Golden Ears Park

About this Park

Location notes

Activities

• 8:Hiking Golden Ears Park provides many opportunities for walking and hiking. To get trail and parking maps, see maps and location. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, please keep to designated trails and obey posted signs.Day-use passes You may need a day-use vehicle pass to access Golden Ears Park during peak season. If you have a valid reservation for overnight camping, you do not need a day-use pass. For details, please visit the day-use passes page.
• 8:Swimming All the campgrounds and day-use areas in Golden Ears Park are conveniently located for swimming. Marked swimming areas are available from June 17 to September 5 at:Alouette (South Beach) day-use areaCampers’ Beach between Gold Creek and Alouette CampgroundsIf you are swimming outside the designated areas, exercise extreme caution as powerboats may be operating on the lake. Also, watch out for strong currents near the mouth of Gold Creek, which can be extremely dangerous.For more safety tips, see the staying safe when swimming or visiting the beach section of our marine visitor guide.
• 8:Canoeing Canoeing and kayaking are very popular on Alouette Lake. Golden Ears Park also offers campsites that are only accessible via water. For information, see the marine-accessible camping section.Canoe, kayak, and pedalboat rentals are available at the Alouette (South Beach) day-use area, weather permitting. Rentals are available on weekends from May long weekend to late June and daily from late June to Labour Day.For more information on canoe rentals, talk with the park operator. For park operator details, see the contact section.
• 8:Kayaking Canoeing and kayaking are very popular on Alouette Lake. Golden Ears Park also offers campsites that are only accessible via water. For information, see the marine-accessible camping section.Canoe, kayak, and pedalboat rentals are available at the Alouette (South Beach) day-use area, weather permitting. Rentals are available on weekends from May long weekend to late June and daily from late June to Labour Day.For more information on canoe rentals, talk with the park operator. For park operator details, see the contact section.
• 8:Fishing There are fishing opportunities in Golden Ears Park. No powerboats or other motorized craft are allowed on Mike Lake.
• 8:Interpretive programs Find fun summer outdoor learning experiences with Discover Parks Ambassadors here all summer long. For specific dates, along with many more seasonal and year-round activities, visit discoverparks.ca.
• 8:Pets on leash Dogs and other domestic animals are welcome in Golden Ears Park, but they must be kept under control. Dogs must be leashed when you are in campgrounds or on trails within 1 km of the Parkway Road.Trails beyond 1 km of Parkway Road are considered backcountry. Dogs may be off a leash, if they are under control. Backcountry areas are not considered suitable for pets due to rugged terrain and the potential for wildlife encounters.Domestic animals are not allowed in picnic areas, marked-off swimming areas, or park buildings. Dogs are not allowed at the main part of Alouette (South Beach) day-use area. Dogs are allowed in the day-use areas at two beaches:North BeachLeashed dogs are allowed at the day-use area near where Gold Creek flows into Alouette Lake.Alouette (South Beach)Leashed dogs are allowed in the day-use area between the boat launch and canoe rental shop. This area is accessible from parking lot one.
• 8:Cycling Cycling is allowed on roads and marked biking trails in Golden Ears Park. Over 20 km of trails in the park can be used for cycling. To check the park map for designated cycling trails, see maps and location. For information on using bikes with electric assist motors in this park, see the e-biking section.Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
• 8:E-Biking Bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are allowed on designated trails within Golden Ears Park. To check the park map for designated trails, see maps and location. E-bikes must meet the e-bike rules and classifications outlined on the cycling page.
• 8:Waterskiing There are waterskiing opportunities on Alouette Lake.
• 8:Windsurfing There are windsurfing opportunities on Alouette Lake.
• 8:Horseback riding Golden Ears Park features over 20 km of gravel and dirt horse trails. For specific trails, see the park map in the maps and location section. Horses are not allowed on trails other than those designated on the park map. A permit is required for commercial use of horse trails.Camping with horses is allowed at the Woodlands groupsite. Camping with horses is not allowed anywhere else in the park’s frontcountry (any area less than 1 km from a park road). This includes, parking lots, day-use areas, and vehicle-accessible campgrounds, other than the Woodlands groupsite.Day-use stopover is allowed at the South Beach corral area. However, horses must remain within the corral or on a designated horse trail. Check the advisories and trail conditions report before heading out, to ensure the park is accessible and conditions are suitable.It is dangerous for horses to go past Viewpoint Beach on the East Canyon Trail. The floodplain area of Gold Creek has mudholes.Horses are not allowed on the East-West Canyon Connector Trail or Gold Creek Bridge.
• 8:Climbing There are no recommended technical climbing opportunities in Golden Ears Park. Two mountain climbs are accessible via official trails. These require intermediate climbing skills to reach the peaks. Both are long, strenuous hikes, requiring proper equipment and experience.Alouette Mountain You can access the Alouette Mountain climb via 11 km of trails from Mike Lake. Use the Incline and Alouette Mountain Fire Access Trails to reach the base of the climb. A return trip will take nine or 10 hours. Be sure to take water and expect snow well into June.The Golden Ears The climb to these peaks is accessed from the West Canyon parking lot via the West Canyon-Golden Ears Trail. This 12 km trail has an elevation change of 1,500 m. Suggested one way time is seven hours. The round trip is an overnight expedition for all but the fittest.Climbers can ascend the North Ear from the east side across a permanent snowfield. We advise extreme caution to anyone planning to attempt this ascent. Proper equipment is essential. Water may be scarce beyond Alder Flats, and you should expect snow on Panorama Ridge well into July.Campsites are available at Alder Flats and Panorama Ridge. See the backcountry camping section for more information.

