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The three main parking zones include downtown Tofino, Tofino beaches and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

Downtown Tofino: May 1 - Oct 31, per vehicle. Payable at the machine by credit card, coin, app or by phone.  

• District of Tofino information
• Parking map  

Tofino beaches: Year-round, per vehicle. Payable at the machine by credit card, coin, app or by phone.

• District of Tofino information

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve: Year-round, per person/group. Payable at the machine by credit card, at Parks Administration or the Tofino Visitor Centre by credit, debit or cash.  

• Parks Canada fees

Learn more about parking and getting around Tofino. 

There isn’t one! It depends on the winds and tides. The beaches are all uniquely beautiful. Popular surfing beaches include Chesterman Beach, Cox Bay and Long Beach. Beaches typically more sheltered from bigger waves include Tonquin Beach and MacKenzie Beach. Popular tide-pooling beaches include Tonquin Beach, MacKenzie Beach and South Chesterman Beach at low tide. Learn more about the beaches.

Yes. Dogs are welcome on the beach. However, local bylaws require that they must be leashed. Owners are expected to clean up after them. Learn more about dogs in Tofino.

We recommend the Tonquin Trail and the Big Tree Trail in Tofino, the Wild Side Trail on Flores Island for a challenging and remote experience, the Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet and all official and maintained trails in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.  

• District of Tofino trails
• Parks Canada trail conditions

You can catch the sunset from Downtown Tofino and of course, at the beach. Popular sunset beaches are MacKenzie Beach, Chesterman Beach, Cox Bay, Long Beach and Wickaninnish Beach. Tonquin Beach requires hiking back through a forested trail after sunset. Learn more about the beaches.

The best way to see whales and learn about them is by boat or on a whale watching tour, as they aren’t as commonly spotted from shore. Keep your eyes peeled for whales around the Tofino Harbour (anytime) or while walking the Wild Pacific Trail (in March) - you might get lucky! The most common whale species are Grey whales and Humpback whales but we also see the occasional Orca.

Have nature at your doorstep, literally. Wake up outside in one of these Tofino campgrounds. Camping here is an exceptionally popular bucket list item, so book early to save your spot. 

Reservations at an authorized campground are required on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. There are no serviced camping sites on backroads or highway pullouts, and there is zero tolerance for unauthorized camping and unauthorized overnight parking within all communities. 

Wildlife is all around us in Tofino. It is important to be prepared and know before you go. Visit our responsible recreation section for tips or WildsafeBC for in-depth information.