BC Government News Release: Upgrades made to Juan de Fuca Marine Trail

Details from the BC Government Release below:

People hiking the popular Juan de Fuca Marine Trail on southern Vancouver Island can enjoy enhanced camping facilities with the addition of 50 new elevated tent platforms at five backcountry campgrounds.

The wooden tent platforms are part of several infrastructure upgrades along the 47-kilometre wilderness trail and provide a more comfortable camping experience during bad weather, while protecting sensitive habitat.

In addition to 10 new tent platforms added to each of the campgrounds at Mystic Beach, Bear Beach, Chin Beach, Little Kuitshe Creek and Payzant Creek, two more food caches have also been installed at each campground. Other infrastructure improvements include approximately 600 metres of stepped boardwalk, 20 new staircases and 19 new foot bridges between the Little Kuitshe Creek Campground and Parkinson Creek trailhead. At Kuitshe Creek, a new engineered bridge was installed and a damaged engineered bridge was replaced at Hoard Creek.

The cost of the project is approximately $905,000, marking the biggest single investment in improvements to the Juan De Fuca Marine Trail in recent years. Approximately $2.1 million has been invested in new bridges, boardwalks, stairs and food caches at multiple locations along the trail over the past four years.

Spanning part of Vancouver Island’s southwest coast, the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is mainly designed for strenuous day or multi-day hiking, with campsites located in rugged, isolated areas. The trail traverses a rugged environment that is often subject to wet and extreme weather conditions. Before heading out, hikers are advised to check the park website for advisories and be prepared for uneven ground and slippery conditions on muddy trails, wooden surfaces, boulders and rocky shorelines.

The recent infrastructure upgrades along the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail are part of a $21.5-million investment to expand and enhance opportunities for outdoor recreation throughout the province. Upgrades include new campsites and trails, and improvements to existing facilities. Many upgrades will also improve accessibility for people who use wheelchairs, strollers or have other accessibility challenges.

Read the full release from the BC Government here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023ENV0032-000696

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy 

Media Relations
250 953-3834