From the famous Sea to Sky Highway and the Trans-Canada Highway which connect several different regions and towns to networks of Forest Service Roads and Overland routes that lead deep into the backcountry, the area encompassing Squamish, Chilliwack, and Merritt offers endless scenic drive opportunities. Whether you are heading out on a multi-day road trip or a local looking for new backroads to explore, the opportunities in this region are virtually endless.
With the new 3rd Edition Squamish, Chilliwack & Merritt Waterproof Recreation Map, road-trippers, overlanders, and locals looking for a new adventure will have all the scenic driving and backroad attraction information for this beautiful region right at their fingertips. Covering the areas of Whistler, Squamish, Vancouver, North Vancouver, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope, Princeton, Merritt, and more, this brand-new map edition features updated recreation sites, parks, trails, overland routes, and new backroad attractions. Clearly marked highways, secondary roads, and logging roads are complimented by cartographic style changes and updated FSR road systems.
What are you waiting for? Your next road trip adventure is right around the corner. Below, we highlight some of the most scenic drives and Overland routes in the Squamish, Chilliwack, and Merritt regions of British Columbia.
1. Mountains Meet the Ocean on the Sea to Sky Highway
Connecting Horseshoe Bay in the south to Pemberton in the north, this highway takes you through the beautiful Sea-to-Sky corridor. The highway is just over 150 kilometres (93 miles) long, but the portion from Horseshoe Bay to Whistler is 102 kilometres (63 miles), taking about an hour and a half with no stops. The Sea to Sky Highway is aptly named, as towering mountain ranges that seem to touch the sky drop down to meet with expansive ocean vistas. In fact, the Sea to Sky Highway has often been voted as one of the most scenic highways in Canada! The stretch of highway between Horseshoe Bay and Squamish alternates between one and two lanes each way and hugs the coastline, creating an expansive, 180-degree, unblocked view of Howe Sound, its many islands and islets, and the surrounding mountain ranges.
While there are many scenic pull-offs to stop at along the highway and take pictures, the best way to escape the crowds is to explore some of the lesser-known backroads, logging roads, recreation sites, and backcountry trails. Travelling from Horseshoe Bay north towards Whistler, the first opportunity to explore backroads is the Furry Creek Forest Service Road. This fairly well-maintained gravel road provides expansive views of Howe Sound and plenty of pull-offs that make great truck camping spots. Near the beginning of the FSR is a branch road that heads north towards Britannia Beach, where there are old, abandoned mine shafts and pits.
Back on the Sea to Sky Highway, continue north towards Squamish, where there are backcountry camping opportunities on the logging roads behind the famous Stawamus Chief, the 700 metre (2,296 foot) granite dome that rises into the sky just before you enter the town of Squamish. From the Squamish Valley region, Overlanders should check out the Squamish River Forest Service Road, which extends almost 100 kilometres (62 miles) deep into mountain valleys outside of Whistler. The road is accessible for most high-clearance vehicles as far as 40 km (25 mile), and there are plenty of backcountry recreation sites located along the way, making great free camping opportunities. This road also follows the Squamish River for much of its length, providing great access for anglers after the salmon, cutthroat trout, bull trout, rainbow trout, and winter steelhead that make this river home.
Back on the highway and continuing through Squamish towards Whistler, the scenery changes as you drive through steep mountain peaks, forested valleys, and beside the Cheakamus River. Notable stops include the Cheakamus Canyon Picnic Site which offers expansive views of the river, steep river canyon, and surrounding mountains, the Brandywine Falls Provincial Park where an easy, 1.2 kilometre trail leads to a viewpoint overlooking the spectacular falls, and the beautiful Alta Lake which is located just before Whistler Village. Speaking of Whistler Village, it is well worth a stop for lunch or dinner at one of the fantastic, award-winning restaurants or to shop at stores and boutiques beneath the towering peaks of Whistler and Blackcomb.
2. Explore Highways and Backroads Along the Fraser River
A 670 kilometre (416 mile) highway route follows the legendary Fraser River, steep river canyons, and towering mountain peaks, while never straying too far from the comforts of suburban and rural cities along the way. The Fraser River has played a major role in food harvesting, transport, and commerce for thousands of years, and this route features countless historic sites and outdoor adventure opportunities. Along this route, there are endless opportunities to detour onto backroads that lead to secluded recreation sites, great fishing spots, and expansive viewpoints.
Beginning in Vancouver, drive east along Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) towards Pitt Meadows, where the landscape will start to shift from apartment buildings and businesses to agricultural land and farms with horses, cows, and crops. Pitt Lake is a great spot to stop for a quick hike, picnic, or paddle. Boat-accessible, backcountry campsites line the shore of the lake for an easy stop on a multi-day paddling trip.
