Joffre Provincial Park will be closed to recreational visitors for parts of the summer to protect Indigenous cultural values, including nťákmen (meaning “our ways”), and to ensure resource protection and public safety.
Closure dates include:
April 30 until May 15, to support Indigenous-led cultural celebrations, including Stl’atl’imx Days – a celebration of the Declaration of the Lillooet Tribe on May 10, 1911.
June 14-23 to support summer solstice and Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrations.
Sept. 3 until Oct. 6 to support Indigenous fall harvesting practices and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Public access to the park begins May 16.
BC Parks will continue the free, day-use pass program at Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park, which began in 2020. Adults and youth, 12 and older, will need to reserve a free day-use pass to visit the park, which will ensure the park is used sustainably. BC Parks uses a free day-use pass system at busy parks, like Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes, to reduce visitor impact on the natural environment. The free passes ensure that there is adequate and safe parking and provide visitors a more enjoyable experience by reducing congested trails. Day-use passes also give visitors travelling the typically long distance to the park peace of mind by booking ahead.
This year, 500 free day-use passes and camping opportunities at 26 tent pads will be available each day Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park is open for recreational use. The free day-use passes will be available for reservation starting at 7 a.m., two days before a planned visit, and are available online: https://reserve.bcparks.ca/dayuse/
“Snek̓wnúk̓wa7, Pipi7íyekw has been a sacred place for our community since time immemorial, providing sustenance and cultural value, integral to our livelihood,” said Kukwpi Sk̓alulmecw, Chief Dean Nelson of Líl̓wat Nation. “By implementing these closures, we are striving to reintroduce our community to an area where they have been marginalized. The time and space created by these closures will allow our youth, elders and all Lil’wat citizens to practise their inherent rights while reconnecting with the land. The Province’s commitment to listening and collaborating under the shared goals under the Visitor Use Management Strategy, demonstrates a true step in our shared journey of reconciliation. Kukwstum̓úlhkal̓ap Nilh ti7.”