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Advisories

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Marine-accessible camping

Camping is not permitted on the Openit Peninsula portion of the park where the hot springs are located. A private campground, operated by the Hesquiat First Nation, is located just north of the government dock. 

Dock Facilities Use Fee: $2 per metre per night

Winter camping
Camping is not permitted on the Openit Peninsula portion of the park where the hot springs are located. A private campground, operated by the Hesquiat First Nation, is located just north of the government dock.
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Boat launch

This park has a dock located on the west side of Openit Peninsula, adjacent to the park entrance. Boats can also anchor in Hot Springs Cove.

Dock facilities use fee: $2 per metre per night
Campfires

While small fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. If you do have a fire use small pieces of wood that will burn completely. Build your fires below the high tide mark. Never build fires next to or near beach logs. Never leave your fire unattended and practice “Leave No Trace” camping ethics. 

Campfires are not permitted on the Openit Peninsula portion of the park where the hot springs are located.

Hot spring

Location: West coast of Vancouver Island, in Clayoquot Sound, about 35 km NW of Tofino, on west side of Sharp Point. 
Coordinates: Lat. 49° 20’ 59” North; Long. 126° 15’ 34” West 
Pool Water Temperature: 50°C 
Facilities: Boat dock, 2 km boardwalk trail with stairs and viewing platform, change house, picnic shelter and composting pit toilets.

Comments: Also known as Ramsay Hot Springs. The hot springs have a faint sulphur smell. They flow down a waterfall and into six rocky natural intertidal pools, flowing from one level to the next and becoming progressively cooler towards the ocean. It’s about a 40 minute walk (2 km) from the Maquinna dock at Hot Springs Cove and through the old growth rain forest.

The following are not allowed at the hot spring: dogs, pets, camping, campfires, glass containers, soaps and shampoos.

There is a $3 user fee, per person, per day for the hot springs and an overnight moorage fee of $2 per metre, per night for overnight boaters using the dock. 

Picnic areas

There is a designated picnic facility and a large grassy area at the head of the dock. An information shelter and composting toilet can be found in this area, which is also the start of a 2 km boardwalk leading to the hot springs. Another picnic shelter, composting toilet, and change house is located near the springs. There is a user fee of $3 per person per day to enter the park.

Pit or flush toilets

This park has two composting toilets. One at the start of the boardwalk and another at the end near the hot springs.

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Hiking

A 2 km boardwalk trail leads from the head of the dock to the hot springs. A viewing platform is located along the trail, offering views of Hot Springs Cove and the hot spring itself. Visitors should be aware that the boardwalk may be slippery due to frost or rotting leaves in the fall and winter. 

For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.

Swimming
Visitors from around the world flock to Maquinna Park to soak in the natural hot spring pools. The temperature of these pools is approximately 50 degrees Celsius. Pregnant women, people with heart conditions and small children should limit their exposure to the hot water. During winter high tides, use of the pools should be avoided because of wave action and presence of large, woody debris. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
Canoeing
There are kayaking opportunities throughout this park. Canoeing is not recommended.
Fishing

The waters of Clayoquot Sound may contain a variety of fish species, including salmon, rockfish, halibut and lingcod. Fishing is permitted as per provincial and federal fishing regulations. All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Wildlife viewing
A viewing platform is located along the boardwalk trail that leads from the head of the dock to the hot springs offer lovely views of Hot Springs Cove and the hot spring itself.