National park · Canada
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Base yourself in Tofino or Ucluelet and give Long Beach one full day: drive Highway 4 between the two towns, walk Rainforest and Schooner Cove trails, and be on the sand before 10:00 in July–August. Skip the West Coast Trail unless you have 5–7 days and a permit booked months ahead.Base yourself in Tofino or Ucluelet and give Long Beach one full day: drive Highway 4 between the two towns, walk Rainforest and Schooner Cove trails, and be on the sand before 10:00 AM in July–August. Skip the West Coast Trail unless you have 5–7 days and a permit booked months ahead.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
511 km² (197 sq mi)197 sq mi (511 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 511 km² (197 sq mi)197 sq mi (511 km²)
- About 290 km² land and 221 km² marine (check).
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Pacific Rim is three parks in one: the road-accessible Long Beach unit between Tofino and Ucluelet, the boat-only Broken Group Islands in Barkley Sound, and the 75 km West Coast Trail between Port Renfrew and Bamfield. Long Beach is what most visitors see — surf beaches, temperate rainforest boardwalks and a small visitor centre — and it can be done in a day from either town. The other two units need a kayak or a multi-day permit and a different trip entirely.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 2000Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region, which includes the Long Beach unit (check).
Size and age
511 km² (197 sq mi)197 sq mi (511 km²) · national park since 1970
About 290 km² land and 221 km² marine (check).
Why go
- Long Beach is 16 km (9.9 mi) of open Pacific sand you can reach by car, with surf schools at the Tofino end.Long Beach is 9.9 mi (16 km) of open Pacific sand you can reach by car, with surf schools at the Tofino end.
- Rainforest boardwalks at the Kwisitis Visitor Centre and Schooner Cove put you under old-growth cedar and hemlock in minutes.
- The Broken Group Islands give kayakers a 100-island archipelago with seven camping areas and no fresh water.
- The West Coast Trail is a genuine 5–7 day coastal expedition with ladders, cable cars and surge channels.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanStorm season; 300+ mm rain common
- FebWet and windy; most services closed
- MarPark services reopen mid-month
- AprQuiet; rain still likely
- MayWest Coast Trail opens 1 May; permits needed
- JunDrier, long days, fewer people than July
- JulWarmest and driest; busiest
- AugWarm; book campsites and rooms early
- SepStill dry, crowds thin after Labour Day
- OctPark services close mid-month; storms return
- NovHeavy rain; short days
- DecWettest month; storm watching from town only
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grey whales migrating northMar–May · Often visible from the shore and from whale-watching boats out of Tofino and Ucluelet. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Humpback and grey whales feedingJun–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Black bears on the beach at low tideApr–Oct · Keep well back and never leave food; bears use the shoreline to forage. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Sea lions, seals and porpoisesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Bald eagles and shorebirdsMar–May, Sep–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Tofino
Drive or cycle Highway 4 south; the visitor centre and main beaches are 15–20 min away.
15–20 min
From Ucluelet
Drive or cycle Highway 4 north to the Kwisitis Visitor Centre and Long Beach.
15–20 min
From Port Alberni
Highway 4 west, a twisting 108 km (67 mi) road with few passing places; allow extra time in summer.Highway 4 west, a twisting 67 mi (108 km) road with few passing places; allow extra time in summer.
1.5–2 h
From Nanaimo
Highway 4 via Port Alberni; the last stretch is slow.
3.5 h
From Victoria
Highway 1 north then Highway 4 west; a long day's drive.
