Park overview
Garibaldi Park, named after its towering 2,678 metre peak, Mount Garibaldi, was established March 7, 1927. In honour of the 19th century Italian patriot, Giuseppe Garibaldi, the park is known for its natural beauty and its endless hiking opportunities.
Garibaldi Park’s rich geological history, diverse vegetation, snow-capped mountain, iridescent waters, abundant wildlife, and scenic vistas all contribute to the immense beauty. The park is located in the heart of the Coast Mountains just 70km north of Vancouver.
Offering over 90km of established hiking trails, Garibaldi Park is a favourite year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Advisories
Dates of operation
Open to public access year-round
Current status:
Open to public access
- Facility type
- Backcountry camping
- Number of campsites
- Backcountry sites: 8
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: Year-round
- Reservable dates
- 2023: Year-round
- Facility type
- Backcountry camping
- Number of campsites
- Backcountry sites: 35
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: Year-round
- Reservable dates
- 2023: Year-round
- Facility type
- Shelters
- Main operating season dates
- 2023: April 4 to December 31
- 2024: Year-round
- Reservable dates
- 2023: April 4 to December 31
- 2024: Year-round
- Facility type
- Backcountry camping
- Number of campsites
- Backcountry sites: 50
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: Year-round
- Reservable dates
- 2023: Year-round
- Facility type
- Wilderness camping
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: Year-round
- Reservable dates
- 2023: Year-round
- Facility type
- Backcountry camping
- Number of campsites
- Backcountry sites: 30
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: Year-round
- Reservable dates
- 2023: Year-round
- Facility type
- Backcountry camping
- Number of campsites
- Backcountry sites: 12
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: Year-round
- Reservable dates
- 2023: Year-round
- Facility type
- Backcountry camping
- Number of campsites
- Backcountry sites: 15
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: January 1 to April 30
- Reservable dates
- 2023: January 1 to April 29
- Service note
- Winter camping, only
- Facility type
- Backcountry camping
- Number of campsites
- Backcountry sites: 20
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: Year-round
- Reservable dates
- 2023: Year-round
- Facility type
- Backcountry camping
- Number of campsites
- Backcountry sites: 6
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: Year-round
- Reservable dates
- 2023: Year-round
- Facility type
- Backcountry camping
- Number of campsites
- Backcountry sites: 40
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: January 1 to August 31, November 1 to December 31
- Reservable dates
- 2023: January 1 to August 30, November 1 to December 31
- Facility type
- Backcountry camping
- Number of campsites
- Backcountry sites: 20
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: Year-round
- Reservable dates
- 2023: Year-round
Safety info
- Be prepared for winter conditions. Most hiking trails are covered in snow, making route finding difficult.
- 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 change suddenly and it can snow any time of year.
- Avalanche and glacier hazards exist. Only experienced groups who are practiced 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.
- Snowshoes or skis and skins are required for winter travel.
- Most access roads for are not plowed. Check our trail report for details.
- Use winter tires and snow chains in the winter. Be prepared for a self-rescue in case of an emergency.
- Access roads can have poor visibility, so watch for other vehicles, cyclists, and wildlife.
- Thieves have been known to operate in the Rubble Creek and Elfin Lakes parking lots. Remove all valuables from your vehicle. To report incidents, contact Squamish RCMP at 604-892-6100.
- When skiing into Whistler Blackcomb boundaries from the backcountry, contact Whistler Blackcomb Mountain Operations at 604-905-2324 to check the latest information on safe and unsafe areas.
Area-specific safety information:
- Diamond Head, including Elfin Lakes, and Rampart Ponds
- Black Tusk/Garibaldi Lake, including Red Heather, Garibaldi Lake, 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 conveyances must keep to park roads and parking lots
- Domestic animals (dogs/pets)
- Fires
- Aircraft access to and from the park. Contact parkinfo@gov.bc.ca to view the Voluntary Flight Guidelines
- Drones
- Harvesting natural resources, including mushrooms
- Camping hammocks due to high use levels and damage to small trees
Camping
- Total number of campsites
- Total backcountry sites: 236
- Total huts: 2
Free day-use passes
Day-use passes are required June 14 to October 9, 2023, for visitors to:
- Diamond Head (Elfin Lakes) trailhead
- Rubble Creek (Garibaldi Lake) trailhead
- Cheakamus trailhead
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 details, visit the day-use pass page.
Backcountry camping reservations
Reservations are required for all overnight stays year-round.
All reservations must be made through the BC Parks reservation service. You can make a reservation online at camping.bcparks.ca or by calling 1-800-689-9025 (1-519-858-6161 internationally). There is no option to pay with cash.
School or youth groups planning a trip into Garibaldi Park are requested to register online well in advance of their trip in addition to making a reservation.
Revenue from camping and shelter fees goes directly into providing park recreation services, such as maintaining trails, park roads (snow removal), and park buildings. This system ensures that members of the public are more involved in paying for the recreation services they use.
For full details about making a reservation for Garibaldi park, see the Garibaldi reservations page.
Kees and Claire Hut reservations
Kees and Claire Hut is operated by The Spearhead Hut Society. To reserve, visit the Spearhead Huts website.
