Golden Ears Provincial Park, Maple Ridge

Golden Ears Provincial Park near Maple Ridge, British Columbia has many trails throughout it taking hikes, cyclists and equestrians past mountains, forests and rivers. Gold Creek is one such waterway with beautiful views of the rocky shores, waters surrounding mountains and forests and offers several different trails alongside it. CREDIT: Venture Vancouver, SOURCE: www.venturevancouver.com

The Lower Falls Trail in Golden Ears Provincial Park winds alongside Gold Creek which offers beautiful views of Alouette Mountain and the surrounding forest.

STATS

HOURS

Type:

Park

Season:

All Seasons

Weather:

All Weather

Time:

6 hours

Cost:

Pay Parking

What to bring:

Camera, Binoculars, Drink, Warm Clothes, Hiking Boots, Bird Book, Wildlife Book, Plant Identification Book

With its many trails ranging from easy to difficult as well as equestrian paths, interpretative nature trails and its crown jewel, Alouette Lake, Golden Ears Provincial Park near Maple Ridge, British Columbia offers its visitors the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of activities within its confines. The summer sees the Park at full capacity with boaters (both power boats and kayaks and canoes) enjoying Alouette Lake, swimmers on its shores and picnickers on its beachside tables. Camping is offered in three large campsites and overnight interior hiking along the almost impassable mountains is a challenge for many adventurers to Golden Ears. The Park continues to become a premiere destination in the Greater Vancouver Region with thousands of tourists and locals enjoying its natural setting, mountains, trails, lakes and rivers.

Named for its famous twin peaks which tower over the Fraser Valley, Golden Ears Provincial Park is one of the Greater Vancouver Region's largest parks. Once part of Garibaldi Provincial Park, Golden Ears was established in 1927 after it was established that the mountains between the two parks were an impassable natural barrier. The park was also a traditional fishing and hunting region for the Interior and Coast Salish peoples.

Popular throughout the year, Golden Ears offers an extensive network of hiking trails along with interpretative nature walks, equestrian trails, cycling, swimming, camping, boating and fishing. Summer sees the area's largest crowds packing into the three campsites - Gold Creek, North Beach and Alouette campgrounds. Day use visitors can also be spotted renting Kayaks or picnicking on the shores of Alouette Lake and others hiking the short trails. Several hikes requiring overnight wilderness camping can be enjoyed leading to the Golden Ear's namesake mountains.

Several animals can be spotted throughout Golden Ears Provincial Park - beavers can be seen in ponds and along streams, deer along the roads and trails, and less frequently, black bears and mountain goats. As Golden Ears is located in more rugged territory of British Columbia, backing onto the impassable Cascade Mountains, it is always advised to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions.

With the construction of the Golden Ears Bridge which opened in 2009, the Provincial Park has become a more accessible day trip with visitors from the Greater Vancouver Region coming to the Park to enjoy its picturesque surrounding, challenging trails and lake side locale - especially in the warm summer months.