About the Park
Visitors from around the world are drawn to to Nism̓aakqin Park in Clayoquot Sound to soak in the mux̣ʷšiƛa (mahkw-shith-ah) hot springs.
The natural mineral hot spring pools are a unique feature. The geothermal hot springs cascade down a waterfall into six rocky pools. The pools flow from one level to the next becoming gradually cooler as the fresh spring water is cooled by ocean swells. mux̣ʷšiƛa, which means “steaming from rock”, is the ʕaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht) name for the hot springs. ʕaḥuusʔatḥ knowledge and culture keepers consider the spring water in the pools to have healing properties.
There is a strictly enforced “leave no trace” policy – pack out everything you pack in. The Hot Springs are a highly fragile ecosystem and detergents or soaps are prohibited.
Formerly known as Maquinna Marine Park, the area was renamed in 2025 as Nism̓aakqin Park. Nism̓aakqin (nis-mock-kin) means “our land that we care for” in nuučaańuł. There are many places of important cultural, historic and spiritual significance to nuučaańuł (Nuu-chah-nulth) First Nations within Nism̓aakqin Park.
Located northwest of Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island, the park also encompasses a significant wilderness area known for coastal hiking, wilderness camping, sea kayaking and wildlife viewing.
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Contact
For the most up-to-date park information and advisories: https://bcparks.ca/nismaakqin-park/
Rates
Overnight use of dock facilities – $2/metre
Day use area visit (hot spring) – $3/person/day
Facilities
Composting toilets at entrance and change house near the Hot Springs.
Location
Accessible by boat or float plane from Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
An extensive boardwalk leads up to the Hot Springs.
Size
2,667 ha.Park Amenities
Picnic sites
Pit Toilets
Beach
Anchorage
Pets must be on leash
Park Activities
Swimming
Scuba Diving / Snorkeling
Canoeing / kayaking
Fishing
