Fed by Shannon Creek starts which drains from the Stadium Glacier down the Sky Pilot Valley, Shannon Falls is particularly spectacular when fed by glacial meltwalter in spring and summer. The water cascading down the granite cliff is visible (and can be heard) through the forest from some distance away. The waterfall was formed by a receding glacier, which also created the Howe Sound and a hanging valley up above the U-shaped profile of the Squamish Valley. The waterfall is named after the person who owned the falls and the surrounding area around 1890-1900.
A walking track provides access to a lower and upper lookout, which both provide unobstructed views of the bottom half of the waterfall. Shannon Falls is claimed to be the third highest waterfall in British Columbia (after Della Falls and Hunlen Falls), with a 335 metre drop. However, a lesser height of 250m has also been stated as being more accurate.
The “Connector Trail” which links the waterfall (which is in the Shannon Falls Provincial Park) and the Stawamus Chief summits in the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park provides more views of the falls from the north.
Getting to Shannon Falls
The waterfall is located near Squamish along the Sea to Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler. Near the carpark is a visitor centre, picnic areas and toilet facilities. A walking trail provides access to the lower and upper lookouts (1.2km return).
More information
- World of Waterfalls – Shannon Falls
- World Waterfall Database – Shannon Falls
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