The 206-square-mile island (population 6) remains remote. No grocery store, no gas station. What it does have, along with great surfing: snowy mountains, pristine rain forests, and all kinds of wildlife, from sea lions to timber wolves, black bears to bald eagles. In short, the elements of the perfect Western island.

Along 22 miles of the island’s west coast runs the Nootka Trail. It can take up to five days to hike and may require some bushwhacking. But, as Carole Sine, co-owner of Air Nootka, says, “Camping on Nootka has been life altering for people.” Sine, whose favorite spot is Calvin Falls, finds the nights most memorable. “There’s no light pollution. You see the way the world was before we built it up.” Hikers usually fly into Louie Bay and end in Friendly Cove. Drop-offs can be arranged through Air Nootka (airnootka.com).