Destinations Vancouver Island, BC
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Situated along the scenic west coast of Vancouver Island, BC, the Pacific Rim National Park preserves a wilderness paradise offering outdoor recreation next to none. The park is made up of three distinct units, the Long Beach unit, the Broken Group Islands unit, and the West Coast Trail unit, each with their own special attractions. (area map) Traveling west along Highway 14 from Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, you'll come to Port Renfrew where you'll find the southeast end of the West Coast Trail. A hiker's dream, this trail traverses through the rain forest along the coast and offers splendid views and ample opportunities for wildlife viewing. The trail is approximately 46 miles long and permits are required to hike it. While here be sure to take in Botanical Beach Provincial Park, where at low tide you can examine up close the abundant intertidal life. This is also an excellent spot for whale watching. The Broken Group Islands unit lies in Barkley Sound and is accessible by kayak or canoe and offers paddlers low impact camping along beautiful sandy beaches on eight different islands. There are camping fees and a usage permit is required. The Long Beach unit is northwest of Barkley Sound and lies between the villages of Ucluelet and Tofino. Two long stretches of sandy beach are easily accessible, one 10 miles long and the other 4 miles long. Both drive-in and walk-in campgrounds are available. The drive-in campground has no hookups or showers but does have a sani-station and toilets. There is water and restrooms at the walk-in campground. Vancouver Island has plenty to offer visitors who are looking for a wilderness camping adventure and those who tow their camper and prefer out of the way RV campsites. If you are coming from the lower 48, become familiar with the customs before crossing the border. The Pacific Rim National Park season runs from May 1 to September 30, and the weather is quite pleasant and not as rainy as the nearby coast.
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