More campsites, parking added at Golden Ears and Rolley Lake ahead of summer rush
As summer camping season ramps up, the province says new campsites, expanded parking lots and trail upgrades at two of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows’ most popular outdoor destinations will help ease pressure on some of B.C.’s busiest parks.
The Ministry of Environment and Parks announced May 28 that 32 new drive-in campsites have been added at Rolley Lake Park while parking capacity has increased at Golden Ears Park, where nearly 70 additional parking stalls have been created to accommodate growing visitor demand.
“People from all over the world come to Maple Ridge to take in the breathtaking sights of Golden Ears and Rolley Lake parks,” said Lisa Beare, MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows. “With trail upgrades and additional parking at Golden Ears, and more camping opportunities at Rolley Lake, even more people will be able to enjoy these well-loved parks just in time for summer.”
The upgrades come as demand for outdoor recreation continues to strain park infrastructure, particularly at Golden Ears Park, which draws approximately 875,000 visitors annually and regularly reaches capacity during peak summer weekends.
At Rolley Lake Park, the expansion increases the total number of drive-in campsites from 60 to 92. The $4-million project also included improvements completed in 2024, including 17 walk-in campsites, new parking stalls, accessibility upgrades and upgrades to utility infrastructure.
The province said universal design principles were incorporated into the new campsites to improve accessibility.
The new sites will remain available on a first-come, first-served basis until June 30 before switching to a reservation-only system starting July 1. BC Parks said booking details will be posted online in the coming weeks.
Rolley Lake also received a new fishing dock installed in partnership with Freshwater Fisheries BC, located separately from the day-use area.
At Golden Ears Park, visitors will see changes both on the road and on the trails.
Approximately 45 new parking stalls have been added at the Gold Creek parking lot, while another 25 stalls were created at the West Canyon lot. The province said the parking upgrades, along with the rebuilding and realignment of the Fallen Giants Trail into a family-friendly multi-use route, cost approximately $800,000.
The Fallen Giants Trail, located near the Gold Creek and Alouette campgrounds, was redesigned to make it more accessible for a broader range of users.
Environment and Parks Minister Tamara Davidson said the investments are intended to expand access to outdoor recreation opportunities.
“We know how much people love camping in B.C. and the additional campsites at Rolley Lake Park mean more opportunities for families and visitors to get outside and connect with nature,” Davidson said.
Despite the additional parking, Golden Ears visitors will still face access restrictions during peak periods this summer.
Vehicle day-use passes remain mandatory until Sept. 7 for visitors travelling beyond the Spirea trailhead from Friday through Monday until 3:30 p.m. Campers with reservations are exempt from the requirement.
