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A bit of last minute camping

July 12, 2006 | Tips from Us > Squamish, Camping

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The kids and I woke up last Saturday to a beautiful sunny day, and decided to go on a spontaneous overnight camping trip. Knowing that many of the BC Parks camping grounds would be full, we headed out on one of the logging roads just north of Squamish, and camped for free along the Squamish River. We drove past our usual camping locale and, lucky for us, found a campers dream come true – a perfect spot equipped with leftover firewood, a raised fire pit, easy access to the glacial-fed river and its sandbars, complete privacy, and a mountain view of two receding glaciers complete with waterfalls. Not bad for a 2 ½ hour drive from Vancouver (not counting the stop in Squamish to watch rock-climbing on the Chief and to fill our cooler with marshmallows, popcorn, hot dogs, ketchup, hot chocolate, and other mandatory camping fare).

Camping along B.C.’s logging roads doesn’t require a 4x4 – our little Mazda Protégé did just fine going 60 km/hour on the relatively smooth gravel road (I was pretending I was on a road rally!). Ironically, I got a flat tire on the newly paved highway on the way to Squamish (putting on spare and mandatory stop at Canadian Tire also not counted in our 2 ½ hour timecount… and thank you to the two cars who stopped to help), and yet made it through 40 miles of logging road unscathed. Check out this link for more info on free camping in B.C.

If you are interested in seeing the mountains and glaciers on-the-move, the Squamish River has also become quite the hot spot for river rafting. We saw four expeditions heading to the river as we were heading home.

Posted by Susan, Vancouver at 12:00 AM

Map:

  • Move Map

  • Pinpoint Location


Number of Comments: 4

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I've camped here for several years now. While lovely, be aware that there is a mature Grizzly roaming about.
If tenting make sure to camp smart and store your food safely, your dogs food as well, (don't leave it or your dog out overnight). If cooking over the fire pit, make a separate camp fire to cook on at LEAST 100 metres downwind from your camp. I've watched this bear grow in confidence throughout the years from a young curious adolescent, to an adult with all the bold instincts that come with maturity. Wandering into camp to scratch around tents is not uncommon behavior; people or no people day or night. Only once has he charged at our group veering away at the last second. (this was probably due to the dogs barking) Although we don't see him every time, he has made appearances at the 25km , 36km, (particularly 36km as habituation due to kids having their rave parties on this site and never cleaning up after them selves) 42km, 68km sites as well.
Keep the kids within ear shot.
Pack it in Pack it out.

Posted by dexter at 01:02 on 2009-07-29

You get to the valley from the Sea to Sky highway. Just follow the signs through Brackendale and turn left to the airport. Most people turn right here to hit Alice Lake. Follow the road along and you will see a split in the road that turns left I believe for Squamish Valley and right for Paradise Valley. Follow the Squamish Valley signs. You will eventually hit a gravel road and soon after you will see a bridge crossing the river. There are forest service sites just to the right after you cross the bridge, or keep on the main road until marker 35 - 37 approx or until you find a place to camp. It might be a good idea to stop in the Squamish visitor centre before heading off, just in case.

Posted by Susan at 16:15 on 2007-11-23

hey susan...iv heard about this place before but havent gotten good directions from anyone....can u help me out on this? i wanna go out there this august long weekend..thanks a bunch~

Posted by tattum101 at 23:09 on 2007-07-31

where was this logging road? sound nice. love to see it

Posted by where was this logging road you fpond love to got at 03:05 on 2007-07-14