West Coast Trail Launch Day: What You Reserve, Fees and Cancelling

What you reserve

You choose a start point and an exit point from Pachena Bay near Bamfield, Balaats'adt at Nitinaht Village, or Gordon River near Port Renfrew. Entry or exit anywhere else is not permitted except in an evacuation. Parks Canada says reservations can be made up to two days before departure. Parks Canada limits the number of overnight hikers each day.

Everyone also completes a mandatory orientation (a video plus registration at the trailhead) and needs a National Park Entry Pass.

What it costs

Parks Canada's fee page lists, in Canadian dollars: Backcountry Use Permit $184.75, orientation fee $23.75, which makes $208.50 per person. The Gordon River and Nitinaht Narrows ferries cost $28.00 each, and a water taxi from Balaats'adt is $70.00 per person one way, paid in cash to the operator. The reservation line on the fee page reads $11.50 online and $13.50 by phone for a reservation, modification or cancellation, and the page does not say whether that is per person or per booking.

Cancelling

Cancel 21 days or more before departure and the permit and ferry fees are fully refundable, while the reservation fee is not and a cancellation fee applies. At 20 days or fewer the permit and orientation fees are not refundable and only ferry fees can be refunded. Confirm the current terms on the Parks Canada page before you pay.

Rules that affect your plan

Parks Canada says the Nitinaht Triangle is closed to all guests. Beach fires are allowed, but not between km 34 and 38. Bear spray is recommended, one per group. See the gear page for the West Coast Trail.

Questions