National park · Canada
Garibaldi Provincial ParkNch'kay̓ / Garibaldi Provincial Park
Day trip: drive to the Rubble Creek trailhead, pay the $5/day parking, climb 9 km (5.6 mi) to Garibaldi Lake and back in 5–7 h; campers need a BC Parks backcountry permit booked the day it opens (4 months ahead) for June 29–Oct 17.Day trip: drive to the Rubble Creek trailhead, pay the $5/day parking, climb 5.6 mi (9 km) to Garibaldi Lake and back in 5–7 h; campers need a BC Parks backcountry permit booked the day it opens (4 months ahead) for June 29–Oct 17.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,950 km² (753 sq mi)753 sq mi (1,950 km²)
approximate
Established
1927
Best months
Jul–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Crossing 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.
- Sea to Sky ↗Winter tires are required on Highway 99 from October 1 to March 31; rental cars from YVR may not have them unless you ask.
- Sea to Sky ↗Forest Service Roads off the highway can be rough, may need AWD, and are shared with logging trucks; some are radio-controlled.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 1,950 km² (753 sq mi)753 sq mi (1,950 km²)
- About 1,950 km² across five separate access areas; figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1927
- Best months
- Jul–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Squamish
Garibaldi Provincial Park is a 1,950 km² stretch of the Coast Mountains along Hwy 99 between Squamish and Whistler, with five separate trailheads and no road into the middle of it. The Squamish Nation know Mount Garibaldi as Nch'kay̓, the grimy one, for the silt that runs off its glaciers. The park was set aside in 1927 and is now the closest real alpine country to Vancouver: Garibaldi Lake sits behind The Barrier, a lava dam, and its colour comes from glacial rock flour. There is no entry gate and no entry fee. You pay for parking, and you book a backcountry permit if you sleep out. Everything else is walking.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1927.
Size and age
1,950 km² (753 sq mi)753 sq mi (1,950 km²) · national park since 1927
About 1,950 km² across five separate access areas; figures vary by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Squamish.
Why go
- Five trailheads off one highway: alpine lakes, a volcanic cinder cone and a black lava spire within an hour of Squamish.
- Garibaldi Lake sits behind The Barrier, a lava dam that holds back the water; the turquoise colour comes from glacial rock flour.
- Over 90 km (56 mi) of maintained trail, from a 4 km (2.5 mi) lakeside walk to multi-day routes into the high alpine.Over 56 mi (90 km) of maintained trail, from a 2.5 mi (4 km) lakeside walk to multi-day routes into the high alpine.
- Wildflower meadows at Taylor Meadows and Elfin Lakes peak in late July and August.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunGo
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanDeep snow; avalanche terrain; winter travel skills needed
- FebSnow to several metres at elevation
- MarSnow; Red Heather winter camping only
- AprSnowmelt; muddy, high streams
- MayTrails partly snow-covered; lakes still frozen
- JunTrails open lower down; snow patches above 1,500 m
- JulSnow clears; wildflowers start; book camping early
- AugWarmest and driest; meadows in bloom; busiest
- SepCooler, fewer people, stable weather
- OctFirst snow at elevation; peak-season permits end Oct 17
- NovUnpredictable; early winter storms
- DecSnow-covered trails; short daylight
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black bears on trails and at campgroundsMay–Oct · Make noise, store food in lockers, never leave packs unattended. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Hoary marmot and pika in the alpineJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Mountain goats on the high ridgesJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Golden and bald eaglesApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Wildflower bloom at Taylor MeadowsJul–Aug | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Vancouver
Drive Hwy 99 north past Squamish to the Rubble Creek or Cheakamus Lake turnoff.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Squamish
Drive Hwy 99 north; Rubble Creek is about 30 km (19 mi), Diamond Head about 12 km (7.5 mi).Drive Hwy 99 north; Rubble Creek is about 19 mi (30 km), Diamond Head about 7.5 mi (12 km).
20–40 min
Open the page →
From Whistler
Drive Hwy 99 south to the same trailheads.
30–50 min
Open the page →
From Public transport
No bus serves the trailheads; a taxi or rideshare from Squamish is the practical option (check).
