Camping at Garibaldi Lake: the Perfect Backcountry Base

Providing unparalleled access to iconic sites like Panorama Ridge, the Black Tusk, Mount Garibaldi, and Garibaldi Lake, camping at Garibaldi Lake should be at the top of your backpacking bucket list. In this article, we’ve provided all the information you need to plan your next Garibaldi Lake camping trip, including everything you need to know about permits, what to bring, and what to do once you’re there!

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Article Contents

1. Camping at Garibaldi Lake Overview
2. FAQs about Camping at Garibaldi Lake
   1. Where is Garibaldi Lake Campground?
   2. When is the best time to go camping at Garibaldi Lake?
   3. How do I make reservations for camping at Garibaldi Lake?
   4. How do I get to the trailhead?
   5. Are there bathrooms at the campground?
   6. What should I bring?
   7. Is bear proof storage required at Garibaldi Lake Campground?
3. What to do at Garibaldi Lake Campground
   1. 1. Hike to Panorama Ridge
   2. 2. Hike to Black Tusk
   3. 3. Paddle board or kayak on Garibaldi Lake
4. Garibaldi Lake hike guide
   1. Getting to the parking lot
   2. Hiking up to Garibaldi Lake
   3. Setting up camp at Garibaldi Lake
   4. Hiking to Panorama Ridge
   5. Sunset at Panorama Ridge
   6. Morning at Garibaldi Lake
5. Garibaldi Lake Camping Itinerary Options 
   1. 1. What we did with one night
   2. 2. Black Tusk + Panorama Ridge with one night
   3. 3. Black Tusk + Panorama Ridge with two nights
6. Other useful Resources

Camping at Garibaldi Lake Overview

Surrounded by glacier-capped peaks, old-growth forest, and endless hiking trails, the Garibaldi Lake Campground is the perfect backcountry base to explore the western Canadian Rockies! 

While camping at Garibaldi Lake, you can hike out to Panorama Ridge, perhaps the most iconic view in the southeastern corner of Canada. Or hike to Black Tusk Viewpoint, the easily distinguished peak that resembles, well, a big black tusk. 

If your legs are tired from the 5.6 mile/9 km (3,211 feet/978 meters) hike to reach Garibaldi Lake Campground, you can relax right on the lake shore for the afternoon. Soak in the mind-blowing views and cool off in the cerulean, glacial-fed waters. 

Garibaldi Lake hike overview

• Distance | 11.3 miles/ 18 kilometers
• Elevation | 3,211 feet/ 978 meters
• Difficulty | Hard
• Dogs allowed | Dogs are not allowed at Garibaldi Lake campground or on the trail to the campground.

Find this hike on AllTrails | Garibaldi Lake

To be super clear, Garibaldi Lake Campground is a backcountry campground, meaning that it can only be accessed via an 11.3-mile (18 km) hike with about 3,200 feet (980 meters) of elevation gain.

The elevation gain is immediate and constant. After about 1.5 miles/2.4 km, the switchbacks will start. Over the next 2 miles/ 3.2 km, the trail climbs up a series of 20 relentless switchbacks.

After the switchbacks, there is a junction in the trail. The trail to the left goes towards Taylor Meadows. To reach Garibaldi Lake Campground, stay straight and continue along the same trail.

From the junction, the trail passes by the tiny but picturesque Barrier Lake and Little Garibaldi Lake, before a final push leading up to Garibaldi Lake itself. 

Once the lake comes into view, the trail continues on the rocky shore for just a bit longer until it ends right at Garibaldi Lake Campground. 

FAQs about Camping at Garibaldi Lake

Where is Garibaldi Lake Campground?

Garibaldi Lake Campground is located in the backcountry of Garibaldi Provincial Park in the southwestern corner of British Columbia, between Squamish and Whistler, along the iconic Sea-to-Sky Highway. 

The trailhead for Garibaldi Lake Campground is about 90 minutes north of Vancouver. 

When is the best time to go camping at Garibaldi Lake?

• Peak | July through September
• Shoulder | June, October
• Avoid | November through May

The best time to go camping at Garibaldi Lake is July through early October.

The trail up to Garibaldi Lake Campground is usually snow-free by early July, while the trail to Panorama Ridge and Black Tusk won’t be snow free until late in July. 

