Squamish is a small mountain town, surrounded by towering rock faces, forests, and mountain views in almost every direction. It’s the kind of place where even a quick stop at Home Depot comes with mountain views.
If you’ve been to Whistler, chances are you’ve driven straight past Squamish, or stopped briefly for Tim Hortons or Wendy’s before continuing north. But after spending a few days exploring the area, I’m here to convince you it’s worth slowing down and spending a weekend in Squamish instead.
From scenic hikes and waterfalls to breweries, cafes, and mountain views, Squamish is the perfect place for a weekend getaway from Vancouver, especially during early autumn.
How to Get to Squamish
Squamish is located along the Sea to Sky Highway, around one hour north of Vancouver and roughly 45 minutes south of Whistler.
The easiest way to explore Squamish is by car, especially if you plan on hiking or visiting places around the Sea to Sky region. The drive itself is also part of the experience, with mountain views, ocean lookouts, and plenty of scenic stops along the way.
If you’re flying into Vancouver, I’d recommend hiring a car. Having your own car gives you the flexibility to explore at your own pace over the weekend.
When to Visit Squamish
In my opinion, early autumn is the best time to visit Squamish. The trails are quieter, the temperatures are cooler, and the trees around the Sea-to-Sky Highway are beginning to turn shades of yellow, orange and red.
Summer is also a great time to visit, with snow-free hiking trails, longer days, and plenty of opportunities to get outdoors.
Where to Stay in Squamish
When we visited Squamish, we were travelling in our RV, so we camped. If I were visiting without the van, though, Sunwolf Riverside Cabins would be my pick. Located just outside town along the Cheakamus River, the cabins are surrounded by forest while still being only a short drive from downtown Squamish. Fergie’s Café is also on the property, making it an easy spot to stop for breakfast before heading out for the day.
Weekend in Squamish Itinerary
Day One: Arrive in Squamish
After driving up from Vancouver, check into your accommodation before heading into downtown Squamish.
There are plenty of cafes, breweries and restaurants around town. If you have time, spend a little while wandering around before dinner. The town is incredibly scenic, even from the main street, you’re surrounded by mountains.
Dinner and Drinks at A-Frame Brewing
For dinner, head to A-Frame Brewing.
We grabbed burgers and a beer and sat out on the patio before calling it a night.
Day Two: Explore Squamish
Squamish Farmers Market
If you’re visiting on a Saturday, start the morning at the Squamish Farmers Market.
The market runs every Saturday morning, usually from April to December, and features local food vendors, coffee stands, fresh produce, and handmade goods.
We grabbed a coffee from one of the stalls before wandering around the markets. If you didn’t get a chance to explore downtown Squamish the day before, now’s a good time, as the markets are right in the middle of town.
Slhanay Peak Hike
In the early afternoon, head up Slhanay Peak.
The Slhanay Peak Trail climbs steadily through the forest, with a couple of viewpoints along the way before reaching the summit. From the top, you’ll have views over Squamish, Howe Sound and the iconic Stawamus Chief. We visited in early autumn, and the valley below was just starting to turn shades of red and orange.
The signage becomes a little harder to follow towards the top, so I’d recommend downloading the trail map beforehand. We actually ended up taking a wrong turn and had to backtrack before finding the summit.
Once we reached the top, we only had about five minutes to take in the views before the fog rolled in and completely filled the valley. Mountain weather can change quickly, so it’s worth packing an extra layer, even if it’s warm when you start the hike.
Dinner at The Watershed Grill
After hiking, head to The Watershed Grill for dinner overlooking the river.
Alice + Brohm
Before heading back for the evening, stop at Alice + Brohm.
The shop is known for its real fruit ice cream, and is the perfect treat after a day of hiking.
Day Three: Sea to Sky Stops on the Drive Home
Breakfast at Fergie’s Café
Fergie’s Café for breakfast is a must while in Squamish.
Located beside the river near Sunwolf, it’s one of the most popular breakfast spots in the area. We stopped here before driving back to Vancouver. They do great coffee, and the French toast definitely lived up to the hype.
Sea to Sky Gondola
After breakfast, make your way to the Sea to Sky Gondola. You can buy tickets when you arrive, but if you know your travel dates, it’s worth booking online beforehand as you’ll usually save a little when pre purchasing tickets.
At the top, there are views over Howe Sound and the surrounding mountains, along with suspension bridges, walking trails and a few hikes around the summit. There’s also a café if you feel like grabbing another coffee.
Shannon Falls
A short drive from the gondola is Shannon Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in British Columbia.
The waterfall is only a short walk from the parking area, and is worth the visit if you are already in the area.
If you’re visiting during summer, you can also continue hiking further up the trail for views over the falls and nearby river.
Murrin Provincial Park (Quercus Point)
Finish the weekend with a hike to Quercus Point in Murrin Provincial Park.
The trail takes around an hour return and overlooks Howe Sound. Although it’s relatively short, the trail is steep in sections and includes a short scramble near the viewpoint, so it’s worth wearing proper shoes.
If you’re after a longer hike, you can continue on to complete the Murrin Loop and Jurassic Ridge circuit. The trail is also dog friendly, and we saw plenty of people out walking their dogs while we were there.
Planning a trip to British Columbia?
Check out my other Vancouver and British Columbia travel guides:
- A Guide to Summer in Vancouver
- 15 Things to Do in Vancouver in Winter
- The Best Hikes Near Vancouver
- Easy Trails Near Vancouver
- How to Spend Three Days Exploring Vancouver
- 11 Things to Do in Whistler in Summer
- 7 Things to Do in Whistler this Winter
- Ultimate Two Week Vancouver Island Road Trip
EXPLORING MORE OF CANADA?
check out my other travel guides for more inspiration.
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That shot of the mountains in the background is a real vibe. Did you get any fall colors in those photos?
It was still pretty green when we hiked the Slhanay Peak trail. It looked like there was a few spots on the mountain that were starting to change, but unfortunately the fog rolled in so quick it was hard to tell!