Garibaldi Provincial Park
At over 1,950 square kilometres in size, Garibaldi Provincial Park is a limitless backcountry playground. Spanning from Squamish to beyond Whistler, it is named after the iconic, 2,678-metre peak, Mount Garibaldi and is also known as Nch'kaý to the indigenous Squamish people.
The Diamond Head region within the Park offers Squamish locals and adventurers an abundance of year-round recreation and easy access to some of the area's most spectacular hiking trails. In the summer, expect to find immensely beautiful scenery along a well-maintained hiking trail leading up to the Red Heather Hut and through the meadows to Elfin Lakes. In the winter, the park’s vast terrain becomes a dream destination for ski mountaineers, snowshoers and backcountry skiers. With so much to see, many visitors plan to spend a night at one of the backcountry campsites or inside the Elfin Lakes Hut.
As part of the Coast Mountains, the terrain is located on a dormant volcanic belt showcasing snowcapped mountains and pinnacles, alpine lakes, and abundant flora and fauna. One of the most well-known pinnacles is the Black Tusk, which can be accessed by the Rubble Creek Parking lot. Camping in the alpine on the shores of the crystalline Garibaldi Lake allows those eager to get a closer look at the Black Tusk, Panorama Ridge or the surrounding glaciers an easier approach.
Please note: FREE DAY USE PASSES ARE REQUIRED BEGINNING JUNE 13TH, 2024
For more information or to get your pass, please visit the BC Parks website.
How to get here
Garibaldi Park has two points of entry: Diamond Head Parking Lot to Elfin Lakes and Rubble Creek Parking Lot to Garibaldi Lake.
Diamond Head Parking Lot:
Heading northbound, turn east off of the Sea to Sky Highway onto Mamquam Road. Then turn North onto Highland Way S, at the roundabout turn East and head past Quest University. Turn left onto Mamquam Road, which becomes Garibaldi Park Road.
Note the area is accessible to low-clearance, 2-wheel drive vehicles in the summer months. Chains and 4-wheel drive are required during the winter months.
Rubble Creek Parking Lot:
Approximately 37 kilometres north of Squamish on the Sea to Sky Highway, take the Rubble Creek exit (Garibaldi Lake Road) on your right. Follow the paved road for approximately 2.5 kilometres where you’ll find the parking lot for the area.
Things to do
Sightseeing
Mount Garibaldi is one of Squamish's most iconic landmarks, and it is visible from almost everywhere in town. Popular viewing locations include downtown Squamish, the Squamish Spit and on top of the Stawamus Chief.
Hiking
DIAMOND HEAD
The Diamond Head area in the southwestern portion of the park includes Mount Garibaldi, Atwell Peak (a volcanic pinnacle), Opal Cone, Garibaldi Neve and Mamquam Lake. The area abounds with heather and in the summer, its dainty white and pink bell-shaped flowers flourish.
Hiking Elfin Lakes is a 22km roundtrip which leads to a well-maintained hut and two alpine lakes. It is possible to hike the trail in a single day or spend a night at the Elfin Lakes Campground. For those spending the night, consider hiking to Opal Cone (13km roundtrip from Elfin Lakes) for a glimpse at the ancient volcanic landscape inside the park.
BLACK TUSK/RUBBLE CREEK
This scenic area surrounding Garibaldi Lake is the heart of Garibaldi Provincial Park. Within a small radius are such outstanding natural attractions as the Black Tusk, Panorama Ridge, Helm Glacier, the Sphinx, Guard Mountain, Garibaldi Lake (18km roundtrip), the Table, Sentinel Glacier, Sphinx Glacier and Castle Towers. Alpine meadows come alive with wildflowers. Mountaineers will find challenging peaks to climb. Hikers may choose from trails that are easy to difficult.
Camping
Camping is available at the Elfin Lakes Campground and the Elfin Lakes Shelter where you’ll find a propane stove, an eating area and accommodations for up to 33 people. The shelter does fill up quickly so if you are planning an overnight adventure, begin the trail early in the day and bring a tent as a second option. The cost to stay at the shelter is $15 per person nightly.
Mountain Biking
Mountain bikers can reach Elfin lakes on two wheels and enjoy a quick descent through alpine meadows. Bikers share the hiking trail until Red Heather Meadows where a separate mountain biking trail splits off. No bikes are permitted beyond Elfin Lakes.
Winter Activities
In the winter months, chains are required to access the Diamond Head Parking Lot, and the Rubble Creek Parking Lot is not cleared of snow. Backcountry skiers and snowshoers are known to frequent Red Heather warming hut (located about halfway to Elfin Lakes). The trail to Elfin Lakes is a winter-marked route and hut reservations are available year-round. Information about a winter visit can be found here.
