Stawamus Chief Provincial Park

Stawamus Chief Provincial Park protects the Stawamus Chief, a massive granite dome near the town of Squamish in British Columbia, Canada. The area is a major destination for hiking, scrambling and rock climbing and is one of British Columbia’s best-known granite monoliths.

Hiking routes lead to three main summits; the highest summit is about 702 metres above sea level and is reached via steep trails with stair and exposed sections. The park attracts day hikers seeking panoramic views over Howe Sound and the surrounding mountains.

The Chief is also a world-class rock-climbing area with long multi-pitch routes on extensive vertical granite walls. Climbers and mountaineers use established routes that vary widely in length and difficulty, and the cliffs are visually dominant from the Sea-to-Sky corridor.

The site has longstanding cultural significance for the Squamish Nation and was later designated and managed as a provincial park to protect both its natural features and its recreational use. Park management balances recreation, cultural values and conservation.

The park sits immediately south of Squamish along the Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99), roughly 50 kilometres north of Vancouver, and is visible from the highway and adjacent viewpoints.

• Three peaks: The Chief comprises three main summits with established hiking trails; the highest summit reaches approximately 702 metres and involves steep, exposed sections.
• Access and timing: Trails are steep and can be crowded on summer and weekend days - start early and expect limited parking at the trailhead.
• Nearby attraction: Shannon Falls Provincial Park lies immediately adjacent and is commonly combined with a visit to the Chief.

What to See #

• First Peak (highest summit): The highest of the three main summits, reached by a steep trail that includes stair sections and short exposed scrambles; the summit rises to about 702 metres above sea level.
• Second Peak: The central summit of the Chief, linked by ridge trails to the other peaks and accessed by the same main trail network; offers broad views toward Howe Sound.
• Third Peak: The easternmost summit, commonly visited as part of the multi-peak hike; provides close-up views of the Chief's granite faces and the surrounding valley.
• Granite climbing faces: Extensive vertical granite faces used for multi-pitch trad and sport climbing, with routes of varying length and difficulty facing Howe Sound and the valley below.