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Outdoors

Garibaldi Lake Trail Hike

You make a steady climb through forest for about 6 km to a junction, then continue past two smaller lakes to the shore of Garibaldi Lake, a turquoise glacier-fed lake with a glacier behind it. From the junction, a 1.5 km side trail leads to Taylor Meadows, with alpine flowers and views of Black Tusk.

For The Reps · Updated

hike scenery for Garibaldi Lake Trail near British Columbia
Photo: MtGaribaldi-NorthFace-TheTable by Seattle Skier (talk · contribs), CC BY 2.5 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5). Via Wikimedia Commons.
Where
British Columbia, Canada
Distance
18 km return (9 km each way to Garibaldi Lake campground)
Climb
770-820 m
Time
About 6 hours
Difficulty
Hard

The route

Garibaldi Lake from the Rubble Creek car park, out and back.

The trail starts at the Rubble Creek (Garibaldi Lake) car park. Turn off Highway 99 just after the Rubble Creek Bridge, 37 km north of Squamish or 19 km south of Whistler, and follow the paved road 2.5 km to the car park. Parkbus also runs to Garibaldi Park.

When to go

The day-use pass season runs 12 June to 12 October 2026, and Vancouver Trails lists July to October as the hiking season; BC Parks warns it can snow at any time of year.

Permits and fees

In 2026 you need a free BC Parks day-use vehicle pass for Rubble Creek on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and holidays from 12 June to 12 October. Book online from 7 am two days before your visit; each vehicle needs a pass (up to 12 people), and campers with a reservation do not need one.

Before you go

  • Dogs and other pets are not allowed anywhere in Garibaldi Park.
  • There is a pit toilet at the 6.5 km junction, and day-use shelters and toilets at Garibaldi Lake.
  • Stay on the main trail; shortcutting damages the slope and can knock debris onto people below.
  • BC Parks advises that day visitors carry enough gear to spend a night out in case of injury or bad weather.

What to bring

  • Shoes with grip that you have already worn in
  • At least 1.5 litres of water
  • Food you will actually want to eat
  • A warm or waterproof layer
  • The route, saved offline
  • Sun cream and a hat

Getting ready for it

Plan for a long day: about 6 hours.

Build up with a few walks of four hours or more first, ideally with climbing and the pack you will carry. Step-ups and lunges twice a week make the descents easier on your knees.

Staying safe

  • The Barrier Civil Defence Zone below the lake is a slide hazard: do not stop or linger there, and do not camp at or near the car park.
  • The lake is glacier-fed and extremely cold all year, and weather in the Coast Mountains can turn severe quickly.
  • Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.
  • Turn around if the weather turns or the footing gets sketchy. The trail will still be there.

Route details checked September 30, 2026 against bcparks.ca, bcparks.ca, nrs.objectstore.gov.bc.ca, bcparks.ca, news.gov.bc.ca and vancouvertrails.com. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.