runs north of Squamish and joins up with the Squamish River is ideal for whitewater rafting some more gentle rapids.

If you like the sound of trying out the rapids in Squamish on a whitewater rafting tour then you can book a half-day rafting trip to do just that. It’s honestly one of the most fun activities Squamish has to offer.

There’s a family-friendly rafting tour that features small splashy rapids alongside beautiful scenery. You’ll also learn about the Squamish First Nations.

If you’re looking for something more advanced, this whitewater rafting tour on the Elaho and Squamish Rivers is a good option. It’s one of the most popular rafting adventures near Squamish.

You’ll head out on your raft with river guides and navigate down the Class 3-4 Elaho and Squamish Rivers. You’ll travel through the infamous “Devil’s Elbow” section of the rapids, and, depending on the water levels, you’ll also be able to swim through some small rapids too!

21. Visit Squamish farmers’ market

The Squamish Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm between April and early December and features around 50 local vendors.

You can find everything from local produce to gifts and drinks as well as household goods. It’s such a good farmers’ market and shows just how many brilliant local producers there are near Squamish.

You’ll find the market in downtown Squamish at Cleveland and Victoria Street.

22. Visit Shannon Falls

Shannon Falls is had to miss when you drive to Squamish from Vancouver. In the spring you can even see the water gushing down as you drive past.

If you’re new to Squamish, you definitely have to stop in at the parking lot for Shannon Falls and take a walk up to the bottom of the falls to check them out.

As the third-highest waterfall in BC, these falls are seriously impressive and definitely one of the best waterfalls in the area.

The parking lot does get very busy, so it’s best to go early in the day if possible. Having said that, people typically don’t stay too long here so you can usually get a spot if you’re prepared to wait a bit. And there’s some additional parking across the road from the falls too.

If you want a different vantage of the falls, you can hike the Sea to Summit trail to the top of the Squamish Gondola where you’ll see the Upper Shannon Falls section as well as some pretty pools. Just don’t swim in the pools, several people did this a few years ago and it didn’t end well.

23. Try kiteboarding in Squamish

When the sun is out. and the wind conditions are good in Squamish, the Squamish estuary and Howe Sound become full of colourful kites as people take to the waters and go kiteboarding in Squamish.

I’ve tried kiteboarding once in the UK and while I found it impossibly hard, it was still quite fun. These days though, I think I’ll just stick to watching other people do it.

If you want to try kiteboarding in Squamish there are various companies throughout the town that offer both rentals and lessons.

Squamish Watersports is one of the larger ones and they also do paddleboard, canoe and kayak rentals as well as wakeboarding experiences.

24. Squamish Days Logger Sports Festival

The Squamish Days Logger Festival is the place to be if you want to experience a little bit of Canadian lumberjack fun. It’s also one of the most fun annual Squamish events.

The festival is held every year on the first weekend in August and celebrates the city’s forestry history. You’ll get the chance to watch logger sports like log sawing, log running and more. There’s also a BBQ, pancake breakfast and a parade.

One of our friends took part in this for a few years and had such a great time!

25. Rent a kayak in Squamish

The Howe Sound is absolutely beautiful and on a calm day, the water is just like a mirror. If you’re visiting Suqmiahs on a calm sunny day, getting out on the water is hard to beat.

You can rent a kayak or paddleboard if you don’t have your own, from Squamish Watersports and then paddle the beautiful waters off of Squamish. Keep your eyes peeled for jellyfish and seals, they’re often spotted around here! And, if you look up, you might catch sight of an eagle flying above you.

26. Try the Squamish Via Ferrata

Squamish has its very own Via Ferrata and while you can’t tackle it on your own like you can with some of the Via Ferrata in Europe, you can join a guided tour to experience the Via Ferrata in Squamish.

A Via Ferrata, Italian for the ‘Iron Way’, is a route where you’ll traverse and climb up a series of metal rungs and cables on a mountainside.

It’s a great way to explore Squamish from up high and you don’t need climbing experience to be able to do it which makes it more accessible to more people.

Book Squamish Via Ferrata tour.

27. Go camping in Squamish

Squamish has a great range of both front-country camping, where you drive up and camp either in your car, tent or a short walk from the car with some facilities available, and backcountry camping which is more remote and has very limited, or no facilities.