If there is a bit of lingering snow, you can certainly still hike, just be prepared with microspikes or other snow gear, such as an ice axe or crampons as needed.

How do I make Reservations for camping at Garibaldi Lake?

Reservations are required for all overnight stays at the Garibaldi Lake Campground.

Garibaldi Lake Campground sites can be reserved up to 4 months in advance of your planned arrival date. Reservations become available at 7:00am PT.

We made our reservation as soon as the window opened, knowing how popular the campground is. However, we didn’t have any trouble getting a site, so you may be able to get a reservation closer to your arrival date.

Backcountry sites cost $10 per adult per night, with a $6 per tent pad per night transaction fee. Kids under the age of 16 cost $5 per night and kids under age 6 are free. 

Book your campsite | You can read more about the reservation process on BC parks and you can make reservations for Garibaldi Lake Campground here.  

Do I need to carry my permit?

Officially, yes, you are supposed to bring a printed copy of the reservation to hang from your tent site. Of course, we completely forgot to do this, but it turned out not to be a big deal.

Now, we might have missed the rangers coming through to check reservations while we were out hiking to Panorama Ridge. So we still recommend printing your reservation and throwing it in a sandwich bag to hang from the post outside your tent site. 

At the least, make sure to have a screenshot of your permit to show the rangers.

How do I find a campsite at Garibaldi Lake?

When you make a reservation, you are guaranteed one of 35 tent pads at the Garibaldi Lake Campground, but you are not assigned a specific tent pad. When you arrive at the campground, you can find any unoccupied tent site. 

The sites are situated up the hill to the right, leading away from the lake. The sites are easy to find and fairly close together (which we didn’t love, honestly).

We walked through the entire campground to see if we could find the best site and didn’t really find much difference between the sites. Some of the sites are close to the bathrooms so you could catch an unsuspecting whiff of that stench if you choose one of those sites.

But other than that, the sites seemed pretty similar. All of the sites are within a short walk of the lakeshore. 

The tent pads themselves were sturdy, in good condition, and definitely made sleeping a bit nicer, providing a flat and elevated surface to sleep on. The Garibaldi Provincial Park website says you can fit two tents to each tent site but we thought that would be really, really tight. 

How do I get to the trailhead?

The trailhead for the hike up to Garibaldi Lake campground is located off the Sea to Sky Highway, about 20 miles north of Squamish. The trailhead is large and there is additional parking on the road, but parking on the road would add some unnecessary distance to your hike. 

This is the same trailhead for both Panorama Ridge and Black Tusk, so expect some crowds. There are pit toilets at the trailhead. 

Are there bathrooms at the campground?

There are two pit toilets available at Garibaldi Lake Campground. We did not use them ourselves so can’t say anything about their cleanliness.

However, they smelled pretty freakin’ bad as we walked by, which is honestly why we never used them. 

What should I bring?

Below is a list of gear we’d recommend packing for camping at Garibaldi Lake.

Bug Spray | The mosquitos and flies around Garibaldi Lake Campground can be pretty brutal.

Warm Layers | Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody
Prepare for a chilly evening and morning! Pack extra layers for when the sun goes down. My Arc’teryx jacket is incredibly warm, lightweight and packs down small!

Water shoes | Chacos
Great for wearing around camp or for wading into the lake.

Bear Spray | Counter Assault
Since there are black bears in the area, carrying bear spray with you is a good idea.

Water Filter | Katadyn BeFree 1.0L Water Filter
There is plenty of water along the trail so we highly recommend packing a water filter to save some water weight. The Katadyn BeFree is small and couldn’t be easier to use.

Is bear proof storage required at GAribaldi Lake Campground?

Bears are active at Garibaldi Lake Campground, so it’s super important that you store your food and other scented items appropriately.

Luckily, there are two bear hangs available at the campground. This means you do not need to bring your own bear canister or bear-proof bag. However, it’s a good idea to pack a dry sack or durable bag to pack all your food in that can easily be clipped on the bear hang pulleys.

Be sure to hang all bear attractants (food, toiletries, basically anything that has a scent, etc.) before you go to sleep, and never leave your food unattended. 

Where can I find water?

You couldn’t ask for a better water source than Garibaldi Lake itself! Just don’t forget to pack your water filtration system (we recommend the Katadyn BeFree or Sawyer Squeeze).

