Here’s when you’ll need day-use passes for 3 popular B.C. parks

Upper Joffre Lake is seen in Pemberton, B.C.

Visitors will once again be required to secure day-use passes to visit three popular provincial parks in B.C. during peak season, officials said in a reminder.

The day-use program has been in effect at Golden Ears, Garibaldi and Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes parks since 2020 in order to reduce crowding and minimize impacts on the environment.

The requirement to get a day pass for Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes came into effect Monday. This park requires all visitors to get a pass to access trails during the park’s operating hours.

The day-pass requirements for Golden Ears come into effect Friday—and require parking passes from opening on Friday until 3:30 p.m. on Mondays.

At Garibaldi, day-passes will be necessary starting Friday, June 12. Passes are required from Friday to Monday each week for the Rubble Creek and Diamond Head park access points and every day for the Cheakamus access point.

“Although these parks are large, most of the recreation occurs on developed trails and trailheads that can get congested. Parking space is also limited,” a statement from provincial officials said.

“Without proper management, increased use of these areas can result in trail damage and vegetation trampling, wildlife displacement and adverse effects to Indigenous cultural values.”

Passes can be reserved online up to two days before a planned visit, and anyone who changes their mind about using one is urged to cancel their booking to make room for others. Those camping in the parks do not require passes.

Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes will also close completely to recreational visitors for two extended periods, in order to provide exclusive access to local First Nations.

The first closure will run from June 20 through June 27, which is during the summer solstice and includes National Indigenous Peoples Day. The second will start Sept. 8 and end Sept. 30 which coincides with fall harvesting and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

More information is available online.