Campgrounds and RV parks near Squamish, BC

Hiking is the headline activity. The park provides rock-climbing opportunities of international significance, and hiking trails to the Chief's three summits offer views of Howe Sound, Squamish town, and the surrounding mountains. Alice Lake Provincial Park adds the Four Lakes Trail, which passes Stump, Edith, Fawn, and Alice lakes, and the DeBeck's Hill Trail with views of the Squamish River and the Tantalus Range. On the water, all four lakes in Alice Lake Provincial Park are swimmable, and Alice Lake has a large beach with picnic tables and sand for lounging. Canoe, kayak, pedal boat and stand-up paddleboard rentals are available at Centre beach from June until September. Squamish is also a mountain-biking hub. Guidebooks cover the extensive mountain bike trails in the Squamish area, with networks accessible from Alice Lake and other trailheads around town. The Sea to Sky Gondola near Shannon Falls is a common non-hiking option for families.

The main camping season runs from spring through fall. Camping season at Alice Lake Provincial Park normally runs from mid-March through October, and the park gates are locked from November through mid-March, although it's possible to walk in if prepared for winter conditions. Stawamus Chief has 15 shaded vehicle-accessible drive-in sites available on a first-come first-served basis throughout the April to October camping season. July, August, and September are the peak months. BC Parks strongly advises reserving well in advance for any stay planned for July, August, or September, as the park is usually full even on weekdays, with little turnover of campsites in the morning. Shoulder seasons in April, May, and October are cooler and wetter but far less crowded, and reservable sites are easier to secure. Winter camping is limited. Klahanie stays open year-round for RVs and tents, while the provincial park gates are locked and trails can be slick or snow-covered. Posted climbing route closures on the Chief protect peregrine falcons during the critical nesting season.

Sites are generally forested and shaded. Campsites at Stawamus Chief are very shaded with large mature coniferous trees. Alice Lake has 108 reservable campsites, 55 of which have electrical hook-ups, plus two shower and washroom buildings, an amphitheatre, playground, and the Beachside Cafe from May to October, weather permitting. Klahanie offers full and partial hookups but has tight roads that limit access for the largest rigs. This is bear country. Food must be stored and locked in the storage lockers located throughout the campground and in the cooking shelter. Campfires are not permitted at Stawamus Chief, and fire bans across the corridor are common in mid to late summer. Expect strong cell signal in town and patchy coverage at the parks. Groceries, fuel, propane, and outdoor gear are all available in Squamish, a short drive from any of the listed campgrounds.