Carmanah Point Lighthouse

Overview

About Carmanah Point Lighthouse

Why stop

The 1891 light has an unusual story of shipwrecks and telegraph links.

Heads up

Reaching the area means a demanding, multi-day backcountry hike.

Map

Where it is

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SightCarmanah Point Lighthouse48.61179, -124.75130

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Plan your stop

Before you go

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

See all 7 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

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Guide

More about Carmanah Point Lighthouse

A landmark on the West Coast TrailCarmanah Point Lighthouse is a historic light station on a point along the West Coast Trail.

Carmanah Point Lighthouse is a historic light station on a point along the West Coast Trail. The point was cleared from dense coastal rainforest and rises about 45 metres above high water. This is no roadside detour: the 75 km West Coast Trail is a challenging backcountry hike that takes several days, and the station is reached on foot as part of that route.

A light and a lifelineThe light began operating in 1891, when shipwrecks along this rough coast made navigation and…

The light began operating in 1891, when shipwrecks along this rough coast made navigation and communication urgent. A telegraph line followed the trail through the traditional territories of the Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht and Pacheedaht First Nations, linking the coastal stations with Victoria. That old communication network is a big part of what makes this remote light station more than a landmark.

The tower standing todayThe present tower dates to 1922: an octagonal, reinforced-concrete structure about 11 metres…

The present tower dates to 1922: an octagonal, reinforced-concrete structure about 11 metres tall. It replaced the earlier tower and was recognized as a heritage lighthouse in 2015.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Pacific Rim

All Pacific Rim wildlife maps

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 map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Pacific Rim. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.