What to do at Garibaldi Lake Campground

Far from being just another campground in the backcountry, there are tons of super fun things to do while camping at Garibaldi Lake!

1. Hike to Panorama Ridge

Easily the most popular hike in Garibaldi Provincial Park and perhaps the best view we’ve ever seen, hiking up to Panorama Ridge while camping at Garibaldi Lake is a must do! 

The hike from Garibaldi Lake up to Panorama Ridge is not an easy one, though. In total, the hike from Garibaldi Lake Campground to Panorama Ridge is 8.3 miles (13.3 km) and covers 2,312 feet (704 meters) in elevation gain.

Even more so, the last stretch of the hike up to Panorama Ridge is rocky, steep, and exposed, so make sure you’re up for a real adventure if you want to tackle Panorama Ridge. 

2. Hike to Black Tusk

An alternative to the more popular Panorama Ridge trail, the hike to Black Tusk from Garibaldi Lake Campground is 6.4 miles (10 km) and covers 2,709 feet (825 meters) in elevation gain.

The trail to Black Tusk follows the same path as the trail to Panorama Ridge until a junction about 1.5 miles/2.4 km from Garibaldi Lake. From this junction, you will follow a different trail up to the Black Tusk. 

Unfortunately, we did not have a chance to hike up to the Black Tusk viewpoint, but heard that the views are amazing. 

3. Paddle board or kayak on Garibaldi Lake

We saw a few fellow campers hike in with inflatable paddle boards and we were super jealous! Of course, it would have been a pain to lug one of those things all the way up to the lake, but spending the afternoon paddling around Garibaldi Lake sounds like absolute perfection. 

4. Go fishing on the lake

Another activity we didn’t have the chance to try, Garibaldi Lake is a great fishing spot and is home to a significant population of Cutthroat Trout and Rainbow Trout.

We can certainly think of worse ways to spend an afternoon than relaxing on the banks of Garibaldi Lake while casting a few lines!

Garibaldi Lake hike Guide

In this section, we’ll tell you all the fun (and not-so-fun) details about our experience camping at Garibaldi Lake. Keep reading for the good stuff!

Getting to the parking lot

We stayed at Garibaldi Lake Campground for one night in early August 2023. We arrived at the trailhead parking lot around 8:45 am and were hiking by 9:00 am.

The parking lot was filling up but not full when we departed. When we arrived back at the parking lot the next day however, it was full and lots of people were parking along the road leading up to the trailhead. We’d recommend arriving no later than 9:00 am in order to get a parking spot close to the trail. 

Hiking up to Garibaldi Lake

Our plan was to hike to Garibaldi Lake Campground, relax, eat lunch, and set up our tent for the afternoon and then continue on to Panorama Ridge for sunset.  

We seriously underestimated how long and steep the hike up to the lake was going to be! In less than 6 miles/9.65 km, it gains 3,200 feet/975 meters and the climbing is relentless. I don’t remember any flat or downhill sections at all. 

The trail is wide, well-kept, and very well-marked. Every junction is clearly marked and a few of the intersections even have maps posted. You’d seriously have to try hard to get lost here! 

Setting up camp at Garibaldi Lake

With sore feet and tired legs, we arrived at Garibaldi Lake Campground around 12:00 pm and we were pretty wiped. It was really nice to stop at the campground, unload our packs, and take a good rest, before continuing up to Panorama Ridge.

After the hike up to Garibaldi Lake, we both agreed that we were glad we weren’t trying to do the climb to Panorama Ridge as a day hike. 

After arriving at the campground, we looked for a good tent site to set up camp.

After enjoying lunch sitting on the banks of Garibaldi Lake, we set up our tent, and rested for about 2 more hours. Of course, I was able to fall asleep for a quick nap with ease, while Sarah tossed and turned, unable to get much needed shut eye. 

Hiking to Panorama Ridge

With lighter packs and sore legs, we left Garibaldi Lake Campground and began our journey up to Panorama Ridge around 3:00pm. Knowing that we had plenty of time until sunset at 8:55pm, we took our time hiking to Panorama Ridge, stopping to take pictures and videos of every new viewpoint.

We were also definitely dragging a bit from having already hiked 6 miles/9.65 km! We finally arrived at Panorama Ridge around 6:00pm.

