Garibaldi Park: Diamond Head area

Before every park visit, check the main Garibaldi park page for up-to-date alerts and advisories.

The Diamond Head area in the southwestern portion of the park includes Mount Garibaldi, 2,678 metres, Atwell Peak (a volcanic pinnacle), Opal Cone, Garibaldi Neve, and Mamquam Lake. The area abounds with heather. In summer, its dainty white and pink bell shaped flowers flourish everywhere.

• Trail condition report [PDF] (October 27, 2022)
• Book a ride to Garibaldi Park with Parkbus

Camping

Camping is permitted in designated campsites only.

All campers and overnight shelter users must make a reservation through the BC Parks reservations system year-round and must produce proof of reservation, failure to do so can result in an eviction and fines.

There are no garbage facilities so always pack out what you pack in!

Red Heather

Located 5km from the parking lot, the Red Heather area offers a day use shelter equipped with two picnic tables, a propane hot plate, a wash sink, a cooking counter, a wood stove (winter use only), and pit toilet facilities. Please keep woodstove fires small to ensure that wood supplies last through the winter season. Camping is not permitted in the shelter. On snow camping is permitted during the winter season only from December 1 to April 30.

Elfin Lakes

Located 11km from the parking lot, the Elfin Lakes area offers an overnight shelter equipped with bunks for 33 people (11 double bunks, 12 single bunks), four picnic tables, two propane hot plates, a wash sink, a propane heater, propane lights, and pit toilet facilities.

Elfin Lakes campground, located 12km from the parking lot, offers 35 tent platforms, a day-use shelter with four picnic tables inside and two picnic tables outside, pit toilet facilities, and hang storage facilities.

Rampart Ponds Campground

Located 10km north east of the Elfin Lakes shelter. Rampart Ponds Campground offers 12 tent platforms, pit toilet facilities and food storage facilities.

Mamquam Lake campground

Mamquam Lake campground is permanently closed for overnight use.

All overnight campers must use the new Rampart Ponds campground located 1.5km before Mamquam Lake.

Trail information

Parking Lot to Elfin Lakes

• Length: 11km 
• Suggested time: three to five hours one way
• Elevation change: 600 metres. 

The trail follows Paul Ridge and provides beautiful vistas. At Elfin Lakes, Columnar Peak, the Gargoyles, Opal Cone, and Mamquam Icefield come into view.

Elfin Lakes to Little Diamond Head

• Length: 7km
• Suggested time: two to three hours one way
• Elevation change: 625 metres

This is a fairly arduous hike past the Gargoyles (strange visages sculptured by nature in lava) to 2,100 metre Little Diamond Head.

Elfin Lakes to the Opal Cone

• Length: 6.5 km
• Suggested time: two to three hours one way
• Elevation change: 250 metres

Trail leads down to Ring Creek then climbs the Opal Cone, an extinct volcano with a crater. Garibaldi Neve and Mamquam Lake can be seen from the top.

Elfin Lakes to Mamquam Lake

• Length: 11km
• Suggested time: four to five hrs one way
• Elevation change: 570 metres. 

A strenuous hike that follows the route to the Opal Cone and then continues eastward past the Rampart Ponds. The trail descends to the lake from here. Overnight camping is not permitted.

Mountain bikes are permitted on the trail from the parking lot to Elfin Lakes only. Please obey the signs.

Bear safety

During the months of September and October there is increased black bear activity in the Diamond Head area. Please use caution while travelling through the area and respect their environment. Stay on the trail and never approach or feed the wildlife. Remember, “A fed bear is a dead bear. 

Learn more about bear safety