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Joffre Lakes Trail: Practical Guide to Successfully Hiking Most Popular BC Alpine Park

Learn how to succeed at hiking Joffre Lakes Trail, BC – the most popular, ridiculously crowded, yet an absolutely EPIC must-do alpine hike to be added to your Vancouver visit bucket-list. 

The Joffre Lakes trail is without a doubt one of the most spectacular hikes in British Columbia, Canada. Located just about 2.5 hours drive from Vancouver Airport, Joffre Lakes Provincial Park has become a bucket-list adventure for almost everyone who visits British Columbia for its stunning wilderness scenery. The Joffre Lakes trail, with its three stunning turquoise water lakes and breathtaking views of the glaciers, gives hikers an easily accessible opportunity to experience some amazing alpine scenery, without having to trek into the British Columbia backcountry for days. It can be easily completed as a day hike, or an overnighter with camping sites available at the far end of the trail – right at the Joffre Lakes Glacier footsteps.

• Getting there: directions, parking, bus, shuttle
• Quick Trail Facts: difficulty, crowds
• Practical Tips to Hiking Joffre Lakes
• Photo Gallery

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Check out some of the other super-cool hikes and things to do in the Squamish-Lillooet area:

• Mt Rohr Hike: the Unexpected Discovery. Hard yet Absolutely Rewarding!
• Breathtaking Waterfall Hike – Full Guide – Crooked Falls Near Vancouver
• Howe Sound EPIC Views from Jurassic Ridge at Murrin Provincial Park – Squamish Best Hikes
• Whistler Bungee Jumping – Freefall From The Highest Bungee Bridge in British Columbia
• Top Family Winter Activities & Eco-Friendly Things To Do in Whistler, Canada

IMPORTANT:
If you are in the area near Pemberton, but Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is still closed due to COVID restrictions, check out Mt Rohr and Rohr Lake hike. The Rohr Lake trailhead starts only 8 min away from Joffre Lakes. Mt Rohr is not a “Park”, therefore no access restrictions!

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How to Get to Joffre Lakes?

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is located off the Duffey Lake Road north of Pemberton. It is about a 2.5 hours drive from Vancouver via the famous Sea to Sky highway, taking you through Whistler and Pemberton. 

GPS / Google Maps anchor point: Joffre Lakes Provincial Park trailhead

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Driving times to Joffre Lakes Trailhead:

• Vancouver Airport to Joffre Lakes: 3 hours
• Squamish to Joffre Lakes: 1 hour 45 min
• Whistler to Joffre Lakes: 1 hour
• Pemberton to Joffre Lakes: 30 min

If you’re driving to Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, please adhere to the posted speed limits through Pemberton and Mount Currie en route to the park, and please slow down to a “school limit” or slower when you are coming close to Joffre Lakes parking. As the Joffre Lakes hike is so popular, you will see many tourists and hikers crossing the road from the overflow parking lot and walking along the highway.

In addition, Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is home to vibrant wildlife and even a critically endangered grizzly bear population. If you drive in early, yes, you may even spot a bear along the highway. Do slow down! (but do NOT get out of your car for a selfie. It is not even about your safety – it is about bears. If they attack an annoying tourist – they will have to be put down by the Park Service rangers later. No one wants THAT!).

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Parking at Joffre Lakes

There are two parking lots at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park for access to Joffre Lakes hike. One is right at the trailhead, and an overflow parking a few minutes walking distance away. Parking is very limited. 

Parking on the Highway 99 shoulder to access Joffre Lakes Park is prohibited. Joffre Lakes Provincial Park service warns: if you park on the highway, you could be towed! 

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Joffre Lakes Shuttle

As of the summer season of 2019, a shuttle bus now allows public access to the Joffre Lakes trail without needing to fight for parking. 

If you choose to use the shuttle, you should be parking at Cayoosh Lot, located about 2km north of Joffre Lakes trail, and board the Joffre Lakes shuttle there.

There is a fee to take the shuttle and reservations are strongly recommended. Otherwise, the parking spots are available on a first come first serve basis. Get more information on the Joffre Lakes shuttle here.

