Best Hikes in Garibaldi Provincial Park: 6 Trails Near Whistler
Garibaldi Provincial Park is one of the most beautiful parks in British Columbia. It is located along the Sea to Sky Highway between Squamish and Whistler. Not only is it easy to reach from Vancouver but it’s also one of the most accessible backcountry parks in BC.
Whether you’re looking for a day hike near Whistler or an overnight backpacking trip, Garibaldi is a hiker’s dream.
In this guide I’ll cover the main trailheads, best time to visit, what to expect and my selection of the 6 best hikes in Garibaldi Provincial Park, from the popular Garibaldi Lake to the challenging Panorama Ridge.
Where is Garibaldi Provincial Park
Garibaldi Provincial Park is located between Squamish and Whistler along the Sea to Sky Highway. The park is about 1.5 hours drive from Vancouver, making it a very popular destination in BC.
What makes Garibaldi Provincial Park so special is how easy it is to access. All trailheads are located right off the Sea to Sky Highway, making it much easier to get to than other BC hikes like Cheam Peak in Chilliwack.
Best Time to Hike in Garibaldi
Garibaldi Provincial Park is open year round but generally the best time to hike is between July and September. At this time of the year, most trails are snow free and accessible. Also, popular hikes such as Garibaldi Lake, Panorama Ridge and Black Tusk offer the best views of lake and surrounding mountains.
Additionally, from end of July to early August the trails are especially beautiful because of the wildflowers in bloom around Taylor Meadows.
Some trails are also beautiful in winter, such as Garibaldi Lake and Elfin Lakes, when snowshoeing and ski touring is very popular.
BC Parks Reservation for Garibaldi
If you plan on visiting Garibaldi Provincial Parks you may need a BC Parks reservation, either a day-use pass or camping permit.
Day Hikes in Garibaldi
BC Parks requires day-use passes for some trailheads during the busy summer months (mid-June to mid-October). This is mainly in place to better manage overcrowding.
Passes are required at the Rubble Creek, Diamond Head and Cheakamus Lake trailheads. These day-use passes are free and must be booked online two days before your visit at 7 am. You only need a pass per vehicle and you must show it when you arrive.
Overnight Trips in Garibaldi Park
Camping in Garibaldi Provincial Park is one of the best things to do near Vancouver in summer. But to do so you must reserve a backcountry campsite in advance through the BC Parks website.
The camping fees are around $10 per person per night and a $6 reservation fee.
The good news is that if you have an overnight camping reservation, you do not need a day-use pass for that day.
Camping Permit
To camp in Garibaldi Provincial Park, you need a BC Parks backcountry camping reservation.
Usually camping reservations open 4 months in advance of your desired date. In summer, the weekend dates sell out fast. I recommend adding the dates to your calendar so that you don’t miss it.
If your desired are not available though, register with Campnab and you’ll be notified once your camping date becomes available.
Cabins and Huts Reservation
Garibaldi Provincial Park has 2 overnight hut options: the Elfin Lakes Shelter and the Kees and Claire Hut near Russet Lake.
You can book a spot at Elfin Lakes Shelter through BC Parks year round. The hut sleeps up to 22 people and spots fill up extremely fast. It is a very popular snowshoeing trail in winter as well as a well-travelled trail in summer.
Kees and Claire Hut is managed separately by the Spearhead Huts Society. It sits near Russet Lake and sleeps up to 16 people. The cost per person is $45 per night and is popular in both winter and summer.
Trailheads in Garibaldi Provincial Park
Garibaldi Provincial Park has 5 main trailheads and they each give access to different areas of the park. All trailheads are easily accessed from the Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99), which is not always a given in BC.
1. Diamond Head
Diamond Head trailhead is closest to Squamish. After following a well-paved road, you’ll continue on a section on gravel road to the main parking lot.
2. Rubble Creek
Rubble Creek is the most popular trailhead in Garibaldi Park. It gives access to Garibaldi Lake, Black Tusk, Panorama Ridge and Taylor Meadows. To reach the trailhead, you need to drive for about 20 km north of Squamish.
3. Cheakamus Lake
Cheakamus Lake is one of the most accessible and family-friendly trails near Vancouver and in Garibaldi Park. Also, if you prefer biking, you can bike on this trail as far as Singing Creek.
4. Singing Pass (Whistler)
One of the best hikes near Whistler is Russet Lake, which can directly be accessed from Whistler Village via Singing Pass trail.
If you’re staying overnight at Russet Lake, parking is included in your reservation and is available at Lot 4.
5. Wedgemount Lake
Wedgemount Lake is between Whistler and Pemberton. The trailhead is located up a well-maintained forest road that is easily accessible from the highway. I recommend arriving to the parking lot early, as there are not too many spots and summer weekends tend to fill up fast.
