Joffre Lakes Day Pass Gear List
Joffre Lakes Park has no drinking water, no cell service and no garbage facilities, so BC Parks says to bring your own water and pack out everything. From November to the end of May, it asks for micro spikes or snowshoes and avalanche gear.
What BC Parks says to bring
Your own water
Drinking water is not available in the park. Treat any lake or stream water before you use it.
Insect repellent
Mosquitoes and black flies are common.
A portable stove
For cooking. Campfires are not allowed anywhere in the park, at any time of year.
Gear for the conditions
There is no cell service in the park, so you must be properly prepared and equipped.
Bags to pack out everything
The park has no backcountry garbage or recycling facilities.
November to May
Micro spikes or snowshoes
BC Parks strongly recommends them. Expect severe winter conditions from November until the end of May.
Avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel
BC Parks says to bring all three.
Deep snow and ice
You will meet deep snow, ice and slippery terrain.
The trail and the rules
About 400 m of climb
From the parking lot to Upper Joffre Lake. The trail gets steeper near Middle Joffre Lake.
Rockfall
BC Parks strongly discourages scrambling uphill past the trail.
Very cold lakes
The glacier-fed lakes are not recommended for swimming.
No dogs
Dogs and other pets are not allowed in the park.
A pass for each person
Children 12 and under with a parent or guardian who holds a pass need none. Download, screenshot or print it before you arrive.
Gear questions for Joffre Lakes
Is there drinking water at Joffre Lakes?
No. BC Parks says to bring your own water and to treat any lake or stream water before using it.
Can you hike Joffre Lakes in winter?
BC Parks says to expect severe winter conditions from November until the end of May, and to bring micro spikes or snowshoes plus an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel.
Can you bring a dog to Joffre Lakes?
No. BC Parks does not allow dogs or other pets in Joffre Lakes Park.
Sources
Checked against the agency pages above on November 9, 2026. This page names no products, and it lists what the agency says, in our words. Check the agency page for rules that changed since.
In an emergency in Canada, call 911.