I’ve day hiked the various routes to Russet Lake several times each, and I’ve backpacked to the lake three times over the last 20 years. (The photos in this post are from various trips.) I keep coming back since it is one of my favourite areas – the mountain and glacier views are amazing (maybe the best in Garibaldi Park!) and access to the alpine is easy if you take the Whistler gondola.

I’m a hiking guidebook author and have backpacked all over BC, so I’ve put together a detailed Russet Lake hiking and backpacking guide for you. It includes:

• Quick facts about hiking to Russet Lake, including distances, how long it takes, best time to go, and more
• Map and elevation profile, plus a downloadable GPX file
• Detailed trail descriptions for each of the three options for hiking to Russet Lake plus tips for skiing and snowshoeing in winter
• Tips for which route to take and taking the gondola, including how to ride it for free
• Extending your trip – day hikes and scrambles from Russet Lake
• Camping and the hut – details on staying at the campground and Kees and Claire Hut, including reservations and fees
• How to get to the Russet Lake trailhead – including parking and bus info
• Russet Lake hiking tips – advice for bears, what to bring, food storage, weather, and more

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Russet Lake Quick Facts

Route Options: Russet Lake is located in Garibaldi Provincial Park in the mountains above Whistler, BC. You can get there via two different trails from the top of the Whistler Gondola or by the Singing Pass Trail from Whistler Village. I’ve got details on all three below.

Distance: 11.7 to 14.6 km one-way, depending on route choice

Elevation Gain: 665 to 1,450 m, depending on route choice

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 9 to 12 hours or overnight

Best Time to Go: Mid-July to mid-September to avoid snow and take advantage of Whistler Gondola’s summer service.

Reservations and Fees: Day hiking is free and does not require a day pass. You must make reservations with BC Parks to backcountry camp. If you camp, you must pay camping and reservation fees. More details in the camping section below.

Indigenous Context: This area is in the traditional territory of the Skwxwu7mesh (Squamish) and Lil’wat Nations. To learn more, see the info sign in the Elfin Lakes campground or visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.

Russet Lake Trail Map and Elevation Profile

For the most part, the main trails to Russet Lake are well-marked and easy to follow. There are signs at all junctions.

I used the Gaia GPS app on my hikes. It is helpful to know where I am on the trail to figure out how much higher I have to climb and where the next viewpoint is. All Trails+ is also great.

I also made you a trail map using Gaia GPS. Click through to zoom in and explore. You can also save it to your routes in Gaia GPS or export the GPX file.

PS: Want to save 10% on a premium subscription to Gaia GPS (the app I use for all my hikes)? Use my link – the discount appears in cart.

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Russet Lake Trail Options

There are three ways to hike to Russet Lake: the Singing Pass Trail, the High Note Trail from the top of the Peak Chair, and the High Note Trail from Whistler Roundhouse. You can also ski or snowshoe to Russet Lake in winter. Below, I’ve got details on each one.

Note: While I usually list distances as a round-trip, this time I‘ve listed distances one-way since this is a hike where you can take different routes there and back. I’ve also included elevation loss stats for the trip to Russet, which become elevation gain stats if you take that route back to the trailhead.

High Note Trail from the Top of the Peak Chair

Distance: 11.7 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 665 m

Elevation Loss: 940 m

Practicalities: Requires taking the Whistler Gondola or the Blackcomb Gondola and the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, and then the Peak Chair.

This is by far the most scenic route to Russet Lake and the route I recommend. You start by taking the Whistler Gondola up to the Roundhouse and then Peak Chair. (More gondola tips in the section below.)

You’ll hike the High Note Trail to Flute Junction, then continue along the Musical Bumps to Singing Pass, then up Cowboy Ridge to Russet Lake.

As you can see in the elevation profile above, the route has some ups and downs, but in general, it is mostly downhill. There are no reliable water sources on this route, so pack all the water you will need for the day.

Key Locations

Route Description

Ride the gondola and then the Peak Chair to the top of Whistler Mountain. Walk across the suspension bridge, then go left and down the stairs to the signed trailhead for the High Note Trail. My High Note Trail Guide has a more detailed description of this trail.

Follow the trail steeply downhill through a rocky section, then across a ski area access road. The trail follows the hillside through beautiful meadows with great views of Black Tusk Peak. Pass the junction with the Half Note Trail at 2.9 km and the Cheakamus Lake Lookout at 3.7 km.

At 4.5 km, arrive at Flute Junction. From here, you’ll go across the Musical Bumps: Flute and Oboe Summits. Go straight and gain 120 m up the hill to Flute Summit at 5.1 km. Be sure to detour south from the summit for the best views of Cheakamus Lake. Continue across the broad summit plateau and then down into a dip 160 m below Flute Summit.

On the other side, gain 150 m uphill to Oboe Summit at 7.2 km. The view from the ridge crest is gorgeous, but frustrating. You can see your trail dropping 225 m down into Singing Pass and then climbing up the other side.

Drop down off the summit and head downhill through meadows and clumps of trees to Singing Pass Junction at 8.7 km. Turn right and begin your ascent of Cowboy Ridge. The 240 m climb has a few switchbacks, so it is never very steep, but it feels tiring at the end of the day. There are great views the higher you climb.

Reach Kees and Claire Hut at 10.9 km in very rocky terrain on the ridge crest. Follow the trail down through rocks and then meadow to the end of the trail at the Russet Lake campground on the north shore of the lake at 11.7 km.

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High Note Trail from Whistler Roundhouse

Distance: 11.7 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 765 m

Elevation Loss: 707 m

Practicalities: Requires taking the Whistler Gondola or the Blackcomb Gondola and the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. Does not include the Peak Chair.

This is another scenic option, but it isn’t quite as picturesque as the main part of the High Note Trail. You can use this option when the Peak Chair isn’t running. (It opens later/closes earlier than the gondola and doesn’t run at all in the fall.) I’ve also used this route when I’m with people who are afraid of heights and therefore don’t want to ride the Peak Chair.

From the Whistler Roundhouse, you’ll hike the bottom part of the High Note Trail in the reverse direction that most people take. Once you arrive at Flute Junction (and meet up with the High Note coming from Whistler Peak), you’ll follow the same route across Flute and Oboe Summits as the High Note Route from Whistler Peak.

While this route doesn’t have much more total elevation gain than the High Note Route from the Peak Chair, it does have a lot more ups and downs.

Key Locations

Route Description

From the Whistler Roundhouse, follow the signs to Harmony Lake, 1 km away and 90 m lower. On the far side of the lake, head uphill, passing under a chairlift, to gain 160 m on a ridge crest.

Drop steeply down from the ridge, losing 90 m, to arrive at Symphony Lake at 3.2 km. This is the last reliable water source on this route, so fill up here just in case.

Head gently uphill, gaining 80 m to Flute Junction at 4.5 km. Turn left to begin the ascent of Flute Summit. From here, you can use the High Note Trail from Peak Chair description above since the route is the same.

Singing Pass Trail

Distance: 14.8 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 1,446 m

Elevation Loss: 263 m

Practicalities: This is the only route to Russet Lake that does NOT require taking a gondola. You start right from Whistler Village.

If the gondola isn’t running, you don’t have the budget for it, or you just like the idea of getting to Russet Lake under your own power, you can take the Singing Pass Trail. While it gains a LOT of elevation, it’s pretty gradual. It is entirely in the forest – you won’t get any views until you get to Cowboy Ridge.

The route starts in Whistler Village, crosses through the Mountain Bike Park, then follows an old road and then a trail uphill to Singing Pass Junction. From there, you take the same route up Cowboy Ridge as you would if you came from Whistler Mountain.

There are lots of water sources on this route, so you don’t have to worry about carrying much with you.

