Canada is blessed with open areas and there’s nothing higher than hopping in a canoe to discover its freshwater lakes or mountaineering by the forest in considered one of our Canadian nationwide parks. From coast to coast to coast and all over the place in between, Canada’s nationwide parks are breathtaking.
Canada has 37 nationwide parks and 10 Nationwide Parks reserves. What are nationwide park reserves you ask? Effectively, they’re handled and managed like a nationwide park however they’ve a number of Indigenous land claims. These nationwide reserves are protected by Parks Canada and we’ve got had the privilege of exploring a lot of our biggest protected lands. We haven’t seen all of them but, however because the saying goes, “I haven’t been all over the place, but it surely’s on my record.”
Greatest Nationwide Parks in Canada
The easiest way to get to the Nationwide Parks in Canada is by automotive. You may take a look at automotive rental comparisons at RentalCars.com. A few of the finest nationwide parks in Canada can solely be reached by airplane as a lot of Canada’s nationwide parks are in distant areas of the nation. That makes them much more fascinating to see!
To encourage you to choose up a nationwide parks go this 12 months, we wished spherical up our experiences in the very best Canadian Nationwide Parks that we’ve seen. You may choose up your Nationwide Parks Move at laptop.gc.ca from the Nationwide Park Service. A Discovery Move value $145 per household (as much as 7 folks) and provides entry to 80 parks for 12 months. Or you should buy a single go: Adults $72.25 and Seniors $61.75
1. Banff Nationwide Park – Alberta
Banff is Canada’s most well-known Nationwide Park and never solely that it’s the oldest nationwide park within the nation. Banff was designated as a nationwide park in 1885 after the invention of its sizzling springs by staff of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Situated in Alberta just 1 hour and half-hour from Calgary, Banff nationwide park is nestled within the coronary heart of the Canadian Rockies.
There’s a motive everybody flocks to Banff, Alberta. With snowcapped mountains, glacier lakes, and world-class four-season actions, it’s Canada’s out of doors playground. Banff Nationwide Park is so stunning, that considered one of its most well-known lakes, Moraine Lake was depicted on Canada’s twenty-dollar invoice.
The one downfall of visiting Banff Nationwide Park is how busy it might probably get. Attempt to go to within the shoulder season or in winter. With snowboarding at Lake Louise, Dogledding, backcountry snowboarding, and snowshoeing there’s something for everybody. Plus, the snow capped mountains of Canadian Rockies are at their most stunning in winter. Learn extra: A Spectacular Helicopter Tour in Banff
- Location: Banff nationwide park is positioned in Alberta within the Rocky Mountains simply 90 minutes from Calgary.
- Measurement: 6641 11,000 sq. kilometers
Plan your journey to Banff Nationwide Park
2. Jasper Nationwide Park
Situated simply up the street from Banff Nationwide Park is the biggest nationwide park within the Canadian Rockies. Jasper Nationwide Park is dare I say barely much less visited than Banff however it’s simply as spectacular.
Nestled within the Rocky Mountains, Jasper Nationwide Park is teeming with an abundance of wildlife together with, grizzly bears and large horn sheep. From turquoise lakes to snowcapped peaks, it has every part you might wish to see in a nationwide park. Make your means out to probably the most picturesque lakes in Canada, Maligne Lake or hike in Maligne Canyon. Within the winter, you possibly can see its frozen waterfalls and ice caves after which take a scenic drive to chill out within the Miette sizzling Springs.
Jasper city is positioned inside Jasper Nationwide Park and makes for a fantastic base to get pleasure from its eating places, outlets, and galleries at evening after you’ve loved its magnificence.
Plan your journey to Jasper Nationwide Park
3. Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park – Alberta
Situated in Southern Alberta, Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park is usually left off the Alberta journey record, however this distinctive nationwide park shouldn’t be missed.
Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Website, an Worldwide Peace Park, and a Biosphere Reserved that shares this honor with neighboring Glacier Nationwide Park in Montana. When you are there, it could be a disgrace to not cross the border to see Glacier Nationwide Park. Try all there’s to do there at 16 of the Greatest Glacier Nationwide Park Hikes
With superior backcountry mountaineering, the well-known purple rocks, and the historic Prince of Wales Resort, Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park has all of it. Plus, you possibly can see a wild herd of bison right here. Waterton Lakes isn’t named after lakes for something, take a ship tour on Waterton Lake, Center Waterton Lake, and Decrease Waterton Lake.
With over 200km of mountaineering trails, Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park is a hiker’s paradise. Be sure that to maintain a watch out for wildlife together with bears, elk, moose bighorn sheep, and mountain goats. After we had been mountaineering at Waterton Lakes, there was a cougar on the path which made everybody very excited.
