Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is in the middle of some amazing rehabilitation projects to restore its infrastructure including roads, shelters, and Green Point Campground. The park reserve is excited to have these projects underway as it means that visitors will be able to enjoy and experience the natural and cultural wonders of the park reserve for many years to come.

Due to the ongoing construction work, a few areas around the park reserve are closed. Due to this, free entry is offered to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve until April 30, 2016.

What you need to know:

Wick Road is closed until May 31, 2016

Parks Canada is replacing an existing culvert with a bridge where Sandhill Creek crosses Wick Road. Installation of a bridge across Sandhill Creek and construction of a rock weir and spawning platform in the pool, upstream of the culvert, will increase the creek’s suitability for spawning salmon.

Wick Road was closed ahead of schedule when a large sinkhole opened under the southeast side of the road in late January. Crews have been working to contain and repair the sink hole and this work will be part of the construction during the road closure.

While Wick Road is closed, there is no direct access to Wickaninnish Beach, the Kwisitis Visitor Centre and Kwisitis Feast House, the Shorepine Bog Trail and Florencia Bay.

Radar Hill Road is closed until the end of May 2016

Radar Hill Road and day use area will be temporarily closed to pedestrians and vehicles while the road is repaired and resurfaced.   We can’t wait to experience the improved viewing platform!  The parking lot, located near the intersection of Radar Hill Road and Highway 4, will also be closed to the public.

Construction began on December 1, 2015, and is expected to be completed by the end of May 2016.

What can I do in the park reserve this April and May?

Schooner Cove Trail (located on Highway 4 south of Tofino)
Follow this twisting boardwalk as it descends through young and old stands of cedar/hemlock forest and Sitka spruce fringe to Schooner Cove beach – a great place to do some tidal pool exploring at low tide! This trail is 1 km one way and has some long flights of stairs.

Long Beach at North Beach Parking Lot (located on Highway 4 halfway between Ucluelet and Tofino)
Put on your walking shoes and make the trek to the very end of the beach to sit in one of Parks Canada’s iconic red chairs. Hint: when you get to the rocky outcropping at the end of the beach, look up!

Incinerator Rock (located on Highway 4 north of Long Beach)
Long Beach isn’t just famous for its long stretch of sand and sky, it’s also one of the best places to catch waves on the west coast of Canada. Put on a (thick) wet suit, take a lesson, and give surfing a try.

Rainforest Trail (located on Highway 4 south of Long Beach)
Explore a world of ancient giants, drifting mists, witches’ moss, twisted trees and rainforest wildlife on the Rainforest Trail. Each loop of the trail is 1 km and there are many short flights of stairs.

Willowbrae and Halfmoon Bay Trails (located off of Highway 4, 2 km south of the Ucluelet -Tofino Junction)
Stroll along a path through old growth forest and discover secluded sandy beaches just waiting for your footprints. Halfmoon Bay Trail branches off of Willowbrae Trail 1 km in. Both trails are approximately 1.5 km one way and have long flights of stairs leading to the beach.

Regular updates on infrastructure work in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve are on the web at parkscanada.gc.ca/paci crim, Facebook at www.facebook.com/PacificRimNPR, and Twitter at @PacificRimNPR, or by calling 250-726-3500.