Garibaldi Lake

Hike-in camping at a turquoise glacial lake.

The classic Coast Mountains backpacking trip: about 9 km of switchbacks from the Rubble Creek trailhead to a vivid blue-green lake ringed by glaciers and peaks. The lakeside campground has 50 tent pads and nearby Taylor Meadows has 40 more; both need a reservation every night of the year. Spend a second night and day-hike to Panorama Ridge or the Black Tusk junction.

At a glance

Tent pads

50 at the lake, 40 at Taylor Meadows

Hike in

About 9 km, 900 m up

Facilities

Pit toilets, food hangs, cooking shelter

Reservations

Required year-round; 3 months ahead, 7 am PT

Fee

$25 per adult per night

Not allowed

Fires, dogs, hammocks

Good for

Intermediate, Advanced

What’s here

• Tent sites
• Backcountry
• Lake or riverfront

Gear, rentals and guides

• Parkbus

  Seasonal bus from downtown Vancouver (by Burrard SkyTrain) to the Garibaldi Lake trailhead.

• Spearhead Huts

  Books the Kees and Claire Memorial Hut at Russet Lake, Garibaldi’s other big overnight.

Where to stay

• hotelPangea Pod Hotel

  Sleeping pods and a rooftop patio in Whistler Village.

  25 min drive
• hotelSea to Sky Hotel

  Squamish hotel with an onsite café and gear storage.

  25 min drive
• hostelHI Whistler

  Hostel in the old Olympic athletes’ village, good for the night before or after.

  20 min drive

Nearby

• Panorama Ridge and Black Tusk · From camp

  Big day hikes from camp to views over the lake and Garibaldi’s glaciers.

• Brandywine Falls · 10 min drive

  Short walk to a 70 m waterfall in a basalt canyon.

• Scandinave Spa Whistler · 25 min drive

  Outdoor hot and cold pools in the forest, for sore legs after the hike.

• Sea to Sky Gondola · 35 min drive

  Gondola above Squamish with viewing decks and easy alpine trails.

Getting there

• Vancouver International (YVR) · about 1 hr 45 min drive
• Vancouver · about 1.5 hr
• Whistler · about 0.5 hr

Directions in Google Maps