Joffre Lakes Provincial Park
The postcard of British Columbia
A one-stop shop for hiking, camping, fishing and Instagramming, Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is located two and a half hours drive from Vancouver and is the perfect weekend escape or lunch stop on your BC road trip.
The park features three stunning turquoise glacial lakes enclosed by Douglas Fir slopes and snowy mountains in the background for good measure.
For active hikers, it will take you two to two and a half hours to make a round trip of the trail (there and back, not a loop) which takes you past all three lakes. But that’s with no stops - and it’s impossible not to stop. I tripped over so many times because I couldn’t stop gawking at my beautiful surroundings!
The lower lake is only a few minutes walk on the flat from the car park. From there the walking is uphill the rest of the way, and it will take approximately 45 minutes to reach the middle lake and a further 20 minutes to the upper lake.
Keep an eye out for wildlife including friendly birds (such as the gray jay or whiskey jack which will land on your hand if you extend your arm), chipmunks and, if you’re fortunate (and quiet), you might spot or hear a pika scurrying amongst the rocks.
A pika is a cute critter that looks like a mouse with no tail but is more closely related to a rabbit.
For outdoor enthusiasts (or serial Instagrammers!) Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is not to be missed on your trip to British Colombia.
