Golden Ears Provincial Park is one of BC's most visited parks — a 62,540-hectare wilderness just 45 minutes from downtown Vancouver. With warm lake swimming, excellent hiking, and multiple campgrounds, it's the go-to summer camping destination for Metro Vancouver families and outdoor enthusiasts.
The proximity to 3 million people means campsites are fiercely competitive. Here's how to get one.
Golden Ears Campgrounds: Complete Guide
Alouette Campground
The main campground in Golden Ears, located on the north shore of Alouette Lake. With over 350 sites, it's one of the largest campgrounds in BC Parks — but that size doesn't help much when demand is this high.
What's here: Full service sites with electrical hookups (for RVs and those who want power), as well as unserviced tent sites. Flush toilets, hot showers, a sanitation station, and a boat launch. Interpretive programs run on summer weekends.
The setting: Forested sites with easy access to Alouette Lake for swimming, kayaking, and canoeing. Some sites are close to the lake; others are further back in the trees. Lakeside sites are the most sought-after.
Best for: Families, first-time campers, RV campers, anyone who wants amenities with their wilderness.
Gold Creek Campground
Located near the Gold Creek day use area, a short distance from Alouette Lake. Slightly more forested and slightly less hectic than Alouette.
What's here: Drive-in sites with fire pits and picnic tables. Flush toilets and showers. Good access to the Gold Creek trails.
Best for: Those who want to hike more than swim, or who prefer a slightly quieter atmosphere than the main Alouette campground.
North Beach Group Camp
Reserved for groups of 15 or more. If you're planning a large camping trip, this is a good option — group sites are often easier to book than individual sites.
Backcountry Camping
Golden Ears also has backcountry camping at several locations accessible by hiking or paddling:
Alouette Lake backcountry sites: Accessible by paddling north on Alouette Lake. A canoe or kayak is required. These sites see far fewer visitors than the frontcountry campgrounds. Reserve through Discover Camping.
Gold Creek backcountry: Sites further up the Gold Creek valley, accessible by hiking. More remote and more available than the drive-in sites.
If the frontcountry campgrounds are fully booked, the backcountry sites are worth checking — they often have better availability.
How to Book Golden Ears Campsites
Reservations Through Discover Camping
All Golden Ears campgrounds (except some first-come first-served backcountry sites) are reservable through discovercamping.ca.
The booking window opens 90 days before your arrival date at 7 AM Pacific Time. Golden Ears is so popular that Alouette Campground lake-adjacent sites can sell out within minutes for July and August weekends.
Tips for booking day:
- Create your Discover Camping account well in advance
- Know which campground and site type you want before 7 AM
- Have your payment info saved
- Be at your computer at exactly 7 AM
Catching Cancellations
Golden Ears sees regular cancellations throughout the summer as people's plans change. Campgetter monitors BC Parks availability every 5 minutes and sends an instant email when a cancellation appears at Golden Ears.
This is especially valuable for Golden Ears because the park has multiple campgrounds — monitoring all of them simultaneously dramatically increases your chances of catching something.
First Come First Served Sites
A small number of Golden Ears backcountry sites are available first come first served. For these, register at the Gold Creek day use area. Availability varies — weekday visits in shoulder season have the best odds.
What to Do at Golden Ears
Swimming
Alouette Lake is one of the warmest swimming lakes in the Lower Mainland, with water temperatures reaching 20°C or warmer in July and August. The main beach near the campground has a roped swimming area and is excellent for families.
North Beach (accessible by paddling or trail) is a beautiful alternative with less crowding.
Hiking
Golden Ears has an excellent trail network ranging from easy lake walks to challenging summit scrambles.
Golden Ears Summit (24 km return, 1,700 m elevation gain) The park's signature hike — a long, challenging trail to the twin summits of Mount Blanshard. One of the best summit day hikes near Vancouver, with panoramic views of the Fraser Valley and the Coast Mountains. Start early; this is a full-day commitment.
Lower Falls Trail (7 km return) A popular family hike along Gold Creek to a beautiful waterfall. Relatively flat and well-suited for children. The creek crossings can be wet in spring.
Spirea Nature Loop (3 km loop) An easy walk through old-growth forest near the campground. Good for a relaxed morning walk or for those with limited mobility.
West Canyon Trail (15 km one-way) A longer trail through the park's western valleys. Good for those wanting a less-crowded experience. Can be combined with the Gold Creek trail for a loop.
Edge Peak (20 km return) A challenging hike with excellent views. Less well-known than the Golden Ears summit route.
Paddling
Alouette Lake is excellent for kayaking and canoeing. The lake is long enough for multi-hour paddles, and the northern end (accessible only by paddle) has a quiet, wilderness feel.
Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the park. Personal watercraft are not permitted on the lake.
Cycling
The park has a limited cycling network but the main park road is popular with cyclists. Mountain biking is permitted on some trails — check the BC Parks Golden Ears trail map for current regulations.
Fishing
Alouette Lake has rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and Dolly Varden. A BC freshwater fishing licence is required. The lake's clear water makes fly fishing particularly rewarding.
Wildlife at Golden Ears
Black bears: Common in the park. Use bear caches at all times and follow bear safety protocols.
Cougars: Present but rarely seen. Be aware when hiking with children or small dogs.
Roosevelt elk: Occasionally spotted in the park's more remote areas.
Bald eagles and osprey: Frequently seen fishing on Alouette Lake.
Deer: Very common throughout the campgrounds, especially at dawn and dusk.
Best Time to Camp at Golden Ears
May: Some sites available, quiet and green. Cooler temperatures. Good for those who don't need to swim.
June: Shoulder season begins. Wildflowers along trails. Water warming up. Still significantly less crowded than July/August.
July and August: Peak season. Warmest water and weather. Most competitive for campsites. Book the moment the 90-day window opens.
September: One of the best months. Water still warm enough for swimming in early September, far fewer people, dramatic morning mist on the lake. Campsite availability improves significantly after Labour Day.
October: Quiet and beautiful with fall colours. Some facilities close for the season. Check the BC Parks website for current campground status.
Getting to Golden Ears
Address: 13000 Golden Ears Way, Maple Ridge, BC
From Vancouver: Take Highway 1 east to the Haney Bypass (exit 44). Follow signs toward Maple Ridge, then signs to Golden Ears Provincial Park. Total drive approximately 50 minutes from Vancouver.
From Surrey/Langley: Take 232nd Street north to Dewdney Trunk Road, then west to the park entrance.
Parking: The park has a large parking area but can fill on summer weekends. Day users should arrive by 9 AM on busy weekends.
Transit: The 701 bus (TransLink) runs from Haney Place Bus Exchange to within a short distance of the park entrance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a campfire at Golden Ears? Yes, when fire bans are not in effect. During dry summer periods, BC Wildfire Service may issue fire bans — check bcwildfire.ca before your trip.
Is there cell service at Golden Ears? Limited. Bell and Rogers have some coverage near the campground but it is unreliable. Don't count on it for navigation — download offline maps.
Are dogs allowed? Yes, on leash throughout the park.
How early should I book? Book the moment the 90-day window opens at 7 AM for July and August weekends. For September visits, bookings open in June and competition is noticeably less.
What if the campground is fully booked? Monitor for cancellations through Campgetter, or try the backcountry sites which often have better availability.
Bottom Line
Golden Ears is one of the finest camping destinations in Metro Vancouver's backyard. With early booking and cancellation monitoring, getting a site is very achievable — even for peak summer weekends.