You can definitely make it faster than we did. I’d budget probably about 2-2.5 hours from Garibaldi Lake Campground to Panorama Ridge, hiking at an average pace. 

Sunset at Panorama Ridge

As you ascend towards Panorama ridge, the views get better and better until you crest the final ridge and are met with the absolute best view I’ve ever seen.

I know it probably sounds like an exaggeration when I say that, but I’m being serious. It’s absolutely insane!

You get 360 degree views, with Mount Garibaldi, the Sphinx glacier, and the teal waters of Garibaldi Lake to one side. Turn around and you get head on views of the Black Tusk! Add in the countless glacier-capped mountains and it’s simply alpine perfection. 

The summit of Panorama Ridge is rocky and exposed, so make sure to bring some layers to block the inevitable wind. There are a few different viewpoints along the final ridgeline and they are all spectacular.

We whipped out the Jet Boil, some snacks, some tea, and of course, three cheese mac and cheese and just enjoyed the views for a few hours. 

Hiking back to Garibaldi Lake Campground in the dark

We stayed up at Panorama Ridge right up until the sunset but didn’t want to scramble down entirely in the dark so left probably a little earlier than we should have. The sky absolutely lit up in shades of orange, red, and purple as we were hiking down. It was the absolute best sunset we’ve ever seen! 

We arrived back at Garibaldi Lake Campground around 10:45 pm, hung our bear attractants, enjoyed a Snickers, and quickly hit the hay. 

We’ve really come to enjoy hiking in the dark – either early in the morning or after sunset. I know some people may be worried about critters rustling around in the woods at night, but as long as you aren’t in prime grizzly country, most animals are going to be more scared of you than you are of them.

There are always risks when you’re hiking alone in the backcountry, whether it’s in the middle of the day or at night. Just make sure you have a good headlamp and extra batteries!

Morning at Garibaldi Lake

The next morning, Sarah woke up early to catch the sunrise at Garibaldi Lake but it didn’t end up being as colorful as sunset the night before. It was still beautiful thought! 

We made breakfast, packed up our tent, and started hiking around 9:45 am. We arrived back at the trailhead around 12:15 pm. 

Garibaldi Lake camping Itinerary Options 

With so many things to do while camping at Garibaldi Lake, we thought it’d be helpful to provide you a few itinerary options based on our own experience. 

1. What we did with one night

On day 1, we hiked to Garibaldi Lake Campground, set up our tent, then continued on to Panorama Ridge for sunset. We hiked back to camp in the dark, then packed up and hiked back to the trailhead the next day. 

If you are looking to do Panorama Ridge as part of your Garibaldi Lake camping trip, this is the itinerary we’d recommend for you. 

We’d highly recommend catching the sunset from Panorama Ridge, but you can also go up there earlier if you don’t want to hike back in the dark. 

2. Black Tusk + Panorama Ridge with one night

If you can hike quickly and can handle a long day on the trails, you could hike to Garibaldi Lake Campground, drop your gear, then continue up to Black Tusk, over to Panorama Ridge, and back to camp in one day. Spend the night at Garibaldi Lake and the hike out the next morning. 

Day 1 of this itinerary would be an absolute beast so only attempt this if you are an experienced hiker and very fit! And start early!

3. Black Tusk + Panorama Ridge with two nights

If we could do it again, this is the itinerary we would do. 

On day 1, hike up to Garibaldi Lake Campground, drop your gear, then continue on to Panorama Ridge and back to camp. On day 2, you can leave everything at camp again and do a day hike up to Black Tusk. 

Then on day 3, you could hike out from camp and back to your car. 

Other useful Resources

Looking for more great hikes in British Columbia, the Pacific Northwest, and Canada? You may also be interested in these resources:

British Columbia

• Panorama Ridge Hike Guide
• Wedgemount Lake Hike Guide

Washington

• Hiking Summerland Trail in Mount Rainier
• Backpacking the Enchanted Valley in Olympic National Park
• Rialto Beach to Hole in the Wall
• Hoh River Trail Hike Guide
• Maple Pass Loop Hike Guide

Alberta

• Best Hikes in Banff National Park
• Iceline Trail Hike Guide
• Cirque Peak & Helen Lake Hike Guide
• Big Beehive Hike Guide

Questions about camping at Garibaldi Lake or hiking in the area? Drop us a comment below!

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