B.C. Parks adds identity verification to day-use pass bookings starting Tuesday at four popular parks
Golden Ears, Joffre Lakes, Garibaldi and Mount Seymour will require account creation and email verification to combat bot interference and ensure fair access.
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B.C. Parks is tightening access to day-use passes at four of its most popular parks, starting Tuesday, September 22. Visitors wanting to book passes for Golden Ears, Joffre Lakes, Garibaldi or Mount Seymour will now need to create an account on the BC Parks website and verify their identity before reserving a spot.
The new system offers two account-creation methods: BC Services Card or email and password. After signing up, users receive an email to verify their identity; no reservation can be made until that step is complete. Day passes become available at 7 a.m. two days before a planned visit.
B.C. Parks says the change is designed to "ensure passes are reserved and distributed fairly when demand is high" and to "strengthen security and improve fair access." The stated goals are to reduce interference from digital bots and prevent other system misuse that has plagued bookings at these high-demand sites during peak season.
The timing varies by park. At Garibaldi, passes are required at Cheakamus, Rubble and Diamond Head trailheads Friday through Monday and holidays until October 12. Joffre Lakes requires passes every day from October 1 through October 25. Day-use passes limit the number of visitors in parks during peak season to prevent congested parking lots, roads, trails and viewpoints, and to reduce environmental impacts from overuse.
Joffre Lakes has used day-use passes since 2021 to manage parking and crowding. The source does not specify how many passes are available at each park or what booking demand looked like before this new verification requirement.
How many day-use passes are available at each of these four parks during peak season?
What specific incidents of bot interference or system gaming prompted this change, and when did they occur?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
Which four parks require identity verification for day-use pass bookings?
Golden Ears, Joffre Lakes, Garibaldi, and Mount Seymour require account creation and email verification starting Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
What are the two ways to create an account for booking passes?
Visitors can sign up using either a BC Services Card or an email address and password. After creating an account, they must verify their identity via email before making any reservation.
When do day-use passes become available for booking?
Day passes become available at 7 a.m. two days before a planned visit.
Until when are passes required at Garibaldi's trailheads?
At Garibaldi, passes are required at Cheakamus, Rubble, and Diamond Head trailheads Friday through Monday and holidays until October 12, 2026.
