Best Hiking Trails in Garibaldi Provincial Park

90 reviews

Seasonal Popularity

Overview

Named for glacier-ringed Mount Garibaldi (2,678-meters) Garibaldi Provincial park is a hiker's paradise. The park offers over 90 km of trails just a 1.5-hour drive from Vancouver. It serves as a gateway to the rugged Coast Mountains, where grizzlies, black bears, wolverines, cougars, and other wildlife roam.

Getting Started

To enter the park, drive north from Vancouver. There are five access points along the Sea-to-Sky Highway: Diamond Head, Black Tusk/Garibaldi Lake, Cheakamus Lake, Singing Pass, and Wedgemount Lake. Check the trail report, available on the BC Parks page, before you go to ensure that your preferred trails are open for business.

You can also use the park's bus service as a more eco-friendly option.

The Elfin Lakes Trail to Brandvold Falls makes a popular entry-level hike. More committed explorers can try the incredible (and incredibly steep) trail that leads past Wedgemount Lake to Wedge Mountain (https://www.gaiagps.com/hike/249935/wedge-parkhurst-col-via-wedgemount-lake-trail-and-west-ridge-route/), or stage a multi-day trek on the Panorama Ridge Loop.

Garibaldi is home to ten campgrounds in addition to numerous wilderness camping opportunities. Most campsites are open year-round. See the Permits section below for more information on making reservations.

When to Go

The park is open year-round, but peaks season occurs during the summer months, which offer a respite from shoulder season rain. Go in July or August to see alpine wildflowers in bloom, or in the winter for snowshoeing and hut skiing. There are several backcountry skiing areas maintained by the park service. However, keep in mind that most access roads are not plowed during the winter.

Permits

All camping in Garibaldi Provincial Park requires a permit, reserved and paid for in advance. You can secure a campsite online through the BC Parks website. You can reserve a wilderness camping permit online as well.

Dog Info

Dogs are not permitted in Garibaldi provincial parks. For more information on park rules, see the (BC Parks website)[http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/camping-ethics.html].

Hiking Trails (47)
Reviews (90)

Whitneylcarson 4 weeks ago

Mount Price via Garibaldi Lake-4/5/21

Boot packed up to junction at 6.5km mark then skinned ready of the way. Awesome snow and skiing on Price but a lot of work to get there. The Barrier was a super fun feature to ride on the way out with total spring conditions (good coverage but some rocks and really slushy). Beautiful views. With BCMC group; 5 of us ended up summiting.

★ ★ ★

devon.denis 1 month, 3 weeks ago

Track (2021-03-13, 09:34:53)

Great for spreading out and mellow short laps

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

nick.naugle 8 months, 3 weeks ago

New Watersprite Lake Trail to Skullhead Creek

Amazing. Rock field is rough then there’s is a steep ascent. Then more hiking and finally a stunning reward. Worth it. Take sunscreen on clear day. This is exposed and not in trees for much of hike.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

hardboyle1 12 months ago

New Watersprite Lake Trail

The hike itself is fun with a little bit of everything. One section is a huge gradual uphill a bit on the boring side but great for a good chat to pass the time. There are a few good spots to replenish water,a small boulder field you’ll head through. The reward is when you reach the top, you’ll grin from ear to ear at the shear beauty before you. This is not a hike for the beginners and definitely have proper footwear weather can change in way up,it snowed once on way up in July so be prepared

★ ★ ★ ★ ★