How to Hike Joffre Lakes in Summer and Winter
Joffre Lakes is one of the most popular hikes near Vancouver. Once you see the turquoise water in person, you’ll understand why. The Joffre Lakes trailhead is located east of Pemberton, just off the Sea to Sky Highway, making it a great day trip from Vancouver.
In this guide, I go over how to hike Joffre Lakes in summer and winter, what you need to know about planning your trip, Joffre Lakes permits and when it’s required to have one, trail conditions and much more.
Snapshot: Joffre Lakes in Summer and Winter
Before hiking Joffre Lakes for the first time, I found myself wondering if the water really was as blue as it looked in photos. After seeing it in person, the answer is yes. The colour of Lower, Middle and Upper Joffre Lakes is just as striking in real life.
Fun Fact
The vivid turquoise comes from fine glacial silt suspended in the water, which reflects blue and green wavelengths of sunlight.
Is the Joffre Lakes Hike Difficult
The Joffre Lakes hike is moderately difficult. The elevation gain to Middle Lake is gradual but to Upper Lake it gets a bit steeper. I personally didn’t find the trail technical, but if you’re hiking Joffre Lakes in winter, be prepared for slippery terrain.
In winter, the Joffre Lakes trail is covered in snow and ice. Therefore, you should have the 10 Essentials and be well prepared before heading out in the backcountry.
Where is Joffre Lakes and Getting to the Trailhead
Joffre Lakes is located in British Columbia, about a 3-hour drive from Vancouver. The trailhead (check here) is just off Duffey Lake Road, around 20 minutes from Pemberton on Highway 99.
The best way to get to Joffre Lakes is to drive along the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler and towards Pemberton. If you’re driving from Vancouver, make sure you leave early in the morning to avoid traffic, especially in summer.
The night before the hike, we decided to camp near Whistler with the goal to be at the trailhead by 8 am. At this time, Joffre Lakes parking lot was still empty but when we got back to our car in the afternoon it was completely full.
How to Get to Joffre Lakes Without a Car
If you don’t own a vehicle and are interested in getting to Joffre Lakes without a car, ParkBus usually offers connections between Vancouver and Joffre Lakes.
The only other alternative to get to Joffre Lakes without a car is to book with EpicBus or YVR Skylynx to Whistler and then get a taxi to Joffre Lakes trailhead.
But, if you’re looking to meet new people, another great option is checking Facebook and MeetUp Groups.
Why is Joffre Lakes Hike so Popular
Joffre Lakes is a very popular summer hike in Vancouver. The main reason is that this is one of the few alpine lakes in BC that is easy to reach, not too difficult to hike to and absolutely breathtaking.
If you want to escape the crowds, book a backcountry permit and spend the night at Upper Joffre Lake. Alternatively, visit Joffre Lakes in winter, when the entire landscape becomes a winter wonderland. I personally preferred Joffre Lake in winter.
When is the Best Time to Hike Joffre Lakes
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is open year-round for hiking, which makes Joffre Lakes accessible in winter and in summer. If you’re hiking to Joffre Lakes for the vibrant blue colors, the best time to visit is between July and September.
I visited Joffre Lakes in winter and summer, and although most people visit Joffre Lakes in summer for the glacier blue water colour, in winter the whole area is covered in a blanket of snow. If you get the chance, I highly recommend hiking Joffre Lakes in both seasons. You’ll get to experience the best of both worlds.
Joffre Lakes Reservation
Day-Use Hiking
Between May 11 and October 25, 2026 you need a free day-use pass to hike Joffre Lakes. Each person needs to book a separate pass and you can do so starting at 7 am PST, two days before your trip. It is a very competitive booking process and passes run out fast especially on summer weekends.
Save your day-pass as a screenshot on your phone, as the cell service is limited at the Joffre Lakes trailhead. Remember that parks staff will check for passes at the trailhead. So don’t drive to Joffre Lakes if you didn’t manage to get a pass. They won’t allow you to go ahead!
Upper Joffre Lake Campsite (Backcountry Camping)
For camping at Joffre Lakes, you’ll need a backcountry campground reservation. You can book online up to 4 months before your trip. There are a total of 26 backcountry sites and camping costs $25 per person per night as well as a $6 reservation fee for each tent.
If you have a Joffre Lakes backcountry camping reservation, you don’t need a day-use pass.
Checklist: To Dos Before Hiking Joffre Lakes
- Get a day-use pass: don’t drive to Joffre Lakes without a day-use pass. You can book a pass up to 2 days before your hike. Parks Staff usually check the passes at the trailhead before you start the Joffre Lakes hike. No day-use passes are required for hiking Joffre Lakes in winter.