5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Long Beach unit | The road-accessible strip between Tofino and Ucluelet: surf beaches, rainforest trails and the Kwisitis Visitor Centre. | Open to all; day-use parking at beach and trailhead lots. |
| Broken Group Islands | Over 100 islands and islets in Barkley Sound, with seven camping areas. | Boat or kayak only; backcountry permit required. |
| West Coast Trail | 75 km (47 mi) of coastal hiking from Port Renfrew to Bamfield, with ladders, cable cars and mud.47 mi (75 km) of coastal hiking from Port Renfrew to Bamfield, with ladders, cable cars and mud. | Permit only, 1 May–30 September. |
Sketch map
- 1Tofino · Town≈49.153, -125.907Map ↗
- 2Ucluelet · Town≈48.942, -125.546Map ↗
- 3Kwisitis Visitor Centre · Headquarters≈49.013, -125.674Map ↗
- 4Long Beach · Beach≈49.068, -125.752Map ↗
- 5Green Point Campground · Sleep≈49.057, -125.723Map ↗
- 6Pachena Bay trailhead (West Coast Trail north end) · Trail≈48.793, -125.115Map ↗
- 7Gordon River trailhead (West Coast Trail south end) · Trail≈48.579, -124.409Map ↗
- 8Benson Island (C'isaa), Broken Group · Village≈48.884, -125.382Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation; the reserve spans three separate units along the west coast of Vancouver Island.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Long Beach unit) | Free | person | No gate fee for day use in the Long Beach unit; you pay for camping and permits (check). |
| Green Point Campground, unserviced site | CAD 30.5 (≈ US$25) | night | 2026 estimate; serviced sites and oTENTik tents cost more. |
| Broken Group Islands backcountry camping | CAD 13.5 (≈ US$10) | person per night | 2026 estimate. |
| West Coast Trail permit | CAD 166.75 (≈ US$130) | person per trip | 2026 estimate; reservation fee and First Nations ferry fees are extra. |
| Campsite reservation fee | CAD 11.5–13.5 (≈ US$9–10) | booking | Online cheaper than by phone (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Long Beach day use no permit
Green Point Campground permit or guide
West Coast Trail permit or guide
Broken Group Islands camping permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$30.50≈ US$25
- C$13.50≈ US$10
- C$166.75≈ US$130
- C$11.50–13.50≈ US$9–10
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Parks Canada — Pacific Rim National Park Reserve before you go.
Park rules
- Dogs
- Must be on a leash in the Long Beach unit and are not allowed on some beaches and trails; check signs at each trailhead.
- Camping
- Only at Green Point Campground or on permitted backcountry sites; no wild camping on the beaches.
- Fires
- Only in provided fire rings at Green Point; bans are common in dry summers.
- Wildlife
- Stay at least 100 m from bears and wolves; never feed any animal.
- Drones
- Not allowed without a Parks Canada permit (check).check
- Tide and surf
- Check tide tables before beach walks and never turn your back on the surf; logs and sneaker waves cause deaths here.
Where to stay
In the park
Green Point Campground
The only campground in the park between Tofino and Ucluelet; flush toilets, showers and oTENTik tents.
Near the park
Tofino
Hotels, lodges and hostels, 15–20 min from the main beaches.
Near the park
Ucluelet
Smaller and often cheaper, 15–20 min from the Kwisitis Visitor Centre.
Safety
Sneaker waves and floating logs high
Cold water and surf medium
Rain and mud on trails medium
Remote Highway 4 medium
West Coast Trail tides and crossings high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Kwisitis Visitor Centre, its parking and the Nuu-chah-nulth Trail are the easiest stops for limited mobility.
- Rainforest Trail and Schooner Cove involve stairs and boardwalks; check surface conditions before committing.
- Beach wheelchairs are available to borrow in the Long Beach unit (check).
Visiting lightly
- Stay on boardwalks and marked trails; the rainforest floor does not recover from trampling.
- Pack out everything, including food scraps, and use the bear-proof bins.
- Book a local surf school or guide in Tofino or Ucluelet so tourism money stays on the island.
- Keep your distance from whales and bears; boat operators must follow federal approach rules.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Pacific Rim National Park Reserve?
Day use in the Long Beach unit has no gate fee (check). You pay for camping and permits: Green Point Campground from about CAD 30.50 a night, Broken Group Islands backcountry camping about CAD 13.50 per person per night, and a West Coast Trail permit about CAD 166.75 per person per trip, plus reservation and ferry fees. A Parks Canada Discovery Pass covers entry where fees apply.
What are the best hikes in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve?
For a short visit, the Rainforest Trail boardwalk loops and the Schooner Cove boardwalk give old-growth forest and beach in under an hour each. The Nuu-chah-nulth Trail at the Kwisitis Visitor Centre adds cultural interpretation. The West Coast Trail is the serious option: 75 km, 5–7 days, permit only.
When is the best time to visit Pacific Rim National Park Reserve?
June to September for dry weather, long days and full services; July and August are warmest but busiest. The park operates mid-March to mid-October, and the West Coast Trail is open 1 May to 30 September. Winter is storm season with heavy rain and most facilities closed.
Do I need a reservation to camp?
Yes for Green Point Campground and for any backcountry site. Book through the Parks Canada Reservation Service; a booking fee applies and it is cheaper online than by phone.
Can I visit the Broken Group Islands without a boat?
No. The islands are in Barkley Sound and are reached only by kayak or boat. There is no fresh water on the islands, so carry everything you need and hold a backcountry permit.
How do I get to Pacific Rim from Victoria or Nanaimo?
Drive Highway 1 north then Highway 4 west via Port Alberni. Allow about 5 hours from Victoria and 3.5 hours from Nanaimo; the last 108 km is slow and twisting, and summer traffic is heavy.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go