Nism̓aakqin Park -Mux̣šiƛa Hot Springs Area Visitor Use Management Strategy
BC Parks and ʕaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht) Nation, represented by the Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society (MHSS), have developed a visitor use management strategy for the mux̣ʷšiƛa hot springs in Nism̓aakqin Park, which was formerly known as Maquinna Marine Park.
The strategy was initiated in 2022 in response to growing concern about overcrowding in the hot spring pools and the potential impacts to this small area of the park.
The strategy presents a shared vision for the future of the culturally significant geothermal hot springs area and reflects a joint commitment to protect it while providing visitors with high quality experiences, including opportunities to learn about the unique cultural history of the area.
A range of measures are identified in the strategy, and some of those measures – such as limits on group size and the number of trips per day - have already been implemented to achieve a high-quality visitor experience and protect important values at the hot springs.
Commercial tourism operators, tourism associations, and park visitors were also consulted during the development of the strategy.
The final Visitor Use Management Strategy can be found in the Documents section of this web page.
More information on Nism̓aakqin Park and the mux̣šiƛa hot springs area is available at Nism̓aakqin Park | BC Parks
| BC Parks is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Collaborative projects such as the hot springs visitor use management strategy are one way in which BC Parks and the ʕaḥuusʔatḥ Nation can strengthen government-to-government relationships and nurture common interests in protected areas stewardship and management. For more information on Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation at BC Parks please visit Indigenous relations and reconciliation - Province of British Columbia | BC Parks |