Continuing east to Mission, the Stave Falls and Stave Lake area off Dewdney Trunk Road is well worth a visit for history buffs and Overlanders alike. The 1912 Powerhouse at Stave Falls is a National Historic Site with historical displays, electricity demonstrations, archival photos and artifacts, and original mechanical and electrical components. The Florence Lake Forest Service Road is a popular gravel backroad that travels for just over 24 kilometres past the Stave Lake boat launch and several forested recreation sites, providing great views of Alouette Lake and Stave Lake along the way. Although anyone with a high-clearance vehicle can make it to Kilometre 20, it is well worth exploring the vast number of side roads, ATV trails, and Overland routes in this area.
From Mission, continue heading east and then north towards Harrison Hot Springs, which makes a great rest stop and place to spend the night. Enjoy the beautiful natural hot springs or head to Harrison Mills, which is known for its large population of bald eagles. From the west side of Harrison Lake, overlanders and OHV enthusiasts can take a side trip to drive all or part of the incredibly scenic, 215 kilometre (134 mile) Harrison Lake Overland Trail, which meanders through snowcapped mountain peaks, beautiful forests, and steep river valleys. Backcountry camping opportunities are located along the way at the Hale Creek Recreation Site, Twenty Mile Bay Recreation Site, Chehalis Lake, or Sloquet Hot Springs, which are well worth a visit.
For those who prefer to stay on the main roads, this scenic drive continues north to the Yale Historic Site, which was once the largest city north of San Francisco back in the 1800s and played a major role as a Hudson’s Bay Company outpost. Continue to Fraser Canyon and Hell’s Gate, a stunning portion of the Fraser River with dramatic gorges, towering canyon walls, and huge rapids. From here, the route travels north to Lytton, and then northeast to Spences Bridge along Highway 1. Stop for a picnic or pictures along the Thompson River before following the stunning Nicola Highway (Highway 8) through Nicola Valley. This alternate side route is rarely busy, following the Nicola River before meeting with Merritt and then continuing onwards towards Hope.
3. Drive Through Pristine Wilderness in the Region’s Provincial Parks
Some of the most scenic drives in the region are the roads and parkways that lead through Provincial Parks. Drive through untouched wilderness and dense forest to destinations such as crystal-clear lakes, big trees, scenic viewpoints, waterfalls, and epic hiking trails.
Check out Golden Ears Provincial Park in Maple Ridge, where the 13 kilometre (8 mile) Golden Ears Parkway leads through scenic forest, tall mountain peaks, and steep valleys while following the Alouette River for some of its length. Stop at Alouette Lake along the way for a picnic, swim, or paddle, and be sure to check out the short Lower Falls Trail which begins at the end of the parkway and leads to a pretty waterfall.
Another great scenic drive is the road to Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park, which is 64 kilometres southeast of Chilliwack and 40 kilometres from Vedder Crossing. From Highway 1, take exit 104 and follow the signs for Cultus Lake, passing through the quaint town of Yarrow, vast agricultural land, and forested valleys. Instead of turning onto Cultus Lake Road, follow Vedder Road across the bridge, turning right onto Chilliwack Lake Road, which follows the scenic Chilliwack River through farmland, parks, recreation sites, dense forest, and high mountain peaks for 40 kilometres (24 miles) to the entrance of Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park and the beautiful emerald lake. If you want to stretch your legs, be sure to check out the Lindeman Lake Trail, which is a moderate 3.5 km (2.1 mile) hike with 300 metres (984 feet) of elevation gain that leads to the stunning turquoise waters of Lindeman Lake, which is tucked in a rocky valley nestled between two steep mountains.
Scenic Road Trips Await
With main highways running through a variety of scenic landscapes and connecting countless communities, endless scenic drives are waiting to be discovered in this beautiful region. From scenic highways and secondary roads to multi-day overlander routes along gravel industry roads, the 3rd Edition Squamish, Chilliwack & Merritt Waterproof Recreation Map features all the highlighted roadways, backcountry campsites and recreation sites, and clearly marked backroad attractions needed to plan the perfect road trip in this exciting region.
Ready to head out on a scenic drive in the area encompassing Squamish, Chilliwack, and Merritt? Pick up a copy of the brand-new 3rd Edition Squamish, Chilliwack & Merritt Waterproof Recreation Map today. And be sure to check out the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains BC Backroad Mapbook and the Thompson Okanagan Mapbook, which offer a broader look at the scenic drives and areas mentioned above. For easy, digital trip planning, download the BRMB Maps App, which is available on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.