- Location: Alberta – 2 hours and 40 minutes south of Calgary
- Measurement 505 sq. km
- Ebook an evening to recollect on the Prince of Wales
Plan your journey to Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park
4. Ivvavik Nationwide Park – Yukon Territories
Ivvavik Nationwide Park is as distant because it will get. We flew to Whitehorse, Yukon, after which onward by little cities in Northern Canada as we picked folks up on a small aircraft like a northern bus route earlier than stopping within the city of Inuvik in Northwest Territories for the evening. It was then onward by biplane to camp in the course of Ivavvik Nationwide Park within the far north of the Yukon Territories the place we made a base to seek for grizzly bears.
Parks Canada has a base camp arrange immediately alongside a grizzly bear freeway that you’re smack dab in the course of. Surrounded by the rolling British Mountains, Ivavvik Nationwide Park can also be residence to Canada’s oldest river.
- Location: Far Northern Yukon on the Beaufort Sea – Solely means in is by aircraft
- Measurement: 10,168 sq. km
- Plan your journey to Ivvavik Nationwide Park:
5. Kluane Nationwide Park – Yukon Territories
Whereas visiting the Yukon, one other unbelievable Canadian nationwide park could be seen. Situated within the southwest nook of the territory, Kluane Nationwide Park is a delegated UNESCO World Heritage Website and residential to the biggest non-polar ice discipline on this planet spanning 35,233 sq. km (13,600 sq. miles)
The park’s panorama is dominated by the Saint Elias Mountains, which include Canada’s highest peak, Mount Logan, standing at 5,959 meters. Kluane Nationwide Park additionally homes the world-famous Kaskawulsh Glacier, which is the biggest glacier within the park.
6. Wooden Buffalo Nationwide Park – Northwest Territories / Alberta
Whereas we’re visiting Canada’s Territories, Wooden Buffalo Nationwide Park is one other considered one of our stunning and distant nationwide parks in Canada. Sharing a border with Alberta, this nationwide park was established in 1922. It was designed to guard one of many final surviving herds of Bison so you’re protected to imagine that that is the highest draw. Nonetheless, there are many issues to do right here from mountaineering and paddling to having fun with stargazing and looking for the Northern lights.
It’s the largest nationwide park in Canada and additionally it is a nationwide historic website.
7. Fundy Nationwide Park- New Brunswick
Dwelling to the world’s highest tides, Fundy Nationwide Park in New Brunswick is a pure surprise. With greater than 100 km of mountaineering trails, it’s a place to spend days. Take a drive to the excessive lookouts overlooking sea cliffs that roll alongside the Bay of Fundy, have a picnic on considered one of its seashores, and make a day journey to the Hopewell Rocks and Cape and Rage to actually see the ability of those excessive tides.
The Bay of Fundy is likely one of the pure wonders of the world at low tide you possibly can stroll for miles on the ocean flooring and probably the greatest locations to try this is at Hopewell Rocks. At excessive tide you possibly can go kayaking round these unbelievable formations.
Fundy NP has incredible tenting together with yurts for hire by Parks Canada. See extra at: Superb Bay of Fundy Adventures – Methods to Expertise the Highest Tides
- Location: New Brunswick between Saint John and Moncton
- Measurement 207 sq. km
8. Cape Breton Highlands Nationwide Park – Nova Scotia
Dwelling to one of many biggest drives on the planet, Cape Breton Highlands Nationwide Park in Nova Scotia is the place the place the mountains meet the ocean. It’s residence to Canada’s most stunning sea cliffs. The Cabot Path runs inside the nationwide park, so it’s straightforward to drive from one spectacular view after one other.
Go whale watching, mountaineering or tenting in an oTentik. That is really a spot to get pleasure from east coast hospitality and the fantastic thing about Canada. Learn extra: 22 Unimaginable Stops on the Cabot Path in Nova Scotia
- Location: Cape Breton Island Nova Scotia 5 hours from Halifax
- Measurement: 949 sq. km
9. Pacific Rim Nationwide Park Reserve – British Columbia
Situated on Vancouver Island, Pacific Rim Nationwide Park is the place you’ll hike the well-known West Coast Path. The West Coast Path is a 75 km lengthy trek and takes between 5 to 7 days to hike and is considered one of Canada’s nice hikes positioned alongside the west coast of Vancouver Island. The Pacific Rim Nationwide Park Reserve additionally contains the Lengthy Seaside and the Damaged Group Islands.
With paddling at Damaged Group Islands or browsing at Lengthy Seaside and world-class whale watching, Pacific Rim nationwide park has all of it. Learn extra: Kayaking to the Damaged Group Islands
To be able to hike the West Coast Path, hikers should acquire a allow from Parks Canada and are required to attend an orientation session previous to beginning the path. The variety of hikers allowed on the path is restricted annually with a purpose to defend the delicate ecosystem and make sure the security of hikers.
10. Mount Revelstoke – British Columbia
Revelstoke is considered one of our favourite locations to go to in British Columbia. It is part of a number of mountain nationwide parks working by BC and Alberta. Many individuals assume Revelstoke is in Alberta since it’s nearer to Calgary than Vancouver, however it’s in truth, in British Columbia.