Key Locations

Singing Pass Trail Description

The trailhead is on Blackcomb Way in Whistler Village next to the Gondola bus stops. From the info sign, walk around the yellow gate into the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Follow the access road up the hill through the bike park. Watch for service vehicles on the road.

When the road forks at the top of the open area, go left on a road into the forest. Watch out for a bike trail crossing the road. Follow the road gently uphill past a reservoir building with glimpses of bike trails on both sides of the road. Watch for another bike trail crossing the road at 1.5 km.

Past here, you’ll be walking on an old road that is overgrown and eroded in places. In places, there are wide bridges over creeks and ditches. These bridges help keep the route open for skiers in winter.

About 3.8 km from the start, pass through an area overgrown with alder. If you look carefully, there is an old outhouse on the left. Until the late 1990s, you could drive up this old road. You are now at the former trailhead and parking area.

Continue the trail, passing under the Peak 2 Peak Gondola at 4.6 km. Cross Harmony Creek at 5.3 km. This area is the site of a huge washout and is unstable, so use caution, especially during times of snowmelt or heavy rain.

A few minutes later, cross an unnamed creek in a steep gully and then pass a sign welcoming you to Garibaldi Provincial Park. Cross Flute Creek on a sturdy metal bridge at 7.1 km. At 8.2 km, cross Oboe Creek on a deteriorating Bridge. This crossing can also be difficult at higher water.

Past here, the vegetation begins to change and transition to more alpine species like Mountain Hemlock and Subalpine Fir. You can also hear Melody Creek downhill to your left.

As you approach Singing Pass junction at 11.9 km, the trees start to thin out and patches of meadow start to appear. From Singing Pass junction, turn left and follow the directions above for the final ascent of Cowboy Ridge.

Skiing and Snowshoeing to Russet Lake in Winter

Russet Lake is a popular spot for backcountry skiing in winter. It is part of the Spearhead Traverse, a multi-day backcountry ski trip between Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains. As well, many people ski or snowshoe to the Kees and Clair Hut in the winter.

If you’re coming to Russet Lake in winter, you need to have avalanche training and experience since both routes to the lake travel through avalanche terrain.

Skiers can pay to take the Whistler Gondola and lifts, ski across the Musical Bumps to Singing Pass, and then head up Cowboy Ridge to Russet Lake. The Spearhead Huts site has advice on which chairlifts and routes to take through the ski resort. Snowshoers are not allowed on the lifts or in the resort, so they can’t take this route.

The other option in the winter is to come in via the Singing Pass Trail from Whistler Village. This route is open to both skiers and snowshoers. Depending on snow levels, you may have to hike the bottom section of the trail. Skiers should use caution if descending this way because there are lots of tight turns with drop-offs as well as narrow bridges.

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Whistler Gondola Tips and Route Choice

If you have the cash for it, the Whistler Gondola has by far the best views in the Whistler area and is a great way to start your hike to Russet Lake.

If you’re splashing out on the gondola, you should get your money’s worth. I recommend riding the Blackcomb Gondola first, then the Peak 2 Peak Gondola to the Whistler Roundhouse. That way, you can get the most views before you start hiking to Russet Lake.

I do recommend taking the Peak Chair up to Whistler Peak to enjoy the Suspension Bridge and views from there. (And because the High Note Trail has the best views.) However, it’s not a great option for people who are afraid of heights since it is an open chair (your legs dangle) and it goes over a cliff. (More details on that in my High Note Trail Guide.

If the price of the gondola is too steep for you, you can ride the gondola for free! There is a bit of a catch, though: you have to hike up the Singing Pass Trail for free, then up across the Musical Bumps and along the High Note to the Peak Chair or to the Whistler Roundhouse.

From there, you can go down the Peak Chair and the Peak 2 Peak, Whistler, and Blackcomb gondolas for free – as of 2025, they don’t check for tickets for downloading – only for uploading! I’ve heard this policy may change next year, but it’s been free to download every year as long as I’ve been hiking here (over 20 years).

Extending Your Trip: Hikes From Russet Lake

There are no official trails starting from Russet Lake. However, if you are comfortable with scrambling and off-trail travel, you have a few options for exploring from the hut or campground.

Adit Lakes

An informal cairned route leads from the campground to the Adit Lakes to the north, nestled in a rocky bowl. From the outhouse, pick up a faint trail across the bottom of the scree slope. Watch for cairns as the trail contours along the side of the ridge before arriving at the lakes. It’s about 1 km each way.

Cowboy Ridge

The gentle ridge above the lake makes for easy off-trail travel and exploring. The easiest place to gain the ridge crest is near Kees and Claire Hut. There are great views from the top as well as lots of wildflowers and curious marmots. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also head over to Russet Ridge to the north.

Whirlwind Peak and Overlord Peak Scrambles

While Gaia GPS and AllTrails show a trail from the campground to Whirlwind Peak and beyond to Overlord Peak, there is no trail. In places, there is a cairned route. However, you must be comfortable with route finding and exposure on steep slopes if you choose these routes. Unless you are an experienced scrambler, you may find these routes too challenging and scary.

It’s 6.5 km round-trip to Whirlwind with 600 m of elevation gain. Add another 4 km and 500 m of elevation gain if you continue to Overlord.

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Where to Stay at Russet Lake: Camping and Hut

Russet Lake Backcountry Campground

The Russet Lake campground has 20 tent pads spread out around the creek on the north side of Russet Lake.

The tent pads are simple clearings in the grass and gravel with low rock walls to block the wind. Each campsite has a metal post with a number on it. Many are a bit lumpy or slanted.

While BC Parks policy permits up to 2 tents per pad, this won’t be easy or possible at many of the Russet Lake campsites. In most cases, the second tent will be on a very lumpy, rocky, or slanted area or won’t fit at all.

There is a urine-diversion outhouse next to the campground. Store your food on the food storage poles, which have cables and pulleys. Collect drinking water from the lake or the stream. Avoid the algae-choked parts of the stream.

Fires are never allowed in Garibaldi Park. This is a fragile alpine ecosystem, and fire scars can take decades to regrow.

Camping Reservations and Fees

Since Garibaldi Park has some of the most popular backcountry campgrounds in BC, advance reservations are required. Camping costs $25 per person per night plus a $6 reservation fee for each tent pad.

Reservations open three months before your trip. That means if you want to camp on August 1, you can reserve starting on April 1.

See my tips for booking backcountry camping for pointers on how to navigate the site. Be ready to book as soon as reservations open because popular dates will sell out in minutes.

Your booking can include up to 3 tent pads on the same reservation. Keep in mind that you are allowed to have up to two tents and four people per pad.

If you didn’t get a reservation, keep checking back as people cancel and spots open up, especially within a week or two of their trip. A more efficient way is to sign up for a camping cancellation notification app like Campnab or Schnerp. Read my guide to camping cancellation apps to find out how they work and which one I recommend.

Kees and Claire Hut at Russet Lake

Opened in 2019, the Kees and Claire Hut is a large, modern, and frankly, kinda fancy, backcountry hut. It sits at the top of Cowboy Ridge above Russet Lake. A group of local mountaineering clubs run the hut as part of the Spearhead Hut Society.

The hut has 38 bunks spread across 6 rooms. Cooking and eating supplies and sleeping mats are provided. The hut also has LED lighting and urine-diversion toilets. While the hut has heaters, it is kept cold at night, so you will need a 3-season sleeping bag.

Reservations are required at Kees and Claire Hut. Hut reservations open 60 days before the first day of your trip. Bunks cost $60/night. If you are a member of BCMC, ACC Vancouver, or ACC Whistler, you can book 90 days in advance and use a promo code to get a discount.