If you’re looking for front-country camping, you can try out the various campgrounds around Squamish including MTN Fun Basecamp near Brackendale, Alice Lake Provincial Park which is run by BC Parks or the Mamquam River campground.

For backcountry camping, you can head up the Squamish Valley Road where there are several free camping areas though these get super busy at weekends so it can be hard to find a place or enjoy a peaceful camping experience. Other options include hiking to camp at Elfin Lakes or Garibaldi Lake both of which require reservations in advance.

28. Squamish in winter: Go backcountry skiing

If you’re visiting Squamish in winter and are equipped and experienced in backcountry skiing and avalanche training and rescues, then Squamish is a fantastic place for backcountry skiing.

There are so many options of places to go from routes off the top of the Sea to Sky Gondola, to those in Garibaldi Provincial Park such as Red Heather Hut and Paul Ridge.

You can rent a backcountry ski set up from Valhalla in downtown Squamish.

You’re also just 1 hour away from Whistler for skiing and about the same amount of time from Callaghan Valley where you can go cross country skiing in Whistler’s Olympic Park.

29. Book a private sauna in Squamish

AIKA Spa is a small, private spa that takes bookings of up to 10 people to enjoy its beautiful wood-fired sauna and cold plunge pool.

They have two locations where you can enjoy a sauna experience and they also offer a concierge where you can order charcuterie platters during your experience too.

It’s definitely the best way to spend a rainy fall day in Squamish or a summer evening with friends.

30. Grab cake(s) from Purebred Squamish

There is no better place for cake in the Lower Mainland than Purebred. I first came across Purebred when my parents visited Whistler and was super happy to see they had locations in Vancouver, and now Squamish.

When you walk into a Purebred cafe you’re almost overwhelmed by the variety of different cakes, bars and pastries they have on offer and everything I’ve tried has been delicious. You really can’t go wrong.

31. Enjoy tacos from Tacofino in Squamish

My favourite taco place is opening up in Squamish this summer and now I have even more reasons to keep visiting Squamish.

Tacofino is a regular in all my Vancouver neighbourhood guides and it’s where we take every guest who visits us in Vancouver. Everything from their crispy chicken, or chick’n, burrito to their fish tacos and their beautiful nachos plates and spicy margaritas is so good.

If you’re looking for a lunch or dinner spot in Squamish then be sure to head to Tacofino!

32. Attend the Squamish Beer Festival

The Squamish Beer Festival is an eagerly anticipated annual event. in the town and it takes place at the end of June for 1 afternoon only.

You can expect to find about 40 breweries and cideries offering tastings of their beers and ciders to hundreds of mountain and beer lovers.

The festival takes place at the Loggers Sports Grounds in the centre of downtown Squamish and it’s made even more fun with live music, food trucks and games.

33. Try the Squamish Ropes Adventure Course

The Rope Runner Aerial Adventure Park right next to the Squamish Visitor Centre and Squamish Adventure Centre, is a super fun activity for kids and adults.

The course has 50 fun high-wire activities where you can test out your skills with cargo nets, climbing walls, slacklines, traversing suspended bridges, monkey bars, and even a suspended kayak and snowmobile. There is no set course, so you can do things in any order.

Book your Rope Runner experience.

34. Take a scenic floatplane ride above Squamish

If you’re looking to experience the mountains from a new perspective then booking a scenic floatplane ride from Squamish is the best way to do it.

On a floatplane ride from Squamish, you’ll head up into the sky to see the town from above and travel alongside the mountains of Garibaldi Provincial Park where you’ll see Garibaldi Mountain, Garibaldi Lake and Black Tusk.

There’s also this incredible seaplane tour where you’ll fly up into the backcountry and land on an alpine lake in the mountains. You’ll have the chance to explore a little before heading back down into Squamish.

35. Go sailing from Squamish

Take the helm of a sailing boat with this hands-on sailing experience from Squamish on the Howe Sound.

You’ll depart from Squamish Marina and then raise the sails as you pass the Stawamus Chief. Your captain will teach you the basics of sailing as you then head to Howe Sound and get a chance to admire the fantastic scenery.

Keep your eyes open as there are often seals in this area and sometimes whale and dolphin sightings!

