Ucluelet sits in the 500sq km/200sq mi of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. This park encompasses Long Beach, the Broken Group Islands just off Ucluelet and the 72km/44.5mi West Coast Trail south to Port Renfrew. One of Canada's most inspiring and unpredictable national parks, it's close to two more adventure zones: Kennedy Lake Provincial Park and Clayoquot Arm Provincial Park.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Pacific Rim National Reserve's rainforests, beaches and islands offer a vast tapestry of activities including: fishing, surfing, boating, sea kayaking, swimming, beachcombing, bird-watching, bear-watching, hiking, biking and picture-taking. Park planners make exploration easy with dedicated vistas, campgrounds, boat-launching ramps, shelters and interpretive centres.
Kennedy Lake Provincial Park
Adjacent to Pacific Rim, Kennedy Lake Provincial Park is a beauty spot easily accessible off Tofino Highway 4. Kennedy Lake is the largest body of freshwater on Vancouver Island. One of the Island's unheralded beauty spots, it's a natural for boaters, canoers, kayakers and swimmers. Just beware of wild winds ripping across the lake from the steep mountainsides. Ucluelet's West Coast Wild tour company takes kayakers on the Kennedy River.
Clayoquot Arm Provincial Park
Canoers, kayakers and hikers seeking a remote wilderness experience can find paradise at Clayoquot Arm Provincial Park, accessible only by water from the Clayoquot Arm Bridge on Kennedy Lake. The bridge itself is closed. Take the West Main logging road off Hwy 4 for about 13km/8mi to a parking lot, boat launch and boardwalk that leads to old-growth forest and some "monster" trees. The park has no facilities, but hardy outdoors folk will revel in solitude, extraordinary beauty, Sitka spruce forests, sandy beaches and black bears. Along the Clayoquot River and the shores of Clayoquot Arm are remarkable conditions for sockeye salmon spawning in late fall. The sight of the princely fish spawning at unbelievable depths is an unforgettable experience. No campsites, but camping is allowed and there are no fees. Remember to bring water and lots of it.
For information, maps and advice on activities in Ucluelet parks, contact the Visitor Centre.