Joffre Lakes Park reopens to public this week after temporary closure

Joffre Lakes Park will reopen to public visitors just in time for the Victoria Day long weekend.

The provincial park has been temporarily closed since April 25 to allow members of the Líl̓wat Nation and N͛Quatqua to “reconnect with the land and carry out cultural and spiritual practices,” noted the Ministry of Environment and Parks in a previous statement.

The ministry added that Joffre Lakes, which is located just east of Pemberton, has become one of the busiest parks in the province and now requires enhanced “visitor-use management” to ensure it is not impacted or degraded by heavy use and visitation.

The temporary closures are in place until May 16.

Starting May 17, adults and visitors over the age of 12 will also need a free day pass to access the park.

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The day pass system has been in place since 2021, and allows for a better parking experience and a less crowded experience for visitors.

The passes can be reserved online two days before hikers plan on visiting Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes, at 7 a.m. that day.

The ministry noted that additional temporary closures may occur this season and will be publicly announced as soon as possible.

“The temporary closures are intended to respect the Nations’ need for space and privacy to practise cultural activities, while ensuring opportunities for people to use the park,” it said.

BC Parks has additional information for hikers planning to visit the park, noting that there is no parking along Highway 99 and reminding visitors that dogs are not permitted.

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