Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
Garibaldi Provincial Park protects a large swath of the Coast Mountains between Squamish and Whistler, a landscape of glaciers, volcanic peaks and alpine lakes. It was created in the early twentieth century and takes its name from Mount Garibaldi, a volcano at its southern edge. Much of the park is roadless wilderness, but several trailheads off the Sea-to-Sky Highway open its most celebrated areas to day hikers and backpackers.
The best-known route is the Garibaldi Lake trail, which climbs through forest to a lake of intense turquoise color framed by glaciers. Nearby, Taylor Meadows offers wildflowers and camping, and from there, trails continue to Panorama Ridge, with sweeping views over the lake, and toward the volcanic spire of the Black Tusk. In the Diamond Head area, a trail leads to the Elfin Lakes, with a backcountry shelter, and continues to Opal Cone and remote Mamquam Lake. Cheakamus Lake, near Whistler, is an easier forest walk to a glacier-fed lake. Wedgemount Lake involves a steep, strenuous climb to a lake beneath a glacier, and Singing Pass offers alpine meadows reachable from Whistler.
The park suits hikers and backpackers prepared for mountain weather. Summer brings crowds and, in recent years, day-use pass requirements at popular trailheads.
WiserMap travel guideGaribaldi Park British Columbia Black Tusk and Lake TrailsPlan a visit to Garibaldi Provincial Park on the Sea to Sky Highway with Garibaldi Lake, Black Tusk, Elfin Lakes and Cheakamus Lake trails, camping and seasons.Read the guide
A large glacier fed lake of brilliant turquoise water at about 1,480 metres, held back by a natural lava dam and framed by glaciers and peaks. It has a lakeside backcountry campground. Overnight stays need a reservation, and day hikers also need a free day use pass in peak season.
Two small alpine lakes in the Diamond Head area, reached by an 11 km trail from the end of the road above Squamish, with a hut and campground nearby. The upper lake is for swimming and the lower for drinking water. In winter the route is popular for ski touring and snowshoeing.
A long, green lake in a valley of old growth forest, reached by a nearly flat trail of about 3 km from the end of a gravel road near Whistler. It is one of the easiest hikes in the park. Campsites sit along the shore, and the lake is a good place to spot ducks and bald eagles.
A small, steep sided alpine lake below Wedge Mountain, the park's highest peak, with a glacier that reaches almost to the shoreline and a small hut. The trail climbs about 1,200 metres in 7 km, so it is very demanding. Start early, bring poles and turn back if the weather turns.
The main route into the Garibaldi Lake area, a well graded trail of about 9 km that switchbacks through forest before reaching the lake. It is the busiest trailhead in the park. A day use pass is required in summer, so book online ahead, and plan to arrive early to find parking.
A rocky ridge above Garibaldi Lake that gives one of the most famous views in British Columbia, looking down on the turquoise lake, the Black Tusk and the glaciers beyond. It is about 30 km return from the trailhead, so many hikers camp at Taylor Meadows. Avoid it in snow or fog.
A high pass reached from Whistler Village through Fitzsimmons Creek valley, known for its alpine meadows covered in wildflowers in late July and August. Many hikers continue to Russet Lake hut. Some hike down from the Whistler Mountain gondola instead of walking up, saving a long climb.
A dark, jagged volcanic spire about 2,300 metres high that towers over the Garibaldi Lake area and is visible from the Sea to Sky Highway. Trails reach the base of the final chimney. The last part is loose scrambling and not recommended for most hikers, so enjoy the view from below.
A volcano of about 2,680 metres that gives the park its name, its glaciated summit visible from Squamish. It is a serious mountaineering objective, usually climbed from the Elfin Lakes side. Most visitors admire it from viewpoints along the Diamond Head trail and on clear days from town.
A small volcanic cone beyond Elfin Lakes, whose lava flow is one of the longest in the region. A rough trail continues past it across glacial streams toward Mamquam Lake. It is a long, full day from the trailhead, so many hikers camp at Elfin Lakes first and go on the next morning.
Subalpine meadows near Garibaldi Lake with a backcountry campground and carpets of wildflowers such as lupine and Indian paintbrush in summer. It is a popular base for hiking to the Black Tusk and Panorama Ridge. Stay on the trails to protect the fragile meadows, and bring bug spray.
A huge lava wall, about 300 metres high, that dams Garibaldi Lake. Unstable rock slides from it led to the evacuation of the nearby village of Garibaldi in the 1980s. A short side trail from the Rubble Creek trail leads to a viewpoint. Read the signs about rockfall hazards before going.
No reviews yet. Been to Garibaldi Provincial Park? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Garibaldi Provincial Park? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photosPhoto: The Cosmonaut, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5 ca
Photo: Andrew Kvalheim, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: The Cosmonaut, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5 ca
Photo: Trougnouf, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Radicale, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Andysonic777 at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Naomiherrick, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Andrew Kvalheim, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Tim Gage, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: ec (talk · contribs), Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Ryan Sharpe, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Luis Dias, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Ruth Hartnup from Vancouver, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: McKay Savage from London, UK, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ceenix11, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Panegyrics of Granovetter from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Madhumanti Mandal, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ceenix11, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Trougnouf, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: The Cosmonaut, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5 ca
Photo: The Cosmonaut, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5 ca
Photo: The Cosmonaut, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5 ca
Photo: Davidwegan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Loneshieling, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Loneshieling, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Andysonic777 (talk · contribs), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Murray Foubister, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ruth Hartnup from Vancouver, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Murray Foubister, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ruth Hartnup from Vancouver, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Laplumetech, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Strongriley;, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Kilrogg, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: IvanAndreevich at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Su-Laine, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: iwona_kellie, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Trougnouf, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Harold Cecchetti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Andysonic777 (talk · contribs), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Andrew Plowright, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ceenix11, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Seattle Skier (talk · contribs), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5
Photo: Psi4ce (talk · contribs), Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Tim, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: McKay Savage, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: McKay Savage, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: popejon2 from Paddington, Australia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: BlackSunJournal, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Dicklyon, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Oscar Taylor , Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
