BC Parks
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park
British Columbia Est. 1988 14.6 km²
Three stacked turquoise lakes below a hanging glacier — BC's most-photographed day-hike.
Overview
Joffre Lakes is a compact glacier-lake day-hike 30 minutes east of Pemberton on Highway 99. The three lakes (Lower, Middle, Upper) each glow a different shade of glacial turquoise, fed directly from Matier Glacier hanging above Upper Lake. The park requires a free day-pass system in peak season to manage crowds; the pass releases at 7am PT two days ahead. Overnight camping is by permit at Upper Lake only.
- Three glacier-fed turquoise lakes on one trail
- Just 11 km RT, do-able as a day-trip
- Matier Glacier hanging directly above Upper Lake
- Free day-pass keeps the trail manageable
Quick facts
- Size
- 14.6 km²
- Trail length
- 10 km RT / 400 m gain
- Established
- 1988
- Day-pass required
- Yes, seasonally
Things to do
Three-lakes day-hike
Photography at Middle Lake log
Upper Lake overnight camping
Camping
Reservations: Required · Frontcountry: No · Backcountry: Yes · RV: No · Glamping: No
- 26 backcountry tent pads at Upper Lake
- Bear caches provided
- Reservable only through Discover Camping
Campgrounds in and near this park
- Garibaldi Provincial Park
Squamish, British Columbia · 60 km away
Hiking
Joffre Lakes Trail
Moderate · 10 kmSteady climb through boulder fields to Upper Lake and the glacier viewpoint.
Wildlife
Common
Marmot, Pika, Whiskey jack
Signature
Black bear, Mountain goat
Viewing tips
Bears in blueberry season (Aug); goats on the cliffs above Upper Lake.
Safety
Bear season closure sometimes in Sept — check BC Parks alerts before driving.
Photography
- Middle Lake with the iconic sunken log
- Upper Lake with Matier Glacier reflected
- Fall larches (mid-Sept) at Upper Lake
Best time to visit
spring
Trail opens late May once snow clears.
summer
July-Aug: peak turquoise, biggest crowds — day-pass essential.
fall
Mid-Sept larches, fewer people, no bugs.
winter
Snowshoe access only; avalanche terrain, expert only.
Peak: July through Labour Day · Shoulder: June, late September
Family & accessibility
Family
- Lower Lake is a 5-minute walk from the parking lot
- Interpretive signage in three languages
Accessibility
- Lower Lake viewpoint is short and flat but rocky
- No wheelchair-accessible sections beyond that
Reservations
Book through BC Parks Day Pass + Discover Camping — opens 2 days ahead of arrival.
Day-pass releases at 7am PT two days before your visit.
Reserve nowSuggested itineraries
day-trip
Sea-to-Sky Half-Day
Early Pemberton start, hike up by 9am, back down by 2pm, dinner in Whistler.
photography
Sunset at Middle Lake
Afternoon hike up, sunset shoot at the sunken log, headlamp descent.
FAQ
Do I need a day-pass?
Yes in peak season (roughly May–October). Free, mandatory, released 2 days ahead at 7am PT.
Can I swim in the lakes?
Yes but water is glacial — expect 6-8°C even in August.
Is the trail hard?
Moderate — 400 m gain over 5 km each way, but boulder sections slow the pace.
Nearby
National parks
- Gulf Islands National Park Reserve · 183 km
- Pacific Rim National Park Reserve · 272 km
- Mount Revelstoke National Park · 318 km
Other provincial parks
- Garibaldi Provincial Park · 59 km
- Cultus Lake Provincial Park · 150 km
- E.C. Manning Provincial Park · 189 km
- Strathcona Provincial Park · 236 km
Plan this trip with a human
Our Travel Concierge builds custom itineraries around Joffre Lakes Provincial Park — permits, campsites, driving times, and shoulder-season strategy included.
Talk to the Concierge
