Sea to Sky. 
Know before you go
Advisories
Safety information
Trail information [PDF] (January 4, 2024)
Stay safe
- The backcountry is demanding. Hikers must be in good physical condition, properly equipped, and prepared to be totally self-sufficient. Take adequate clothing. Mountain weather changes suddenly, and it can snow any time of year.
- Avalanche and glacier hazards exist year-round. Only experienced groups who are practised in companion rescue and who are properly equipped should venture onto snowfields and glaciers.
- Lakes and rivers are glacier fed and the water is extremely cold year-round.
- Access roads can have poor visibility, so watch for other vehicles, cyclists, and wildlife.
- Barrier Civil Defence Zone - The area below and adjacent to the Barrier, a geological feature upholding Garibaldi Lake, is considered hazardous. Although imminent danger is unlikely, special regulations are in effect to make you aware of the potential danger and to minimize the risk to life and property in the event of a slide. Posted signs identify the civil defence zone. Do not camp, stop or linger while travelling through the zone. This means that camping or remaining overnight at or near the Garibaldi Lake parking lot is prohibited. Developed campgrounds are located nearby at Alice Lake, Brandywine Falls and Nairn Falls Parks.
Area-specific safety information
- Diamond Head, including Elfin Lakes and Rampart Ponds
- Black Tusk/Garibaldi Lake, including Red Heather, Garibaldi Lake (Rubble Creek trailhead), and Taylor Meadows
- Cheakamus Lake, including Cheakamus Lake, Singing Creek, and Helm Creek
- Singing Pass, including Russet Lake
- Wedgemount Lake
Special notes
Prohibited in this park
- Motorized vehicles including snowmobiles, motorcycles, ATVs, trail bikes, and similar must keep to park roads and parking lots
- Dogs and other pets, except those with valid identification issued by an accredited training school. The school must be accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) and Assistance Dogs International (ADI), or otherwise accredited under the BC Guide and Service Dog Act. Always carry proof of accreditation when visiting a park. Emotional support animals (ESAs) are not allowed.
- Fires
- Aircraft access to and from the park (more information below)
- Drones (for more information, see the responsible recreation page)
- Harvesting natural resources, including mushrooms
- Camping hammocks due to high visitor numbers and damage to small trees
Aircraft restrictions
Voluntary flight guidelines (designated no-flight and minimum altitude pathways) are in place to minimize negative interactions between wildlife, people, and aircraft. Aircraft operators should familiarize themselves with the geo-referenced flight zone map [PDF]. Contact parkinfo@gov.bc.ca to view the voluntary flight guidelines or to get additional shapefiles for navigation.
Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.
Visit responsibly
Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:
Reservation policies
Get information on:
Maps and location
- Park map [PDF]
- Garibaldi Lake campground [PDF]
- Taylor Meadows campground [PDF]
- Park brochure [PDF]
- Wilderness Camping Area [PDF]
- Garibaldi georeferenced voluntary flight zones [PDF]
- Garibaldi topographical map available from Clark Geomatics
Any maps listed are for information only. They may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
Getting there
There are five park access points along Highway 99 (the Sea to Sky Highway) between Squamish and Pemberton. We recommend taking a vehicle to these access points as the trailheads are between 2 km and 16 km off Highway 99.
Park access points (north to south):
Nearby communities include Whistler and Brackendale.
Transportation to the park is provided by Parkbus.
Things to do
Day-use passes
Passes are required at Diamond Head and Rubble Creek trailheads Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and holidays from June 13 to October 13, 2025.
Passes are required at Cheakamus trailhead every day from June 13 to September 1, 2025. From September 2 to October 13, 2025, they are required Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday only.
If you have a valid reservation for overnight camping, you do not need a day-use pass. You must carry proof of your reservation while in the park.
For full details, visit the day-use passes page.
Hiking areas
Check the trail information before heading out.
Access to the park is by developed trail systems along the western boundary. Signs along Highway 99 lead to trailheads for the five most popular areas of the park, as listed below. Parking is available at the trailheads. You can also access the park from the lift systems at the Whistler and Blackcomb ski areas.
For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey all signs and keep to designated trails. Taking shortcuts destroys plant life and soil structure, which leads to erosion.
For trail maps, see maps and location.
