British Columbia is home to some of the most beautiful natural areas in Canada. I finally had the chance to explore this western province three years ago, camping and hiking my way from Calgary to Whistler to Victoria along the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Of course, I didn’t have nearly enough time… but that just means I’ll have to go back.
About Nairn Falls Hike
Location: Nairn Falls Provincial Park (near Whistler)
Distance: 3 km out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 100 metre gain
Time: Approx. 1 – 2 hours
Dog-friendly: Yes, but on leash.
Features: Nairn Falls hike is short and sweet, with interesting rock formations with the featured 60-metre tall waterfall. If you need a place to stay near Whistler, Nairn Falls Campground is a well-maintained option very close to the highway. Plus, the trailhead is right in the campground.
Finding the Trailhead
Nairn Falls Provincial Park is very easy to find next to the Sea-to-Sky Highway (Hwy 99). Once you reach Pemberton driving south, continue for about 3 km to find the campground on your left. Or from Whistler, drive about 24 km north. The trailhead is near the entrance, on the right side of the parking lot near the toilets.
Read more: Ancient Cedars Trail Hike Near Whistler, BC
Short Hike to the Falls
The Nairn Falls hike follows the Green River along a nicely groomed trail. The trail is fairly even with very few ups and downs along the way. It’s also helpful to know that the trail is essentially straight out and back—easy to navigate and little chance of getting lost. Plan for at least an hour (2 hours if you take your time) to hike to the falls and back.
This hike is a great option for families with young children or travellers looking for a waterfall near the highway. For young kids, there is a chain-link fence to keep everyone safe on the rocks near the falls. There are two viewing platforms for the lower and upper falls.
The entire Nairn Falls is about 60-metres tall, with two tiers each about 30-metres high.
Read more: 5 Easy Hikes for Rocky Mountain Rookies (Plus a Bonus!)
Camping at Nairn Falls Provincial Park
We spent one night at Nairn Falls Provincial Park on our way to Victoria. There were many other tenters in the campground, and it was a relatively quiet night. However, there are no showers available. Overall, I enjoyed the stay and really enjoyed the chance to see Nairn Falls.
Whether you’re staying at the park or just passing through, I’d suggest adding this impressive waterfall to your list.
Have you visited Nairn Falls Provincial Park? Did you hike to the falls? What did you think?
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