Nairn Falls is a wonderful, crashing and chaotic waterfall that surrounds you from the deluxe viewing platform that allows you to safely watch it from above. The beautiful, green water rushes through the deep and angular channels of rock. Nairn Falls Provincial Park is centred around a very large drive-in campground and the short, 1.2 kilometre(0.7 mile) trail to the falls.
Nice trail along the river to the falls- Info murals explaining how the falls formed
- Accessible year-round, even during snowy days
- Campground is elaborate and organized
- Easy, family friendly hiking trail
- Very dog friendly trails
Campsites are crowded together- Not too much to see except the falls
- Campground gets very busy
- Fun to swim near the campsite, but cold!
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Though the BC Parks website describes Nairn Falls as 60 metres high, the description is a bit misleading. You won't find a marvellously abrupt drop into a deep chasm like to see with Brandywine Falls. Nairn Falls has a very different shape to it, but is every bit as interesting and scenic. More so, in fact, due to the interesting geological information you find at the main viewpoint over the falls. Nairn Falls crash through various narrow and wide areas, and though the cumulative drop is 60 metres, what you see is a series of 10 to 20 metre falls through a deep, zig-zagging canyon. There are very nicely constructed railings, fences and viewing areas as well as a walkway that guides you to the best views. With such abruptly steep rock all around, the area would be potentially dangerous. Evidently there have been deaths here before. A cross, reverently placed across the chasm from the viewing platform, indicates of some tragic event. Nairn Falls Provincial Park is located just a short 20 to 30 minute drive north of Whistler, just before One Mile Lake and Pemberton.
Guides to the Best of Whistler
Best Dog Friendly Hiking Trails
Whistler is very dog friendly and the number of wonderful hiking trails that your dog will love is huge. The massively varied hiking trails range from easy, short, close to Whistler Village to challenging, long and deep in the endless wilderness around Whistler. You can find dog friendly trails in and around Whistler Village that take you through deep, dark and magical forests. Or you can drive beyond Whistler Village and take your dog to spectacular alpine lakes. Some requiring little or no hiking, while others are found after hiking challenging and long trails. Many of these places are comparatively quiet and often you and your dog will have the the wilderness to yourselves. In and around Whistler Village you have Lost Lake with its spider web of trails... Continued here.
Best Free Whistler Camping
Whistler is surrounded by an immense wilderness dotted with spectacular, hidden lakes and amazing places to set up a tent. Decades of logging activity has left a network of forest service roads that has opened easy access to these places. Some of these you can drive to and some you may need a 4x4 to comfortably get to. Some places to camp for free you can drive to, some require a short hike and others are fairly long hikes to reach. Beautiful Callaghan Valley is home to several incredible and free places to camp. Callaghan Lake has a great free drive-to campsite just steps from this spectacular alpine lake. If you have a canoe, you can paddle to the end of Callaghan Lake and hike the short, but steep trail up to Cirque Lake. This gorgeous lake is deep in the alpine wilderness... Continued here.
No Car? No Problem! Whistler Trails
Whistler as a resort has a wonderful car-free core. The Village Stroll runs through the heart of Whistler Village and is entirely car free. If you are visiting Whistler or living here and you don't have a car, it's no problem. On foot or on a bike you can travel the extensive network of non-motorized trails. The Valley Trail snakes through Whistler Village and extends in several directions, all of which lead to beautiful parts of Whistler. The Sea to Sky Trail and the Lost Lake trails continue this massive, car-free network of trails running almost everywhere in Whistler. When it comes to many of the best hiking trails, getting to the trailheads on foot, by bike or public transit can be tricky at best or complicated and impractical at worst. Many trailheads are far from Whistler Village and... Continued here.
Nairn Falls Provincial Park
The Nairn Falls Trail
From the large parking lot the well marked trail runs along the Green River for 1.2 kilometres to Nairn Falls. The trail is very easy and is hike-able year-round. Though considerable snow falls in the winter months here, the popular trail remains easy to follow, and snowshoes are usually not needed. You will find the parking lot gate locked in the winter, so you can park outside the gate and walk in. In cold winter weather you may find some treacherous sections of trail. The trail is quite narrow and follows a course next to a very steep slope down to the rushing river. On many winter days you will find the trail icy and extremely slippery. Though the main trail to Nairn Falls is the main focus of visitors to Nairn Falls Provincial Park, there are more trails to more sights. The Sea to Sky Trail and various other trails zig-zag to the south. A cute trail off the campground brings you down to the river and quite a scenic area at a large bend in the river. This is the place you can jump in the water on a hot day.