Best Hikes in Garibaldi Provincial Park
Whether you’re looking for a day hike or an overnight hike near Vancouver, these 6 hikes are the best in Garibaldi Provincial Park.
1. Elfin Lakes
Elfin Lakes can be done as a day hike from Vancouver, but staying overnight is definitely much better. If you’re looking for a great fall hike near Vancouver, Elfin Lakes is one of the best in BC.
How long is the hike to Elfin Lakes?
The hike to Elfin Lakes is about 22km and can take around 6-7 hours round trip.
How difficult is the hike to Elfin Lakes?
The hike to Elfin Lakes is not too difficult. Although it’s quite long, you gain elevation gradually so you don’t really get exhausted fast. Definitely not like hiking Mount MacFarlane in Chilliwack, which was definitely a difficult hike.
Can you do Elfin Lakes as a day hike or do you need to camp?
You can both do a day hike or an overnight trip to Elfin Lakes. If you do a day hike start early but staying overnight at Elfin Shelter or the campground is amazing.
2. Garibaldi Lake
Garibaldi Lake is a a very popular hike near Vancouver and Whistler. In recent years, Parkbus has started offering bus transfer from Vancouver to the Rubble Creek trailhead in the summer months. This is a great transit option if visiting Garibaldi Lake without a car.
What is the best time to visit Garibaldi Lake?
Generally, the best time to hike to Garibaldi Lake is between July and September, when the trail is snow-free. However, the trail is open year round and a popular snowshoeing and backcountry skiing trip.
Is Garibaldi Lake worth it?
Absolutely and if you only have time for one hike near Vancouver that should be Garibaldi Lake. Not for nothing it’s one of the most scenic lakes in BC.
Do you need a day pass for Garibaldi Lake?
Yes, from mid June to mid October you need to book a day pass on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and holidays.
3. Panorama Ridge
Panorama Ridge is the most sought after hike in BC in summer. Many attempt it as a day hike but I strongly recommend staying overnight at one of the campground in Garibaldi Park. The views from the top over Garibaldi Lake are some of the most beautiful I’ve seen in BC!
Can you do Panorama Ridge as a day hike?
Yes, but it’s a long day hike. If you want to hike Panorama Ridge in one day, I would instead recommend your stay overnight at Taylor Meadows to split down the long hike.
How long is the hike to Panorama Ridge?
The hike to Panorama Ridge can take between 10 and 12 hours if hiked in one day. If you decide to do a day hike to Panorama Ridge, I recommend an early start.
How difficult is the hike to Panorama Ridge?
The hike to Panorama Ridge is 29 km long and has about 1,600 m of elevation gain. So it’s considered a hard hike.
4. Russet Lake
Russet Lake is my favorite hike in Whistler and it can be done as an overnight hike or a day hike from Whistler Village.
Is Russet Lake a difficult hike?
Russet Lake hike is not one of the hardest in Garibaldi Provincial Park. This being said, it’s still a long trail if you decide to hike via Singing Pass from Whistler Village.
Do you need a reservation to camp at Russet Lake?
Yes, a BC Parks reservation is required. The Russet Lake campsite books up fast, so make sure you do it as soon as camping reservations open up, usually 4 months before arrival date.
How do you get to Russet Lake?
You can get to Russet Lake via Singing Pass trail from Whistler Village or by taking Whistler gondola to Roundhouse and hiking on High Note trail to Russet Lake.
5. Wedgemount Lake and Tupper Lake
Wedgemount Lake is not a beginner hike. In fact, the last section is very steep. So if you carry overnight camping gear, you might find yourself struggling a bit. If you start early, Wedgemount Lake can also be done as a day hike.
How hard is the hike to Wedgemount Lake?
Wedgemount Lake is one of the hardest hikes in Garibaldi Provincial Park. It’s not too long but it takes 1,300 m in elevation gain in a short distance.
Is there camping at Wedgemount Lake?
Yes, you can reserve a spot through BC Parks.
Can you swim in Wedgemount Lake?
Yes, but it’s very cold. Wedgemount Lake is glacier fed and exposed. So it’s often windy as well.
6. Cheakamus Lake
If you’re looking for an easy hike to an alpine lake in BC, Cheakamus Lake is the right choice.
How long is the hike to Cheakamus Lake?
The hike to Cheakamus Lake is 8 km one way, easy and flat. In fact, it’s one of the most accessible hikes in Garibaldi Provincial Park.
Are bikes allowed at Cheakamus Lake?
Yes, from parking lot to Singing Creek.
Is Cheakamus Lake good for families?
Absolutely, since the trail is flat, the access is very easy, making it ideal for beginners and families.
Other Hikes Near Vancouver
There are so many incredible hikes near Vancouver and these are the ones I’d recommend you do:
