Campground reservations for three sites — Gold Creek, Alouette and North Beach — will open next Wednesday, March 19, at 7 a.m.
One of the Lower Mainland’s most popular parks will start accepting camping reservations later this month after heavy rain last fall shut down the park.
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Repairs are underway at Golden Ears Park, which is expected to reopen to vehicle access by March 17, said the provincial government.
“Golden Ears Park is a natural treasure and the most popular park for camping in B.C.,” said Environment Minister Tamara Davidson in a statement on Wednesday. “We know it was difficult having most of the park closed this winter from the impacts of climate change, but visitor safety is our top priority.”
Campground reservations for three sites — Gold Creek, Alouette and North Beach — will open next Wednesday, March 19, at 7 a.m.
Gold Creek can be booked for arrivals starting March 28, while Alouette and North Beach can be booked for arrivals starting April 16. Reservations will be released on a four-month rolling window, a move implemented several years ago meant to improve booking access. That means on March 19, people will be able to make camping reservations until July 19.
Reservations for most B.C. parks opened in mid-January. The opening for Golden Ears Park’s booking system was delayed after heavy rain and flooding last October damaged trails and sections of Golden Ears Parkway, which provides access to the campgrounds.
Viking Creek was also hit by a landslide, causing washouts on trails. Several trails remain closed or partially closed due to storm damage.
Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy welcomed the reopening of the park. “We’d like to thank the B.C. Parks team for their hard work in restoring the parkway,” he said. “Our local businesses thrive thanks to the million-plus visitors we are fortunate to welcome each year.”
The B.C. government said park goers should expect traffic delays to access the northern section of the park, including the campgrounds, as a section of the road will be restricted to single-lane alternating traffic. The road is expected to open fully in early May.
More than 2,000 new campsites have been added to B.C. parks since 2017, including 500 new sites in the Lower Mainland, said the province.