It’s been 12 years in the making, but on Aug. 1, the Squamish Canyon will officially open its boardwalk to the public.
Tucked in the trees along the Mamquam River, the 1.7 km boardwalk weaves through the forest under the Mamquam Falls bridge, along the picturesque canyon and ends at a forest lounge, with a children’s play area, a concession stand, an education area, and a small artisan booth.
With the finishing touches being put on the new tourist attraction, the Squamish Chief took a stroll along the boardwalk on July 16 to see what the final product will look like.
Free parking for the attraction will be along Powerhouse Springs Road, where visitors will also have access to a washroom and a coffee bar at the entrance (even if you’re not using the boardwalk).
The attraction starts with a staircase up to a flat boardwalk that takes you through the forest towards the river. The walk is designed to be a one-way journey that starts and ends near the car park.
“One of the primary span bridges stands 39 m (130 ft) long and is designed to support over 47,000 kg (104,000 lbs), that’s about 578 people, 5,897 river otters, or 94 grizzly bears!” reads the Squamish Canyon website.
“Built to last, they’re designed to endure the unimaginable, with the resilience to withstand a magnitude 8.0 earthquake and a 200-year flood.”
With multiple viewpoints of the river and the falls throughout, the boardwalk allows visitors to walk amongst the environment without leaving a footprint on the flora below.
The stairs throughout the journey have been built to accommodate elderly and young legs; however, the boardwalk is not wheelchair friendly at this stage.
Visitors using wheelchairs can access the forest lounge via an access road.
(It should be noted that the regular hiking route to the falls will remain open and free to the public. Kayak access, likewise, will remain.)
The forest lounge is located around the middle of the walk and offers a cafe, playground, washrooms and gift shop. When the Squamish Chief visited, construction on the forest lounge was still ongoing.
“The play area is a nature-inspired space that sparks curiosity and imagination. Nestled within the Forest Lounge, it offers a welcoming and safe environment for families to relax while younger explorers engage with the landscape through play,” reads the Squamish Canyon website.
Ticket prices include all-day access to the Squamish Canyon amenities.
Ticket window prices:
- Infants (0-5) free
- Child (6-12) $26
- Adult (13 +) $44
- Family (2 adults, 2 children) $126
- Online Booking: Save 10% by booking 24 hours in advance
No dogs (aside from certified service and guide dogs) are permitted at Squamish Canyon.
Strollers are also not permitted on the boardwalk due to the stairs throughout.
“For families with young children, we recommend baby carriers to make the journey a smooth one,” reads the website.
The Squamish Canyon will be open on a season-based schedule.
- January to March: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (last entry at 2 p.m.)
- April to June: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last entry at 3 p.m.)
- July and August: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry at 5 p.m.)
- September: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last entry at 3 p.m.)
- October: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (last entry at 2 p.m.)
- November and December: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (last entry at 2 p.m.)
For more information on any of the amenities, visit the Squamish Canyon website.
