Golden Ears Provincial Park

As of April 15, 2009:

• Please note: An unsafe bridge over a creek at the 5.4 km point of the Golden Ears Trail (just before the Alder Flats Wilderness Campsite) has been removed. Although the flow of the creek is currently low enough to permit hikers to cross on the exposed rocks, Spring rains and run-off will continue to increase the flow in the creek and crossing may become more difficult without wading. Currently, there is no timeframe for replacing this bridge.

• The Hanging Ladder in a ravine at the 4.6 km point of the Golden Ears Trail just before Alder Flats Wilderness Campsite was destroyed by a debris torrent over the winter. A large/heavy rope has been installed so that hikers can continue to climb up and down the ravine to access the rest of the trail.  This is a temporary solution until a permanent one can be implemented.

Park Info

As one of the largest parks in the province, Golden Ears Provincial Park is prized for its recreational opportunities. The extensive system of trails within the park provides an excellent opportunity for hiking and horseback riding. Alouette Lake is a popular spot for swimming, windsurfing, water-skiing, canoeing, boating and fishing. The park also has three large campgrounds. Natural Features Vegetation is typical of the coastal western Hemlock forest of BC and the mountainous backcountry is extremely rugged.

Park Size: 62,540 hectares

Special Notes:

• Park hosts and a security patrol are available during the summer months.
• Canoes/Kayaks/Pedal boats are available for rent in the park from May through Labour Day

Stay Safe:

• In the backcountry hiking area of the park, there is a small hut on Panorama Ridge, available for emergency use situations only; no overnight use.

Campground Store open

For your convenience, the Park Facility Operator has opened a small store and concession, located in the Visitor Parking Lot by the Ticket Booth at the campgrounds.  The store will be open daily throughout the summer season (weather permitting), and will offer ice cream, pop, slush drinks, snacks, souvenirs, ice, firewood and a small selection of camping necessities.   Store hours are posted throughout the park.  Please note payment is accepted in cash only at Golden Ears Provincial Park for camping fees and store purchases.

General Visitor Information

• Park User Fees
• What to Know Before You Go
• General Safety & Ethics
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Fishing and Hunting Information
• Other Links

Location

• Location Map

Golden Ears Provincial Park lies in the Coast Mountains 11 km north of Maple Ridge on the north side of the Fraser River. Access to the park is by vehicle via Highway 7 or Dewdney Trunk Road through the Municipality of Maple Ridge. If heading west, turn right onto 232nd and if heading east, turn left onto 232nd; then turn right onto Fern Crescent and follow road into park. The closest communities, towns and cities are Maple Ridge, Mission and Pitt Meadows.

Nature & Culture

• History - The park was named after the twin peaks of Mount Blanshard near the peak's western boundary. Originally part of Garibaldi Provincial Park, the establishment of Golden Ears Park in 1927 recognized the almost impenetrable mountain barrier between the two areas.
• Cultural Heritage - Human activity in Golden Ears, both past and present, has been confined to the accessible Alouette Valley in the south of the park. In the 1920s, the forested slopes of the valley became the site of BC's greatest railroad logging operation until a disastrous fire swept through the valley in 1931. The lake and its forested surroundings were also the traditional hunting and fishing grounds for the Douglas-Lillooet (Interior Salish) and Katzie (Coast Salish) First Nations peoples.
• Conservation - The park represents the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone and is characterized by a second-growth forest of western hemlock, western red cedar and Douglas fir. There are a series of sphagnum bogs at the south end of Alouette Lake.
• Wildlife - The park's lush plant growth, numerous waterways, and mountainous terrain provide habitat to a variety of animals including beaver, deer, black bear, and mountain goat.

Management Planning

Management Planning Information

Online Management planning information for this park is not available at this time.

Map / Brochure

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

• Park Map (PDF - updated June 2008)
• Gold Creek Campground Map (PDF)
• North Beach Campground Map (PDF)
• Alouette Campground Map (PDF)
• Golden Ears Brochure - web version (PDF)
• Golden Ears Brochure - Printable version (PDF)

Reservations

All reserveable, vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of group sites) must be reserved through Discover Camping.

Campsite Reservations:
Campsite reservations are accepted at this park and must be made through Discover Camping at their website, www.discovercamping.ca, or by phone at (604) 689-9025. First-come, first-served camp sites are also available.

Group Camp/Picnic Reservations:
Group campsite and/or group picnic site reservations are accepted at this park (minimum 20 adults).  Picnic/Day Use area is available on a first-come, first-served basis only and is not reservable at this park.

Contact Info

For information on campgrounds and day-use/picnicking areas of the park only:

SSG Holdings Ltd
Email address: ssgparks@telus.net
Ph: 1-604-466-8325

Activities Available At This Park

		Canoeing

		Climbing

		Cycling

		Fishing

		Hiking

		Horseback Riding

		Pets on Leash

		Swimming

		Waterskiing

		Windsurfing

Facilities Available At This Park

		Boat Launch

		Campfires

		Drinking Water

		Group Camping

		Picnic Areas

		Pit or Flush Toilets

		Playground

		Sani-Station/Dump

		Showers

		Vehicle Accessible Camping

		Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

		Wheelchair Access

		Winter Camping