Trail Report [PDF] (March 16, 2023)
Backcountry camping is permitted in the following areas:
- Diamond Head: Elfin Lakes, Rampart Ponds, Red Heather (winter camping only)
- Black Tusk/Garibaldi Lake: Garibaldi Lake, Taylor Meadows
- Cheakamus Lake: Cheakamus Lake, Singing Creek, Helm Creek
- Singing Pass: Russet Lake
- Wedgemount Lake
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.
| Backcountry camping fee | $10 per night per adult (16+) $5 per night per child (6 to 15) Free for children under 6 |
All backcountry camping in Garibaldi requires a reservation. For details, see the Reservations section above.
Elfin Lakes shelter
The shelter 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 lights and pit toilet facilities. The propane is supplied by BC Parks. There are no garbage facilities, pack out what you pack in. Store all food on the hangers provided. Leave facilities as you found them or cleaner.
Shelter etiquette
- The shelter is user-maintained, so be mindful of the shared space
- Remove footwear to avoid tracking snow and dirt inside
- Remove belongings from drying area once dry to leave room for the next party
- Use the pit-toilets beside the shelter as snow melt is used for drinking water during the winter
- Bag and securely store food on hooks provided and leave the food hangs in the campground for campers
- Clean up immediately after cooking and eating
- Pack out all food and garbage, sweep, and wipe tables before leaving.
Fees
| Shelter fee | $15 per adult per night (16+) $10 per child per night (6 to 15) Free for children under 6 |
Reservations are required year-round. For information about reservations, see the Garibaldi reservations page.
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.
Trail Report [PDF] (March 16, 2023)
Winter camping is allowed by reservation in Garibaldi backcountry campgrounds, overnight shelters (Elfin Lakes and Kees and Claire), and in the Wilderness Zone. Be aware of the extreme winter conditions that can occur at this park. Check the trail report before heading out.
For details on winter camping options, see the Backcountry camping and Cabins and huts sections.
For more details on reservations, visit the Garibaldi reservations page.
Facilities
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.
All picnic areas of the park are accessible 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 two picnic tables, counters with two wash sinks, and pit toilet facilities.
Black Tusk/Garibaldi Lake
Garibaldi Lake offers four day use shelters with 2 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 toilets are located at all designated camping areas, day-use sites and trailheads. Bring your own toilet paper.
Do not place garbage in the toilets. There are no garbage facilities so pack out what you pack in.
Activities
Free day use passes may be required to visit. For details, see the Reservations section.
Trail Report [PDF] May 15, 2023
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 below. 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 leads to erosion.
Trail details:
- Diamond Head: Elfin Lakes, Rampart Ponds
- Black Tusk/Garibaldi Lake: Red Heather, Garibaldi Lake, Taylor Meadows
- Cheakamus Lake: Cheakamus Lake, Singing Creek, Helm Creek
- Singing Pass: Russet Lake
- Wedgemount Lake
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, Wedgemount Lake, and Glacier Lake. Most of the lakes are glacier fed and extremely cold.
Canoeing/kayaking on Cheakamus Lake, Garibaldi Lake, and Glacier Lake only. Do not store boats in the park. Camping is permitted in designated sites only.
Canoeing/kayaking on Cheakamus Lake, Garibaldi Lake, and Glacier Lake only. Do not store boats in the park. Camping is permitted in designated sites only.
Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting page.
Angling opportunities exist on many water bodies within the park including Garibaldi Lake, Cheakamus Lake and Mamquam Lake.
Bicycles must keep to designated roadways and trails. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
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.
For details on e-biking within Garibaldi Provincial Park, see the e-biking section.
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. For trail details see the Cycling section. 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 is authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
There are several excellent, granite alpine climbing locations throughout the park. Use the most current guidebook(s) for the area or contact the Alpine Club of Canada or BC Federation of Mountain Clubs for detailed information.
Climbing the Black Tusk is not recommended due to loose, unstable rock.
Snowmobiles are not permitted in Garibaldi Park.
Diamond Head is the main area of winter recreation in Garibaldi Park, offering skiing, boarding and snowshoeing opportunities. For more detail about the area, visit the Diamond Head area page.
Maps and location
There are five park access points along Highway 99, Sea to Sky Highway, between Squamish and Pemberton. Vehicle access is recommended as the five trailheads are located anywhere from 2km to 16km off Highway 99. Nearby communities include Whistler and Brackendale.
Park access point (north to south):
Transportation to the park provided by Parkbus.
Park and activity maps
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: April 29, 1920
- Size: 188667 hectares
Park contact
Frontcountry facilities in the park are operated by:
Sea to Sky Park Services Ltd.
604-986-9371
info@seatoskyparks.com
seatoskyparks.com
Backcountry facilities are managed by:
BC Parks Rangers
stsranger@gov.bc.ca
Nature and culture
History
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 name the 2,678 metre mountain Mount Garibaldi, after the great 19th century Italian patriot and soldier, Giuseppe Garibaldi, a guerrilla general whose exploits and valour were held in high esteem. 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 early interest led to the creation in 1920 of a park reserve. Garibaldi Park was legislated as a Class A park in 1927, a 195,000 hectare mountain wilderness just 64 kilometres north of Vancouver.
Conservation
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. Shortcutting trails 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.
Wildlife
Small mammals and birds such as squirrels, chipmunks, grey jays, and flickers can often be seen. Large mammals such as mountain goats, deer, cougars, wolverines, grizzly, and black bears, also call the park home, although 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.