Garibaldi Provincial Park is a rugged wonderland set amid the Coast Mountains of British Columbia. Its landscape — shaped by volcanic action and carved by glaciers — is dotted with blue lakes and snow-capped mountains, providing some of the most stunning hiking and camping in the province. If you want to see some of British Columbia's scenery, it would be hard to go wrong to spend a day or more taking in all Garibaldi Park has to offer.

Understand

History

Mt. Garibaldi was designated as a provincial park in 1927. Long before European settlers arrived, the area now known as Garibaldi Provincial Park was home to Indigenous peoples, primarily the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. These communities have lived in harmony with the land for thousands of years, using the area for hunting, gathering, and spiritual practices.

The Squamish people knew Mount Garibaldi as Nch'kay̓, meaning "Dirty Place" or "Grimy One," referring to the muddy water that flows from its glaciers.

The mountain was given its current name in 1860 by British naval officers who spotted it while surveying Howe Sound. They named it after Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian patriot and revolutionary who played a key role in the unification of Italy.

Landscape

Black Tusk peak

The landscape is mountainous, with many of the peaks (famous ones like Black Tusk, Mount Garibaldi and the Cinder Cone) in the park being shaped by volcanic forces. Lava flows created "The Barrier", a prominent ridge in the western part of the park that created a natural dam and holds Garibaldi Lake in.

Flora and fauna

The park consists of forests of Douglas fir, western red cedar and western hemlock, and alpine meadows. The meadows are filled with the blooms of wildflowers during July and August.

This park is home to mammalian species including black bear, mountain goat, deer, marmot, and pika. Bird species of golden eagle, bald eagle, and ptarmigan also inhabit the area.

Climate

• Summer (June to August):
  • Daytime temperatures typically range from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F)
  • Nighttime temperatures can drop to 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F)
  • This is the driest season, but afternoon thunderstorms are still possible
  • Snow may persist in higher elevations well into July
• Fall (September to November):
  • Temperatures start to cool, ranging from 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F) during the day
  • First snowfalls usually occur in October at higher elevations
  • Conditions can be unpredictable, with potential for early winter storms
• Winter (December to March):
  • Temperatures often drop below freezing, especially at night
  • Substantial snowfall, with snow depths reaching several meters at higher elevations
  • Avalanche risk increases significantly
  • Most trails, including the one to Garibaldi Lake, are snow-covered and require winter travel skills

• Spring (April to May):
  • Gradual warming occurs, but temperatures remain cool
  • Snowmelt begins, leading to high water levels in streams and rivers
  • Trail conditions can be muddy and snowy, especially at higher elevations

Get in

The park has five access points off Hwy 99, the Sea-to-Sky Highway. These are Diamond Head, Black Tusk/Garibaldi Lake, Cheakamus Lake, Singing Pass and Wedgemount Lake. These entrances lie north and east of Squamish. From Vancouver, it will be a one- or two-hour drive to reach the park, depending on which access point you go to.

Fees and permits

There are no fees for day use of the park. A fee is required to camp or stay in one of the huts overnight.

Get around

The primary means to get around the park is to hike. Bicycles are permitted in only a couple of areas. Motorized transport, other than on the park roads, is prohibited. In winter, snowshoeing or skiing are the primary means to get around the park.

See

Wedgemount Lake

The park has some fantastic scenery:

• 1 Black Tusk.  
• 2 Cheakamus Lake.  
• 3 Elfin Lakes.  
• 4 Garibaldi Lake.  
• 5 Wedgemount Lake.  

Do

• Over 90 km of hiking trails
• Cross-country skiing/snowshoeing in winter
• Canoe or kayak in Cheakamus Lake (boating is not allowed in any of the other lakes)
• Climbing - there are several granite climbing locations
• Biking is restricted to two areas: Diamond Head (as far as Elfin Lakes), Cheakamus Lake (as far as Singing Creek)
• Swimming in the lakes (it's cold!) - except second Elfin Lake

Buy, eat, and drink

There are no services in the park, but they are available in the towns of Squamish and Whistler.

Sleep

The park offers a few walk-in campsites and simple backcountry huts. Usage is first-come, first-served, with no reservations allowed. All of these campsites require several hours of hiking to reach.

Backcountry reservations are done for Garibaldi Lake and Taylor Meadows campgrounds during peak season. Peak season is from June 29th – October 17th.

Lodging

There are backcountry huts at Elfin Lakes (11 double bunks, 11 single) $15/pp, Wedgemount Lake (6 people) and Russet Lake (6 people).

Backcountry

Walk-in campsites are $10/pp (adult) $5 (child) and are scattered around the park. Locations include: Garibaldi Lake (50 sites), Taylor Meadows (40 sites), Red Heather (winter only), Elfin Lakes (14 sites - year round), Helm Lake (9 sites), Cheakamus Lake (10 sites), Singing Creek (7 sites), Russet Lake (7 sites), Wedgemount Lake (20 sites - no winter services) and Mamquam Lake (3 sites).

Stay safe

Water from lakes and streams must be filtered, boiled or treated.

Go next

• Squamish — South of the park, heading toward Vancouver. Stawamus Chief Park offers challenging hikes to three peaks with spectacular views over Howe Sound.
• Whistler — famous for the largest ski area in North America, but home to outdoor adventures and entertainment in every season.

Routes through Garibaldi Provincial Park

Cache Creek ← Whistler ←

N  S

→ Squamish → Vancouver