BC Government News Release: Day-use passes available for three popular parks, seasonal closures at Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park

Details from this Government of BC news release:

Summary

• BC Parks day-use passes will soon be available in three popular parks to improve the visitor experience and help manage natural spaces
• Passes will be required as of Monday, May 11, 2026, for Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park; Friday, May 15, 2026, for Golden Ears Park; June 12, 2026, for Garibaldi Park
• Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park will temporarily close June 20-27, 2026, and Sept. 8-30, 2026, to support First Nations cultural practices and conservation goals

The BC Parks Day-Use Pass Program will continue in three popular parks this season to provide people with a more enjoyable experience by reducing congestion on trails, roads and parking areas, while helping conserve the natural values that make the parks special.

As in previous years, people will need to get a day-use pass to visit Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park, Golden Ears Park and Garibaldi Park during peak season.

Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes will temporarily close to recreational visitors on two occasions to provide time and space for the Lil’wat Nation and N’Quatqua to reconnect with the land in a meaningful way.

Passes available two days prior to planned visit

Day-use passes will be available online at 7 a.m. (Pacific time) and can be reserved two days before a planned visit here: https://bcparks.ca/reservations/day-use-passes

The passes are required:

• Monday, May 11 until Oct. 25, 2026, for Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park (trail passes)
• Friday, May 15 until Sept. 7, 2026, for Golden Ears Park (vehicle passes)
• Friday, June 12 until Oct. 12, 2026, for Garibaldi Park (vehicle passes)

People visiting Golden Ears Park and the three trailheads at Garibaldi Park (Diamond Head, Rubble Creek and Cheakamus) require vehicle day-use passes. People visiting Joffre Lakes Park will require a trail pass for each person in the party. Passes for Golden Ears Park are required Friday to Monday until 3:30 p.m., after which people can enter the park without a pass. In Garibaldi Park, the passes are required Friday to Monday for the Rubble Creek and Diamond Head access points, and daily for the Cheakamus access point.

People with valid camping reservations do not require a day-use pass to access the park. Cancelling a pass is encouraged if people do not intend to use them, as it allows others to reserve those passes and access these outdoor spaces.

Visitors to Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park are reminded that winter conditions persist at the park, including snow in parking lots, which can reduce the amount of parking spaces available. Avalanche conditions are also present in the park. Visitors should have appropriate equipment, experience and training for winter conditions, and are encouraged to check the park website for the latest details before heading to the park.

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, 2026, for arrivals beginning June 15, 2026. Reservations can be made here: https://camping.bcparks.ca/

Day-use passes improve visitor experience

Introduced in 2020, day-use passes have proven to be an effective tool to manage the number of people in busy parks and can help reduce the effects on the natural environment.

Since 2010, BC Parks on the south coast have had a 52% increase in visits. Although these parks are large, most of the recreation occurs on developed trails and trailheads that can get congested. Parking space is also limited. Without proper management, increased use of these areas can result in trail damage and vegetation trampling, wildlife displacement and adverse effects to Indigenous cultural values.

Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park temporary closures

As in previous years, Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park will temporarily close to recreational visitors this season to continue the practice of providing time and space for members of the Lil’wat Nation and N’Quatqua to reconnect with the land in a meaningful way.

The park will be closed to the public:

• June 20 until 27, 2026, for National Indigenous Peoples Day and summer solstice celebrations
• Sept. 8 until 30, 2026, for fall harvesting celebrations and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The park is collaboratively managed with the Lil’wat Nation and N’Quatqua with the primary goal of maintaining the natural environment for all park users, and so the Nations can continue cultural practices within their territory. Since 2018, BC Parks, Lil’wat Nation and N’Quatqua have collaborated through a technical working group to implement the joint Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park Visitor Use Management Strategy.

Learn More:

• For more information about day-use passes and requirements at each park, visit: https://bcparks.ca/reservations/day-use-passes/
• For more information about BC Parks, visit: https://bcparks.ca/
• BC Parks Day-Use Pass Poster