Pacific Rim National Park: planning guide
A Parks Canada reserve on Vancouver Island’s west coast — Long Beach, the Broken Group Islands, and the West Coast Trail. Surf, rainforest, and Pacific weather.
Pacific Rim National Park is in BC, Canada. The nearest town is Ucluelet — roughly 12.4 km (7.7 mi) out, about 21 min of driving.
When to go
Best window: May through October. Shoulder season: April and early November.
Winter brings cold, shorter days, and reduced services, though lower-elevation trails often stay walkable.
Peak summer weekends and autumn colour weekends fill parking lots early — arrive before mid-morning.
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Ucluelet | 12.4 km (7.7 mi) | 21 min |
| Tofino | 22.9 km (14.2 mi) | 36 min |
| Port Alberni | 68.3 km (42.4 mi) | 1 hr 25 min |
| Gold River | 89.4 km (55.5 mi) | 1 hr 46 min |
| Courtenay | 89.5 km (55.6 mi) | 1 hr 46 min |
| Comox | 91.5 km (56.9 mi) | 1 hr 48 min |
| Hornby Island | 93.1 km (57.8 mi) | 1 hr 49 min |
| Qualicum Beach | 96.9 km (60.2 mi) | 1 hr 53 min |
Where Pacific Rim National Park sits
Official Pacific Rim National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Drive times from Pacific Rim National Park
Pacific Rim National Park sits close enough to Gulf Islands National Park, Olympic National Park, and North Cascades National Park that one drive from home can cover more than one park.
| Park | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Gulf Islands National Park | 164 km (102 mi) | 2 hr 51 min |
| Olympic National Park | 199 km (123 mi) | 3 hr 22 min |
| North Cascades National Park | 329 km (204 mi) | 5 hr 17 min |
Parks close by
- Gulf Islands National Park
Scattered Gulf Islands in the Salish Sea — rocky shores, Garry oak meadows, and quiet boat-access camps.
- Olympic National Park
Three parks in one on Washington’s peninsula: rainforest, mountains, and Pacific beach. Wet weather is normal.
- North Cascades National Park
Rugged, glaciated peaks in northern Washington. Steep terrain, few services, and lots of trail time.
- Mount Rainier National Park
A big, glaciated volcano in Washington with meadows and old forest. Weather flips fast; roads and trails depend on snow.
Common questions
Where is Pacific Rim National Park?
Pacific Rim National Park sits in BC, Canada. Ucluelet, about 12.4 km (7.7 mi) away — roughly 21 min of driving.
When is the best time to visit Pacific Rim National Park?
Generally May through October, with April and early November quieter on either side.