Garibaldi Lake

Garibaldi Lake is a high-alpine lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park in southwestern British Columbia, Canada, set beneath the flanks of Mount Garibaldi. It is a popular backcountry destination known for its striking turquoise water and mountain views.

The site is commonly reached on a maintained trail that begins at the Rubble Creek trailhead; the hike to the lake is roughly 9 km one-way with about 800 m of elevation gain, making an 18 km return a standard day trip for fit hikers. Camping is available at designated backcountry sites around Taylor Meadows and near the lake for overnight trips.

The lake lies at about 1,484 m above sea level and is framed by volcanic and glaciated peaks, including Mount Garibaldi to the south with a summit around 2,678 m. The lake’s colour and surrounding alpine scenery are principal draws for hikers, photographers and climbers heading to nearby peaks such as the Black Tusk.

Garibaldi Lake sits within Garibaldi Provincial Park, north of Squamish and south of Whistler, on the Sea-to-Sky corridor of British Columbia; it is roughly 70 kilometres north of Vancouver by road.

• Trail length and climb: One-way hiking distance from Rubble Creek to the lake is about 9 km with roughly 800 metres of elevation gain, making a typical return day-hike around 18 km.
• Elevation and colour: The lake sits at approximately 1,484 metres elevation and is noted for its vivid turquoise colour produced by glacial silt suspended in meltwater.

What to See #

• Mount Garibaldi: A high-elevation mountain lake set beneath the flanks of **Mount Garibaldi**, which frames the lake to the south and dominates views across the water.
• Taylor Meadows campsite: Taylor Meadows and the Garibaldi Lake backcountry campsite are the main established stay points for multi-day trips, located along the eastern shore and nearby alpine meadows.
• Rubble Creek Trailhead: Rubble Creek Trailhead provides the primary access route and parking; the maintained trail climbs through forest and alpine meadows before opening onto the lake.