Useful Information
Domestic animals are not permitted in Garibaldi Provincial Park
Pit toilets can be found at the Diamond Head Parking Lot, Red Heather Warming Hut, Elfin Lakes Hut, Rubble Creek Parking Lot and Garibaldi Lake Campground
Backcountry camping or overnight hut accommodations can be made on discovercamping.ca
Garibaldi Provincial Park is home to plenty of complex backcountry terrain, guiding services are available year-round with Altus Mountain Guides, Canada West Mountain School and Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures
Last-minute camping or hut accommodations are easy to book mid-week!
FAQs
Garibaldi Park, named after the 19th century Italian patriot Giuseppe Garibaldi and was first established as Garibaldi Park Reserve in 1920. It was later designated as a provincial park in 1927.
Due to the sensitivity of the alpine environment combined with various wildlife issues, dogs are NOT permitted in Garibaldi Park. With a limited snow free period in the alpine, the vegetation is extremely sensitive. In addition, animal excrement can carry Giardia bacteria along with a variety of parasites which can be easily passed along to humans through water contamination. Vaccinations received by domestic animals prevent diseases which may be passed along to wild canines present in Garibaldi Park. Finally, Garibaldi Park experiences a healthy black bear population throughout the summer and fall months. Domestic animals may pose as a threat to the public in an encounter with wildlife.
There are a variety of locations in which dogs are permitted in the Squamish, Whistler corridor. Deaks Bluff, Petgill Lake, Upper Shannon Falls, Squamish Chief, High Falls Creek, Four Lakes Trail at Alice Lake Park , Brohm Lake, Brandywine Meadows, and Brandywine Falls all allow dogs.
Due to the sensitivity of the alpine environment, fires are NOT permitted in Garibaldi Park. The Park’s alpine is snow free for only a few months of each year, limiting the growth per iod of the vegetation and ground cover. Dead wood also plays an important role in the alpine ecosystem during the process of decomposition into organic matter. Fire scars take years to regenerate.
The alpine flora and fauna is extremely sensitive due to its exceptionally short growth season. Garibaldi Park is snow free for only a few months of each year. As a result, dogs and fires are NOT permitted in Garibaldi Park.
The months in which alpine flowers are in bloom varies from season to season. The peak bloom usually takes place sometime between late July and late August. Visit the Trail Updates for current information on alpine flowers.
All drinking water should be treated prior to its consumption. This can be done through the process of boiling, filtering, and/or chemical additives. Wilderness lakes and streams are the main source of water for all park visitors. P lease help keep them pure by washing a minimum of 30 meters away from any water source.
Yes, black bears may be present in Garibaldi Park depending on the time of year in which you visit. Generally, bears may be spot ted at lower elevations earlier in the summer season. As the berries ripen in the alpine, the bears move upward foraging on the vegetation. As the frost begins and the berries drop, the bears make their way back down into the valley. Grizzly bears inhab it the undeveloped eastern portion of the park. As a result they are rarely seen by park visitors. Visit Bear Safety for more information regarding safe bear practices.
The period in which Garibaldi Park is snow free varies from season to season. During most seasons, the alpine environment is snow free from late July to late September. Mountain weather is subject to sudden change and Garibaldi Park can receive snow anytime of the year. Those planning a trip into Garibaldi Park must be in good physical condition and properly equipped with adequate clothing. Visit Trail Updates for current trail conditions.
Climbing the Black Tusk can be a long and challenging day hike. From the Garibaldi Lake parking lot to the Black Tusk Viewpoint is 14.5 km one way. As a result, It is a popular day hike for visitors staying at the Garibaldi Lake or Taylor Meadows Campgrounds. For those wishing to climb to the top of the Black Tusk it is recommended that they be equipped with the appropriate equipment, knowledge and skills. Good quality foot wear, ropes and helmets are all encouraged. The final ascent is up a loose and difficult chimney, threatened by rock fall from climbers above. Visit Black Tusk/Garibaldi Lake Area for more information on the area.
Garibaldi Lake is blue due to the glacial sediment also known as rock flour which runs off the glaciers. When this run off enters the lake, the sediment remains suspended by water. The sediment then refracts the sunlight which enters the lake, reflecting only blue in return.
Garibaldi Lake was stocked with Rainbow Trout in the 1920’s by means of horseback. This supply still thrives in Garibaldi Lake and people are commonly seen fishing along its shoreline. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. Seasonal closures do occur during spawning, between the points of land upstream from the Lakes outflow.
No, there is NOT a trail around Garibaldi Lake. This is due to the terrain in which one must travel to circumnavigate the Lake. There are small huts on the far side of the Lake in Sentinel Bay and Sphinx Bay. These huts are accessed during the winter months when the lake is frozen and access is by ski. See Winter Use for more information regarding winter travel in Garibaldi Park
When
Know Before You Go
Beginning June 14, 2023, people using the trailhead at Garibaldi Park will need to obtain a free day-use pass. Passes are available to book starting at 7am, two days in advance of your planned visit.
Please visit BC Parks for the latest information and to book your day-use pass.
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