Nairn Falls Green River Trail
Most visitors to Nairn Falls Provincial Park just see Nairn Falls, however, to the left, beyond the campsites Green River is great to see up close as well. A short trail takes you down to a wide bend in the river and you find yourself in what looks like a large beach. It is a hidden bit of paradise with the crystal clear, green water flowing over polished rocks. The whole are is in almost constant sunlight despite being in the middle of the forest. On warm, summer days you will find people swimming, sipping beers on the rock cliffs across the river and generally having an amazing time in this usually forgotten corner of the park. The 180 kilometre, Sea to Sky Trail that runs from Squamish, up through Whistler to well beyond Pemberton passes through Nairn Falls Provincial Park. You will spot the Sea to Sky Trail signs at a couple spots in the park with excellent maps showing you where you are about to go. The trails around the park have for years been gaining popularity as bike trails and you will spot Lumpy's Epic ascend quickly in the direction of Pemberton's One Mile Lake. You would have trouble finding and better or more convenient place to pull in and have a picnic than at Nairn Falls. Picnic tables are everywhere and often overlooking the beautiful River. There is no charge for entry to the park, day use or for parking. The only fees in the park are for overnight camping. Dogs are welcome at Nairn Falls Provincial Park, however bikes are not permitted on the trail leading to Nairn Falls. It wouldn't be a very exciting trail on a bike and there are plenty better trails to ride on the opposite side of the campground. Campsite amenities include a hand operated water pump, picnic tables and pit toilets everywhere you turn.
Camping at Nairn Falls
There is quite a large and beautiful campground at Nairn Falls as well. Located right next to the parking lot there are 94 vehicle accessed campsites that disappear into the forest adjacent to the Green River. The campground is open May 11 - September 30. The other months the entry gate is locked to the park and a small, highway-side parking area is used to access the park. The charge for camping is $18 per party, per night, during the months the campground is open. Outside of that window there is obviously no charge and you won't be prohibited from camping during the off season. From the parking lot, a hiking trail also goes along the Green River in the opposite direction to Nairn Falls. This 2 kilometre trail takes you to One Mile Lake.
Parking & Trailhead Directions to Nairn Falls
Nairn Falls is very easy to find, just a 20-30 minute drive north of Whistler. From Whistler Village, zero your odometer at Village Gate Boulevard and head north on Highway 99(towards Pemberton), 29.1 kilometres from Whistler Village you will see the parking lot on your right and a huge Nairn Falls Provincial Park highway sign. There is a large, free parking area as you enter the park. If you drive further into the park you will find all the drive-to camping areas as well as the park warden's cabin. If you are just visiting the falls, parking at the main area just off the highway is best. If you find the gate locked(after hours and in the winter), you can park along the edge of the highway.
More Whistler Area Waterfalls
Whistler is home to a fantastic number of beautiful waterfalls. From the towering drop of Brandywine Falls to the awesome, up close and breathtaking view of Keyhole Falls, you could spend whole days checking out just waterfalls in and around Whistler. Some are absurdly convenient and easy to see and others require some tough hiking, or tricky driving to get to. All of them, however, are well worth a visit. Brandywine Falls is the most well known, most impressive, and easiest waterfalls to see in Whistler. The viewing platform positioned across from the falls gives you a direct view of its 66 metre(216 feet) plunge into the chasm below. Located 17.1 kilometres(10.6 miles) from Whistler Village, Brandywine Falls is beautiful to see, and accessible, year-round. The short, kilometre long, dog friendly trail to the viewpoint is wide and smooth gravel. Alexander Falls, located up in the Callaghan Valley, about a 10 minute drive from Brandywine Falls is another of Whistler’s beautiful waterfalls. Similar to Brandywine Falls, Alexander Falls plunges off a cliff 43 metres(141 feet) down. A nice viewing deck gives you a perfect view of the falls. There is no hiking to see Alexander Falls as you drive directly to the viewpoint. Driving distance from Whistler Village is 28.2 kilometres(14.6 miles). A bit closer to Whistler Village, in Cheakamus Crossing you will find Train Wreck Falls. This beautifully picturesque falls is located near Whistler Train Wreck, a surreal array of train wreckage that have been wonderfully painted over the years. Preview All Whistler Waterfalls Here...
