The 'Outdoor Recreation Capital Of Canada' Is A Mountain Getaway For Hiking And Water Sports

British Columbia is home to many of Canada's top destinations for exploring the outdoors. The entire population of the province, which is over twice the size of the state of California, is only roughly 5.7 million people. (California has a population of 39 million, for comparison.) What that means is there's a lot of uncrowded wilderness to explore in B.C. Nowhere is that more true than the town of Squamish, which has earned a reputation as the outdoor recreation capital of one of the friendliest countries in the world, located just one hour's drive north of Vancouver.

Squamish sits within a temperate rainforest at the base of the snow-capped Coast Mountains, and at the mouth of the Howe Sound – a place where the Squamish River, the Stawamus River, and the sea converge. The Squamish Estuary sits on the western edge of town and contains more than 1,600 acres of protected wildlife habitat accessible by hiking trails and paddle-friendly waterways. These are the unceded lands of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation, and the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, 45 minutes north, is a great place to learn about the people's connection to the land.

The Squamish Adventure Centre is the headquarters for everything outdoorsy. Even if you have an itinerary totally planned out, there's simply no substitute for asking the experts for information about local conditions that can make your journey not just more fun but also safer. The town caters to people of all experience levels, and the downtown area offers a variety of opportunities to kick your feet up and relax once you're off the trails. It's highly walkable and filled with coffee shops, bars, farmers markets, a boardwalk, and outdoor dining patios to enjoy the views.

Visitors to Squamish can hit the trails without even leaving town. The Estuary Trail trailhead is located on the west side of downtown with easy street parking. It's a relatively flat, 2.6-mile route that's stroller-friendly and can be completed in roughly an hour, offering spectacular views of the Howe Sound and the Stawamus Chief mountain. Another easy hike within town is the series of Mamquam River Trails on the north side — 2.5 miles of trails that pass alongside salmon spawning grounds and through a forest. This trail connects to several others, including one that leads to the neighboring town of Brackendale, if you're looking for a longer hike. Closer to downtown, the Smoke Bluffs Loop is a popular place for rock climbing and hiking. The 1.4-mile path has a fairly steep incline that rewards visitors with panoramic views of downtown and the Howe Sound.

Not far from town, you can get up close to British Columbia's third-tallest waterfall at 1,105 feet, Shannon Falls, which sits within Shannon Falls Provincial Park. There's a boardwalk that takes you close to the falls, and there's also a 4.3-mile hike along the Upper Shannon Falls Trail. This trail is quite steep, and it's recommended to set aside four hours to follow it out and back. It connects to the Sea to Summit Trail, which is another great option for hiking in the area if you're up for a challenge. The Sea to Summit Trail is roughly 4 miles each way and leads to the Summit Lodge, where you can relax while taking in the views, refuel at a cafe or restaurant, and take epic pictures on the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge before descending on a gondola.

The Howe Sound regularly gets windy in the afternoons, making it a world-class destination for wind-based water sports like kiteboarding, windsurfing, and sailing. Kiteboarders from around the globe come here, and it's great terrain for advanced riders to practice. It's not recommended to go out on the water alone if you're a beginner, and there are several places where newbies can take classes from qualified instructors. For example, Squamish Watersports offers an introductory class for first-timers. If you'd prefer to relax and enjoy the scenery, you can still get out on the water by booking charters for sailing tours of the area, as well as other types of guide-operated boating experiences.

Paddle sports are also extremely popular in Squamish, with options for all experience levels. Because of the winds, it's recommended to plan paddling experiences in the morning. If you're a beginner, you may want to consider sticking to places where the waters stay nice and calm, such as the Mamquam Blind Channel adjacent to the Sound or Alice Lake, which is about a 20-minute drive from downtown. Brohm Lake is another option for a short paddle outing and is located about a 15-minute drive away. The Squamish River is a great choice for folks who feel comfortable safely navigating down rapids.

Speaking of rapids, there are whitewater rafting tours available in the area if you're looking for an adrenaline rush. For example, Canadian Outback Rafting offers a trip for the more adventurous traveler that slides down the Elaho and Squamish rivers, traversing Class 3 and 4 rapids with qualified experts guiding you the whole way. Keep in mind that the water temperature in these parts is relatively cold. For many water sports, a thick wetsuit is advisable and can be rented locally. If you're still looking for activities for your upcoming trip, here are Canada's top 10 attractions and things to do.