National park · Canada
Golden Ears Provincial Park
For a day visit: drive to the Main Gate, pay the vehicle entry fee, hike the Alouette Lake loop (≈5 km (3.1 mi), 2 h) in summer; for multi‑day trips, obtain a backcountry permit and camp; avoid the busiest weekends in July‑August.For a day visit: drive to the Main Gate, pay the vehicle entry fee, hike the Alouette Lake loop (≈3.1 mi (5 km), 2 h) in summer; for multi‑day trips, obtain a backcountry permit and camp; avoid the busiest weekends in July‑August.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
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Area
500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²)
approximate
Established
1967
Best months
May–Jun
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
- Fraser Valley ↗A rental car is the practical default; rural sights and wineries have no useful bus service.
- Fraser Valley ↗Two US border crossings serve the region: Huntingdon–Sumas (24/7) at Abbotsford and Aldergrove–Lynden (daily 08:00–midnight, NEXUS lane US-bound only) at Langley.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²)
- Figures vary by source and by boundary revision: roughly 500 km² of rugged mountain terrain (check).
- Established
- 1967
- Best months
- May–Jun
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Maple Ridge
Golden Ears Provincial Park protects over 500 km² of the North Shore Mountains north of Maple Ridge, with front‑country access around Alouette Lake and a vast back‑country wilderness of alpine peaks, lakes and glaciers. It is one of the most popular provincial parks in British Columbia, averaging 610,000 visitors per year. The park was split from Garibaldi Provincial Park in 1967 and is managed by BC Parks.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1967.
Size and age
500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²) · national park since 1967
Figures vary by source and by boundary revision: roughly 500 km² of rugged mountain terrain (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Maple Ridge.
Why go
- Front‑country hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding on well‑maintained trails near Alouette Lake.
- Back‑country wilderness with alpine peaks, lakes and opportunities for multi‑day backpacking.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCold, possible snow on higher trails.
- FebCold, snow persists.
- MarEarly spring, melt begins.
- AprMild, trails opening.
- MayDry, wildflowers.
- JunWarm, low rain.
- JulPeak crowds, occasional thunderstorms.
- AugCrowds, higher fire‑risk.
- SepCooler, fewer visitors.
- OctFall colours, crisp air.
- NovEarly snow possible.
- DecSnow, limited access.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black bear, mountain goat, beaverMay–Oct · Store food securely. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Western hemlock, Douglas fir forestAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Vancouver
Drive north on Hwy 1 to Maple Ridge, then follow signs to the Main Gate (Fern Crescent).
≈1 h
Open the page →
From Surrey
Take Hwy 1 east to exit 15 (Maple Ridge), then Fern Crescent to the gate.
≈45 min
Open the page →
From Maple Ridge
Follow Fern Crescent north; the gate is at kilometre 0 on Golden Ears Parkway.
≈10 min
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main Gate / Frontcountry | Vehicle access, visitor centre, Alouette Lake trailheads, campgrounds. | Open with vehicle fee. |
| Backcountry Wilderness | Alpine peaks, remote lakes, backcountry campsites. | Foot access only, permit required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are from official BC Parks data and map references; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle entry fee (Main Gate) | CAD 10 (≈ US$8) | vehicle | Check current rate on BC Parks site. |
| Backcountry camping permit | CAD 30 (≈ US$25) | permit | Required for overnight back‑country stays. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Vehicle entry permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$10≈ US$8
- C$30≈ US$25
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on BC Parks – Golden Ears Provincial Park before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
- Campfires
- Allowed only in designated front‑country campgrounds; prohibited in backcountry.
- Firearms
- Not permitted.
- Drones
- Not allowed without a permit from BC Parks.
- Alcohol
- Allowed only in private campgrounds; not in day‑use areas.
Where to stay
In the park
Alouette Campground
Front‑country site with drive‑in access, $35 per night per party.
In the park
Gold Creek Campground
Similar facilities, $35 per night per party.
In the park
North Beach Campground
$23 per night per party.
Near the park
Backcountry campsites
Dispersed sites accessible by foot or boat; permit required.
Safety
Wildlife encounters medium
Rapid weather change high
Limited cell service low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main Gate parking and short, paved paths to Alouette Lake are wheelchair‑compatible.
- Most backcountry trails are steep, rough and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use the BC Parks reservation system for permits to help manage visitor numbers.
- Pack out all litter and avoid feeding wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Golden Ears Provincial Park?
A vehicle entry fee of about $10 CAD is charged at the Main Gate; backcountry campers need a $30 CAD permit. Check the BC Parks website for current rates.
What are the best hikes in Golden Ears Provincial Park?
Popular day hikes include the Alouette Lake loop (easy, 5 km) and the Golden Ears Summit via the West Canyon Trail (hard, 12 km round‑trip). For longer treks, the Mount Robie Reid ridge walk offers challenging terrain and alpine views.
When is the best time to visit Golden Ears Provincial Park?
Late spring to early fall (May–October) offers dry trails and mild weather; July‑August are busiest, while winter brings snow and limited access to high‑elevation routes.
Do I need a permit to camp in the park?
Front‑country campgrounds can be reserved online; backcountry camping requires a separate permit from BC Parks.
Is dog walking allowed on the trails?
Yes, dogs are permitted but must be on a leash at all times.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Golden Ears Provincial Park
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