British Columbia · Canada · Sources checked August 16, 2026
Upper Joffre Lake Campground reservations: why they go quickly and what to try next
Joffre Lakes has one backcountry campground with 26 reservable tent pads, reached on foot near Upper Joffre Lake rather than by car.
Trip guide updated October 4, 2026
Joffre Lakes from Matier Glacier, British Columbia — Photo credits
OpenCampsite notifies you through your selected channels after a check detects matching availability. It does not reserve or hold a site; booking stays on the official reservation system.
Why go
A hike past three mountain lakes leads to backcountry camping near the upper lake. Glacial water and steep peaks are the reason to carry your overnight gear here.
Where it is
Joffre Lakes Park, British Columbia, east of Pemberton along Highway 99.
When to go
Snow limits access outside the warmer months, and seasonal closures can affect visits. Check the park’s current access notices; day visits and overnight camping have different requirements.
Set up an automated search
- Click Watch Upper Joffre Lake above to open a search for this campground.
- Choose your dates, length of stay, and sites that fit your equipment.
- Choose your available notification channels and finish creating the alert.
- When a matching opening is found, follow the booking link and reserve on the official website.
A search does not reserve a campsite or guarantee an opening.
Camper reviews and photos
Read campers’ experiences before choosing a site. Recent reviews can help with noise, shade, and equipment fit; official notices remain the source for closures and rules.
Find camper reviews on Google Maps ↗Why Upper Joffre Lake Campground made this collection
This is a guide to the Upper Joffre Lake overnight reservation. It does not present a day-use pass as camping or describe the park as a drive-in campground.
BC Parks requires reservations for every overnight stay at Upper Joffre Lake and lists only 26 reservable tent pads, without assigned pad numbers.
The park describes itself as extremely busy, requires peak-season day-use passes for non-campers, and limits camping to designated pads at the upper lake.
When reservations open
Backcountry campground reservations open at 7 am Pacific Time three months before the arrival date. The first booking can cover the full stay allowed by the system, not just the opening night.
This is a rolling window, so there is no annual season launch to wait for. Check the Joffre Lakes park page for seasonal closures and reservation requirements before each attempt.
Where a second chance can come from
BC Parks accepts new backcountry reservations until 5 pm Pacific Time on the arrival date when space remains. Recheck returned inventory, but do not begin the hike without the emailed permit and a confirmed tent pad.
A camping reservation removes the need for a separate day-use pass. Do not book a day-use pass as a substitute for an overnight permit, and cancel an unused pass or campsite through the correct official service.
Useful alternatives
Garibaldi Lake Campground
Garibaldi Lake is another reservable Sea-to-Sky backcountry destination with a larger pad count, but it has a different trail, conditions, and itinerary.
Wedgemount Lake Campground
Wedgemount Lake offers a separate Garibaldi backcountry objective for experienced hikers; its strenuous access should be evaluated on its own merits, not as an easy overflow site.
Common questions
Is Joffre Lakes a drive-in campground?
No. Overnight camping is limited to designated tent pads at Upper Joffre Lake, reached by trail. The campground has backcountry facilities, no drinking water, no vehicle-accessible sites, and no assigned pad number with the reservation.
When can I reserve Upper Joffre Lake?
BC Parks opens backcountry campground reservations three months before arrival at 7 am Pacific Time. If inventory remains, reservations can be made until 5 pm on arrival day, but the park strongly recommends booking as early as possible.
Do overnight campers also need a Joffre Lakes day-use pass?
No. BC Parks says a valid overnight camping reservation exempts the holder from the day-use pass. Carry the reservation details throughout the stay, since cell service is limited and staff may need to verify access.
Official sources
Claims were checked on August 16, 2026. Rules and future launch dates can change, so the official pages below remain authoritative.
- BC Parks: Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park ↗
Facility identity, backcountry access, camping limits, demand, closures, and day-use rules.
- BC Parks: Backcountry Camping Reservations ↗
Pad count, three-month window, 7 am release, same-day cutoff, and permit rules.
- BC Parks: Day-use Passes ↗
Camping-reservation exemption and the separate day-use pass process.