Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park

We wanted to find a spot for the little people to enjoy playing in the snow since we don’t get it often back home and driving up to Whistler seemed too far.
This was the perfect winter wonderland where we saw a gigantic brown eagle roosting in the trees and then wandered on trails near the river for snow playing and sledding (a really tiny slope that was perfect for our eight year old on her disk).

So glad we found this place. We were on the way up to Whistler and decided to stop. You have to hop off the 99 for a bit but it’s worth it. The day we went, there were volunteers there with optics gear to help see the eagles. If they’re not there, walk up on the berm and look across to the island for eagles on the shore and in the trees. Best time is November to February. The eagles follow the fish. The day we were there they had also seen some sea lions going after the fish. Very cool.

The Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park lies in the Squamish River watershed. This park hosts the wintering balding eagles that congregate along the Squamish and Cheakamus Rivers to feed on salmon carcasses.
The best time of year to view the eagles is from mid-​November to mid-​February with mid-​December to mid-​January being the peak viewing time. Every year in January volunteers do an eagle count to see how many eagles have returned to the area year after year. This year on January 5, 2014 the eagle count was 1,617 in and around the provincial park and surrounding area.
Access, to the Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park is prohibited during the winter months due to the high presence of the bald eagles. To view the eagles located within the park you can see them at the Eagle Run, viewing facility which is located on the municipal dyke, across the river from the park. To get to the dyke take Exit Hwy 99 at Mamquam Road and head North on Government Road. The viewing area will be on your left across the street from the Easter Seal Camp.
There is a an interpretive display that explains the eagles and salmon life cycle was well as volunteers on weekends who are there to assist you with any questions and give you close-​up views through telescopes.
If you haven’t been to Brackendale, I highly recommend going when the eagle count is high. It is amazing to see the large birds in such great numbers that close.