25 Spring Backpacking Trips in British Columbia in 2024
PriscilaLeme After a long winter, I’m usually in a rush for summer to start so I can go backpacking. But it can be frustrating since most trails are snow-covered well into June and July. However, if you know where to look, there are lots of places to go on spring backpacking trips in British Columbia.
While this post is aimed at locations where you can go on an overnight hiking trip in spring, most of these trips make great fall backpacking trips in British Columbia too.
In BC, most mountain trails are snow-covered between late October and mid-June. However, there are lots of lower elevation trails that are snow-free between March and November. There are even a few on this list that you can backpack year-round.
This list of 25 spring backpacking trips in British Columbia includes:
- Destinations near Vancouver, on Vancouver Island, and in BC’s interior
- Trips ranging in difficulty from beginner to expert
- Hikes between 2 and 8 days long
- Trails that are usually snow-free by March, April, or May and stay snow-free until October or November
- Tips for spring backpacking trips in British Columbia
- Bonus: Spring backpacking suggestions for Washington State
Tips for Spring Backpacking in British Columbia
Backpacking in the spring has its own challenges. Here are a few things to watch out for:
Weather: In spring, the weather is colder and wetter than in summer. It’s also less predictable. Pack accordingly and be prepared to cancel your trip or switch to a different destination if the forecast looks bad. (Use these picks for the best weather apps for hiking.)
Trail Conditions: Many trails suffer blow-downs, wash-outs, and flooding over the winter. Often, parks staff and volunteers do trail maintenance in late May or June, which means trails can be in rough shape before then.
Mud: Wet and muddy trails are inevitable in spring. Come prepared with waterproof hiking boots and gaiters.
Creek crossings: Streams run high in the spring with a combo of snow-melt and rain. Bridges may be washed out and fords may be dangerous. Be prepared to turn back.
Bears: As they wake up from hibernation and tend to new cubs, bears are more active in spring, especially in valley-bottom and coastal locations where there are lots of things for them to eat at this time of year. Read more about bear safety for backpackers.
Seasonal closures: Some parks and trails are closed in the off-season, or may have temporary closures to due damaged infrastructure. Check park and trail websites before you go.
Trailhead access issues: In spring, logging roads that access trailheads may be muddy or washed out. If you’re heading to a trail that requires a water taxi or floatplane, fog and rough weather may delay or cancel your trip. Shuttle services between trailheads may not start operating until May.
