This National Park Is One Of Canada's Most Popular With Scenic Beaches And Epic Hiking

A treasure trove of Pacific Northwest wonders, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is one of Canada's most visited national parks, receiving over 1.2 million visitors in the 2025 to 2026 fiscal year according to Parks Canada. Like the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve — another British Columbia park with pristine wilderness and opportunities for outdoor recreation — Pacific Rim is located on Vancouver Island and is within the ancestral homelands of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations. The Nuu-chah-nulth people have dwelled in the region for thousands of years and today, help steward the park's resources and interpretive programs.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve comprises three separate areas along the western side of Vancouver Island: the Long Beach Unit, the West Coast Trail Unit, and the Broken Group Islands Unit. These areas share a common geological and Nuu-chah-nulth heritage while also offering unique variations on the themes of rugged landscapes, stunning coastlines and beaches, and pristine temperate rainforests. The Long Beach Unit is the farthest north of the three areas, extending roughly from Tofino in the north to its southern end at Ucluelet, an up-and-coming Canadian nature destination that's trending in 2026. The Broken Group Islands Unit sits in Barkley Sound, southeast of Ucluelet, and can only be reached via a boat. Finally, the southernmost area of the park is the West Coast Trail Unit, which contains a 47-mile hiking trail. The park unit you choose to visit depends on the kind of adventure you're seeking. 

Of all the parts of the park, the Long Beach Unit offers visitors the widest variety of outdoor experiences. As its name would suggest, its star attraction is Long Beach, a miles-long strip of sand between the roaring Pacific and the gentle rainforest. This beach (which encompasses smaller  beaches like Schooners Beach, Combers Beach, and Wickaninnish Beach) is a prime spot for peaceful strolls, tide pool exploration, and surfing. A few surf schools operate within the park to help orient newcomers and educate them about tides, rip currents, and other ocean anomalies. 

In addition to the beaches, nearly 7.5 miles of hiking trails weave through forest and coastal landscapes in the Long Beach Unit. The 15.5-mile ʔapsčiik t̓ašii (pronounced ups-cheek ta-shee) is a paved path that's ideal for both walking and cycling. Long Beach is accessible year-round by car. However, it is around a four-hour drive from Victoria, the island's largest metropolitan area and main travel hub. 

If you're up for a more serious hiking challenge, consider the West Coast Trail Unit. This area showcases one of British Columbia's premier backpacking routes: the 47-mile-long West Coast Trail. Today, the trail offers hikers a four-to-eight-day epic backpacking experience. Open from May through September, the route travels through forests, past beaches, over rivers, and up and down a series of ladders. During the hike, there will be opportunities to spot black bears, cougars, wolves, whales, and other wildlife. One surprising feature of this trail is its floating crab shack at Nitinaht Narrows, providing backpackers with a welcome respite from trail mix and freeze-dried lentils. Getting to the trailheads within this park unit may require ferry rides and driving on remote logging roads. 

If you are a water lover, you should consider a visit to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve's third area: the Broken Group Islands Unit. During the warmer months, this area is an ocean-lover's paradise, encompassing 26,440 acres of waterways, channels, bays, and more than 100 small islands and islets in Barkley Sound. However, the only way to access the Broken Group Islands is by kayak or other type of watercraft. A common starting point for kayaking trips is the Toquaht Nation's Secret Beach Campground and Kayak Launch, which is a 40-minute drive from Ucluelet. It's also possible to arrange single-day or multi-day guided kayaking trips in the islands.

People typically arrive on Vancouver Island by ferry (from mainland Canada or the U.S.) or by plane. Flying to the island is straightforward via Victoria International Airport (YYJ). In addition, two other island airports receive flights from other parts of Canada: Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) and Nanaimo Airport (YCD). From these entry points, scheduled and charter flights are available to other parts of the island, but a rental car affords the most flexibility and autonomy. Beyond Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, visitors should definitely hit some of the more underrated parks on Vancouver Island.