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Rubble Creek / Garibaldi Lake | The main day-hike area: switchbacks through forest to the lake and Taylor Meadows. | Open with parking fee; camping by permit. |
| Cheakamus Lake | A gentle valley trail along the lake; the only lake where boating is allowed. | Open; bikes allowed as far as Singing Creek. |
| Diamond Head / Elfin Lakes | High subalpine plateau with two lakes and a hut; the winter ski and snowshoe area. | Open; bikes allowed as far as Elfin Lakes. |
| Black Tusk / Taylor Meadows | The volcanic spire and the meadow campground above Garibaldi Lake. | Open; camping by permit in peak season. |
| Wedgemount Lake | Steep, rough route to a high lake below the Wedge; no winter services. | Open; camping by permit. |
| Singing Pass | Traverse route linking Whistler to the Russet Lake area. | Open; long day or overnight. |
Sketch map
- 1Rubble Creek trailhead · Gate≈49.917, -123.017Map ↗
- 2Garibaldi Lake · Beach≈49.925, -123.010Map ↗
- 3Taylor Meadows · Sleep≈49.940, -123.017Map ↗
- 4Black Tusk · Summit≈49.975, -123.043Map ↗
- 5Cheakamus Lake trailhead · Gate≈50.008, -122.920Map ↗
- 6Elfin Lakes · Sleep≈49.786, -122.989Map ↗
- 7Wedgemount Lake trailhead · Gate≈50.159, -122.815Map ↗
- 8Squamish · Town≈49.702, -123.156Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for the five access areas and the main lakes, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No gate fee for day use; you pay for parking and camping instead. |
| Day-use parking (Rubble Creek, Cheakamus Lake, Diamond Head) | CAD 5 (≈ US$4) | vehicle per day | 2026 estimate; pay at the machine or app at the trailhead (check). |
| Backcountry camping permit, adult | CAD 10 (≈ US$8) | person per night | 2026 estimate; child rate about $5. |
| Elfin Lakes backcountry hut | CAD 15 (≈ US$11) | person per night | 11 double and 11 single bunks; first come, first served. |
| Backcountry permit reservation fee | CAD 6 (≈ US$5) | party | 2026 estimate; charged when booking Garibaldi Lake or Taylor Meadows in peak season (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day use no permit
Backcountry camping, Garibaldi Lake and Taylor Meadows permit or guide
Backcountry camping, other campgrounds permit or guide
Winter use (Red Heather, Elfin Lakes) permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$5≈ US$4
- C$10≈ US$8
- C$15≈ US$11
- C$6≈ US$5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on BC Parks — Garibaldi Provincial Park before you go.
Park rules
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds and only with a permit; no random camping.
- Fires
- Campfires are banned in the backcountry; use a stove.
- Boating
- Only Cheakamus Lake allows canoes or kayaks; all other lakes are closed to boats.
- Bikes
- Allowed only on the Diamond Head trail as far as Elfin Lakes and on Cheakamus Lake as far as Singing Creek.
- Dogs
- Not allowed on trails in Garibaldi Park (check).check
- Drones
- Not permitted in BC Parks without a permit (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Garibaldi Lake campground
About 50 tent sites by the lake; permit required in peak season.
In the park
Taylor Meadows campground
About 40 sites in the meadow basin; permit required in peak season.
In the park
Elfin Lakes hut and tent pads
Hut with 11 double and 11 single bunks, plus tent pads; year-round.
Near the park
Squamish motels and campgrounds
The closest beds and showers, 20–40 min from the trailheads.
Near the park
Whistler hotels and hostels
More choice and higher prices, 30–50 min from the trailheads.
Safety
Weather turning on the exposed alpine sections medium
Snow on trails into July medium
Bear encounters medium
Stream crossings during snowmelt medium
Avalanche terrain in winter high
No phone signal low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Cheakamus Lake trail is the flattest option but is still a rough forest path, not a paved or wheelchair route.
- Trailheads have pit toilets and information boards; no paved paths or viewing platforms in the park.
- Squamish and Whistler have accessible hotels and services if you prefer to base outside the park.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out all food waste and rubbish; bears that find food are destroyed.
- Stay on the built trail and do not cut switchbacks; alpine plants take years to recover.
- Use the outhouses at campgrounds, not the bush, and filter all drinking water.
- Book permits only through BC Parks; resold or unofficial permits are not valid.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Garibaldi Provincial Park?
There is no entry fee. Day use is free; you pay about $5 per vehicle per day for parking at the trailheads and, if you camp, about $10 per adult per night for a backcountry permit. Hut beds at Elfin Lakes are about $15 per person.
What are the best hikes in Garibaldi Provincial Park?
Garibaldi Lake via Rubble Creek is the classic day hike: about 18 km return with 820 m of climb in 5–7 hours. Cheakamus Lake is the easiest at roughly 14 km return on gentle ground. Black Tusk and Wedgemount Lake are the hard options, and Elfin Lakes is the best overnight for a first backcountry trip.
When is the best time to visit Garibaldi Provincial Park?
Late July to mid-September: trails are clear of snow, the meadows bloom in late July and August, and the weather is most stable. June and October are quieter but expect snow patches and mud. Winter travel needs avalanche skills.
Do I need a permit to camp?
Yes. Garibaldi Lake and Taylor Meadows require a reservation for June 29–Oct 17, booked through BC Parks; the window opens about four months ahead and sells out fast. Other campgrounds need a permit too, and some are first-come, first-served outside peak season.
Can I drive to Garibaldi Lake?
No. The lake is reached only on foot, about 9 km from the Rubble Creek trailhead on Hwy 99. There is no road access to the lake or the campgrounds.
Are dogs allowed?
No. Dogs are not allowed on trails in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Check the current BC Parks rules before you go.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go