National park · Canada
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park
Go only with a free day-use pass booked online the day before; drive 1 h from Pemberton or 2.5 h from Vancouver, walk the 11 km return trail to all three lakes in 4–6 h, and start before 8:00 in July–September to beat the pass rush and the parking queue.Go only with a free day-use pass booked online the day before; drive 1 h from Pemberton or 2.5 h from Vancouver, walk the 11 km return trail to all three lakes in 4–6 h, and start before 8:00 AM in July–September to beat the pass rush and the parking queue.Go only with a free day-use pass booked online the day before; drive 1 h from Pemberton or 2.5 h from Vancouver, walk the 6.8 mi return trail to all three lakes in 4–6 h, and start before 8:00 in July–September to beat the pass rush and the parking queue.Go only with a free day-use pass booked online the day before; drive 1 h from Pemberton or 2.5 h from Vancouver, walk the 6.8 mi return trail to all three lakes in 4–6 h, and start before 8:00 AM in July–September to beat the pass rush and the parking queue.
Map to the park
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Area
15 km²6 sq mi
approximate
Established
1996
Best months
Jul–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 15 km²6 sq mi
- Roughly 1,450 ha of alpine and subalpine terrain around the three lakes (check).
- Established
- 1996
- Best months
- Jul–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park protects a short, steep valley of three glacier-fed lakes on the east side of the Coast Mountains, about 30 km up Highway 99 from Pemberton. The park is small — roughly 1,450 ha of subalpine forest, rock and lakeshore — and almost everyone who comes walks the same 11 km return trail past Lower, Middle and Upper lakes. There is no gate fee; the constraint is the free BC Parks day-use pass, which in peak season must be booked online the day before, and the parking lot, which fills by mid-morning. The upper lake sits under the Matier Glacier, and the colour of the water comes from suspended rock flour carried down by meltwater. Expect a busy, well-built trail rather than solitude: go early, go on a weekday, and treat the lakes as cold alpine water, not a swimming spot.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1996.
Size and age
15 km²6 sq mi · national park since 1996
Roughly 1,450 ha of alpine and subalpine terrain around the three lakes (check).
Why go
- Three glacier-fed lakes in a single half-day walk, each a different shade of turquoise.
- The upper lake sits under the Matier Glacier, with a view most day hikers in BC never reach.
- The trail is well built and signed, so a fit beginner can do it without a guide.
- It is a straightforward stop on the Sea to Sky drive between Whistler and Lillooet.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprAvoid
- MayCaution
- JunGo
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanRoad and trail snowbound; avalanche terrain
- FebSnowbound; no day-use access
- MarSnowbound; snowshoes only with experience
- AprDeep snow; trail not maintained
- MaySnow patches; upper lake often still frozen
- JunTrail clears; lakes thawing; fewer passes needed
- JulFull colour; busiest; book the day-use pass
- AugWarm and clear; peak crowds
- SepCooler, quieter weekdays; best light
- OctCold mornings; early snow possible
- NovSnow returns; short days
- DecSnowbound; Highway 99 can close
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black bears and grizzly bears along the highway and lower trailMay–Oct · Carry bear spray, make noise, never leave food in the open. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Hoary marmots and pikas near the upper lakeJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Clark's nutcrackers and grey jays at the treelineJun–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Mosquitoes and blackflies in early seasonJun–Jul | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Pemberton
Drive Highway 99 east about 30 km; the signed trailhead lot is on the right.Drive Highway 99 east about 19 mi; the signed trailhead lot is on the right.
35–45 min
From Whistler
Drive Highway 99 north past Pemberton to the trailhead.
1–1.25 h
From Vancouver
Drive Highway 99 via Whistler and Pemberton; no public bus to the trailhead.
2.5–3 h
Open the page →
From Canada trip planning
Where the Sea to Sky fits in a west-coast itinerary.
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Trailhead and parking | Lot, outhouses and the start of the Joffre Lakes Trail. | Open; day-use pass in peak season. |
| Lower Lake | A 5-minute walk from the lot; the easiest lake to see. | Open; boardwalk and viewing area. |
| Middle Lake | The steep middle section, with a log bridge and a small beach. | Open on foot. |
| Upper Lake and campground | The glacier view and the small backcountry tent area. | Open on foot; camping by permit only. |
Sketch map
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No gate fee; BC provincial parks are free to enter. |
| Day-use pass | Free | vehicle | Free, but required in peak season; book online the day before (check). |
| Backcountry camping, Upper Joffre Lake | CAD 5–10 | person per night | 2026 estimate; reservation through BC Parks required (check). |
| Parking | Free | vehicle | Free lot at the trailhead; fills by mid-morning in summer. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day-use pass permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit permit or guide
Winter access no permit
Park rules
- Day-use pass
- In peak season you must hold a free pass to enter; rangers check at the trailhead (check).check
- No campfires
- Fires are banned throughout the park, including at the backcountry campground.
- Stay on the trail
- Do not cut switchbacks or walk on the lakeshore meadows; the alpine plants do not recover.
- Dogs
- Dogs are not allowed on the Joffre Lakes Trail (check).check
- Drones
- Not permitted in BC provincial parks without a park-use permit.
- Pack out everything
- No bins at the trailhead; take all rubbish back to Pemberton or Whistler.
Where to stay
In the park
Upper Joffre Lake campground
A handful of backcountry tent pads above the upper lake; reservation required.
Near the park
Pemberton
Motels, lodges and campgrounds about 30 km west; the closest base for an early start.Motels, lodges and campgrounds about 19 mi west; the closest base for an early start.
Near the park
Whistler
Full range of hotels and hostels, about 1 h south.
Safety
Bear encounter medium
Steep, rooty middle section medium
Cold water and thin ice high
Winter conditions on Highway 99 medium
Accessibility
- The first section to Lower Lake is a flat boardwalk suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
- Beyond Lower Lake the trail climbs steeply with roots and rock; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Keep to the trail and the boardwalks; the lakeshore meadows are fragile alpine habitat.
- Carry out all food waste, including fruit peel, so bears do not learn to approach the trail.
- Book the free day-use pass rather than arriving without one and parking on the highway shoulder.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Joffre Lakes Provincial Park?
Nothing. BC provincial parks have no entry fee, and the day-use pass is free. You pay only if you camp at the Upper Joffre Lake backcountry site, which needs a paid BC Parks reservation.
What are the best hikes in Joffre Lakes Provincial Park?
There is really one main route: the Joffre Lakes Trail, about 11 km return, which passes Lower, Middle and Upper lakes. The Lower Lake boardwalk is a short, flat option; the full walk to Upper Lake takes 4–6 hours return with about 400 m of climbing.
When is the best time to visit Joffre Lakes Provincial Park?
July to September, when the trail is clear and the lakes show their full colour. Weekdays in September are the quietest. The trail is snowbound and unmaintained from roughly November to May.
Do I need a day-use pass for Joffre Lakes?
In peak season, yes. BC Parks runs a free online day-use pass system for the park; passes are released the day before and are checked at the trailhead. Outside the peak season no pass is needed (check).
Can I camp at Joffre Lakes?
Only at the small Upper Joffre Lake backcountry campground, and only with a reservation made through BC Parks before you travel. There is no car camping in the park.
Is Joffre Lakes worth it if I only have a few hours?
Yes, if you stop at Lower Lake, which is a 5-minute walk from the parking lot. The full three-lake walk needs half a day plus the drive from Pemberton or Whistler.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go