How to Get to Russet Lake Trailhead

The Russet Lake Trailhead is in the heart of Whistler Village, right next to the gondola. It’s easy to get to by car or on the bus.

Driving Directions

From Vancouver, drive Highway 1, then Highway 99 north to Whistler. The drive takes about 1.5 hours. Once in Whistler, take the Lorimer Way exit to get to the parking lot. (More on parking below.) Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Russet Lake Parking

If you are doing a day hike, you can park in any of the parking lots. Day Lot 1 is the most convenient, but I usually park in Day Lot 4 since it is cheaper. There is no free parking in Whistler Village. Here is more info about locations and rates for parking in Whistler.

If you are staying overnight at the campground or hut, there is a special area of Day Lot 4 you need to park in. You must display your hut or camping reservation number on your dash and pay for each day you will be parked using Lot #4078 in the Pay by Phone app. Here is more info about overnight parking.

Getting to Russet Lake By Bus

Russet Lake is one of the best car-free backpacking trips in BC. You can get to Whistler from Vancouver using the Epic Rides or YVR Skylynx buses. They drop you off at Gateway Bus Loop in Whistler. From there, it’s a 5-minute walk through the village to the gondola and trailhead.

Tips for Hiking to Russet Lake

Check gondola hours and trail status: Check to make sure that the gondola and chairlifts are open and the alpine trail conditions, if you plan to come in from Whistler Mountain.

Food Storage: The campground has a pole with pulleys for food storage. Bring a waterproof bag to store your food in case it rains overnight. I always keep my food in a lightweight dry bag. The pulleys have clips, but some are broken – carry a carabiner as a backup.

Mosquitos and Black Flies: Bugs can be bad on the trail in July and early August. Bring bug spray and a head net.

Bears: This is black bear country. Bring bear spray, make noise while hiking, and store your food securely. See my bear safety tips for more info.

Dogs: Not allowed in Garibaldi Park.

Fires: Not allowed in Garibaldi Park.

Check the weather before you go: The high mountains are notorious for fickle weather. Rainstorms can blow in at any time. Expect overnight lows near freezing on some summer days. City weather forecasts are useless in the mountains. Use an algorithmic spot forecast for Russet Lake like Spotwx. (Read my guide to weather apps for hikers for more tips.)

Bring a rain jacket and warm clothing just in case. It can be much colder and rainier in the mountains than in the city. If you are staying overnight, you will need to bring typical backpacking gear. Use my backpacking checklist to make sure you have everything you need.

Wear trail running shoes or hiking boots. The trail is rocky and loose in places. Regular running shoes don’t have enough grip or ankle support.

Bring water and snacks. It is not safe to drink the water from the lakes without boiling, filtering, or treating it because you never know if people or animals have pooped or died upstream. Gross! (I use a Katadyn BeFree.)

Bring the 10 Essentials. These are key safety items you should have on every hike.

Final Thoughts

The Garibaldi Lake, Elfin Lakes, and Cheakamus Lake areas of Garibaldi Provincial Park get lots of attention (rightly so), which means that many people miss out on visiting Russet Lake. Honestly, I think the glacier views from the High Note Trail and Musical Bumps on the way to Russet Lake are actually even better than the views at Garibaldi and Elfin.

While Russet Lake does get booked up on weekends, it’s easier to book than Garibaldi Lake. And you are almost guaranteed to see adorable marmots near the lake. These furry guys are my favourite! I love watching them munch on alpine plants or take naps on the rocks.

If you’ve got questions about visiting Russet Lake, ask me in the comments. I’m happy to help.

READ NEXT:

• High Note Trail in Whistler (By a Season’s Pass Holder)
• Visiting Whistler, BC in Summer (By a Local)
• The Best Hikes in Whistler: A Guide to All the Trails
• 30 Best Backpacking Trips in BC

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The post Russet Lake Hiking and Backpacking Trail Guide appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I’ve hiked the Elfin Lakes Trail more times than I count, in every season, in boots, in spikes, and in snowshoes. I’ve spent lots of nights in the campground and the shelter and really explored the area. Elfin Lakes is one of the best hikes in Squamish and it is featured in my hiking guidebook, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

In this post, I’ve got everything you need to know to do the Elfin Lakes hike in Squamish. This guide includes:

• Trail stats including how long it takes, difficulty, best time to go, and more
• Tips for hiking to Elfin Lakes including what to pack and how to prep
• Day Passes – what you need to know to get a pass
• Camping reservations – how to reserve and when to book
• Trail map that shows all the key locations I mention in this post
• How to get to the Elfin Lakes trail – driving directions plus tips for going without a car
• Step-by-step hiking directions so you know what to expect
• Extending your trip – my picks for hikes you can do from Elfin Lakes
• Backcountry camping and the hut – info on where to camp and what to expect at each campground
• Snowshoeing and skiing – info on trekking to Elfin Lakes in winter
• Biking to Elfin Lakes – tips for going by bike instead of hiking

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Elfin Lakes Trail Stats

Here are the basic stats that you need to know about hiking the Elfin Lakes Trail in Squamish:

Location: The trail is located in the southern part of Garibaldi Provincial Park near Squamish, BC.

Duration: 6-7 hours

Distance: 22 km

Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

Elevation Change: 900 m of elevation gain

Day Passes: Required some days of the week between June and October. (See the Day passes section below for more info.)

Camping and the Hut: Reservations are required for camping and staying at the Elfin Lakes Hut. (See the Camping and Hut section below for more info.)

Best Time to Go: July to early October when the trail is snow-free. I also recommend picking a clear day so you can enjoy the views.

Toilets: There are toilets at the trailhead, Red Heather day-use shelter, Elfin Lakes campground, Elfin Lakes Hut, and Rampart Ponds campground.

Drinking Water: You can fill your water bottles at Brandvold Falls (2.5 km from the trailhead) and at the north Elfin Lake (11 km from the trailhead). Pack plenty of drinking water. Since you don’t know if humans or animals have pooped or died upstream, you need to filter or treat all water before you drink it. (I use a Katadyn BeFree.)

Dogs: Not allowed in Garibaldi Provincial Park to protect wildlife and the fragile ecosystem.

Bikes: Bikes are allowed on the trail as far as the Elfin Lakes shelter. (See the biking section below for more info.)

Bears: This area has a high black bear population. Hike in a group and carry bear spray.

Indigenous Context: The Elfin Lakes Trail is in the traditional territory of the Skwxwu7mesh (Squamish) Nation. Historically, the area was an important place to pick berries and harvest mountain goats. To learn more, see the info sign in the Elfin Lakes campground or visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.

Tips for Hiking Elfin Lakes

• Check the weather before you go. City weather forecasts are useless in the mountains. Use an algorithmic spot forecast for Elfin Lakes like Spotwx. (Read my guide to weather apps for hikers for more tips.)
• Get a day pass: More info about that below.
• Check trail conditions online using AllTrails or Instagram. This is especially important in the spring or fall when the trail can be icy or snowy.
• Bring a rain jacket and warm clothing just in case. It can be much colder and rainier in the mountains than in the city.
• Wear trail running shoes or hiking boots. The trail is rocky and loose in places. Regular running shoes don’t have enough grip or ankle support.
• Bring water and snacks. It is not safe to drink the water from the lakes without boiling, filtering, or treating it as you never know if people or animals have pooped or died upstream. Gross! (I use a Katadyn BeFree.)
• Bring the 10 Essentials. These are key safety items you should have on every hike.
• Bring a camera – it’s gorgeous and you will want tons of pics! But leave the drone at home. Drones aren’t allowed in BC Parks without a commercial filming permit.
• Pack out all your garbage. There are no garbage cans here so you must take your garbage home with you. Leaving it in the park attracts animals.
• Be Bear aware: There are lots of black bears on this trail, especially in late summer and fall. Hike in a group, make noise, and carry bear spray. Read my bear safety tips for more info.

