Golden Ears Provincial Park Park

Address: Golden Ears Provincial Park, near Maple Ridge, British Columbia

Website: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/golden_ears/

Golden Ears Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia that protects the Golden Ears mountain massif and surrounding forested valleys east of Metro Vancouver. It is one of the larger protected recreation areas immediately adjacent to the Vancouver metropolitan area.

The park is used for hiking, backpacking, camping and paddle sports, with a prominent reservoir at the eastern boundary used for boating and lakeside recreation. Extensive trail networks lead into alpine ridges and valley bottoms, and the twin-peaked Golden Ears massif is the park’s most recognisable landmark.

The area was set aside to conserve the mountainous terrain, rivers and forest ecosystems while providing outdoor recreation close to the Lower Mainland. Logging and small-scale settlement occurred in the valleys before park protection; the park now focuses on recreation and conservation management.

Geographically the park sits on the north side of the Fraser River watershed between Maple Ridge and Mission, British Columbia, and lies roughly east of Vancouver. The landscape is dominated by steep forested slopes rising to rocky ridges and alpine meadows.

• Access and effort: Trailheads are accessed from Highway 7 and smaller forest roads; hikes into the backcountry can be long and strenuous, so expect full-day routes and multi-day backpacking for summit trips.
• Facilities: Campgrounds and picnic areas are concentrated near the lake and lower valleys, while the higher ridges are largely backcountry without facilities.

What to See#

• Golden Ears massif: Located around the central massif, this group of rugged peaks includes the twin summits known collectively as the Golden Ears and forms the park’s dominant skyline feature.
• Alouette Lake: A large reservoir at the park’s eastern edge that offers boat launches, beaches and lakeside campgrounds and is often used as the entry point for popular trails.

Golden Ears Provincial Park is about a 45-60 minute drive east of Vancouver, accessible via Highway 7 (Lougheed Hwy) and Golden Ears Way (Hwy 49) toward Maple Ridge and Mission. Public transit options are limited for reaching trailheads; a private vehicle is recommended.

• Arrive early on weekends in summer to get a parking spot at popular trailheads like Alouette or Golden Ears Parkway.
• If hiking into the backcountry, register at the park office or trailhead register and be prepared for rapidly changing mountain weather.
• Ferries and some access roads may have seasonal schedules-check BC Parks notices for trail closures and advisories.