Interestingly, the newly introduced shuttle service that was meant to reduce the parking pressure for the visitors, is viewed quite negatively by the local community members and the nature advocates. A well-known grizzly bear scientist is even warning that the pickup location for the Joffre Lakes shuttle bus could result in dire consequences for a critically endangered grizzly bear population.

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Joffre Lakes Bus Service

If you do not drive, no need to despair! There is a convenient and affordable bus service from Vancouver and Whistler to Joffre Lakes – Joffrebus – running on weekends and most weekdays from May until October.

If you are taking the bus, sit by the window on the left side of the bus (driver side) on your way to the lakes and right side (passenger side) on your way back. Regardless of whether or not you end up completing the Joffre Lakes trail hike, the Sea to Sky highway is an absolutely epic drive in itself and your trip will be absolutely worth it!

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Joffre Lakes Trail – Quick Facts

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The Joffre Lakes trail offers access to three lakes – Lower Lake, Middle Lake and (you guessed it) Upper Lake. Due to elevation difference and proximity to the glacier, each of the lakes is a separate ecosystem and offers unique scenery, vegetation, and wildlife. 

Each of Joffre Lakes is spectacular, but so is the actual hiking trail leading you up through breathtaking Alpine meadows, especially between the Lower Lake and the Middle Lake.

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The Upper Lake is where the Glacier “kisses” the lake. You can hike all the way to the campsite, and continue hiking up the ridge on the south-west to the viewpoint of the Matier Glacier. It is likely to take about 1-2 hours to-and-back from the Upper Lake. Still plan extra time and always remember to exercise caution around glaciers, as depending on the season there could be a risk of avalanche.

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Oh, did we tell you there is a cool waterfall along the trail right past the Middle Lake? You’d definitely want to check it out!

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Joffre Lakes Provincial Park had made improvements to the trail: it is paved with gravel, there are steps and even a few railings over steep climbs, and a few built bridges over multiple streams crisscrossing the park.

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How difficult is Joffre Lakes hike really?

Our personal rating for the Joffre Lakes trail is Moderate. You should be fine if you are a moderately active able individual with no medical conditions or recent injuries.

We hiked Joffre Lakes Trail in June.  About us: we are a moderately active BC family. We do not have medical conditions, are quite fit but not crazy about going to the gym. We do however hike every weekend – nothing crazy but 5-7km on average in easy to moderate kids-friendly trails (as we usually are out there with our son Cosmos who is now 4yo). 

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As the Joffre Lakes trail is quite long – over 8km – and the elevation gain is considerable – over 450m – we left our then 3.5yo Cosmos home for this hike.

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We made it all the way to the Upper Lake and continued on the trail all the way to the camping sites near the Glacier. We ended up with a total length of 10.5km and have done it in 5.5 hours to and back at a relaxed pace and taking lots of photos (including time spent waiting in line to take those photos).

Above are our stats as tracked in AllTrails App.

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Is Joffre Lakes trail suitable to young kids?

We do not recommend the Joffre Lakes trail to be hiked with kids under 5yo. Even our own hiking champion Cosmos (3.5yo at the time) stayed home for that one. Steep incline, tricky slippery surfaces, trail length and the absence of easily-accessible bathroom facilities had its day. Older kids are fine if they are up to it.

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Are there toilet facilities at the Joffre Lakes trail?

There are two pit toilets at the Joffre Lakes hike trailhead, one at the Middle lake. There is one more pit toilet at the campsite at the far end of the Upper lake next to the campsite, but when we visited (June 2019) it was closed and had signs of damage due to an avalanche.

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Are dogs allowed in Joffre Lakes Provincial Park? 

No dogs are allowed on this trail. 

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Can I camp at Joffre Lakes? 

There is a very scenic camping place at the end of the Upper lake right next to the Glacier. The spaces are very limited and it requires a reservation. Find more about camping at Joffre Lakes here.

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Are campfires allowed at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park?

Campfires are not permitted at Joffre Lakes.

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Are there bears at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park? 