Elfin Lakes Day Passes

Since this is such a popular area, you need to get a free day pass if you plan to visit on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and holidays between mid-June and mid-October. Your pass covers everyone in your vehicle. Passes are available on the BC parks website starting at 7 AM two days before your trip. Act fast: passes run out fast on summer weekends.

Tip: Select the Diamond Head trailhead in Garibaldi Provincial Park to reserve a day pass to hike to Elfin Lakes.

Print out your day pass or save it as a screenshot on your phone. Cell service at the trailhead is really spotty, so you might not be able to pull it up from your email. Parks staff will check for passes on the road just before the trailhead. If you don’t have a pass, you won’t be allowed to hike.

Read my guide to BC Parks day passes for more info including tips for getting a pass.

Elfin Lakes Camping Reservations

The backcountry campgrounds and hut at Elfin Lakes are popular destinations so they all require reservations. You can book online up to 3 months before your trip. See my guide to making backcountry reservations in BC for tips on getting a spot.

Camping costs $25 per person per night plus a $6 reservation fee for each tent. Bunks in the hut cost $30 per person per night plus a $6 reservation fee per group. Note: You don’t need a day pass if you have a backcountry camping reservation.

I’ve got lots of details on what to expect at the Elfin Lakes Campground, Elfin Lakes Shelter, and other nearby campgrounds further down in this post.

Read my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for tips on getting a camping reservation.

Elfin Lakes Trail Map

I made a map of the Elfin Lakes Trail for you using Gaia GPS, my favourite GPS and mapping app. It also includes an elevation profile. Click through to zoom in and download the GPX track.

How to Get to Elfin Lakes

The trailhead is about 1.5 hours from Vancouver and about 30 minutes from Squamish. You can get there by car or a bus/taxi combo. In this section, I’ve got everything you need to know for driving, parking, and taking the bus and a taxi to Elfin Lakes.

Driving Directions

From Vancouver, head over the Lions Gate Bridge, then go west on Highway 1. Follow the signs to switch to Highway 99 North just before Horseshoe Bay. Stay on Highway 99 North and drive past downtown Squamish.

Turn right onto Mamquam Road just after crossing the bridge over the Mamquam River. A few blocks later turn left onto Highlands Way. At the roundabout, go right onto the Boulevard. Go straight through the next roundabout and follow the Boulevard up the hill and across a bridge where it becomes University Boulevard.

Turn right at the roundabout onto Village Drive. Then turn left onto Mamquam Road. A few blocks later Mamquam Road turns to gravel and becomes Garibaldi Park Road. The road has bumpy and loose sections, but is fine for all vehicles – just go slow.

Stay on this road, ignoring side roads. Watch for mountain bikers. Go left to stay on Garibaldi Park Road amongst a group of houses. Follow the road for another 5 km to the trailhead and the large gravel parking area. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Parking Passes

Just before you reach the parking lot, you may encounter a park facility operator checking parking passes and camping reservations.

If you visit on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and holidays between mid-June and mid-October, you must have a day pass for your car (also called a parking pass). See the day pass section above for more info.

If you are camping, you don’t need a parking pass, but you do need a camping reservation for each member of your group. See the camping section above for more info.

Getting to Elfin Lakes Without a Car

You can get to Elfin Lakes without a car, but it isn’t easy. From Vancouver, take the YVR Skylynx or Squamish Connector buses to Squamish.

From there, Howe Sound Taxi can take you 30 minutes to the trailhead. (Call ahead to confirm that they will go up the gravel road to the trailhead – some dispatchers get confused as to where this is.)

You can also take Squamish Shred Shuttle (a mountain bike shuttle service) to their highest stop, which is a few minutes walk from the trailhead.)

Elfin Lakes Hiking Directions

Here are my step-by-step directions for hiking to Elfin Lakes.

Trailhead to Red Heather Day-Use Hut

The trailhead is at the east end of the parking lot next to a large info sign. Walk around the yellow gate and past the outhouse to start your hike up the old road.

The Brandvold family built this road to access their backcountry lodge at Elfin Lakes in the 1940s. The lodge closed in 1972 and these days the only cars allowed on the road are BC Parks maintenance vehicles. The road is steep and rocky, so it doesn’t make for the most pleasant hiking experience.

Follow the old road up and around a switchback. About 1.5 km from the trailhead, look for a small opening in the trees to your left. There is a bit of a view down to the Squamish harbour, but it is getting overgrown.

Reach Brandvold Falls about 2.5 km from the trailhead. This is the only place to get water on the hike – but be sure to treat or filter your water. The falls are quite dry late in the summer, but there is usually at least a trickle.

Past the falls the trail starts to zigzag. In the next few kilometres, the forest opens up a bit as it starts to transition to alpine vegetation.

About 5 km from the start, reach the Red Heather day-use shelter tucked away on your left. This is a good place to take a break. There are tables and benches inside. There is also a wood stove, but it is only unlocked and available for use in the winter.

You’ll find an outhouse a few metres down the trail from Red Heather day-use shelter. It has tall stairs to keep it out of the deep snow that falls here each year.

Red Heather Day-Use Shelter to Elfin Lakes

So far the trail has been entirely uphill. (You have gained about 400 m of elevation up to this point.) But past here, the trail gets a little flatter and the views start.

From Red Heather Shelter, follow the trail past the outhouse to a junction. Go left onto the hiker’s trail and follow it steeply uphill through patches of trees and meadow. (The cyclists’ route stays on the road to the right.)

About 1 km after Red Heather Shelter, the hikers’ trail meets back up with the old road. Turn left and hike along the road.

Follow the trail as it works its way along the crest of Paul Ridge through rolling terrain. In places, the terrain is rocky and barren and in others, there are beautiful meadows. There are great views of Mount Garibaldi (Nch’kay in the Squamish language) to the north.

Occasionally, there are patches of trees, but the entire route is quite exposed to the sun, so wear a hat and sunscreen. About 10 km from the trailhead the path heads downhill and you get your first good view of Elfin Lakes.

Follow the trail to the left of the lakes. Reach the lakeshore about halfway along the southern lake. This is a good place to go swimming on a hot day.

Ignore the spur trail to the ranger station and continue on the main trail as it trends left. Arrive at a junction near the Elfin Lakes Shelter and go right and up a small hill to reach the Elfin Lakes campground.

There are great views of Nch’kay from here as well as of the Garibaldi Neve glaciers. Take a break at the picnic tables in the campground or head down to the shore of the north lake to fill up on water. (Don’t swim in the north lake as this is the drinking water source.)

When you are ready, retrace your steps back to the trailhead. If you want to explore further, I’ve got some options for extending your trip below.

Extending Your Trip

At 22 km round-trip, this hike is fairly long for one day. But if you have lots of time and energy, it’s possible to extend your trip a bit. As well, the Elfin Lakes campground is a great place to base yourself for some day hikes. Here are my picks for the best hikes that leave from the Elfin Lakes campground/Elfin Lakes Shelter area.

Columnar Peak and the Gargoyles

The short (but steep) hike to Columnar Peak and the Gargoyles is doable for hikers tackling the Elfin Lakes hike in a day. It’s also a great hike from the campground. It has incredible views of the campground, Mamquam Mountain, and Nch’Kay.

Here are the key stats for the hike to Columnar Peak and the Gargoyles from Elfin Lakes campground:

• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Distance: Up to 6 km round-trip
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Elevation Change: 500 m elevation gain
• Map: Use my Gaia GPS map of the Columnar Peak and Gargoyles trail

From the junction outside the Elfin Lakes Shelter, go west on the trail towards Opal Cone and Rampart Ponds. The trail heads downhill into a meadow.

