Three BC Parks, Joffre Lakes, Garibaldi and Golden Ears, will once again require park goers to register for free day passes during peak season to access the parks. The passes are available online at 7 a.m. (Pacific time), two days prior to visiting.
Joffre Lakes Park access will require a trail pass for each visitor from this Monday, May 11 to Oct. 25.
Golden Ears Park entry will require a vehicle pass from May 15 to Sept. 7, Friday to Monday until 3:30 p.m., after which people can enter the park without a pass.
Garibaldi Park will require a vehicle pass from June 12 to Oct. 12. For Rubble Creek and Diamond Head access points, a pass is only required Friday through Monday, but will be required every day for the Cheakamus access point.
There are a set number of passes available each day. You may reserve one of each pass type (AM, PM and all day) per day, but passes cannot be transferred to another date, time, location or person. Those who change plans are encouraged to cancel their day pass to allow others entry.
Those with camping reservations are not required to get a day-use pass.
BC Parks said that day-use passes were introduced in 2020 to manage the number of visitors in busy parks and reduce effects on the natural environment. Since 2010, BC Parks on the south coast have seen a 52% increase in visits. BC Parks said that even though the parks are large, most recreation occurs on developed trails and trailheads that can get congested, with limited parking. Without proper management, increased use can result in trail damage, vegetation trampling, wildlife displacement and adverse effects to Indigenous cultural values.
Backcountry reservations for Upper Joffre Lake Campground will be available on a three-month rolling window beginning at 7 a.m. (Pacific time) on Tuesday, May 12, for arrivals beginning June 15. Reservations can be made at camping.bcparks.ca.
Joffre Lakes Park closures
Joffre Lakes Park, which is collaboratively managed with the Lil’wat Nation and N’Quatqua, will temporarily close to recreational visitors twice this season. BC Parks says this will provide time and space for members of the Lil’wat Nation and N’Quatqua to reconnect with the land.
The park will be closed June 20 to 27 for National Indigenous Peoples Day and summer solstice celebrations, and Sept. 8 to 30 for fall harvesting celebrations and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
