Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is a protected coastal area on the western shore of Vancouver Island in British Columbia that includes rainforest, beaches, and rocky coastline. The reserve is divided into three separate sections: Long Beach to the north, the Broken Group Islands in the middle, and the West Coast Trail to the south.

The lands within this reserve have been home to Nuu-chah-nulth communities for thousands of years, who fished, hunted, and lived along this coastline. The area was formally established as a national park reserve in 1970 to protect the landscape from industrial development.

Indigenous knowledge and stewardship practices form an integral part of the park's management, with local First Nations communities actively participating in conservation efforts.

The main visiting season runs from March through October, as many trails and facilities have limited access during winter months. Waterproof clothing is useful at any time of year because the coastal climate is changeable and rain is common.

Gray whales migrate twice yearly along this coast and are often visible from land, especially during their spring migration. Some whales stay through the summer in the sheltered bays, feeding in the shallow waters.

Location: Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District

Location: Cowichan Valley Regional District

Location: Capital Regional District

Inception: 2001

Website: https://parcs.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/pacificrim

GPS coordinates: 48.98333,-125.66667

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:26