Trail details:
- Diamond Head
Elfin Lakes, Rampart Ponds - Black Tusk/Garibaldi Lake
Red Heather, Garibaldi Lake (Rubble Creek), Taylor Meadows - Cheakamus Lake
Cheakamus Lake, Singing Creek, Helm Creek - Singing Pass
Russet Lake - Wedgemount Lake
You can swim at Elfin Lakes (in the swimming lake only), Garibaldi Lake, Cheakamus Lake, Russet Lake, Wedgemount Lake, and Glacier Lake. Most of the lakes are glacier fed and extremely cold.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
You may canoe on Cheakamus Lake, Garibaldi Lake, or Glacier Lake. Canoeing is not allowed on other lakes in Garibaldi Park.
Please do not store your canoes in the park. Camping for paddlers is allowed in designated sites only.
You may kayak on Cheakamus Lake, Garibaldi Lake, or Glacier Lake. Kayaking is not allowed on other lakes in Garibaldi Park.
Please do not store your kayaks in the park. Camping for paddlers is allowed in designated sites only.
There are fishing opportunities at many lakes in the park, including Garibaldi Lake, Cheakamus Lake, and Mamquam Lake.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Find fun summer outdoor learning experiences with Discover Parks Ambassadors here all summer long. For specific dates, along with many more seasonal and year-round activities, visit discoverparks.ca.
Bicycles are allowed on designated roadways and some trails in Garibaldi Park. Bicycles are allowed on the following two trails:
- Diamond Head
You can cycle from the parking lot to the Elfin Lakes shelter. Bicycles are not allowed beyond this point and must stay on the main trail. The trail surface is rock and gravel. - Cheakamus Lake
You can cycle from the parking lot to Singing Creek. Bicycles are not allowed past the bridge on the Helm Creek Trail. The trail surface is dirt.
For details on e-biking, see the e-biking section, below.
Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Class 1 e-bikes (pedal assist only) are allowed in Garibaldi Park, where bicycles are permitted, such as on the Diamond Head and Cheakamus Lake trails. For trail details, see the cycling section, above.
Bikes with electric assist motors in other classes are not allowed on the trails. These e-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is allowed. The only exception is authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
For more information, see the e-bikes section of the cycling page.
There are several excellent granite alpine climbing locations throughout Garibaldi Park. You can consult most current guidebooks for the area to get detailed information. Alternatively, contact the Alpine Club of Canada or the BC Federation of Mountain Clubs.
Climbing the Black Tusk is not recommended due to loose, unstable rock.
Diamond Head is the main area for winter recreation in Garibaldi Park. This area offers skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing opportunities. For more details, visit the Diamond Head area page.
Snowmobiles are not allowed in Garibaldi Park.
About this park
In 1860, while carrying out a survey of Howe Sound on board the Royal Navy survey ship H.M.S. Plumper, Captain George Henry was impressed by a towering mountain dominating the view to the northeast. Captain Richards chose to call the 2,678 m mountain Mount Garibaldi, after the 19th-century Italian general, Giuseppe Garibaldi.
In 1907, a party of six Vancouver climbers reached the summit of Mount Garibaldi. The views from the peak inspired the establishment of summer climbing camps at Garibaldi Lake. This interest led to the creation of a park reserve in 1920. Garibaldi Park was legislated as a Class A park in 1927, a mountainous 195,000 hectares, just 64 km north of Vancouver.
During July and August, the alpine areas of Garibaldi Park offer hikers an opportunity to view alpine flowers in bloom, a beautiful display of nature.
Please keep to designated trails. Taking shortcuts destroys plant life and soil structure in fragile alpine meadows. Trail erosion by rain and melting snow occurs rapidly as a result. BC Parks asks for your cooperation as we help to repair damaged areas. Please help by obeying posted signs.
Small mammals and birds such as squirrels, chipmunks, grey jays, and flickers can often be seen. Large mammals, such as mountain goats, grizzly and black bears, deer, cougars, and wolverines also call the park home, although these are seen less frequently.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.
Contact
| Reservations, changes, and cancellations | Our call centre is open from 7 am to 7 pm Pacific Time. There is a $5 fee for reservations, changes, or cancellations made by phone.
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| Frontcountry questions | Frontcountry facilities in Garibaldi Park are operated by Sea to Sky Park Services Ltd. The term ‘frontcountry’ refers to any area within 1 km of a highway or park road. |
| Backcountry questions | Backcountry facilities in Garibaldi Park are operated by BC Parks Rangers. The term ‘backcountry’ refers to areas more than 1 km away from any highway or park road. |
| General questions and feedback for BC Parks | We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. |
