PEMBERTON, British Columbia – Joffre Lakes Park will close for a month starting September 2, allowing the area to recover from a busy summer and enabling First Nations to conduct cultural practices. The closure will last until October 3 and coincides with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

This will be the third closure of the park this year. The Lil'wat and N'Quatqua First Nations have previously contested the park's operations, temporarily shutting access in 2023 to assert their rights to the territory.

The Ministry of Environment and Parks stated that the upcoming closure will "provide time and space for members of the Lil'wat Nation and N'Quatqua to reconnect with the land."

While the First Nations requested more closures, the province believes the current schedule strikes a balance between cultural, conservation, and public access needs. The park will remain open during the Labour Day weekend.

Earlier this year, Joffre Lakes Park was closed for three weeks starting April 25 and for an additional two weeks in June.