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Advisories

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Total number of campsites
Total backcountry sites: 236
Total wilderness sites: 150
Backcountry camping

Backcountry camping is permitted in the following areas:

Pit toilet and food storage facilities are located at all designated campsites. 

Day-use cooking shelters are located at Red Heather, Elfin Lakes, Garibaldi Lake, and Taylor Meadows. Camping is not permitted in day-use shelters.

Reservations and fees

Reservations are required year round and must be made using the backcountry permit registration service before heading into the park. Proof of payment must be carried at all times when camping overnight in these areas.

  • $10 per adult (16+) per night
  • $5 per youth (6–15) per night
Cabins and huts

Elfin Lakes shelter

Elfin Lakes shelter requires reservations year-round and offers overnight use equipped with bunks for 33 people (11 double bunks, 11 single bunks), four picnic tables, four propane burners, counters with two wash sinks, a propane heater, solar powered and pit toilet facilities. The propane is supplied by BC Parks. There are no garbage facilities so pack out what you pack in. Store all food on the hangers provided. Leave facilities as you found them or cleaner. See Diamond Head for detailed information on the area.

Elfin shelter fee (includes permit): $15.00 per adult per night (16 years of age and older), $10.00 per child per night (age 6 to 15), children 5 and under are free
 

Kees and Claire Hut

The Spearhead Hut Society offers access to the Kees & Claire Hut located at Russet Lake in the Singing Pass area of Garibaldi Park. The Kees & Claire Hut is operated independently under a park use permit authorization. Reservations are available on the Spearhead Huts website.

Wedgemount Lake

There is a small hut available as an emergency shelter and bear cache. There are no garbage facilities, so pack out what you pack in.

Wilderness camping

This area is only accessible to mountaineers, climbers, ski tourers, and other visitors with advanced skills in wilderness travel and camping. No facilities provided in wilderness camping zone.

Wilderness camping is only permitted in the wilderness camping zone. It is your responsibility to know where wilderness camping is prohibited. You must purchase a Garibaldi wilderness permit. Wilderness permits for Garibaldi can now be purchased through our wilderness permit registration service.

Learn more about camping in the Garibaldi wilderness area.

Winter camping

Winter camping is allowed but be aware of the extreme winter conditions that can occur at this park. Check the trail report before heading out.

Picnic areas

All picnic areas of the park are accessible only by hiking in. All picnic areas have pit toilet facilities. Day-use cooking shelters are located at Red Heather, Garibaldi Lake, and Taylor Meadows. Camping is not permitted in the shelters.

Diamond Head: Red Heather day-use shelter offers two picnic tables, counters with a wash sink, two propane burners, a wood stove (winter only), and pit toilet facilities. Elfin Lakes offers two outdoor picnic tables, a day-use shelter with four picnic tables, counters with two wash sinks, and pit toilet facilities.

Black Tusk/Garibaldi Lake: Garibaldi Lake offers four outdoor picnic tables, four day use shelters each with two picnic tables each, counters, wash sinks, and pit toilet facilities. Taylor meadows offers two day-use shelters, each with two picnic tables, counters, wash sink, and pit toilet facilities.

Cheakamus Lake: No picnic tables. Various scenic spots around the lake to picnic in a natural setting. Pit toilet facilities are provided.

Singing Pass: No picnic tables. There is plenty of room outside in a beautiful alpine setting. Pit toilet facilities are provided.

Wedgemount Lake: No picnic tables. Small shelter at Wedgemount Lake with limited seating. Although this shelter is not recommended for picnicking, there is plenty of room outside in a beautiful alpine setting. Pit toilet facilities are provided.

Pit or flush toilets

Pit toilets are located at all designated camping areas, day-use sites and trailheads. Supply your own toilet paper.

Do not place garbage in the toilets. There are no garbage facilities so pack out what you pack in.

Drinking water

Water is available in lakes and streams. All drinking water must be filtered, boiled or otherwise treated before consumption. Wash all dishes and conduct personal hygiene at least 30 metres from the water source. Dispose of waste water in the shelter sink or in campground pit toilets.

Hiking

Access to the park is by developed trail systems along the western boundary of the park. Signs along Highway 99 lead to trailheads for the five most popular areas of the park as listed above. Parking is available at the trailheads. It is also possible to 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 posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure which can lead to erosion.

In addition to making the required reservation, youth groups planning a trip into Garibaldi Provincial Park are requested to register online well in advance of their trip.

Trail Report [PDF]

Swimming
There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks. There is swimming at Elfin Lakes (permitted in the “Swimming Lake” only), Garibaldi Lake, Cheakamus Lake, Russet Lake and Wedgemount Lake. Most of the lakes are glacier fed and extremely cold.
Canoeing

Canoeing/kayaking on Cheakamus Lake only. Do not store boats in the park. Camping is permitted in designated sites only. See Cheakamus Lake for trail access information.

Kayaking

There are kayaking opportunities.

Fishing
There are limited opportunities for fishing at this park. There is fishing available at Garibaldi Lake, Cheakamus Lake and Mamquam Lake. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Cycling

Bicycles must keep to designated roadways and trails. Bicycles are only permitted on the following two trails:

  • Diamond Head: from the parking lot to the Elfin Lakes shelter. Bicycles are not permitted beyond this point and must stay on the main trail. Rock and gravel trail surface.
  • Cheakamus Lake: from the parking lot to Singing Creek. Bicycles are not permitted past the bridge on the Helm Creek Trail. Dirt trail surface.

Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia. Failure to comply with Park Regulations may result in a fine.

For details on e-biking within Garibaldi Provincial Park, see the e-biking section.

e-Biking

Please note that class 1 e-bikes (pedal assist only) are permitted in Garibaldi Park in areas where bicycles are permitted, such as Diamond Head and Cheakamus Lake. Bikes with electric assist motors in other classes are not permitted on the trails within Garibaldi Park. These other e-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted as outlined in the Biking in BC Parks guidelines. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.

Climbing

There are several excellent, granite alpine climbing locations throughout the park. Park visitors should research the peak or route information by using the most current guidebook(s) for the area. Or contact the Alpine Club of Canada or BC Federation of Mountain Clubs for more detailed information. 
Climbing the Black Tusk is not recommended due to loose, unstable rock.

Winter recreation

Diamond Head is the main area of winter recreation in Garibaldi Park, offering skiing, boarding and snowshoeing opportunities. 

Snowmobiles are not permitted in Garibaldi Park.

Find out more about winter recreation in Garibaldi Park.