Golden Ears Provincial Park

Camping, fishing, hiking trails, picnicking, swimming, watersports, and overnight backpacking trips

British Columbia parks, trails and activities near Maple Ridge BC Canada in the Fraser Valley

Golden Ears Provincial Park is British Columbia's largest provincial parks. It is a remote and rugged mountainous wilderness area in the Lower Mainland. This park truly offers something for all types of adventure seekers. There are opportunities for horseback riding, picnicking, swimming, fishing, watersports, day hikes and overnight backpacking trips to name a few of its popular activities.

Golden Ears Provincial Park Hiking Trails

The Provincial Park has an extensive trail system ranging from easy 1.1km hikes to challenging backpacking trails. There is even a wheelchair accessible trail called The Spirea Universal Access Trail giving everyone an opportunity to experience nature. Trails are suitable for walking, day hikes, overnight backpacking hikes, mountain biking and horseback riding. Without a doubt there is a trail to suit everyone's needs and abilities.

Outdoor Activities in the Park

Horseback Riding

Golden Ears Provincial Park has 20km of gravel and dirt horse trails. Camping with horses is permitted at the Woodlands Groupsite and corrals are available for day use at South Beach on Alouette Lake.

Cycling

There are over 20km of trails available for biking. Additionally, cycling is permitted on the roadways within the park. E-bikes are permitted on designated trails so long as they meet the parks criteria.

Climbing

Although the park does not have any technical climbing areas, there are two mountain where intermediate climbing skills are required in to reach the summit. These are strenous and long trips that take about 7-10 hours to complete the return trip. In fact, the trek to Golden Ears is an overnight hike for most people. Each mountain has official trails to follow.

Picnicking

There are four day-use areas on Aloutte Lake that are ideal for picnicking. South Beach is vehicle accessible and has plenty of amenities for the day. There are flush and pit toilets, a change house and drinking water taps. Other picnicking locations are accessible by foot at Campers Beach and North Beach. There is also one picnic site that is accessible only by boat on Alouette Lake's East Beach.

Playground

There is one playground in the park. It is located in Alouette Campground.

 Watersports at Golden Ears Provincial Park

Swimming

There are marked swimming areas on Alouette Lake near South Beach and near Camper's Beach. Exercise caution if swimming outside these desingated areas as powerboats are permitted on the lake.

Canoeing, kayaking and pedalboating

These are very popular activities on Alouette Lake. Rentals are available at South Beach on weekend from May Long Weekend until late June. During the summer, boat rentals are available daily until the September Long Weekend.

Fishing

Fishing is permitted in the park, however a fishing licence is required.

Powerboats and Seadoos

Powerboats and Seadoos are permitted on Alouette Lake. The lake's calm waters make it suitable for watersports, like water skiing.

Sailing and windsurfing

Both sailig and windsurfing are allowed on Alouette Lake.

Camping in Golden Ears 

Frontcountry Camping

There are three front country campgrounds to choose from at Golden Ears Provincial Park. Between all three sites there are 443 available for bookings. Of these sites 423 are accessible by vehicle. Reservations are recommended as this park is extremely popular, it is best to book campsites well in advance as they tend to fill up quickly. All front country campgrounds have accessible toilets.

Group Camping

Golden Ears Provincial Park has three group camping sites. The group site on Alouette Lake is near the boat launch. Ovenight boat parking is available as well. Golden Ears groupsite is located near the West Canyon parking lot and the Woodlands Groupsite is available for equiestrian and non-equestrian use.

Backcountry

Backcountry camping is only permitted in desingated camping spots. A backcountry permit is required. There are four backcountry sites to choose from. The shortest hike is 4.5km to Viewpoint Beach and the longest is 10.7km along the Golden Ears Trail to Panorama Ridge Golden Ears.

Marine Accessible Camping

There are several campsites that are accessible only by boat. These sites have no mooring facilities and only have pit toilets. Alouette Lake has four marine accessible campgrounds and Pit Lake has three.

Winter Camping

Gold Creek Campground is open year round. All campsites are first come first served during the winter and can not be reserved.

As you can see, with so many activities to choose from, Golden Ears Provincial Park is a must see destination for adventure seekers in BC's Lower Mainland.

BC Provincial Park

Parks, Trails, Lakes and River in British Columbia Canada