Best time to go
The listed overnight season is May 1 through September 30. An annual trail closure runs October 7 through April 30; published guidance doesn’t clearly explain October 1–6, so confirm access if your dates fall at the start of October.
Overview
About Carmanah Creek Campground
Why stop
- Open beach camping with a creek and lighthouse view.
Heads up
- Reaching it means tackling the rugged, multi-day West Coast Trail.
Map
Where it is
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Full mapPlan your stop
Before you go
Best time to go
Water and camp facilities
7 active Pacific Rim alerts
- ClosureWest Coast Trail winter access restrictionMentions West Coast Trail, referenced in this guideFrom October 7 through April 30, only day use between Pachena Bay trailhead and km 8 is permitted; overnight use and the remainder of the West Coast Trail are closed.Official details
- ClosureWest Coast Trail lightstations closedMentions West Coast Trail, referenced in this guideCarmanah Point and Pachena Point Lightstations and their surrounding grounds in the West Coast Trail Unit are closed to public use at all times; do not enter.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
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Guide
More about Carmanah Creek Campground
An overnight on the long trailCarmanah Creek Campground is a backcountry campsite on the 75 km West Coast Trail, around km 46…
Carmanah Creek Campground is a backcountry campsite on the 75 km West Coast Trail, around km 46 where Carmanah Creek reaches the ocean. It’s for through-hikers, not a road-access campground or day-use beach. Most hikers need six to eight days for the full route, which has steep ladders, uneven ground, river wades and cable cars. You need a West Coast Trail Backcountry Use Permit and a national park entry pass.
Camp on the beachThe camping area spreads along a broad sandy shore, with tent spots on the beach and in nearby…
The camping area spreads along a broad sandy shore, with tent spots on the beach and in nearby forest clearings. The creek cuts through the beach here, and the route crosses it by cable car. It’s a striking place to finish a day’s hike: open ocean in front, forest at your back, and the Carmanah Point lighthouse visible along the coast.
A working coastThe trail follows much older trade and travel routes used by Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht and…
The trail follows much older trade and travel routes used by Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht and Pacheedaht people; villages and camps along this coast predate arriving sailing ships by more than 200 years. Carmanah Point lighthouse opened in 1891 to mark a hazardous stretch of coast. You can see it from the beach, but the lightstation grounds are closed to the public. For a photo, keep some of the beach or surf in the frame with the forested point so the small lighthouse gives the coastline scale.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Pacific Rim
11 sightingsOrcaMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
16 sightingsHumpback WhaleMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
174 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
16 sightingsSea OtterMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
134 sightingsSteller Sea LionMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
18 sightingsCalifornia Sea LionMost seen around noonSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Pacific Rim. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
