Discover the best things to do in Squamish with our interactive spin wheel. From climbing the Chief to bald eagle watching — spin and plan your Sea-to-Sky adventure.
Squamish occupies one of the most spectacular positions of any small city in the world — at the head of Howe Sound, a fjord stretching 40km south to Vancouver, with the Stawamus Chief (one of North America's largest granite monoliths) rising 652 metres from sea level on the eastern edge of town. The Sea-to-Sky Highway connecting Squamish to Vancouver (50km south) and Whistler (60km north) has transformed this former forestry and mining town into one of Canada's premier outdoor recreation destinations, while the town itself has developed a genuine community character with excellent restaurants, independent coffee shops, and a thriving arts scene.
Squamish is internationally recognized among rock climbers — the granite walls above town are some of the finest in North America, with thousands of routes ranging from beginner slab climbs to multi-pitch big wall adventures on the Stawamus Chief. The mountain biking network has over 400km of trails and hosts the Squamish Enduro and other international events. In winter, bald eagle viewing along the Squamish River (one of the world's great wildlife spectacles) draws photographers and naturalists. And the legendary Squamish thermal winds — created by the interaction of warm valley air and cool ocean air — have made the Squamish Spit the world's most famous kiteboarding destination.
Not sure where to start? Let the wheel decide! Spin below to get a random activity suggestion from our curated list of the best things to do in Squamish.
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*Can't decide? Just spin again! You can also explore this wheel on SpinQuest to save your quest and track your adventures.*
Hike the Stawamus Chief — The Chief's three summits offer some of the finest views in BC: Howe Sound winding south to the Gulf Islands, the Tantalus Range to the northwest, and the Sea-to-Sky corridor stretching to Whistler. The hike is steep and involves fixed chains in places — allow 2-3 hours for the main summit. The Chief is also a world-class climbing destination, with over 1,000 routes of all grades on the granite faces.
Ride the Sea to Sky Gondola — The gondola rises 885 metres above Howe Sound to a summit with spectacular views, a suspension bridge, and a network of hiking trails. The Via Ferrata — an assisted climbing route with fixed steel ladders and cables — is available for those seeking more adventure. The views from the summit on a clear day, looking south over the fjord, are extraordinary.
Bald Eagle Viewing in Winter — Between November and January, hundreds to thousands of bald eagles gather along the Squamish, Cheakamus, and Mamquam rivers to feed on spawning chum and coho salmon. The congregation is one of the largest in Canada and one of North America's great wildlife spectacles. The Squamish Estuary and Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park are the key viewing sites; the Brackendale Art Gallery runs the annual eagle count each January.
Mountain Biking the Squamish Trail Network — Over 400km of trails ranging from beginner-friendly flowtrail to expert-level technical terrain cross the slopes above town. Crumpit Woods and Entrail are the flagship trail networks. Rental shops in town provide full-suspension bikes; guided tours are available for newcomers. The Squamish Enduro Mountain Bike Race in September draws international competitors.
Hike to Garibaldi Lake — The 18km return hike from the Diamond Head trailhead climbs through old-growth forest to Garibaldi Lake — a 9km-long turquoise alpine lake dammed by a lava flow and surrounded by glaciated peaks including the Black Tusk (an ancient volcanic plug). One of BC's great day hikes; start early to find parking.
Summer (May–September) is peak season for climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and kiteboarding. July and August are the busiest months but the area can absorb crowds better than Whistler. November–January for bald eagles. February–April for rock climbing when Whistler's snow season winds down and Squamish walls dry out.
Squamish is 50km north of Vancouver on Highway 99 — about 45 minutes in normal traffic. Squamish is easily combined with Whistler (60km north) and Vancouver on a Sea-to-Sky itinerary. No direct airport; use Vancouver International.
Link the Squamish wheel with Vancouver and Whistler on SpinQuest for the complete Sea-to-Sky corridor trip. Track your climbing routes, trail sections, eagle count days, and gondola visits. Create your free SpinQuest account and plan adventures that span all three communities in one of BC's most spectacular travel corridors.
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