Camping Near Garibaldi Lake

Written by: Lori Pederson

Backpacking to Garibaldi Lake for an overnight camping trip is a great opportunity because it gives you day hiking options by going to Black Tusk or Panorama Ridge. The hike in is fairly long but the wide switchbacks are rootless making the terrain relatively easy to navigate with your supplies on your back.

Although you gain 900 meters in elevation, there are lots of areas you can stop to rest. It is 9Km’s to the lake but after the 6.5 Km’s mark, the trail levels off quite a bit and the last 2.5 Km’s is a nice, scenic walk.

If your destination is Taylor Meadows then it’s just 1/2 a KM from the 6.5 KM junction. If the campsite at Garibaldi Lake fills up, then you will have to hike to the campsite at Taylor Meadows and camp there. The Garibaldi Lake campsite typically is busy on summer long weekends and many of the nice weather weekends throughout July and August.

The spectacular thing about Garibaldi Provincial Park is there are many trails to explore and camping overnight in the park makes it easier to explore more areas.

Here are the details of the Garibaldi Lake and Taylor Meadows Campgrounds:

Garibaldi Lake Campsite

  • 50 campsites
  • The view of the lake is amazing.
  • There is a Hut to eat in and store your food (not for sleeping in).
  • Hike up the switchbacks to Taylor Meadows to enjoy or hike the trails
  • Camping year round.
  • Although it doesn’t guarantee a campsite as they are first come you can conveniently pay for your reservation on line. It is $10.00 per person per night. Children under 6 are free and 6-15 yrs are $8.00. You can also pay cash at Rubble Creek parking lot! Leaving it in the drop box. To book online, visit the Discover Camping website.
  • No dogs are allowed at Garibaldi Provincial Park.
  • No garbage pick-up in the park, pack out what you bring in.
  • Although BC Parks Rangers frequent the park on a regular basis you should be in good physical shape and have enough supplies for self rescue.
  • No cell service.
  • There is swimming at Garibaldi Lake, but no lifeguards are on duty and keep in mind the water is glacier fed and very cold most of the summer.
  • Bring your own water as there is no water other then creeks and at the lake. If you’re using this water you should be boiling it or using a water purifier.
  • There is fishing at Garibaldi Lake, for either Cutthroat or Rainbow Trout. You will need a BC Fishing License.
  • There is no cycling or snow mobiles allowed in Garibaldi Provincial Park.
  • Overnight car break-ins and thefts have been reported at the Rubble Creek parking lot. Do not leave any valuables in your vehicle while you are camping including any sort of identification.
  • What should you bring? Read my blog via Vancouver Trails.
  • For more information hiking to Garibaldi Lake & Taylor Meadows.

Taylor Meadows Campsite

  • 40 campsites.
  • Less busy then the lake.
  • Hut to eat in and store your food (not for sleeping in).
  • You don’t have to climb the steep switchbacks from the lake to the junction trails making it easier to access other trails like Black Tusk and Panorama Ridge.
  • The views & flowers in the meadows are stunning.
  • Camping year round.
  • Although it doesn’t guarantee a campsite as they are first come you can conveniently pay for your reservation on line. It is $10.00 per person per night. Children under 6 are free and 6-15 yrs are $8.00. You can also pay at Rubble Creek parking lot leaving it in the drop box. To book online, visit the Discover Camping website.
  • No dogs are allowed at Garibaldi Provincial Park.
  • No garbage pick-up within the park, pack put what you bring in.
  • Although BC Parks Rangers frequent the park on a regular basis you should be in good physical shape and have enough supplies for self rescue.
  • No cell service.
  • Bring your own water as there is no filtered water source and only in small creeks. If you’re using this water you should be boiling it or using a water purifier.
  • There is no cycling or snow mobiles allowed in Garibaldi Provincial Park.
  • Overnight car break-ins and thefts have been reported at the Rubble Creek parking lot. Do not leave any valuables in your vehicle while you are camping including any sort of identification.
  • What should you bring? Read my blog via Vancouver Trails.
  • For more information hiking to Garibaldi Lake & Taylor Meadows.

Lori Pederson is an Education Assistant for The Surrey School District. In her spare time she's an avid hiker, ss'er and loves Dragon Boating. She scouts out challenging but safe hikes & SS'ing and posts them to her hiking site, Hiking For The Scaredy Cat.

7 responses to “Camping Near Garibaldi Lake”

  1. Valentina says:

    Hello, we just moved to Vancouver and would like to visit the Garibaldi Lake area in Mid-late May. Is there any chance to camp with a tent? and do we have to book it in advanced or the camping is open all year around? Many thanks!

  2. Caitlin says:

    Thinking of heading up this way for an overnight soon. Missed getting a reservation by a long shot — has anyone scouted out other areas further along the trail or around the lake that would be good to pitch a tent?

  3. Jared says:

    How has the crime been recently, all I keep seeing are vandalism and theft warnings about leaving your car over night for camping. What a shame, I am probably not going to make the trip now.

    • Jay says:

      Trailhead theft is prevalent everywhere. The fact is there are desperate people and stealing is one of the ways they get by to survive or feed their drug habits. It just so happens that hiker’s vehicles are easy targets for them because they know exactly how long you will be away for and they are not usually monitored by a lot of traffic. You have to mitigate this by leaving your vehicle empty. The most that can happen then is vehicle damage which is covered by insurance less the deductible (which is annoying in itself). Take those measures and go have fun. Don’t let a few bad apples ruin your potential.

  4. Theresa Bierek says:

    Hello! I made a reservation for the camping pad at the Garibaldi Lake Campground since they are no longer first come first serve. Do you know if all the camping pads come with a view of the lake? And do you know if the campsites are easy to find once we reach Garibaldi Lake?

    Thanks!

    • Lori Roberts says:

      Yes the campsites are easy to find. Some have a view of the lake and some do not. It’s beautiful there either way. Most of the time you will probably be walking and exploring at lakeside and beyond, if you don’t get one with a view.

  5. loni says:

    Garibaldi lake is one of the most amazing places in BC! I have been there so many time! but you must have bear spray!

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