- Nearest Town: Squamish / Whistler
- Recommended Visit: Late Summer
- From Vancouver: 1.5 hours
Near the southern coast of British Columbia, Canada, Garibaldi Provincial Park draws visitors with its breathtaking landscapes and pristine wilderness. This iconic park boasts towering mountain peaks, turquoise alpine lakes, and lush meadows with vibrant wildflowers.
Hikers will find a paradise of trails, from easy jaunts to Cheakamus Lake, to challenging peaks like the Black Tusk. Whether you’re after a challenging backcountry hike, a leisurely day hike, or an icy cold swim in a spectacular alpine lake, Garibaldi won’t disappoint you.
With its diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife, Garibaldi Provincial Park really is a showcase of the unspoiled beauty of British Columbia’s wilderness. With such a reputation, it’s no wonder that Garibaldi Provincial Park gets busy, particularly during the summer. Use the links below to check out the day permit system, but rest assured that even with the crowds, you’re in for a treat.
Hikes & Short Walks in Garibaldi Provincial Park
Wedgemount Lake
Garibaldi Lake
Elfin Lakes
Black Tusk
Rampart Ponds
Panorama Ridge
Park Map
Gallery
FAQs & Useful Links
Best Time to Visit
Significant snowfall makes the park difficult to access in winter, unless you have avalanche training. Lucky for you, the park is best appreciated in summer, when the lakes start to thaw and you get to experience the magical blue lake waters. I’ve camped at Garibaldi Lake in June and still been sleeping on a foot or so of snow. If you’re hoping to tackle some of the surrounding peaks, you may want to wait until July, August or September for the best weather and trail conditions.
How to Get To Garibaldi Provincial Park
There are several entry points to Garibaldi Provincial Park, the most common of which are all from Route 99 between Squamish & Whistler.
These first two entry points gain you access to the main central part of the lake for Garibaldi Lake, Black Tusk & Panorama Ridge.
- The Rubble Creek Trailhead (Nearest to Garibaldi Lake)
- The Cheakamus Lake Trailhead
Other trailheads that get you into other areas of the park.
- The Wedgemount Lake Trailhead
- The Elfin Lakes Trailhead
Check out the links to specific hikes to find out what sort of vehicle you need to reach those trailheads.
Rent a car, or better still, reduce the demand for cars with Evo Car Share, Vancouver’s car sharing network.
Public Transport
Public transport is available to the Rubble Creek Trailhead only. Parkbus run the service.
Is Camping Permitted?
Absolutely! There are many different campsites in Garibaldi Provincial Park from the most accessible at Cheakamus and Garibaldi Lakes, to the least at Rampart Ponds Campground.
For those looking for an off-track adventure, wilderness camping is also possible in designated areas. Note you should only be doing this if you have adequate outdoor and navigation skills.
During summer months, you’ll need to book a camping spot via the BC Parks website.
For more information, check out the official Garibaldi Provincial Park website.