Book your Squamish sailing adventure.

36. Take a day trip to Whistler from Squamish

Just an hour further up the Sea to Sky highway is Whistler, the famous mountain town that’s known for being the biggest ski resort in North America. It’s also growing in popularity for summer since there are so many fun things to do in Whistler in summer.

Whether you want to go hiking in Whistler, downhill mountain biking on the lift-accessed trail network or cross-country biking on the non-lift trails, enjoy sitting by the lakes in Whistler, or visit the museums and shops before taking a relaxing few hours in Scaninave Spathere’s no shortage of things to do in Whistler.

On the drive from Squamish to Whistler, there are a couple of waterfalls like Brandywine Falls to stop off at. And, if you continue north of Whistler to Kamloops, there’s Nairn Falls and loads of other great spots to stop.

These are some of the best waterfalls near Whistler and Squamish and are well worth checking out if you have the time.

You can also go bungee jumping in Whistler, rent an off-road vehicle, paddle the River of Golden Dreams and so much more!

37. Visit Vancouver from Squamish

Alternatively, you can head south on the Sea to Sky highway to Vancouver which is about 40 minutes to 1 hour away.

The drive from Squamish to Vancouver is super scenic and there are loads of beautiful places to stop along the way including Porteau Cove.

Once in Vancouver I have loads of guides on the best things to do there. From discovering the historic downtown neighbourhood of Gastown with the Steam Clock and independent stores to wandering the foodie Granville Island Market, or biking Stanley Park and checking out the beaches of Kitsilano.

If you only have 1 day in Vancouver I have just the guide for you which features the very best things to do in Vancouver if you’re short on time.

Looking for more things to do in Vancouver and nearby? Check out my Vancouver travel guides which are full of information on the best things to do in Vancouver, the best Vancouver restaurants, and detailed guides for each of the main neighborhoods.

How to get to Squamish BC

Most people will arrive in Squamish from Vancouver having flown into Vancouver International Airport, or arriving by car from elsewhere.

The drive from Vancouver to Squamish is super scenic and you’ll make your way up the Sea to Sky highway which hugs the coastline and the mountains the entire way. The distance between Vancouver to Squamish is about 40 km and it’ll take around 1 hour to get to downtown Squamish.

Do be prepared for traffic on the highway, especially on Friday afternoons in summer and Sunday afternoons or evenings year-round. There’s often traffic going over Lions Gate Bridge but it’s generally just slow-moving and not at a standstill.

If you prefer to travel by bus, there are bus services available to take you to Squamish, BC. I like to use Busbud to book my buses since they make it easy to see prices and schedules. You can get a bus from Vancouver Airport all the way to Squamish, or from several downtown Vancouver locations.

Book a bus to Squamish on Busbud.

Where to stay in Squamish?

If you’re not camping in Squamish and want to extend your day trip to Squamish to a 2 or 3-day trip (which I’d recommend), then there are some great Squamish hotels throughout the town.

There are also some super cool cabins in Squamish which you can rent out too.

• Executive Suites Hotel: With both indoor and outdoor pools, a gym, and studio and one-bedroom suites complete, this hotel in Squamish has everything you could need for your stay.
• Squamish mountain retreat: This hotel has an indoor pool, and an on-site restaurant and each room comes with a TV, microwave, refrigerator, and a work desk.
• Squamish Adventure Inn: Just off the Sea-to-Sky Highway and a short walk from Squamish downtown this Squamish hostel has both private and shared rooms. You get an outdoor patio, kitchen, laundry and beautiful surroundings.

FAQs about what to do in Squamish British Columbia

Final thoughts on the best things to do in Squamish BC

Squamish is an incredible destination packed with exciting things to do for everyone. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or looking for a more relaxed experience, this place has it all.

Climb or hike the impressive Stawamus Chief, explore some of the best Squamish mountain biking trails, or take a leisurely hike through the beautiful forests. Don’t miss out on the breathtaking Sea to Sky Gondola or the chance to kayak along the picturesque Squamish River.

When you’re not out adventuring try delicious food and craft beers while taking in the stunning mountain views.

Squamish is a must-visit destination that offers something for everyone, so get ready to have an amazing time exploring all it has to offer!

Last Updated on August 30, 2023 by Hannah