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Advisories

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Total number of campsites
Total backcountry sites: 236
Total huts: 2
Backcountry camping

Trail Report [PDF] (March 16, 2023)

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.

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.

Cabins and huts

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.

Winter camping

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.
 

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.

Picnic areas

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 or flush toilets

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.
 

Hiking

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:

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, Wedgemount Lake, and Glacier Lake. Most of the lakes are glacier fed and extremely cold.

Canoeing

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.

Kayaking

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.

Fishing

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.

Cycling

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.
 

e-Biking

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.

Climbing

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.

Winter recreation

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.