Golden Ears Provincial Park is one of the largest parks in British Columbia, Canada. Named after the twin mountain peaks of Mount Blanshard known as the ‘Golden Ears’, the park was initially part of Garibaldi Provincial Park before forming its own park in 1967. Today, the park is a popular spot for outdoor lovers looking to enjoy hiking, horse riding, camping and boating.
Tucked beneath towering cedar trees and secluded wilderness overlooking Allouette Lake, Golden Ears Provincial Park offers three rustic family-friendly campgrounds as well as walk-in and backcountry campsites without any facilities. Some of the campgrounds have larger sites that can accommodate tents and RVs and trailers up to 35 feet (larger vehicles may be permitted so we recommend calling ahead to check).
Once you’ve set up camp, you have plenty of time to explore the park’s 12 miles (20 km) of multi-use trails for hiking, biking and horse riding, or simply relax at the camper's beach. The aim here is to enjoy the chance to relax in nature; each campground has its own scenic self-guided trail and there is no cell phone reception. Keep an eye out for a variety of wildlife, such as beavers, deer, mountain goat and even black bear.
Golden Ears Provincial Park can be found in the Coast Mountains, seven miles (11 km) north of Maple Ridge and 40 miles (63 km) east of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. The entrance to the park can be found on Fern Crescent, off Highway 7 or Dewdney Trunk Road.
The main road (Golden Ears Parkway) leading to Alouette, Gold Creek and North Beach Campgrounds and the boat ramp is paved. The interior roads within the main campgrounds are paved as well but there is a short gravel road leading to the Gold Creek Parking Lot. Some of the hiking trailhead parking lots, such as the Mike Lake Road, have to be accessed via gravel roads.
Visitor parking is available at various points in the park, near the trail heads and the campgrounds. Overflow parking is available at the boat ramp and main day-use area.
The Alouette campground is the biggest of the three main campgrounds in the park, with a total of 206 campsites for tents and RVs up to 35 feet. Larger vehicles may be permitted so we'd recommend calling ahead to confirm. There are no hookups available but a dump station is available across the road.
During the summer months (June to September), drinking water is available and park security runs regular patrols. Reservations can be made during the summer months only for 83 of the campsites.
Facilities include an amphitheater, a children’s playground, swimming area, picnic area, and restrooms with showers and pit or flush toilets. There is also a self-guided trail and visitor parking available. Generators are permitted for four hours per day, two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening.
As the park is home to black bears, make sure you store your food in your car. Food stores are available near Maple Ridge and a food concession is open in the summer.
The Gold Creek campground is the second biggest of the three main campgrounds in the park, with a total of 148 campsites. It is the only campground that is open all year round, but amenities are restricted during the off season.
During the summer months (June to September), drinking water is available and park security runs regular patrols. A dump station can be found on the way out of the park, opposite the Alouette Campground. Reservations can be made during the summer months only for 74 of the campsites.
Facilities include an amphitheater, restrooms with showers and pit and flush toilets. There is also a self-guided hiking trail and visitor parking available. Generators are permitted for four hours per day, two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening.
The North Beach campground is the smallest of the three main campgrounds in the park, with a total of just 55 campsites.
During the summer months (June to September), drinking water is available and park security runs regular patrols. A dump station can be found on the way out of the park, opposite the Alouette Campground. Reservations can be made during the summer months only for 53 of the campsites.
Facilities include restrooms with pit toilets. There is also a hiking and multi-use trail and visitor parking available. Generators are permitted for four hours per day, two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening.
Golden Ears Provincial Park is a popular destination for hiking enthusiasts. You’ll find a wide range of hiking trails winding their way throughout the park, ranging from short strolls to more challenging hikes. Don’t miss the Golden Ears Trail which leads up to the northern summit of the Golden Ears massif. This seven-mile (12 km) one way trail begins at the west canyon parking lot and reaches an elevation of 1,500 metres. The view of the Fraser Valley is worth the climb!
Alouette Lake is a fantastic spot during the summer months when campers and day visitors descend on the water to enjoy non-motorized boating and water sports, such as rafting, kayaking and canoeing. Swimming is available at all campgrounds and day-use areas, but there are no lifeguards on duty. There is a four-lane boat launch area at the southern end of Alouette Lake so you can enjoy water sports, from power boating and water-skiing to windsurfing but please keep to the five-mile (8 km) an hour speed limit. Canoes and kayaks are available to rent at the Alouette or South Beach day-use area near the lake on weekends from June to July and every day of the week from late June to Labour Day weekend. These rentals are available weather permitting
Experienced rock climbers will be in their element at Golden Ears Provincial Park. While there are no technical climbing opportunities in the park, there are two mountains that are accessible via the hiking trails in the park. These require intermediate to high level climbing skills, and are not recommended to beginners. Both of these mountain peaks are situated a challenging hike away and will require the proper climbing equipment. Please note that climbing here is at your own risk.
Walk-in wilderness camping is permitted at Alder Flats on the West Canyon Trail but there are no facilities available here. Campfires are not permitted here but you can bring portable camp stoves for cooking.
Campers will have to hike three miles (5 km) from their parked car to the walk-in campsites at Alder Flats.
Walk-in wilderness camping is permitted at Panorama Ridge on the Golden Ears Trail but there are no facilities available here. Campfires are not permitted here but you can bring portable camp stoves for cooking.
Campers will have to hike six miles (9 km) from their parked car to the walk-in campsites at Panorama Ridge.
Rustic marine campsites can be found on Alouette Lake at Moyer Creek, The Narrows and Alouette River at the northern end of the lake. These campsites are boat-in only.
As with the walk-in campsites, no campfires are allowed, but portable stoves can be used for cooking. There are no facilities here.
There are more than 12 miles (20 km) of gravel trails popular amongst horse riders. Specific trails are available for horse riding so be sure to pick up a park map to locate these, as horses are not permitted on non-designated trails. Horse riding trails include the Alouette Valley Trail, the Mike Lake Trail, the Incline Trail, the Alouette Mountain Fire Access Trail, the Menzies Trail, the Loop Trail, and the East Canyon Trail. Please note that a horse riding permit is required for any commercial use of these trails. Camping with horses is allowed only in the designated camping area on the East Canyon Trail, about three miles (5 km) from the Gold Creek parking area.
Centered around the Alouette Lake, Golden Ears Provincial Park is a popular spot for water-based activities like canoeing. While canoe and kayaks are available to rent at the Alouette or South Beach day-use area during the summer months, you can bring your own watercraft to enjoy on the lake all year round. Canoeing in the off season is a great way to bird and wildlife watch when there are fewer crowds to disturb them.
Golden Ears Provincial Park is a great cycle-friendly park with a variety of marked trails used for cycling and mountain biking. There are over 12 miles (20 km) of trails in the park, but biking is restricted to park roads, parking lots, the Alouette Mountain Fire Access Trail, the East Canyon Trail, the Menzies Trail, the Eric Dunning Trail, and the North Beach Service Road. Be sure to pick up a park map from the park office to find the bike specific trails. Please note that wearing a helmet is compulsory while cycling in British Columbia.
