Elsay Lake Emergency Shelter

Elsay Lake Emergency Shelter is a BC Parks backcountry cabin at Elsay Lake in Mount Seymour Provincial Park. It’s designated for emergency use only; the surrounding area is handled as wilderness, so expect rugged access and plan for a self-sufficient backcountry outing rather than a regular campground stay.

Use is free, and there is no reservation system for the shelter—when you need it, it’s first-come, first-served. If you’re camping around the lake, you may need a BC Parks backcountry camping permit via the BC Parks reservations system (or self-registration where applicable).

The Mount Seymour trail leading to Elsay Lake is described as difficult and rugged, with sections that can be extremely rugged and easy to lose in inclement weather. The approach to the emergency shelter is at the end of the trail, and the recommended season for this route is late June through October. Park hiking guidance also notes the Elsay Lake route is about 17 km return with roughly 500 m of elevation gain and an estimated 9–10 hours round trip.