Siwash Rock in Vancouver’s Stanley Park

Name: Siwash Rock in Vancouver's Stanley Park
Rating: 4

February 27, 2019July 15, 2019 Carl Blanchet 0 Comments Cycling Allowed, Easy Hikes, Family Friendly, Ocean Side, Photography Hotspot, Stanley Park, Vancouver

Siwash Rock, also known by its Squamish name Skalsh or Slhx̱i7lsh, is one of the most iconic features of Stanley Park. Located along the seawall at a sharp bend between 3rd Beach, Prospect Point and the Lions Gate Bridge, Siwash is a rocky outcrop emerging out of the water standing between 15 and 18 metres (49 and 59 ft) tall and topped with a small Douglas fir.

The geological explanation for the origin of Siwash Rock came to be about 32 million years ago due to a volcanic dike forming in the sandstone and mudstone which form the park's foundation. Magma was forced to the surface through a fissure in the earth's crust fascinatingly creating the abstract looking basalt stack. Its composition making it it tougher and more resistant to erosion than the sandstone cliffs nearby, Siwash Rock is the only sea stack of its kind in the Vancouver area.

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Information

Location Etiquette

Do not leave any trash behind. Do not vandalize or climb the rock formation.

Transit Accessible

Take bus #19 from downtown Vancouver and get off at the start of Stanley Park (Stop ID: 51477). From here it is a 2.3 km walk each way to Siwash Rock, which will take roughly 30 minutes.

Parking Available

Parking is available at Stanley Park's Third Beach parking lot. It is a 1.4 km road-trip walk to Siwash Rock from there.

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