page_title: Elfin Lakes
section_title: Recreation
hierarchical_section_title: Elfin Lakes / Recreation
caption_attribution_description: English: This is a panorama from Paul Ridge looking toward Diamond Head, Garibaldi Provincial Park, B.C., Canada
context_page_description: Elfin Lakes are two lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park that are popular for hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, and mountain bicycling trail located east of Squamish, British Columbia, Canada.
context_section_description: All recreational activities in the area are governed by the regulations of Garibaldi Provincial Park. Primary access to the lake is via an 11 km (5.5 mi) long trail, which gains approximately 600 metres (2,000 ft) of elevation from the trailhead. There are campgrounds and an overnight shelter at the lakes and campgrounds and a day-use shelter or a  winter overnight shelter in Red Heather Meadows. During winter, the lake is typically frozen from late December to late April. Much of the trail up is on a rarely used forest service road and has an approximate grade of 5.5%. Approximately half of the trail is in forest, while the remaining half is in alpine meadows with clear views of the surrounding mountains. There are separate trails for mountain bicycling, hiking, and winter use. Hiking trails continue past Elfin Lakes towards Opal Cone, Mamquam Lake, Columnar Peak, the Gargoyles, and Little Diamond Head. It is also possible to travel to Mount Garibaldi and Diamond Head in the winter. Swimming is permitted in the top lake, and the lower lake is reserved for drinking water only.
caption: The view from Paul Ridge toward Elfin Lakes.  Atwell Peak is prominently visible.
exif: {}