Golden Ears Provincial Park

A Large Provincial Park In The Coast Mountains North Of Maple Ridge, With Alouette Lake Beaches, Gold Creek And Lower Falls, The Golden Ears Peaks, A Big Campground System And Long Trails Such As The West Canyon And Alouette Mountain Routes. The Closest Large Mountain Park To Vancouver, Busy On Summer Weekends · Maple Ridge, British Columbia

Golden Ears Provincial Park is a large mountain park in the Coast Mountains north of Maple Ridge, in the Fraser Valley about 50 km east of Vancouver (confirm drive time in traffic). It takes its name from twin peaks that glow gold in evening light, and it is the closest big wilderness park to the city. A paved road runs past the Gold Creek area to the long blue finger of Alouette Lake, where sandy beaches, picnic lawns and a boat launch fill with families on warm weekends. Forest trails lead to Lower Falls, along Gold Creek and up to alpine ridges, while the campgrounds beside the lake and the creek are among the busiest in British Columbia. Rain is heavy in winter, so the woods stay deep green and the creeks run loud. A day pass may be required in summer (confirm), and gates can close when the parking areas are full. Allow a full day to enjoy both the lake and a forest walk, since the park is large and the best views sit well apart.

Golden Ears Provincial Park, entered from Maple Ridge in the Fraser Valley about 50 km east of Vancouver, with Alouette Lake and Gold Creek; coordinates approximate, Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada

The park is open all year and the main road is usually open at any hour, but day-use areas, the boat launch and the campgrounds run to seasonal schedules. A summer day pass system has been used on busy weekends and holidays, so check the park page the evening before you drive (confirm the current rule). Camping runs from about spring to autumn with a reservation window that opens months ahead, and some winter walk-in camping may be offered at reduced services. Snow at higher trailheads can linger into June, and daylight in December is short, so start walks early.

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