A method and apparatus for fast reroute of multicast data are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes transmitting a multicast join message from a receiver towards a source on a primary path and transmitting an alternate multicast join message from the receiver towards the source on a backup path. Data packets are then received from the primary and backup paths. The method further includes operating in a first mode wherein the data packets received from the primary path are accepted and the data packets received from the backup path are dropped, and switching to a second mode wherein the data packets received from the backup path are accepted, upon detecting a failure in the primary path.