Located not far from Squamish about 64 kilometres north of Vancouver along the Sea to Sky Highway, at just over 1,110 feet Shannon Falls is the third highest waterfall in British Columbia.
Shannon Falls in the Sea to Sky Region
Shannon Falls is eponymously named after William Shannon who first settled the property around 1889 and was a brick maker in the area. If you enjoy hiking, climbing or simply looking for an escape to be in nature, Shannon Falls is the ideal place to visit. The falls has a seasonal concession stand, an information centre and flush toilets. It is an ideal spot for a stretch or a picnic in nature on your drive up to Whistler, Alice Lake, Stawamus Chief or anywhere else along the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
The park is 87 hectares in size and has no overnight camping facilities, but its picnic area is reservable by groups. Barbecues are permitted in the picnic area. There is a $50 fee for special events. Dogs are welcome on leash and bicycles are allowed on most of the trails. The waterfall is fairly accessible. It’s just a short 350-metre walk along a packed dust-based trail.
Tips and Advice
Below are a few suggestions and extra bits of information to help you make the most of your visit to Shannon Falls.
TIP #1: Shannon Falls is especially impressive in the spring and after a heavy rainfall.
TIP #2: If you’re driving between Vancouver and Whistler, the park is a great place to visit. The falls are fairly easy to access and not a far walk from the parking lot.
TIP #3: Tourist attractions in the area include Alice Lake, Britannia Mine, the Sea to Sky Gondola and West Coast Railway Heritage Park.
TIP #4: If you like Shannon Falls, a similar place that you’ll no doubt also like is Bridal Veil Falls in the Fraser Valley. Cypress Falls Park in West Vancouver also has waterfalls that you can hike to.
Other Information
For more information about the park see the BC Parks website.
To learn more about the area see our articles about Squamish and the Sea to Sky Region.
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