The Pacific Crest Trail runs from Mexico to Canada, passing through California, Oregon, and Washington. CBC
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has announced a change in entry procedures along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), closing the border crossing at the trail’s Canadian extension. The Pacific Crest Trail, a 4,265-kilometre hiking path stretching from Mexico to Canada, passes through California, Oregon, and Washington. While the majority of the trail runs through the U.S., a small 13-kilometre section crosses into Canada within E.C. Manning Park, located southeast of Hope in southern British Columbia.
Previously, hikers had the option to apply for permits that allowed them to complete the Canadian portion of the trail. However, the CBSA has updated its regulations, stating that hikers from the U.S. without proper permits will no longer be allowed to enter Canada directly along the trail. Instead, they must first pass through a designated border crossing, aligning Canada’s rules with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which has always prohibited travelers from entering the U.S. from Canada via the PCT.
For those who have previously completed the Canadian portion of the trail, the final stop is at Manning Park Resort, a popular rest point for hikers. Vern Schram, the resort’s general manager, shared that hikers often have packages delivered with clean clothes and supplies in advance. Many would stay for a day or two to recuperate before continuing their journey. In the late summer and early fall, prior to this border change, several hundred PCT hikers would visit the resort, happy to take a well-deserved break.
"We get the happy smile face. We get the 'I just need to have a shower before I talk to anybody first,'" Schram said. "We get them in the best state, right? They're really excited. They're rejuvenated, they're refreshed, so we get to see the best of these people, and it's really quite exciting for our staff to get to host them at the end of such an accomplishment."
However, Schram expressed concern that this new border policy could complicate the final leg of the hikers’ journey. With the nearest Canadian border crossings being in Abbotsford and Osoyoos—each about 100 kilometres from the trail—hikers would now have to backtrack and travel by road to reach the crossings. This could add up to three or more days to their trip, creating logistical challenges for many.
"It's quite an impediment to the last 13 kilometres and an awful lot of effort on their part," Schram said. "So I'm not sure how many people will actually go through with that, or they'll say the border is good enough and that's their final destination."
This closure comes amid ongoing discussions about border security, including pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Canada's southern border. However, the CBSA did not confirm whether this decision was connected to the broader security concerns raised by the U.S. president.
The Pacific Crest Trail Association has expressed disappointment over the change, urging hikers to respect the new rules. The entry process along the trail had been paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the closure marks the latest shift in border procedures.
