VICTORIA AND VANCOUVER ISLAND - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 196

son. The ferry fees ($15 each) are collected on behalf of private operators in conjunction
with the trail permit. When there is no ferry service (Oct.-Apr.), the West Coast Trail is
closed.
Permits
The West Coast Trail is open May through September, with a quota system in effect
between mid-June and mid-September. During this period, only 52 hikers per day are issued
permits to start down the trail (26 from each end). Reservations for 40 of the 50 slots are
accepted starting mid-April; call 250/726-4453 or 877/737-3783, 9am-5pm Mon.-Sat.). The
nonrefundable reservation fee is $25 per person, which includes a waterproof trail map. The
remaining 10 spots per day are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis (five from each
end; no reservation fee), but expect a wait of up to two days in summer. For one month be-
fore and after peak season, there is no quota. Once at Port Renfrew or Bamfield, all hikers
must head for the registration office to obtain a trail-use permit ($127.50 per person), pay
for the two ferry crossings ($16 each; cash only), and attend a 90-minute orientation ses-
sion.