Joffre Lakes Provincial Park has some of the most stunning scenery in British Columbia — three glacier-fed lakes in vivid shades of turquoise and green, surrounded by old-growth forest and hanging glaciers. Since photos of the lakes went viral on social media, it's become one of the most sought-after destinations in the province.
Getting a campsite here is genuinely difficult. But it's not impossible if you know how the system works.
About Joffre Lakes
Joffre Lakes is located near Pemberton, about 160 km northeast of Vancouver (approximately 2.5 hours driving). The park has three lakes at different elevations — Lower, Middle, and Upper Joffre Lakes — connected by a trail that gains 370 metres of elevation over 5 km.
The overnight campground is at Upper Joffre Lake — the most dramatic of the three, with views of the Matier Glacier cascading above the lake.
There is no drive-in camping at Joffre Lakes. All overnight visitors must hike the trail to the upper campground.
The Joffre Lakes Trail
Distance: 10 km return (5 km each way) Elevation gain: 370 metres Difficulty: Moderate Time: 2–3 hours hiking in with a full pack
The trail passes Lower Joffre Lake (beautiful, easy to reach) and Middle Joffre Lake (more dramatic) before reaching the upper campground. The final section to Upper Lake is the steepest.
The trail is well-maintained and clearly marked. For camping, you'll need to carry all your gear — tent, sleeping bag, food, stove, and bear gear.
Upper Joffre Lake Campground
The campground has approximately 30 designated tent pads spread around the upper lake area. The pads are numbered and assigned when you make your reservation.
Facilities:
- Designated tent pads (reservation required for each pad)
- Bear caches for food storage — required, not optional
- Pit toilets
- No fires permitted anywhere in the park — camp stove only
- No potable water — filter from the lake
What makes it special: Waking up beside Upper Joffre Lake with the Matier Glacier above you is one of the finest camping experiences in BC. Morning light on the glacier, reflections in the lake, the sound of ice calving — it's extraordinary.
How to Book Joffre Lakes Campsites
The Booking System
Joffre Lakes campsites are reserved through discovercamping.ca — BC Parks' reservation system. You book a specific tent pad for specific dates.
The booking window opens exactly 90 days before your arrival date at 7 AM Pacific Time.
Opening Day: What to Expect
Joffre Lakes is among the most competitive bookings in all of BC Parks. On popular summer weekends, every site can be gone within 30–60 seconds of 7 AM.
To give yourself the best chance:
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Create your Discover Camping account in advance — not the morning you need to book. Verify your account, save payment info, and test that you can log in.
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Know exactly what you're booking — your dates, party size, and which tent pads you prefer (sites near the lakeshore go first).
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Be at your computer before 7 AM — have discovercamping.ca open, logged in, and your search pre-filled.
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Execute immediately at 7:00 — select your site and complete payment as fast as possible. Don't stop to compare pads.
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Have backup dates ready — if your first-choice weekend is gone, immediately try your second choice.
Cancellation Monitoring
If the opening window passes and everything looks full, cancellations are your next best option — and often a very good one.
People cancel Joffre Lakes reservations regularly. When someone cancels, their tent pad immediately becomes available again on Discover Camping — but it's typically gone within minutes, sometimes seconds.
Campgetter monitors BC Parks availability every 5 minutes, around the clock. When a Joffre Lakes cancellation appears, you get an instant email with a direct booking link. This is the most reliable way to get a Joffre Lakes campsite if you missed the opening window.
Key tips for cancellation monitoring at Joffre:
- Set up monitoring as early as possible — cancellations can come weeks or months before the trip date
- Be flexible on specific dates if possible — monitoring a wider window increases your chances
- Have your Discover Camping account ready to book the moment you get an alert
- Act immediately when the notification arrives
Day Use at Joffre Lakes
If camping isn't working out, Joffre Lakes also has a day use reservation system. Day use parking permits are required and must be booked in advance through Discover Camping.
Day use reservations are less competitive than camping — they open closer to the date and are generally easier to get. You won't experience the sunrise over the upper lake, but the hike and the scenery are still exceptional as a day trip.
Best Time to Visit Joffre Lakes
July: Wildflowers blooming around the lakes. Snow mostly gone from the trail. Warm temperatures. Most competitive for camping.
August: Often the best month — stable weather, warm, glacier still active above the upper lake. Peak competition for campsites.
September: Excellent and underrated. Fall colours on the surrounding hillsides, fewer visitors, and noticeably better campsite availability. The lakes are just as beautiful. Bring warmer gear.
October: The trail is usually still accessible in early October. Very few campers. Beautiful fall colours. Cold nights — proper four-season gear required.
June: The trail may have snow patches on the upper section. Lower lake is accessible but the upper campground may still have lingering snow. Check BC Parks conditions reports before going.
What to Pack for Joffre Lakes Camping
Shelter and sleep:
- Three-season tent (four-season recommended for September and October)
- Sleeping bag rated to 0°C or lower — upper lake nights are cold even in summer
- Sleeping pad
Food and cooking:
- Camp stove and sufficient fuel — fires are prohibited
- All food must be stored in the provided bear caches when not being prepared
- 2–3 litres of water capacity — filter from the lake at camp
Clothing:
- Waterproof rain jacket — essential even on sunny-forecast days
- Warm fleece or down layer for evenings
- Hiking boots with ankle support
Other:
- Water filter or purification tablets
- Headlamp
- Trekking poles (helpful on the steeper sections)
- Offline maps downloaded (AllTrails or Gaia GPS — no cell service in the park)
Getting to Joffre Lakes
From Vancouver: Take Highway 99 north through Squamish and Whistler, continue to Pemberton, then follow signs to Joffre Lakes. Total driving time approximately 2.5 hours.
Parking: The trailhead parking lot is small and fills extremely quickly on summer weekends. Arriving before 8 AM is recommended for day use. Overnight campers can arrive later since their spot is reserved, but parking may still be tight.
Alternative: BC Transit runs buses from Vancouver to Whistler and Pemberton, making it possible to reach Joffre Lakes without a car. Check current schedules at translink.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to day hike Joffre Lakes? Yes. A day use parking reservation is required. Book through discovercamping.ca.
Are dogs allowed at Joffre Lakes? Dogs are permitted on the trail and at the campground but must be on leash at all times.
Is there cell service at Joffre Lakes? No. Download offline maps before you go.
How cold does it get at the upper campground? Even in July and August, overnight temperatures at the upper lake (elevation ~1,370 m) can drop to 5°C or lower. A sleeping bag rated to 0°C is recommended even in midsummer.
What if I can't get a camping reservation? Day use is the alternative. Or set up a cancellation alert on Campgetter and wait for a campsite to open up.
Bottom Line
Joffre Lakes is one of BC's most spectacular camping destinations. The booking process is intensely competitive, but cancellation monitoring gives you a realistic shot even after the opening window has passed.
Set up monitoring, stay flexible on dates, and be ready to book fast.