People from around the world might not know this magical place, but most Canadians do. It is located near Vancouver, but far enough to enjoy privacy in the woods. Camping in Alouette Lake is a fun and beautiful experience, something you should definitely try.
Alouette Lake is surrounded by mountains and huge woodland. Most people visit the western part of the lake as the facilities, picnic sites, and the public beach are there. The easiest way to get there is to go by car from Vancouver which will take only an hour. The lake is huge, approximately 11.5 km long (about 7 miles).
Wild camping: Is it legal on Alouette Lake?
Firstly, let’s mention that wild camping in Canada is generally legal. The only places you can’t wild-camp at are national parks and provincial parks. Also, you cannot camp in the city. The fines are huge, so you definitely shouldn’t try doing that.
Wild camping on Alouette Lake is allowed. Even though Golden Ears provincial park is nearby, you can camp at Alder
Flats on the West Canyon Trail or you can instead go to Panorama Ridge on the Golden Ears Trail. The problem with these two camping grounds is that there are no facilities at all. You can always read our “How to shower when camping” guide though.
There are some official campsites that you can book near Alouette Lake, but more about that later on. If you decide to bring your own tent and camp in the wilderness, please stay responsible. What does that mean? Well, first of all, please do not leave any trash behind. Do not start a fire and don’t chop down the woods.
As it seems, the park gets really busy and it’s hard to find a parking spot if you are not early enough.
“Last year I had to hike out from gold creek parking lot with 2 days camping gear after climbing down from the summit… the park was INSANELY busy when I came down and my ride could not get near the place.. brutal walk…”
– Euphoric_Switch7048 on Reddit
Best time for camping on Alouette Lake
The best time to camp at Alouette Lake is from May to September. That’s the period when all camping grounds are open and the temperature is the best. You can also rent a kayak during this season, so that’s an opportunity for a unique experience right there.
Winter tends to be pretty rainy, so it might not be a bad idea to bring a raincoat just in case. If you want to camp in the off-season, just note that there are front gates that are open from 7 am to 7 pm. Keep that in mind as you might get locked out if not on time. There are many great hiking trails, some call it the hiking paradise.
Things you should bring with you:
- Raincoat – Don’t want to get wet, do you?
- Hiking shoes – It will be quite tricky without them.
- Spare clothes – Never know what can happen.
5 campsites on Alouette Lake you can stay at
Campsites on Alouette Lake are mostly open during the peak season from May to September. If you want to camp during the winter, it’s possible, but most facilities won’t work. You won’t be able to rent a kayak either, so that’s one downside of camping in that period.
This campsite is near the shore of Alouette Lake and it’s separated into northern and southern Alouette. You’ll find approximately 205 drive-in campsites, but neither of them has electrical hookups. The facilities include hot showers, flush toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits. Remember what we said in the beginning? No campfires are allowed, please use only the designated fire pits.
Plenty of water taps around as well.
Things to do around
- Visit the sandy beach
- Learn how to fish
- Go hiking
Pricing:
Approximately 35$ per night, don’t forget to make the reservation at the official website.
Address:
Thompson Street, Alouette Lake
2. Gold Creek Campground
Gold Creek is open year-round, but you got to reserve during the peak season to stay. The maximum days upfront that you can reserve is 2. That’s awesome because everyone should have the right to camp, plus there are many other private camping grounds as well. If you want to come outside of the peak season, you can just show up. The maximum number of days per year you can stay in Golden Ears campgrounds is 14.
During the peak season, the facilities are open and include hot showers and flush toilets. There are fire pits, picnic tables, and fresh drinking water spots. If you forget something, you can most likely get it at the Golden Ears store.
Things to do around
- Have a picnic
- Photograph the nature
- Boat rental nearby
Pricing:
35$ per night, make sure you check the official website as well.
Address:
Thompson Street, Alouette Lake
3. Rolley Lake
This campsite is next to Rolley Lake, but it’s also near a few other lakes including Alouette Lake and Stave Lake. There are sixty-four different camp spots and each is a few minutes of walking from the shore. Enjoy a lovely relaxing day by having a picnic or just chilling by the water. When the campground is closed, you can only use trailers and day-use areas, no camping is allowed.
Things to do around
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Canoeing
Pricing:
35$ during the high peak season, and 18$ per night during the winter season.
Address:
Bell St, Mission, BC V4S 1C6, Canada
4. North Beach Campground
North Beach is another campground that’s a part of the Gold Ears Provincial Park. This park has less facilities available as you won’t find showers or flush toilets nearby. We’d suggest it for someone who is coming with a campervan or perhaps for a shorter stay.
There are 55 drive-in campsites and neither one has electrical hookups so keep that in mind. Just as most other campsites in this region, the campground is open from May to September, but it’s not open during the offseason. The best part about this campsite is that you can bring your dogs with you (they have to be on a leash though).
Things to do around
- Hiking
- Mountain biking
- Horseback riding
Pricing:
The price is a bit cheaper than other campsites at 23$ per night.
Address:
Maple Ridge, BC V0M, Canada
5. Alder Flats Campground
This is a background camping site or as some call it wild camping site. It has no facilities and it’s harder to reach. It will take you approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach via West Canyon Trail by hiking. The only “facility” that you’ll find is the pit toilets. The good thing is that it’s free to stay at.
Things to do around
- Climb Edge Peak
- Visit the Gold Creek Lower Falls
- Visit Halfmoon beach
Pricing:
0$, it’s free.
Address:
British Columbia V0M 1H0, Canada
Conclusion
Alouette Lake is a beautiful piece of land that everyone should visit. There is a limited number of camping grounds and there are almost none privately owned near the lake. However, you can still stay at the official camping grounds if you reserve on time or come first. The pricing can vary so we suggest keeping an eye on the official pricing page.
