British Columbians are invited to share their feedback on a proposed strategy aimed at managing the growing number of visitors at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park and protecting its natural and cultural features.
Located 35 kilometres east of Pemberton, Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is one of the most popular parks in the province.
As many as 196,322 people visited the park in 2019 – a 222% increase since 2010.
In response to the growth, BC Parks is implementing several short-term measures, such as expanding the parking lots to increase capacity from 250 vehicles to 350.
The province is also adding washroom facilities at the main parking lot and overflow parking lot, and managing the 26 backcountry tent pads through a reservation system;
A partnership between RCMP, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and the B.C. Conservation Officer Service will also address illegal parking and associated safety concerns on Highway 99.
A satellite phone at the Joffre Lakes trailhead for emergency response and safety is also being installed.
Developed with the Lil’wat Nation and N’Quatqua, the Joffre Lakes Visitor Use Management Strategy provides direction for the long-term management of the park.
The strategy proposes several initiatives, such as free day-use passes to manage the number of people and continuing the First Nations Park Stewards Program – a pilot project introduced in 2019 to educate visitors about the natural and cultural qualities of the park, provide outreach and conduct park management.
The Joffre Lakes Visitor Use Management Strategy was informed by stakeholder consultation and public surveys conducted in summer 2019.
Sylvia Shanoss says
Supernatural BC invites
It is an invasion.
Cars STILL parked Willy nilly
People running across the Highway.
All type of vehicles speeding — you are fortunate no one has been hurt/killed.
Tourists have no idea where they are going
Or where they are
They hitch hike
Who is liable- BC.
Donald Patrick says
It is a beautiful area and sight … do not think free passes will do the trick, the adventurers of the day do not follow rules or suggestions .. look at the Avalanche warnings etc or even the roped off areas on the Ski areas. Only way to control that many visitors is to construct a base camp, create multiple other second choice trails (as the glacier area is the most popular, but the overall area should be opened) and have personal on site collecting fees to pay the freight for all the extra care and convenience the people demand…. start on tough side of the fence and tell it like it is, too many people..too much sewage, too much garbage …. build tent camp sites, even vehicle sites like Alice lake and make it into a controlled Provincial Park. This area will also service cross county skiing, snow shoeing etc. I would never attend.