Facilities

• 8:Accessibility information Golden Ears Park features a trail specifically designed for wheelchair accessibility. The Spirea Universal Access Trail.Wheelchair-accessible toilets are available at all campgrounds and in the Alouette (South Beach) day-use area. There are wheelchair-accessible showers at Gold Creek and Alouette campgrounds.Four campsites at the Gold Creek campground are paved. Wheelchair access to the beach is also available from parking lot two at the Alouette (South Beach) day-use area.
• 8:Boat launch Golden Ears Park features a four-lane, cement-surface boat launch at the south end of Alouette Lake. The park also offers boat-accessible camping along the lake. For information, see marine-accessible camping.Vehicles and trailers can be parked overnight at the boat launch parking lot. There is no nearby marina to moor boats overnight. We do not recommend leaving your boat in the water overnight due to the risk of theft.Outside peak season, the water level in Alouette Lake can vary considerably due to water management by BC Hydro. Be especially careful when the water is low. Watch for submerged stumps and other obstacles.Day-use passesYou may need a day-use vehicle pass to access Alouette Lake boat launch during peak season. If you have a valid reservation for overnight camping, you do not need a day-use pass. For details, please visit the day-use passes page.
• 8:Campfires Campfires are not allowed in the backcountry and marine sites of Golden Ears Park. Please use a portable fuel stove for cooking.Campfires are only allowed in fire rings at:Alouette, Gold Creek, and North Beach campgrounds Alouette, Golden Ears, and Woodlands group campsitesDo not gather firewood from anywhere else in the park. This is an offence under the Park Act. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals, and it adds valuable organic matter to the soil.You can buy firewood in the park from the park operator. If you bring your own firewood, please buy it locally, to avoid introducing invasive species. To learn more, visit Buy Local, Burn Local.
• 8:Drinking water Cold-water taps are available in Alouette Campground, Gold Creek Campground and at the West Canyon Trailhead. Taps are shut off in the winter. Unfortunately, there is no water available at North Beach Campground.Drinking water from taps is tested on a regular basis. For water testing information, please contact the park operator (see the contact section below for how to get in touch). You can download recent reports below:Annual Drinking Water System Report 2024: Park headquarters Water System [PDF]Annual Drinking Water System Report 2024: Gold Creek/Aloutette Water System [PDF]Annual Drinking Water System Report 2024: South Beach Water System [PDF]Annual Drinking Water System Report 2024: Rolley Lake Water System [PDF]All backcountry drinking water should be filtered, boiled, or otherwise treated before use. Wash all dishes and conduct personal hygiene at least 30 m from any water source.There is no permanent source of water past Alder Flats. Depending on the conditions, water can be melted from the snowfield in the northern shadow of the peak.
• 8:Picnic areas There are four day-use beach areas on the shoreline of Alouette Lake in Golden Ears Park. All four are ideal for picnicking.Day-use passesYou may need a day-use vehicle pass to access Golden Ears Park during peak season. If you have a valid reservation for overnight camping, you do not need a day-use pass. For details, please visit the day-use passes page.Alouette (South Beach)This vehicle-accessible area is at kilometre seven on the main parkway. It is open in summer with full services (flush toilets, drinking water taps, change house). In winter, it is open with minimal services (pit toilets only).We provide picnic tables in this area. Some of these picnic tables come with barbeque attachments. Please bring your own briquettes and barbeques as fires are not allowed.There is a sand-and-gravel beach with a seasonal roped-off swimming area. No lifeguards are on duty at this beach (or anywhere in BC Parks). Canoe, kayak, and pedalboat rentals are available.A special area for leashed dogs is between the boat launch and the canoe rental shop. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in the main part of the South Beach day-use area.Campers BeachThis walk-in area is next to Alouette and Gold Creek campgrounds. Day-use visitors can park in the visitor parking lot beside the ticket booth. Dogs are not allowed in this area.There is a sand-and-gravel beach, which has a roped-off swimming area during peak season. No lifeguards are on duty. A water tap is available during the summer. Pit toilets are available.North BeachThis sand-and-gravel beach is next to North Beach Campground. It is accessible on foot from the East Canyon parking lot via the North Beach Trail. There are no lifeguards. Dogs are allowed but must stay on leash. Pit toilets are provided.Alouette (East Beach) This area is directly across from South Beach and only accessible by boat. Pit toilets are provided. These are a short distance from the beach at both the north and south ends.Fires and overnight camping are not allowed at day-use areas in this park. There is no garbage removal at Campers Beach, North Beach, and East Beach. Please bring a garbage bag and pack out your trash.
• 8:Pit or flush toilets Pit and flush toilets are available at Alouette and Gold Creek campgrounds and the day-use areas of this park. Only pit toilets are available at North Beach Campground. All flush toilets are closed during the winter. All designated backcountry camping areas and marine campsites have pit toilets.  Toilet paper is not provided in backcountry pit toilets. Never put garbage in the toilets.
• 8:Playground There is a playground near the shower building at the north end of Alouette Campground.
• 8:Sani-station Golden Ears Park offers a sani-station. You can find this just off the main parkway, close to the campgrounds. It is usually closed from October 16 to March 31.Fees (per use)Sani-station$5 (must be paid at the ticket booth)
• 8:Showers Hot showers are available for no extra cost at the Alouette and Gold Creek campgrounds. There are no showers at North Beach Campground. All shower buildings are closed during the winter.

Location

49.49973, -122.45012 · North Fraser

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