Bears are common in Golden Ears Park. They can be attracted to campsites by unattended food, garbage, and other scented items. Finding food in campsites causes bears to associate humans with food, and this puts both humans and bears at risk. Leaving attractants unattended or improperly stored can lead to fines, eviction, or enforcement action.
All visitors have the responsibility to help keep people and bears safe. Everyone at Golden Ears Park is expected to follow the Bear Safety and Wildlife Attractant Management Code of Conduct. This includes keeping all items with a scent stored properly in a locked vehicle, hard-sided trailer, or food cache. To learn more about proper storage, read the bear safety code of conduct below.
At the park, you may be asked to sign a pledge to show you understand your responsibilities as a camper. Read the bear safety pledge below.
To learn more about how to keep yourself and others safe around wildlife, visit the wildlife safety page.
Bear safety code of conduct
When visiting the park, you are expected to follow this Bear Safety and Wildlife Attractant Management Code of Conduct. Failure to do so may result in fines, eviction, or enforcement action.
Bear Safety and Wildlife Attractant Management Code of Conduct
Mandatory acknowledgements for all campers
Golden Ears Park is home to bears. Proper management of food and scented items (wildlife attractants) is essential to protect visitors, staff, and wildlife.
Bears that gain access to human food can become aggressive, cause property damage, and may be destroyed. Your actions directly affect public safety and the survival of bears.
When camping in Golden Ears Park:
Campers will never leave bear attractants unattended
Bear attractants include anything with a scent, including but not limited to:
- Food (open or sealed)
- Garbage and food scraps
- Coolers (full or empty)
- Dishes, pots, and cookware (clean or dirty)
- Pet food, treats, and bowls
- Bottles and cans (full or empty)
- Barbeques and camp stoves (clean or dirty)
- Burnt food or grease in fire pits
- Toiletries and personal care products
- Petroleum products (fuel cans, motor oil)
Campers will take action to:
- Store all attractants in a locked, hard-sided vehicle, camper, food locker, or other certified bear-resistant container whenever they are not in immediate use
- Never leave attractants unattended, day or night, even for one minute, including while sleeping
- Never bring food or attractants into, or cook inside of, tents or soft-sided sleeping structures
- Keep their campsites clean at all times and dispose of garbage immediately in designated bear-resistant bins
- Follow all posted signage, park rules, and instructions from park staff regarding bear safety and attractant management
- Immediately report unattended attractants or wildlife concerns to park staff
Campers acknowledge that:
- Park staff may take immediate enforcement action if attractants are left unsecured
- BC Parks staff and park operators may enter campsites to temporarily remove unattended attractants to protect public safety
- Failure to properly manage attractants may result in:
- A ticket issued under the Park Act
- Eviction from the park without refund
- Further enforcement action and involvement of Conservation Officers for serious or repeated violations
- Campers are responsible for ensuring that:
- Their campsite is free of attractants at all times
- Everyone in their group, including visitors, follows this code of conduct
By securing attractants, we help keep people safe, protect wildlife, and ensure Golden Ears Park remains open and enjoyable for everyone.
Reporting wildlife incidents
To report dangerous wildlife-human interactions, call the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) Hotline at 1-877-952-7277.
Bear safety pledge
When you camp at Golden Ears Park, you may be asked to sign the following Bear Safety Pledge to show you understand your responsibilities.
Golden Ears Bear Safety Pledge
Welcome to Golden Ears Park. Please review and sign the Bear Safety Pledge
- I acknowledge that bears live here and my actions matter.
- I pledge that I will:
- Never leave food, cooking, or scented items unattended, day or night, even for one minute
- Store all attractants in a locked vehicle, bear cache, or certified bear-resistant container
- Never cook or bring food or attractants into my tent
- Keep my campsite clean and dispose of garbage immediately
- Follow all park signage and staff directions
- Report unsecured attractants or wildlife concerns to park staff immediately
- I understand that unsecured attractants put people and bears at risk and may result in fines, eviction, or enforcement action
- By camping here, I agree to follow the Bear Safety and Wildlife Attractant Code of Conduct
To report dangerous wildlife-human interactions, call the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) Hotline at 1-877-952-7277.