Keyhole Falls - Best Whistler Waterfalls
Mount Meager erupted 2400 years ago and filled the valley with debris that cemented into rock that blocked Lillooet River. Eventually water erosion cut a channel through the breccia dam, and Keyhole Falls were born. The trail to Keyhole Hot Springs shows you plenty of examples of breccia, which is larger pieces of angular rock cemented together with small particles or a mineral cement that forms these marvels. The beautiful Keyhole Falls are just a couple kilometres upriver from Keyhole Hot Springs. The unmarked trailhead and parking area for Keyhole Falls are just a couple kilometres past the parking area for Keyhole Hot Springs. It is easy to find if you have a good idea where it is, see the map below. If you don't have a rough idea where it is, or expect an obvious sign, you will likely get lost in the maze of logging roads in the area. Mount Meager looms high above Keyhole Hot Springs and it, and the surrounding peaks are known collectively as the Mount Meager Complex. The Meager Complex produced the most recent, major volcanic event in Canada in the last 10,000 years. The eruption 2400 years ago spread ash as far as Alberta. More recently, in 2010 a massive debris flow swept down and into the valley causing Pemberton to be evacuated. The eruption 2400 years ago left a huge pumice outcrop 2 kilometres long and 1 kilometre wide. Continued here...
Alexander Falls - Best Whistler Waterfalls
Alexander Falls is a very impressive 43 metre/141 foot waterfall just 30 to 40 minutes south of Whistler in the Callaghan Valley. Open year-round and located just before Whistler Olympic Park where several of the 2010 Olympic events were held. There is a nice viewing platform on the edge of the cliff across from the falls which crash fantastically into the valley below. The parking area and viewing platform at Alexander Falls is one big area just 40 metres from the main road, just before Whistler Olympic Park. The adventurous can find the obscure trail that leads to both the top of the falls as well as, with great difficulty, to the base of the falls. Alexander Falls is certainly one of the nicest spots for a picnic in Whistler. The picnic areas are numerous, the surrounding forest is gorgeous and wild and Alexander Falls crashes loud and beautiful in the background. Several picnic tables are located in forested clearings that were once used as campsites, so if you have a big group, you will have lots of room to spread out and enjoy the surroundings. The free parking lot at Alexander Falls is enormous. Keep in mind that it is a day-use only parking area and camping or campfires are prohibited. If you are looking for a place to park overnight in the area the possibilities are endless. Callaghan Valley is very wild, devoid of people and the spider-web of logging roads that cover the valley run for hundreds of kilometres. Continued here...
Brandywine Falls - Best Whistler Waterfalls
Brandywine Falls is one of the must see sights on the way to or from Whistler. The falls drop from a 66 metre(216 feet), unnaturally abrupt looking cliff to the valley below. Brandywine Falls Provincial Park is such a popular, accessible and beautiful sight that it has a large and elaborate viewing platform directly opposite the falls. Located just 20 minutes south of Whistler, Brandywine Falls is just off of the Sea to Sky Highway. Brandywine Falls Provincial Park is wonderful for so many reasons. First it is dramatically beautiful as it plunges from an abrupt cliff. Second it is very easy to get to and easy to hike to. The viewing areas are nicely located and the far viewing area overlooks the massive valley toward Daisy Lake. Brandywine Falls is the main sight in the area, but there are several more great sights around the falls. Continued here...
