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.