There are both black bears and grizzly bears in the area. If you are visiting Joffre Lakes just for a day-trip – you probably have nothing to worry about due to high traffic and literally crowds of people. However, if you are planning to stay overnight – make sure to bring bear spray.

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Is Joffre Lakes Hike Wheelchair Accessible?

Joffre Lakes trail is NOT wheelchair accessible, however, the Lower Lake is! There are even a few ramps leading to a bridge from where people of any physical ability can enjoy the magnificent view of the Lower Joffre Lake.

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How crowded is Joffre Lakes trail really?

Joffre Lakes BC is an extremely popular place to visit by both locals and tourists alike. The line-ups at the parking lot, on the trail itself and at the lakes to take that perfect Instagram photo are sometimes quite ridiculous. Here are some photos we took the first week of June – when Joffre Lakes were not even in season yet.

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British Columbia's insider TIP: if you want to avoid crowds and enjoy the pristine beauty of alpine meadows covered with wildflowers, overreaching mountain peaks, and the stunning turquoise-colored waters of glacier-fed lakes, consider checking out another hike – just across from Joffre Lakes – Mt. Rohr and Rohr Lake trail. Also, if you have a few days you can spare and it is summer, definitely go visit Mount Revelstoke National Park.

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As the use of Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is increasing exponentially over the past few years, the environmentalists are raising conservation alarms, and the local government and Park Services are trying to roll out crowd-management plans. Yet you will still likely see a constant flow of people at Joffre Lakes BC – so while you should not expect to have the “quiet enjoyment”, please respect everyone around and refrain from disturbing activities like loud noise or smoking (illegal anyway).

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Practical Tips for Successfully Hiking the Joffre Lakes Trail

When Is It Best To Hike Joffre Lakes Trail?

Joffre Lakes BC is accessible most of the year. Typically July to September is the best snow-free time to hike the Joffre Lakes trail. Depending on the season, however, there can be heavy snow at the upper lake right into late June. Winter visits to Joffre Lakes are recommended to experienced winter hikers only, and proper snowshoes, attire and other equipment are encouraged.

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What to Wear to Successfully Hike Joffre Lakes?

Good hiking shoes are essential to succeed in mastering Joffre Lakes Trail to the top. No flip-flops, no high heeled shoes. You will be surprised how many unprepared people we’ve seen on the trail… If you absolutely want to take that perfect Instagram photo – take nice clothing and shoes with you to change at the scene!

In addition, wear or pack-in a waterproof jacket, and give preference to weather-sealed photo equipment. Weather conditions vary drastically even within the trail itself. You can start off at the Lower lake enjoying the warm sunshine, only to find it rains at the Upper Lake. 

In addition, when choosing what to wear to the Joffre Lakes hike consider bright floral colours like red, pink, magenta, purple and yellow – those look amazing on Instagram photos and are the safest to wear to any wilderness hike as you are clearly visible in case of emergency evacuation!

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What to Bring With You to Joffre Lakes Hike?

In the nutshell: own drinking water (in reusable containers), food, hiking poles, camera and photography equipment, cell phone, power bank and a lot of patience!

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

Pack some food. Depending on your level of fitness you are likely to be hiking Joffre Lakes trail for 4-7 hours. There are no food facilities anywhere near the trailhead, nor along the trail. Pack some emergency snacks in as well.

Bring Hiking Poles. The elevation gain is a considerable one for an average visitor – close to 500metres. The hike from Lower Lake to the Middle Lake is very steep. We recommend at least one hiking pole per person – can be also doubled-down as a monopod to take those amazing photos!

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Bring a Power Bank. You are at a high risk of running out of battery power quickly when using your cellphone to take photos and track your route for 5-6 hours. Have a power bank with you to ensure you still have the juice for both – extra photos and emergency situations.

Note that with so much filming and photo opportunities even before you get to Joffre Lakes, you can easily run out of juice on your devices really quickly. Best cars for road trips have many charging plugs. If that's not the case for your car – get a USB hub for your car so you can charge all your devices at the same time!