About 1 km from the shelter, go left at a junction towards Columnar Peak and the Gargoyles. The trail immediately becomes much rougher and eroded. Try to stay on the trail as much as you can to keep the erosion concentrated, rather than spreading it out.

Follow the trail uphill through clumps of trees and then across the bottom of a scree slope and across a creek. The trail braids in a few places – you should stick to the most well-trodden path. Keep following the trail steeply uphill through rocks and meadows to a saddle.

There are incredible views from here and you may be content to make this your turnaround point. If you want to reach a summit, you can scramble uphill to the Gargoyles (to your right) and Columnar Peak (to your left). Both involve a bit of route finding and some steep slopes, so step carefully and take your time. The Gargoyles is a bit shorter and easier.

Diamond Head Peak

Diamond Head Peak is a triangular subsummit of Mount Garibaldi (Nch’kay). This peak is also called Little Diamond Head and is named after Diamond Head Peak in Hawaii.

This is the only peak on Nch’Kay that you can reach just by hiking. It’s a long trip that involves some route finding, but it is fairly straightforward. It’s best as a day trip from the Elfin Lakes campground, but strong hikers can tackle it from the trailhead in one long day. When I did it, we took about 11 hours car-to-car.

Here are the key stats for the hike to Diamond Head Peak from Elfin Lakes campground:

• Duration: 3.5-5 hours
• Distance: 10 km round-trip
• Difficulty: Very Challenging
• Elevation Change: 730 m elevation gain
• Map: Use my Gaia GPS map of the Diamond Head trail

Follow the directions above to the saddle between the Gargoyles and Columnar Peak. From there, follow a faint trail downhill through the scree to a low point with a great view of the Squamish Valley to the southwest and a small lake to the northeast.

Follow a faint trail uphill through meadows and trees to the base of a huge gravel slope. The trail disappears here and you will need to find your own route. There are a few cairns that show the way, but they peter out eventually. Just keep working your way uphill towards Diamond Head, which you can always see above you.

About half a kilometre before the summit, reach the edge of a ridge that drops away steeply to the west. I was lucky enough to see mountain goats here! Stay back from the edge and follow the ridge uphill to the north. A very steep boot-beaten path through the gravel takes you to the summit of Diamond Head. It’s steep with big drop-offs so be careful.

Opal Cone

Opal Cone is an extinct volcanic cinder cone. It has great views of the glaciers to the north as well as Mamquam Mountain to the east. It’s a great day hike from the Elfin Lakes campground or a detour on the way to Rampart Ponds.

Here are the key stats for the hike to Opal Cone from Elfin Lakes campground:

• Duration: 3.5-5 hours
• Distance: 14 km round-trip
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Elevation Change: 540 m elevation gain
• Map: Use my Gaia GPS map of the Opal Cone trail

From the junction in front of the shelter, follow the trail north through the meadows. After the turn-off for the Gargoyles, it heads into the trees crosses lots of deep gullies as it trends downhill. Reach your low point 3 km from Elfin Lakes and 200 m lower as you cross Ring Creek on a bridge.

On the other side, the trail heads uphill beside the creek through bare gravel that transitions to meadows. The route makes a few switchbacks before heading into a short stretch of trees. Reach a junction and head left to make your ascent of Opal Cone. (The route to the right continues to Rampart Ponds.)

After the junction, the route is very steep and loose. Follow the cairns to stay on track to the summit 1.25 km from the junction. You can retrace your steps, or walk all the way around the rim of the crater.

Rampart Ponds

If you want to explore further into the park, make the trek out of the backcountry campground at Rampart Ponds. It’s a good spot to base yourself for the hike to Mamquam Lake.

Here are the key stats for the hike to Rampart Ponds from Elfin Lakes campground:

• Duration: 5.5-7.5 hours
• Distance: 17.1 km round-trip
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Elevation Change: 950 m elevation gain
• Map: Use my Gaia GPS map of the Rampart Ponds trail

The route to Rampart Ponds involves lots of elevation gain and loss as well as a mandatory ford through a flooded section. To begin, follow the directions to the Opal Cone junction above.

From Opal Cone, the trail descends down to a huge volcanic gravel plain that looks like a moonscape. About 1 km after the Opal Cone junction, reach the flooded section. Each year the melting glaciers change this area, expanding the meltwater ponds. Carefully wade across the flooded area – it may be up to your waist.

On the other side, follow the trail as it heads downhill to cross Zigzag Creek on a small bridge. If the bridge is missing, this creek can be too dangerous to cross. Climb up the hill from the creek. The turn-off to the Rampart Ponds campground is 1 km past the creek. The glacier views through here are amazing.

Mamquam Lake

Mamquam Lake makes a good day hike from the Rampart Ponds campground. It’s also a very tough day hike from Elfin Lakes campground. Note: There used to be a campground at Mamquam Lake, but BC Parks closed it due to archeological concerns and built the Rampart Ponds campground instead.

Here are the key stats for the hike to Mamquam Lake from Rampart Ponds campground and from Elfin Lakes campground:

• Duration: 1-1.5 hours from Rampart Ponds/6.5-9 hours from Elfin Lakes
• Distance: 3.7 km round-trip from Rampart Ponds/20.8 km round-trip from Elfin Lakes
• Difficulty: Easy from Rampart Ponds/Very Challenging from Elfin Lakes
• Elevation Change: 250 m elevation gain from Rampart Ponds/1200 m elevation gain from Elfin Lakes
• Map: Use my Gaia GPS map of the Mamquam Lake trail

Follow the directions above to Rampart Ponds. From there, follow the trail as it switchbacks downhill. The route starts in the gravel glacial plain, then transitions to meadow and then forest. The trail ends at the lakeshore, which is great for swimming.

Backcountry Camping and the Hut at Elfin Lakes

Most people choose to camp at Elfin Lakes campground or stay in the Elfin Lakes Shelter (also called the Elfin Lakes Hut). But there are also a couple other camping options nearby. I have details on all of them below.

Elfin Lakes Campground

Elfin Lakes Campground is spread out at the north end of North Elfin Lake. The campground has 35 wooden tent platforms that can hold up to a 4-person tent. You can also squeeze two 2-person tents on the platforms, but you probably won’t be able to get your rain flies staked out all the way.

All campsites are first-come, first-served for campers with reservations. Just choose a site once you arrive.

There are metal hanging poles with pulleys to store your food. Bring a waterproof bag (I recommend a lightweight dry bag) to protect your food from rain and birds.

The cooking shelter has a metal counter for cooking, picnic tables, and a wash sink with grey water disposal. There are also outdoor picnic tables. Plan to cook and eat in the cooking area to minimize food smells and waste around the tent pads.

There are outhouses at each end of the campground. The outhouse building for the Elfin Lakes Shelter are also very close by.

Collect water from the north Elfin Lake. This is the designated drinking water lake so keep it clean! You must filter or treat all drinking water as you don’t know if people or animals have contaminated it with poop or other pathogens. (I use a Katadyn BeFree.)

Campfires are never allowed in Garibaldi Provincial Park to protect the fragile alpine vegetation. As well, be sure to stay on the paths through the campground. Over the years, campers’ feet have eroded a lot of the beautiful heather meadows.

You can find more info about backpacking to Elfin Lakes in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

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• Points of cultural and natural history

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Elfin Lakes Shelter

The Elfin Lakes Shelter is also known as the Elfin Lakes Hut or the Elfin Lakes Cabin. It is located just past the north end of the two lakes. This large A-Frame hut has a kitchen and eating area downstairs and bunkbeds upstairs.