- Check for closures: throughout the year the park may schedule closures for Indigenous use. You can check the latest updates here.
- Check the weather: make sure you’re aware of the weather conditions and dress appropriately. Always bring a wind jacket and some warm clothing, as it can get quite cold up in the mountains.
- Wear sturdy shoes: trail running shoes or hiking boots will provide the best grip and ankle support. If you’re hiking in winter, also bring crampons or snowspikes to have grip on slippery surfaces. Consider snowshoes if it has freshly snowed.
- Bring water or water filter: there is nowhere to fill your water bottle on the trail. If you have a water filter, you can use it at any of the three lakes.
- Bring the 10 Essentials: for a good overview check this link.
Hiking to Lower, Middle and Upper Joffre Lakes
The distance in the table below refers to a round trip hike from the trailhead.
| Difficulty | Distance (roundtrip) | Elevation Gain | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Joffre Lake | Easy | 0.2 km (0.1 mi) | none |
| Middle Joffre Lake | Moderate | 5.5 km (3.4 mi) | 410 m (1,348 ft) |
| Upper Joffre Lake | Moderate | 9.2 km (5.7 mi) | 673 m (2,209 ft) |
Lower Joffre Lakes from the Trailhead
The Lower Joffre Lakes is located just a few meters away from the parking lot. To enjoy the distinctive turquoise color of the water, you’ll have to hike at least to Middle Joffre Lake. Nevertheless, here you can already get a glimpse of the glaciers and the alpine scenery.
Hiking to Middle Joffre Lakes
The Middle Joffre Lake is the second lake and where most of the people stop at the longest. If you’re brave enough you can even go for a swim. Here is where the famous Joffre Lakes floating log pictures are taken but I personally still prefer the Upper Joffre Lake for its raw views.
The hike to Middle Joffre Lake crosses creeks and a forested path to ultimately lead to the famous viewpoint. In winter, hiking to Middle Joffre Lake can get steep and slippery, depending on the amount of snow on the trail.
Hiking to Upper Joffre Lakes
Continue on the trail along Middle Joffre Lakes to first reach the powerful waterfall that connects the Upper with the Middle Joffre Lake.
Then, after a short hill you’ll reach Upper Joffre Lake. I personally love this lake the most. There are many scenic viewpoints for a perfect picture opportunity, but my favourite is from the campsite at the end of the trail.
Backcountry camping at Upper Joffre Lake is stunning and it feels so peaceful despite the other campers spread around the area. But, I need to admit that the trail leading to the campground is quite rough, with roots and a bit of scrambling over rocks. Nothing too technical though.
Camping in Joffre Lakes Provincial Park
Joffre Lakes is one of the most popular backpacking trips in BC. Along the trail, the only place you can camp is at the Upper Joffre Lake.
There are a total of 26 campsites, available on a first-come, first-serve basis. But in order to camp here from June to September, you need to get a backcountry camping permit. It is very competitive to reserve a spot. Therefore, I recommend booking as soon as reservations become available. This is usually 2 months in advance of your arrival date.
The campground has a bear cache where you should store your food overnight. Also, remember to always pack your food and garbage out, so that we can keep this park beautiful for other visitors.
Joffre Lakes Hike in Winter
If you want to enjoy the vibrant blue colors of Joffre Lakes you should visit in summer. But, if you’ve already done so and are looking for a great winter hike near Vancouver, then you should hike Joffre Lakes in winter.
Hiking in winter requires a lot more preparation compared to hiking in summer. You need to have winter tires on your vehicle and in some cases chains to get to the trailhead. Also, weather conditions may change drastically and the trail can be more dangerous compared to summer.
Some sections of the trail get very snowy and icy. The steeper sections, especially, may be more difficult to cross. But with the right equipment it is doable.
Remember though that the trail is in serious avalanche terrain so check the avalanche forecast before your trip. If you’re planning a Joffre Lakes hike in winter, start very early to allow enough time on the trail. As days are shorter, you should keep this in mind to make sure you get back to the parking lot before it gets dark.
Before any hiking trip, make sure you have the 10 Essentials, and in winter always pack micro spikes or snowshoes (depending on snow conditions), warm and moisture-wicking layers, waterproof boots, headlamp and map/GPS, as well as avalanche safety gear (if venturing off-trail).
Final Thoughts on Hiking Joffre Lakes
Joffre Lakes is one of the best hikes along the Sea to Sky Highway and truly a dream destination for hikers and outdoor lovers. If you’re looking for another great winter hike near Vancouver, check out Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park.
I hope this article has inspired you to visit Joffre Lakes in summer or winter.
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