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How to Stay Safe at Joffre Lakes?

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No emergency services are available: you should plan to be self-sufficient and properly equipped for self-rescue. Trail conditions could be quite tricky in the rainy season, and everything can happen.

If you are visiting from another country or a province, make sure your medical insurance plan includes an Emergency Evacuation insurance option. 

Check out our own tips for hiking safety: Hiking With Kids: 12 Simple Safety Rules Every Parent Should Follow

There is no cellphone network once you leave the Joffre Lakes trail parking lot. Get one of the GPS-based tracking navigation apps to track your route, time on the trail and estimate the time you need to come back to the parking lot. AllTrails app is a great one we use everywhere! You can even record your hikes and share them with the hiking community!

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Stay Locally and Leave Early

Whenever we are to take an epic full-day hike, like the Joffre Lakes trail, we always make a plan to stay locally and hit the trail early.

If you are visiting British Columbia and staying in Vancouver, you should rent a car the day before and be prepared to wake up at 5 am in Vancouver and drive to Joffre Lakes Provincial Park as early as possible. Otherwise, you are risking to find the parking lot full – it usually fills up by 8 am!

Nearby Pemberton is ideal but has very limited hotel options to stay. Whistler and Lillooet are the next best option, although Whistler can be a bit expensive. 

Since we usually come to the area from Vancouver, we like to stay either at Pemberton or at Squamish. This way we know for sure we can be at the trailhead parking lot before 8 am, well-rested and ready to score the summit!

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Leave No Trace

“Leave No Trace” is a set of outdoor ethics promoting eco-conservation: it is built around seven principles that help minimize our impact on the environment.

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park has a few distinct unique (and fragile) ecosystems, and following the Leave No Trace is strongly encouraged. To learn about the complete list of Leave No Trace principles, check out our recent post: Leave No Trace & Outdoor Ethics – Zero Impact Family Adventures

The Park posted a list of basic “common sense” visit rules, such as:

• Stay on the trail the whole time and do not walk on vegetation
• Campfires are prohibited at Joffre Lakes
• Smoking is prohibited outside of designated areas, which for the Joffre Lakes trail is at the parking lot only.
• Pack out what you packed in (there are no garbage cans in the park) – this includes removing cigarette butts even from the parking lot and properly disposing of those if you are a smoker!
• No dogs are allowed at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park
• Do not feed animals or birds at the park. 

Oh, by the way, if you still choose to disregard the Park rules, you can be heavily fined by the BC Parks. They do random patrols regularly.

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Joffre Lakes Trail – Photo Gallery

One picture is worth a thousand words! Check out our photo gallery from the most recent Joffre Lakes Provincial Park visit – in June 2019.

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Planning Your Joffre Lakes Hike

When planning to hike the Joffre Lakes trail, check the Parks’ website or the BC Parks website: here you can check out important information about current trail conditions, bear activity, any temporary restrictions.

We hope this post was useful for your upcoming EPIC visit to British Columbia and successfully checking Joffre Lakes hike off your bucket list! 

Did you know, the Province of Alberta has some of the most spectacular alpine lakes to check out too? Valley of the Five Lakes is one of the hikes you can find FIVE incredible lakes – best Instagram photoshoot ever.

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Check out some of the other super-cool hikes and things to do in the Squamish-Whistler-Pemberton-Lillooet area:

• Mt Rohr Hike: the Unexpected Discovery. Hard yet Absolutely Rewarding!
• Breathtaking Waterfall Hike – Full Guide – Crooked Falls Near Vancouver
• Howe Sound EPIC Views from Jurassic Ridge at Murrin Provincial Park – Squamish Best Hikes
• Whistler Bungee Jumping – Freefall From The Highest Bungee Bridge in British Columbia
• Top Family Winter Activities & Eco-Friendly Things To Do in Whistler, Canada

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Enjoy!

Cheerfully yours,

Alexandra, Alex & Cosmos

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Share your Joffre Lakes BC hike pictures on social media! tag #PerfectDayToPlayHike to be featured on our Instagram! 

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