Maquinna Marine Park – Mux̣šiƛa Hot Springs Visitor Use
On this page:
Overview
Who: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
What: A draft visitor use management strategy for Maquinna Marine Park Hot Springs
Where: Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island
Why: To create a vision and guidance for protecting values and providing enjoyable visitor experiences
How: Online
Engagement summary
The hot springs area is a popular destination in Maquinna Marine Provincial Park, northwest of Tofino. Park visitors come to enjoy the boardwalk trail through old growth forest, coastline views, and natural hot springs. The ʕaḥuusʔatḥ place name for the hot springs in the Nuu-chah-nulth language is mux̣šiƛa, pronounced muhh-shi-tla and meaning “steaming from rock.”
BC Parks and the ʕaḥuusʔatḥ Nation, represented by the Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society (MHSS), are working together to develop a visitor use management strategy for the mux̣šiƛa hot springs area.
Prior to a two-year closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 30,000 people visited this park per year. Reports of overcrowding in the small hot spring pools had been growing. When the park re-opened after a two-year closure in 2022, BC Parks and ʕaḥuusʔatḥ Nation were concerned that a return to previous visitation levels could pose risks to the natural, cultural and recreational values in this area of the park. The visitor use management strategy is being developed to set out a vision and guidance for protecting these values and providing enjoyable visitor experiences at these unique hot springs.
We are seeking your feedback on the Draft Visitor Use Management Strategy (PDF, 82MB).
More information on the BC Parks webpage.
Results
Read the What We Heard Report (PDF, 900KB)
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