West Coast Trail 2027 reservations are expected late January to early February. Fees ($184.75 permit), 100% reservable, and why the 21-day refund cliff drives cancellations.
Last checked: October 2026. Parks Canada had not announced the 2027 launch date when we wrote this. 2027 dates are expected, based on 2026.
The West Coast Trail runs along the southwest coast of Vancouver Island in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Parks Canada limits the number of overnight hikers who can start each day, and since standby was scrapped, every space is reservable in advance. If you didn't get a start date on launch morning, a cancellation is the only way on.
The essentials
From Parks Canada's West Coast Trail page and fees page:
- Season (2026): open to overnight hikers May 1 to September 30.
- Trailheads: Pachena Bay (north), Gordon River (south), and Balaats'adt (Nitinaht Village) at the mid-point.
- Group size: up to 10 (custodial groups up to 18).
- Standby: "Standby spaces are no longer available, all spaces are 100% reservable."
- Daily quota: Parks Canada limits overnight hikers per day; the page doesn't give the number.
- Briefings: 10am and 2pm daily at Gordon River and Pachena Bay, no reservation needed. Balaats'adt briefings are at 7am.
Fees
As listed on the Pacific Rim fees page (last modified December 3, 2025; confirm before you book):
| Fee | Amount |
|---|
| Backcountry Use Permit | $184.75 per person |
| Orientation fee | $23.75 per person |
| Gordon River ferry | $28.00 |
| Nitinaht Narrows ferry | $28.00 |
| Reservation fee | $11.50 online, $13.50 by phone |
| Water taxi (if used) | $70.00, paid to the operator |
Parks Canada gives the permit plus orientation as $208.50 per person per trip, before ferries and reservation fee.
Launch dates
| Season | Original date | Actual launch | |
|---|
| 2026 | Mon Jan 19, 8am PT | Thu Feb 5, 2026, 8am PT (postponed), with a queue | Parks Canada |
| 2027 | — | Expected late January to early February 2027 | not announced |
In 2026 several Parks Canada launches were moved after technical problems; the West Coast Trail was one of them. See the full table in Parks Canada 2027 reservation dates.
Before launch morning
- Choose a direction and trailhead. North to south from Pachena Bay or south to north from Gordon River; the mid-point at Balaats'adt is for shorter sections.
- Have several start dates ready. Peak-summer starts are the most contested, so keep a list of alternatives in May, June and September too.
- Know your group size. Up to 10.
- Be in the queue before 8am PT. Prepare your Parks Canada account in advance.
The 21-day cliff
The refund rules for the West Coast Trail are stricter than ordinary Parks Canada camping. From the reservation policies and the trail page:
| When you cancel | What you get back |
|---|
| 21 days or more before departure | Use permit, orientation and ferry fees refunded. Reservation fee and cancellation fee ($11.50 online / $13.50 phone) kept |
| 20 days or fewer before departure | Use permit not refunded. Ferry fees can be refunded. Cancellation fee applies |
| No-show | All fees forfeited |
Parks Canada's two pages disagree on one detail: the reservation policies list the orientation fee as refundable inside 20 days, while the trail page says it isn't. Either way, the big number, the $184.75 permit, is lost per person once you're inside 21 days.
Other rules that matter:
- Changes: 21+ days out, you pay the price difference and a change fee. Inside 20 days, West Coast Trail use fees aren't refundable.
- Booking cutoff: you can reserve until 11:59pm two days before your start date.
What that means for cancellations
For a group of four, the gap between cancelling on day 22 and day 20 is over $700 in permits. Anyone who knows they can't go has every reason to cancel before the 21-day mark. So we'd expect a lot of sold-out dates to free up in the days just before each start date's 21-day cutoff. A second, smaller wave comes from groups that shrink or change plans later, accepting the loss.
This is our reading of the rule. We'll publish real opening counts once we have a season of data.
Catching a start date
Canada Camp Alerts watches the West Coast Trail for you. Set a watch on that page for the start dates you can do, and we'll alert you when one goes from fully booked to having space. Each start date is judged on its own, across the trailheads on Parks Canada's listing. We don't check how many spaces opened or match your group size, so open the Parks Canada link and check the trailhead and spaces before you pay. You book on Parks Canada's site yourself; we never book or hold anything.
- Free: one watch for one date, email, 15 minutes after pass holders.
- Season pass: C$25 once, 12 months, no auto-renew. Up to 10 watches, date ranges, instant email, Telegram and browser push.
A practical approach: set a range covering every start date you could make, and look hardest in the week around each date's 21-day mark.
FAQ
When do West Coast Trail reservations open for 2027?
Not announced as of October 2026. The 2026 launch was Thursday, February 5 at 8am PT, after being moved from January 19. Expect late January to early February 2027.
Are there walk-in or standby permits?
No. Parks Canada says all spaces are 100% reservable.
How much does it cost?
$208.50 per person for the permit and orientation, plus two ferries at $28 each, plus the reservation fee. Check the fees page for the 2027 amounts.
What if I cancel 20 days out?
You lose the $184.75 per-person permit. Ferry fees can come back; the cancellation fee doesn't.
How late can I book a cancellation?
Until 11:59pm two days before your start date.
Related