Travel across the U.S./Canada border no longer allowed on the Pacific Crest Trail

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has reviewed the Canada PCT Entry Permit program and has decided to discontinue it. Travel across the U.S./Canada border on the Pacific Crest Trail is now prohibited. The news release is below.

This is disappointing news. That said, we can appreciate their points, and the fact that this policy is consistent with the United States’ policy which does not allow for entry into the United States via the PCT.

Hikers and equestrians should turn around after reaching the Northern Terminus. We ask that everyone travels with the utmost respect for nature by practicing gold standard Leave No Trace practices. This area will experience increased use now that more people are traveling this section of the PCT twice.

People wishing to visit Canada will need to enter the country at a Port of Entry.

CBSA’s Border Information Services line can be reached at 1-800-461-9999.


News release: The CBSA is discontinuing the issuance of Pacific Crest Trail permits

January 27, 2025
Ottawa, Ontario

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) operates in an evolving environment and continuously evaluates its programs and operations to support a safe and secure border.

The CBSA announced today it is discontinuing the issuance of permits to enter Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail without presenting yourself to a port of entry. This change will facilitate monitoring of compliance of trail users, enhance security at the border, and aligns with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) who does not allow travellers to enter the U.S. from Canada on the trail.

The Pacific Crest Trail is a hiking and equestrian trail that runs across the border between British Columbia and Washington State. While the entire trail is approximately 4,265 kilometers from Mexico to Canada, there is a 13 kilometers extension into Canada that some hikers include in their expedition.

Hikers from the U.S. without a permit who wish to complete the Canadian portion of the trail will from now on be required to first enter Canada via a designated port of entry. The closest ports of entry are: Osoyoos and Abbotsford.

Associated links

Contacts

For more information please contact:

Media Relations
Canada Border Services Agency
[email protected]
613-957-6500 or 1-877-761-5945


Capri´s worn-out hat carried 2600 miles along the PCT. The photo was taken at the Northern Terminus. Photo by Thomas Ballou

Author: Jack "Found" Haskel

As the Trail Information Manager, Jack works to connect people to the PCT. He's involved with a wide variety of projects that help the trail, the trail's users and the community that surrounds the experience. He has thru-hiked (Pacific Crest Trail in 2006; Colorado Trail in 2008; Continental Divide Trail in 2010) and is an obsessed weekend warrior.