There are 33 double bunks (bottom bunks) and 11 single bunks (top bunks) and all bunks are first-come, first-served amongst people with reservations – choose an available bunk when you arrive.

The kitchen area downstairs has a propane stove that is free to use but you will need to bring your own pots. There are also metal counters for cooking and picnic tables for eating. You can wash dishes in the sink – it also has a grey water disposal drain. Hang your food on hooks on the wall and ceiling to protect it from mice.

The propane heater in the centre of the hut is only turned on in winter. The hut also has solar lighting, but it doesn’t always work. There is an outhouse building to the east of the hut with four separate stalls.

Collect water from the north Elfin Lake by walking past the cooking area for the campground. This is the designated drinking water lake so keep it clean. You must filter or treat all drinking water.

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Rampart Ponds Campground

The Rampart Ponds Campground is located 8.5 kilometres from Elfin Lakes and 19.5 kilometres from the trailhead. Keep in mind that it will take about 7-8 hours to hike there from the trailhead.

The Rampart Ponds are shallow glacial ponds in the middle of a rocky glacial plain. There are no trees for shelter so it can be a miserable place to camp in bad weather… but it also has gorgeous glacier views in good weather.

The campground has 12 gravel campsites, an outhouse, and food lockers. Collect water from Rampart Ponds.

Red Heather Campground

The Red Heather Campground is open during the winter months only. (It is prime bear habitat the rest of the year so camping is only allowed in the winter.) There are no tent pads or designated tenting area – just pitch your tent on the snow. You can use the Red Heather hut for cooking, eating, and storing your food. There is an outhouse nearby.

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Snowshoeing and Skiing at Elfin Lakes in Winter

The Garibaldi Park Road is plowed in winter, making Elfin Lakes a very popular winter hiking, snowshoeing and backcountry skiing destination. I’ve got more details in my guide to snowshoeing in Squamish.

However, it is a much more challenging and potentially dangerous trip in winter. The trail is marked in winter with reflective wands, but when the fog rolls it can be difficult to see them. You will need to be comfortable with navigation. I use the Gaia GPS app.

The trail will also be very snowy and icy. Depending on trail conditions, you will need snowshoes or microspikes. I recommend microspikes in May and November and snowshoes between December and April. (Read my guide for tips on how to choose snowshoes and my guide to the differences between snowshoes and microspikes).

The winter route (marked by wands) deviates from the summer route in a few places (most notably around the east side of Round Mountain.) Thanks to this, it stays out of most of the serious avalanche terrain. However, the backcountry ski runs below the trail are in avalanche terrain. In any case, you should still have avalanche training and rescue gear. Check the avalanche forecast before your trip.

While the road is plowed in winter, it is still usually snow and ice-covered. You must have tire chains to drive this road. BC Parks has a checkpoint partway up the road in winter. If you don’t have chains, they won’t let you continue. Even if the road doesn’t seem that slippery, the final switchback before the parking area can be very icy – lots of cars have slipped off the road here and required a tow truck to get them out. Just put your chains on!

Biking to Elfin Lakes

Bikes are allowed on the trail as the Elfin Lakes Shelter. Since the entire route is on an old road, biking makes the trip to Elfin Lakes much faster. I’ve ridden up to Elfin on my mountain bike and while it is faster than hiking, it’s still pretty tough thanks to the elevation gain and the technical terrain.

The biking directions are the same as the hiking directions above, with one key exception. Just after Red Heather day-use shelter, the hikers’ route leaves the road and heads directly uphill. If you are on a bike you must stay on the old road as it makes a long switchback before meeting back up with the hikers route about 1 km later.

The trail is steep in a few places and is often very rocky. You will need a mountain bike with suspension or at least a gravel bike. Unless you are great at technical riding uphill, you’ll definitely have to push your bike in a few places – it’s really chunky. Class 1 e-bikes (pedal assist only) are allowed. You will also need a bit of stamina for the first six kilometres since they are entirely uphill.

Final Thoughts

That’s everything you need to know to plan a trip to Elfin Lakes. I recommend going in clear weather to really enjoy the views. Do you have questions about the trail? Ask them in the comments – I’m happy to help.

READ NEXT:

• The Best Hikes in Squamish, BC (From a Local)
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Squamish
• 70+ Things to do in Squamish (By a Local)
• Camping in Squamish, BC: 22 Places to Camp Near Squamish
• 31 Best Backpacking Trips in BC

The post Elfin Lakes Hike in Squamish (By a Local) appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

While this post is aimed at locations where you can go on an overnight hiking trip in spring, most of these trips make great fall backpacking trips in British Columbia too.

In BC, most mountain trails are snow-covered between late October and mid-June. However, there are lots of lower elevation trails that are snow-free between March and November. There are even a few on this list that you can backpack year-round.

This list of 25 spring backpacking trips in British Columbia includes:

• Destinations near Vancouver, on Vancouver Island, and in BC’s interior
• Trips ranging in difficulty from beginner to expert
• Hikes between 2 and 8 days long
• Trails that are usually snow-free by March, April, or May and stay snow-free until October or November
• Tips for spring backpacking trips in British Columbia
• Bonus: Spring backpacking suggestions for Washington State

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Map of Spring Backpacking Trips in British Columbia

Tips for Spring Backpacking in British Columbia

Backpacking in the spring has its own challenges. Here are a few things to watch out for:

Weather: In spring, the weather is colder and wetter than in summer. It’s also less predictable. Pack accordingly and be prepared to cancel your trip or switch to a different destination if the forecast looks bad. (Use these picks for the best weather apps for hiking.)

Trail Conditions: Many trails suffer blow-downs, wash-outs, and flooding over the winter. Often, parks staff and volunteers do trail maintenance in late May or June, which means trails can be in rough shape before then. (Here are my tips for how to check trail conditions.)

Mud: Wet and muddy trails are inevitable in spring. Come prepared with waterproof hiking boots and gaiters.

Creek crossings: Streams run high in the spring with a combo of snow-melt and rain. Bridges may be washed out and fords may be dangerous. Be prepared to turn back.

Bears: As they wake up from hibernation and tend to new cubs, bears are more active in spring, especially in valley-bottom and coastal locations where there are lots of things for them to eat at this time of year. Read more about bear safety for backpackers.

Seasonal closures: Some parks and trails are closed in the off-season, or may have temporary closures to due damaged infrastructure. Check park and trail websites before you go.

Trailhead access issues: In spring, logging roads that access trailheads may be muddy or washed out. If you’re heading to a trail that requires a water taxi or floatplane, fog and rough weather may delay or cancel your trip. Shuttle services between trailheads may not start operating until May.

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Spring Backpacking Trips in Southwestern British Columbia

Viewpoint Beach and Halfmoon Beach, Golden Ears Provincial Park

Heads up: Day passes are required at Golden Ears Provincial Park in summer. However, if you have a backcountry permit registration, you don’t need a day pass. Learn more in my guide to BC Parks day passes.

This easy hike in Golden Ears Provincial Park follows the banks of Gold Creek. There are trails on both the west and east sides of the creek, connected by a bridge, so loop trips are possible. You can camp at Viewpoint Beach or venture further upstream to Halfmoon Beach.

This is the closest place to Vancouver that you can take a spring backpacking trip in British Columbia and also made my list of the best easy backpacking trips in BC.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. For info on camping fees, see Golden Ears Provincial Park.

READ NEXT: How to Make Backcountry Camping Reservations in BC

Lindeman and Greendrop Lakes, Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park

It’s a short hike to picturesque Lindeman Lake where you can camp next to the tranquil turquoise waters. If you have more energy, carry on along the rougher trail to Greendrop Lake. Lindeman Lake is often snow-free in April, but Greendrop Lake holds snow into May.

