Brackendale Eagles Park protects wintering bald eagle habitat in the Squamish River watershed, about 70 kilometres north of Vancouver near Brackendale. BC Parks notes that the Squamish River Valley is one of North America's most significant winter bald eagle areas.
In the 1994 winter eagle count, Squamish recorded 3,769 eagles.
Brackendale Eagles Park is mostly a conservation-viewing experience rather than a place to enter. Runs of chum salmon in the Squamish, Cheakamus, and Mamquam rivers draw eagles from around the Pacific Northwest and interior British Columbia from November to February.
BC Parks says eagle viewing peaks from November to December, with significant numbers sometimes present from November to January. Because the park has high conservation values, recreation facilities do not exist inside the park. There is no road access to the west side of the Squamish River, and winter access is prohibited.
Public viewing is best from areas outside the park boundaries, especially the Eagle Run dyke across from the Easter Seals Camp at 41015 Government Road in Brackendale. Interpretive displays explain the eagle and salmon life cycle.
The annual count varies with salmon numbers and weather.
Plan around winter bald eagle viewing from the Eagle Run dyke, salmon-life-cycle interpretation, photography from outside park boundaries, careful fishing awareness, and low-impact appreciation of Squamish River riparian habitat.
Recreation use, except fishing, is closed from October 1 to March 31. Camping, campfires, trail development, mountain biking, horseback riding, and mechanized activity are closed. Commercial rafting requires a permit.
