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Joffre Lakes Provincial Park

 
Activities Availabe At This Park Facilities Available At This Park
Activities Availabe At This Park

A campfire ban is currently in effect for this park. For more information about campfire bans and about provincial parks with park closures and campfire bans in effect, visit the BC Parks campfire ban webpage.

Park Info

Steeply rising from Lower Joffre Lake, the glacier-laden peaks are visible from an easily accessible viewpoint 500 metres from the parking lot. If you carry on, the trail becomes a rough, rocky and steep hike through the Coast Mountain range. Evidence of the park’s glacial history can be found in the U-shaped valleys, glacial silts and lateral moraines. This magnificent area of jagged peaks, icefields, cold rushing streams and turquoise blue lakes was established as a recreation area in 1988 and became a Class A park in 1996. A highlight of the park is the turquoise blue waters of Lower, Middle and Upper Joffre lakes, all three of which are located along the trail, and each more stunning than the last. Their striking, saturated blue colour is caused by “rockflour” - or glacial silt - that is suspended in the water and reflects green and blue wavelengths of sunlight. Joffre Lakes Provincial Park has opportunities for hiking, camping, mountaineering, wildlife viewing, and fishing.

Park Size: 1,460 hectares

Stay Safe:

Expect winter conditions in Joffre lakes from November until the end of May. Persons travelling into Joffre Lake Provincial Park should be properly equipped and experienced in winter travel. No emergency services are available during the winter season.

Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park. Water from lakes or streams should be boiled for at least two minutes.

Campfires are not permitted at this park.

The glacial fed lakes are very cold and are not recommended for swimming

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General Visitor Information

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Location

Off Hwy 99 east of Pemberton, BC on the Duffey Lake Road.

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Nature & Culture

  • Wildlife - Deer, black bears, grizzly bears and mountain goats reside in the area. Pikas may be spotted at the third lake. Please use the pails and metal food cache at the campsite to store your food. Dogs must be kept on a leash.
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Management Planning

Management Planning Information

  • Online Management planning information for this park is not available at this time.
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Map / Brochure

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

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Activities Available At This Park

Climbing / Repelling

Climbing

All climbing opportunities are mountaineering. Should only be attempted by experienced and equipped people.
Fishing

Fishing

Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Hiking

Hiking

Only experienced and well-prepared mountaineers should attempt mountain climbing or venture onto glaciers and snow fields. The trail from the parking lot past three lakes to Middle and Upper Joffre Lake is a rough, rocky and steep 5 km (3 mile) mountain route. Elevation gain to Upper Joffre Lake from the parking lot is approximately 400 metres. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails.

From the parking lot, Lower Joffre Lake is just a short 5 minutes, easy walk away and there is a nice viewpoint here. If you carry on, the more challenging trek to Middle and Upper Joffre lakes is well worth the reward: a sweeping view of rugged peaks, icefields and cold, rushing streams beneath the Matier Glacier.

Continuing on from Lower Joffre Lake, the trail winds upward through old growth forests of hemlock and spruce and along talus slopes. After a steep, rooty section, the trail emerges into a sub-alpine forest with views of the Matier Glacier.

At Middle Joffre Lake, you'll want to stop to photograph the scene in front of you: with the lake's pristine turquoise waters fringed by sub-alpine forest and backed by rugged Coast Mountain scenery.

The final stretch of the hike brings you to the largest and perhaps most stunning of the three lakes: Upper Joffre Lake. Here you stand beneath the frozen cascade of Matier Glacier, with a fine vantage of 2,721m. (8,927ft.) Joffre Peak.

Overnight campers can set up their tents on the far (south) end of the lake in the small, but level campsites provided. The campsite, along a section of lakeshore and in the adjacent rock talus slope, is some distance from the toe of the glacier. The campsite may fill up on weekends so it is best to get there early. In the warm afternoon sun you can hear the thunderous crashing of ice as it calves from the glacier. Please keep in mind that because of the instability of glacial terrain, scrambling upslope to get a closer view is not recommended.

Note on this hike: Be sure to take insect repellent, as mosquitoes and blackflies can be pesky.

Etiquette: Pack out what you pack in and take it home with you. There is no garbage pick-up in the park.
Pets on Leash

Pets on Leash

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.
Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
Winter Recreation

Winter Recreation

Backcountry skiing and snowshoeing opportunities exist. Be properly equipped with, and experienced in the use of, avalanche safety gear if venturing into avalanche terrain. Coastal winter weather can change rapidly, affecting visibility and travel conditions. Be aware and prepared. The clearing of the parking lot is provided by a highway maintenance contractor and is done so periodically throughout the winter. There may be times when it is not cleared when you arrive. Please do your best to park off of the highway (shoveling may be required), and allow for clearing equipment to access the lot. Thank you, and enjoy the park.
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Facilities Available At This Park

Pit or Flush Toilets

Pit or Flush Toilets

There are 2 pit toilets located at the parking lot and 1 pit toilet located at the upper lake camping area.
Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

Camping is permitted year round at Upper Joffre Lake, 5.5 kilometres from the parking lot. There are approximately 24 walk-in, backcountry campsites. Overnight campers can set up their tents on the far (south) end of the lake in the small, but level campsites provided. The campsite, along a section of lakeshore and in the adjacent rock talus slope, is some distance from the toe of the glacier. The campsite may fill up on weekends so it is best to get there early. The ice falls of Matier Glacier, Mount Matier and Mount Joffre tower above the turquoise waters of the lake. Pack out what you pack in and take it home with you. There is no garbage pick-up in the park. Campfires are prohibited all year round.
Winter Camping

Winter Camping

Be properly equipped, self-sufficient and experienced in winter travel. Caution: Winter camping at the Upper Lake campground is not recommended due to high exposure to avalanche. Choose your campsite carefully to avoid avalanche terrain. Campfires are prohibited all year round.
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