Lindeman Lake is also one of my picks for beginner-friendly backpacking rips in BC.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. For info on camping fees, see S⨱ótsaqel / Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park.

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.

• 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
• Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Skagit River Trail, Skagit Valley Provincial Park

Note: Access to this trail was disrupted by the November 2021 storms. The river has changed course at the Sumallo Grove trailhead and the bridge is not accessible at times of high water. In late summer, it’s an easy ford. However, western trailhead on Silver-Skagit Road in Skagit Valley Provincial Park is open between mid-April and November, so you can access it from that direction.

This laid-back hike follows a historic fur-trade route along the banks of the Skagit River as it flows downstream. You can do an 8 km round trip hike from the Sumallo Grove Trailhead in Manning Provincial Park, camping at Delacy Camp. If you have two cars, you make a 14 km traverse from Sumallo Grove to Silver-Skagit Road.

The Skagit River Trail is one of the best easy backpacking trips in BC.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and the E.C. Manning & Skagit Valley Provincial Parks map from Clark Geomatics.

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Tikwalus Heritage Trail, Fraser Canyon

This historical Indigenous and fur trade route leads steeply up from Highway 1 in the Fraser Canyon to several spectacular lookouts. Camp high on a bluff near several small lakes. The trail takes its name from a former Nlaka’pamux village near the trailhead.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

READ NEXT: How to Go Backpacking in BC Without Reservations

Lower Stein Valley, Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Provincial Park

Note: A large wildfire burned the lower Stein Valley trail in July and August 2023. As of early 2026, the trail is currently only open up to Earl’s Cabin camp 10.5 km from the trailhead.

The warm, dry climate in Lytton makes the Lower Stein Valley my favourite choice for spring backpacking trips in British Columbia – Over the years, I’ve been there six times in March, April, and May. The valley is a spiritual place for the local Nlaka’pamux First Nation.

The trail travels next to the Stein River passing Indigenous pictographs and culturally modified trees. Choose from five different campgrounds spaced out along the lower section of the trail. This is one fo the best places for beginner backpacking in BC.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and the Stein to Joffre Trail Map by Trail Ventures BC.

READ NEXT: How to Make Backcountry Camping Reservations in BC

Cheakamus Lake, Garibaldi Provincial Park

Heads up: Day passes are required at Cheakamus Lake in summer. However, if you have a backcountry camping reservation, you don’t need a day pass. Learn more in my guide to BC Parks day passes.

As the lowest elevation trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park, Cheakamus Lake is a good spring backpacking destination. The flat and easy trail leads through old-growth forest to the beautiful glacially-fed lake. Camp at the lake outlet or follow the trail along the shoreline to camp at Singing Creek.

This trail is my number one pick for easy backpacking near Vancouver.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and the Garibaldi Provincial Park Map by Clark Geomatics. For info on camping fees and reservations, see Garibaldi Provincial Park.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.

• 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
• Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Fairview Bay/Saltery Bay Loop, Sunshine Coast Trail

Portions of the Sunshine Coast Trail are snow-covered most of the year, but you can tackle this low elevation section starting at the southern terminus in Saltery Bay. Hike along the coast to Fairview Bay hut as an out-and-back trip, or take on the full loop, camping at either Fairview Bay Hut or Rainy Day Lake Hut.

The trip to Fairview Bay is on my list of the best easy bacpacking trips in BC.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Confederation Lake and Fiddlehead Landing, Sunshine Coast Trail

Here’s another low elevation section of the Sunshine Coast Trail (SCT) that is perfect for a spring backpacking trip. The trail starts at Inland Lake, then climbs steeply through thick old-growth forest to a hut on the shores of Confederation Lake. Follow the SCT downhill to Fiddlehead Landing on the shores of Powell Lake and another hut.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

Sarah Point to Powell River, Sunshine Coast Trail

This northern section of the Sunshine Coast Trail is an ideal spring backpacking destination. Arrange a water taxi or 4WD shuttle to the trailhead at Sarah Point or skip the first few kilometres by taking the shortcut trail to Wednesday Lake from Sarah Point Road. Finish your trip at the Shinglemill Pub in Powell River. Along the way, walk along bluffs speckled with arbutus trees, through old-growth forest, and past small lakes.

More Info: Read my trip report from my March backpacking trip on the northern section of the Sunshine Coast Trail. Part of this section is also featured in my book Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

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Sign up to receive a bi-monthly newsletter from Taryn at Dawn Outdoors stuffed with the latest on backpacking in BC including:

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Spring Backpacking Trips on Vancouver Island

Narvaez Bay, Saturna Island

This oceanfront campground is located on the southeastern side of Saturna Island in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. It’s an easy hike in from the trailhead and the trail is also open to bikes. FYI: There is no potable water here so you’ll have to pack in your own. It’s also on my list of the best easy backpacking trips in BC.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. See Gulf Islands National Park Reserve for camping reservations.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

READ NEXT: BC Backpacking Reservation Dates You Need to Know

Juan de Fuca Trail, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park

Note: The Juan de Fuca Trail is closed in summer 2025 due to significant storm damage. It is not possible to hike the entire trail, but you can visit and camp at Mystic Beach and East Sombrio Beach. The full trail is expected to re-open in late May, 2026.

The rugged Juan de Fuca Trail runs along the coast from near Jordan River to Port Renfrew. It’s a little shorter than the West Coast Trail, its famous neighbour to the north, but it’s just as rugged and has more hills. This trail crosses lots of steep gullies, so it is prone to washouts in the spring, fall, and winter months.

More Info: Read my Juan de Fuca Trail guide for full details. Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For camping fees, see Juan de Fuca Provincial Park.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

READ NEXT: Juan De Fuca Trail Guide: Backpacking on Vancouver Island

West Coast Trail, Pacific Rim National Park

Note: The West Coast Trail is open from May 1 to September 30 each year. The National Park officially closes the trail from October to the end of April.

The West Coast Trail is Canada’s most famous multi-day hike. Since it opens in May, it also makes a great spring backpacking trip. The 75-kilometre-long trail follows the wild shoreline with the help of bridges, ladders, and cable cars. Each night you will camp on a wilderness beach.

More Info: Get details on this hike in my West Coast Trail guide. Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For info on reservations, trail fees, and National Park fees, see Pacific Rim National Park.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

READ NEXT: Your Guide to the West Coast Trail in British Columbia

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Backpacking on Vancouver Island

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• 25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
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• Points of cultural and natural history

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Keeha Beach, Pacific Rim National Park

Note: Keeha Beach is open from May 1 to early October each year. The National Park officially closes the trail from early October to the end of April.

This sandy beach is located just north of the West Coast Trail. It’s a short hike to get there, but allow plenty of time as the trail is very rough with lots of slippery roots and tons of mud. (The mud is pretty epic – comparable to the North Coast Trail.) You can also day hike to the nearby Cape Beale Lighthouse.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For trail fees, and reservations, see Pacific Rim National Park.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Della Falls Trail

At 440-metres-tall, Della Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Canada. To get there, you first have to canoe, motor boat, or water taxi across Great Central Lake. Then hike up through a river valley to the base of the falls. Don’t miss a side trip on the Love Lake trail for incredible views of the falls.

The water taxi starts running on May 15 each year when the falls are in full flow. However, snow can linger in May and early June in the upper valley and on the Love Lake Trail, so go prepared.

More Info: Get all the details in my Della Falls Trail guide and join the Della Falls Facebook group. Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

READ NEXT: Della Falls Trail Hiking Guide

Wild Side Trail, Flores Island

Note: The Wild Side Trail is open from May to October each year. The Ahousaht Nation officially closes the trail from November to April.

The Wild Side Trail has one of the best effort to reward ratios of any of Vancouver Island’s coastal trails. It’s one of my favourite spring backpacking trips in British Columbia – I’ve done it twice in May! This trail is also one of my picks for the best beginner backpacking trips in BC.