Cirque Falls - Best Whistler Waterfalls
Cirque Falls crashes down from Cirque Lake to Callaghan Lake, connecting these two remarkably beautiful and very different lakes. Where Callaghan Lake is a large, easy to get to mountain lake, Cirque Lake is an extraordinarily serene and hidden lake that takes a bit of planning and effort to get to. Though it is just two kilometres up a steep, yet easily manageable trail, the Cirque Lake trailhead is hidden at the far end of Callaghan Lake. With the massive snowfall and long winters, combined with the rapid, trail-consuming forest growth in BC's Coast Mountains, finding the Cirque Lake trail is mangled, obscured and overgrown. Keeping to the trail and even finding the trailhead would be nearly impossible without the help of Cirque Falls and Cirque Creek. The trailhead, in fact, is so well concealed by the forest that it is completely invisible from the lake. Paddling up to the end of Callaghan Lake and where you assume the trailhead to be leaves you some probable options that entice you away from the actual trailhead. Flatter terrain, gaps in the forest and a more obvious entry point to the forest can be found on the right side of the end of the lake. The left side and middle, you rule out quickly as they are both too steep and the impenetrable wall of the rainforest looks uninviting. Continued here...
Rainbow Falls - Best Whistler Waterfalls
Rainbow Falls is located just a short hike from the start of the Rainbow Trail to Rainbow Lake. The trailhead is along Alta Lake Road on the far side of Alta Lake, just down and across from Rainbow Park. Rainbow Falls are not awe inspiring, however the trail to them is fun and the creek above and below the falls is very scenic. The Flank Trail crosses the Rainbow Trail and 21 Mile Creek just up from Rainbow Falls. A small trail on the far side of the bridge takes you down to the creek bed and the top of the falls. Depending on the time of year, the creek bed may be full of crashing water or half empty and inviting to crawl around the huge, water-smoothed boulders. Rainbow Falls can be tricky to find from the Rainbow trailhead as the trail branches a few times along the way. There is a small Rainbow Falls sign, however it is easily missed, especially in the winter if it is buried in snow. Continued here...
Shannon Falls - Best Whistler Waterfalls
Shannon Falls towers above Howe Sound at 335 metres as the third tallest falls in BC. The wonderful, though very short trail winds through a beautiful old growth forest to get to the base of the falls. From your car to the viewpoint takes only about four minutes. You can continue along the trail and join with the Stawamus Chief trail which goes to the three marvellous summits of The Chief. Shannon Falls Provincial Park has a concession stand as well as an information centre next to the parking area. This parking area is day use only, so if you are hoping to camp overnight in the area, you have to park at the Stawamus Chief parking lot, just a 1 minute drive north of the Shannon Falls lot. If you are planning to hike the Stawamus Chief, the Shannon Falls parking lot is arguably a better place to start from. You can take a look at Shannon Falls and then take the connecting trail to join onto the trail to The Chief. Continued here...
Train Wreck Falls - Best Whistler Waterfalls
Whistler Train Wreck is a hidden little world of brightly graffiti painted, wrecked train cars along a gorgeous stretch of Cheakamus River. One particularly stunning section of the river, unseen by nearly all visitors to Train Wreck, is the marvellously broad and crashing Train Wreck Falls. In the past, the falls were easily spotted on the trail to Train Wreck, but with the recent installation of the bridge to Train Wreck, the access trail was redirected. The new trail to Whistler Train Wreck comes from the opposite direction as the old trail. Designed to avoid the train tracks and inevitable conflicts with CN Rail, the new trail and bridge allows access to Train Wreck without crossing the train tracks. The new trail, however, keeps Train Wreck Falls out of sight. The Trash Trail runs along the other side of Cheakamus River and runs along the edge of the top of the falls and quite a nice view of them. The Train Wreck side of the river has multiple viewpoints of Train Wreck Falls that are considerably more beautiful. Continued here...
Wedgemount Falls - Best Whistler Waterfalls
Wedgemount Falls can be seen along the trail to Wedgemount Lake. As the falls flow directly from Wedgemount Lake, they are located about three quarters of the hiking distance from the trailhead. At almost 300 metres high, Wedgemount Falls can be heard long before being visible. The forest cover is very thick for most of the trail to Wedgemount Lake so getting a clear look at the falls is difficult. There is one spot, however, where you will catch sight of them, still kilometres away, yet with such a enormously tall waterfall, you would have to see them from a distance to get it all in view. The falls crash down the almost vertical mountainside, not far from the edge of Wedgemount Lake. You can, if you are fairly brave, hike fairly close to the top of Wedgemount Falls from Wedgemount Lake. Continued here...
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