It’s an easy walk along beaches and through the forest to a gorgeous campsite at Cow Bay. There are also two other campsites along the way. The hike is located in Ahousaht First Nation territory on Flores Island near Tofino, so you’ll need to arrange a water taxi.

More Info: Get details on this hike in my Wild Side Trail guide. Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For info on trail fees and camping fees, see the Wild Side Trail website.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

READ NEXT: Wild Side Trail: Hiking and Camping Guide

Hesquiat Peninsula Trail, West Coast Vancouver Island

If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure, take a water taxi or floatplane to the remote Hesquiat Peninsula on the west coast of Vancouver Island. This informal trail follows the rugged coastline as it bucks and dips across rocky headlands, through surge channels, and along beaches. There are no facilities or formal campsites.

More info: See Hiking the West Coast of Vancouver Island by Tim Leadem, and Hesquiat Peninsula Provincial Park.

Get My Book…

Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips

• 25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
• Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

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Nootka Trail, West Coast Vancouver Island

The Nootka Trail is my favourite coastal hike in BC. It’s located on Nootka Island off the west coast of Vancouver Island, so you need to take a water taxi or floatplane to get there. What makes this trail special is that it is almost entirely on the beach. There are no formal facilities or campsites.

More info: See my Nootka Trail trip report. Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For info on fees, see Yuqot.ca, the Mowachaht-Muchalaht First Nation website.

READ NEXT: Sunshine on the Edge of the World: Nootka Trail Trip Report

Tatchu Peninsula Trail, West Coast Vancouver Island

The Tatchu Peninsula is a wilderness hike on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The hike traces a route down the west side of the peninsula, linking numerous beaches with short overland trails. There are no formal facilities or campsites. You can do the easier (and more scenic) northern section as an out-and-back or complete a very challenging traverse.

More info: See my Tatchu Trail guide, Rugged Point Provincial Park. Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.

Raft Cove, Raft Cove Provincial Park

Raft Cove is a remote beach on the north end of Vancouver Island, reached by a maze of logging roads from the tiny town of Holberg. It’s a short walk into the beach, but the rough and muddy trail makes it seem longer. Camp on the sandy beach and watch surfers work the waves just offshore.

This is one of my picks for the best easy backpacking trips in BC.

More info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. See Raft Cove Provincial Park for info and camping fees.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

San Josef Bay, Cape Scott Provincial Park

This is the easiest trail in Cape Scott Provincial Park, but it still has spectacular scenery. The trail winds through the coastal forest and ends at a beautiful beach. At low tide, you can explore incredible sea stacks. There are two beaches to camp on separated by a headland that is impassable at high tide.

The flat trail makes it one of the best easy backpacking trips in BC.

More info: For more info, see my Cape Scott guide, the North Coast Trail Map by John Baldwin, and the North Coast Trail Waterproof Map by Wild Coast. Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For camping fees, see Cape Scott Provincial Park.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

READ NEXT: Cape Scott Trail Guide: Hiking and Camping on Northern Vancouver Island

Get My Book…

Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips

• 25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
• Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Cape Scott Trail, Cape Scott Provincial Park

While the north end of Vancouver Island gets a lot of rain, the Cape Scott Trail can be a great spring backpacking destination if you get a window of good weather. It’s a long hike through bog and coastal forest on old settler trails to the campsite at Nel’s Bight. From there, you can day hike to Cape Scott, the northernmost point on Vancouver Island.

More Info: Get details on this hike in my Cape Scott Trail guide, the North Coast Trail Map by John Baldwin, and the North Coast Trail Waterproof Map by Wild Coast. Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For camping fees, see Cape Scott Provincial Park.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

READ NEXT: Cape Scott Trail Guide: Hiking and Camping on Northern Vancouver Island

North Coast Trail, Cape Scott Provincial Park

The tough North Coast Trail traverses the northern end of Vancouver Island. It starts with a water taxi drop-off in Shushartie Bay and ends when it intersects the Cape Scott Trail at Nissen Bight. In between, there is lots of muddy and rough trail through coastal bog and old-growth forest, and a few gorgeous beaches.

More Info: Get details on this hike in my North Coast Trail guide. Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For camping fees, see Cape Scott Provincial Park.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

READ NEXT: North Coast Trail Guide: Backpacking on Vancouver Island

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Spring Backpacking Trips in British Columbia’s Interior

Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park

This large park between Kelowna and Naramata has several different spring backpacking options. You can hike to Divide Lake and Baker Lake near the summit of Okanagan Mountain. You can also follow the Wild Horse Canyon Trail to campsites on the shores of Okanagan Lake. A connecter trail links the two, so you can make a big loop. Spring and fall are the best time to visit this park, as it is too hot in the summer.

More info: See Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

READ NEXT: How to Go Backpacking in BC Without Reservations

Okanagan High Rim Trail

This trail follows an elevated route above the Okanagan Valley between Vernon and Kelowna. In most years, it is snow-free by early to mid May. This trail is only a few years old and crisscrosses lots of forestry roads in between great viewpoints and small lakes.

More Info: Get the details from the Okanagan High Rim Trail Association.

Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Deer Point Trail, Gladstone Provincial Park

The low elevation Deer Point Trail along Christina Lake in Gladstone Provincial Park near Grand Forks make a good spring backpacking destination. You can camp at Trapper Creek partway along the trail or at Troy Creek at the north end of the lake. Both campsites are open to boaters as well.

More Info: Get info on the trail and camping fees from Gladstone Provincial Park.

Flatiron Trails, Wells Gray Provincial Park

Note: In 2023, a few key bridges washed out and with high water, it is currently not possible to cross the creeks and reach any of the campsites.

Even though it is near the entrance to the park, Flatiron area of Wells Gray Provincial Park is a bit under-the-radar. A network of trails follows creeks to the banks of the Clearwater River and there are three backcountry campgrounds. You can access the area from three different trailheads, making loop trips or a traverse possible.

More Info: Get info on the trails from Exploring Wells Gray Park by Roland Neave. For camping fees see Wells Gray Provincial Park.

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Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover BC’s best backpacking trips

• 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
• 35 backpacking trips and day hikes on Vancouver Island
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• Detailed maps and photos

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Spring Backpacking Trips in Washington

Since it is a short trip across the border, it’s worth mentioning a few spring backpacking locations in Washington State.

Olympic Coast: The wilderness coast in Olympic National Park is accessible year-round. With several access points, lots of different trips are possible. As a bonus, it’s easier to get permits in the spring. For trip ideas, see my guides to Shi Shi Beach, Ozette Loop, and Toleak Point.

Enchanted Valley: Follow the East Fork Quinault River Trail into the Enchanted Valley in the rainforest of Olympic National Park.

East Bank Trail, Ross Lake: This trail in North Cascades National Park follows the shoreline of Ross Lake. See my East Bank Trail trip report.

Chelan Lakeshore Trail: This 17-mile-long trail in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest begins and ends with a ferry on Lake Chelan. The trail finishes at the boat-access-only village of Stehekin in North Cascades National Park.

So that gives you 25 different spring backpacking trips in British Columbia to choose from!  Which one would you choose?  I’ve hiked most of these trails (some of them several times) so feel free to ask me more about them in the comments.

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READ NEXT:

• 30 Best Backpacking Trips in BC
• 24 Easy Backpacking Trips In BC For Beginners
• How to Go Backpacking in BC Without Reservations
• BC Backpacking Reservation Dates You Need to Know
• How to Make Backcountry Camping Reservations in BC
• Backpacking Checklist: Gear You Need To Go Backpacking

The post 25 Spring Backpacking Trips in British Columbia appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.