And Revelstoke Nationwide Park is just not positioned within the Rocky Mountains. The Rockies are 100 km away, but it surely actually feels as if you’re within the Canadian Rockies. Mount Revelstoke is positioned inside the Columbia Mountains and the city of Revelstoke is positioned simply outdoors of Mount Revelstoke Nationwide Park. It makes for the proper out of doors escape in each summer season and winter. Learn extra: The Greatest Issues to do in Revelstoke, BC – Apart from Snowboarding
11. Yoho Nationwide Park – British Columbia
British Columbia is blessed with nationwide parks and wide-open areas and Yoho Nationwide Park is one other stunning place to go to. Situated within the Canadian Rockies, it gives distinctive mountaineering and biking. The identify “Yoho” comes from a Cree phrase which means “awe” or “surprise”, which is a becoming description.
Yoho Nationwide Park creates a Rocky Mountain triangle with Kootenay Nationwide Park to the south and Banff Nationwide Park to the East within the UNESCO World Heritage Website, the Canadian Rocky Mountains Parks. Learn: The Rocky Mountaineer Expertise – Vancouver to Banff
The highest sights to see listed here are the pure bridge, an emerald lake, Wapta Falls, and Burgess Shale Fossil Website. The Burgess Shale, one other UNESCO World Heritage Website, is positioned inside Yoho Nationwide Park. It’s a fossil deposit that incorporates a few of the oldest and most well-preserved fossils of early animal life on Earth.
12. Kootenay Nationwide Park – British Columbia
One other considered one of our nationwide parks in British Columbia is close by Kootenay Nationwide Park. Becoming a member of Yoho Nationwide Park with Banff Nationwide Park this trio makes up the UNESCO-designated Canadian Rockies. Situated within the city of Radium, it’s snuggled alongside the Alberta border.
It’s identified for its abundance of sizzling springs together with Radium Sizzling Springs the place you possibly can benefit from the sizzling swimming pools in luxurious and abundance of wildlife. A spotlight of Kootenay Nationwide Park is Marble Canyon the place you possibly can hike by the slender gorge.
13. Pukaskwa Nationwide Park – Ontario
Pukaskwa Nationwide Park is positioned alongside the north coast of Lake Superior and is within the coronary heart of Ontario’s untamed wilderness. It is likely one of the finest nationwide parks for epic mountaineering. Mountain climbing alongside its coast reminds you of being on the East Coast of Canada as its rolling rocky shoreline climbs excessive above the inland sea of Lake Superior.
There’s backcountry tenting and it homes probably the greatest hikes in Canada that really takes you on a wilderness expertise. We got here nose to nose with a mama moose and her calf which we assume was spooked by a close-by black bear after seeing its contemporary paw prints within the mud under. See our expertise: The Wild Coastal Path of Pukaskwa Nationwide Park
14. Thousand Islands Nationwide Park – Ontario
Situated alongside the St. Lawrence River Thousand Islands Nationwide Park is considered one of Canada’s smallest nationwide parks with an space of solely 24.4 sq. km and most of that’s water. This can be a great spot to go paddling to discover the islands between Kingston and Brockville. Make sure you cease in at Mallorytown Touchdown on the 1000 Islands Parkway to get all the knowledge you must discover the primary nationwide park in Japanese Canada. Learn extra: 25 Day Journeys from Toronto to Escape the Metropolis
15. Bruce Peninsula Nationwide Park
Bruce Peninsula Nationwide Park in all probability has probably the most wow issue landscapes in Ontario. With sea cliffs and flowerpots, it’s a must-visit. Watch the panorama change earlier than your eyes as you head north the place evergreen forests give approach to the rocky Canadian defend. That is the center of cottage nation so there are actions for the entire household with mountaineering trails, boat excursions, biking and tenting. Learn extra: Epic Issues to do in Ontario
Situated on Georgian Bay Bruce Peninsula Nationwide Park homes probably the most wow locations in Ontario. The Grotto is a secluded sea cave that sits on the shores of Lake Huron. The view from above is gorgeous and you’ll swear that you’re within the Caribbean reasonably than Canada. Be ready to scramble right down to the water the place you must squeeze by a gap to enter.
The Grotto is extraordinarily busy in the summertime and you have to ebook entry prematurely. A parking allow have to be bought forward of time and entry is blocked in four-hour slots for timed entry. You may verify with Park’s Canada for particulars to ebook your time slot.
16. Prince Edward Island Nationwide Park – PEI
Dwelling to Anne of Inexperienced Gables, Prince Edward Island Nationwide Park homes Inexperienced Gables and the nationwide historic website, Dalvay by the Sea positioned at Dalvay Lake. Make sure you go for a stroll alongside the boardwalk taking you throughout the marshland to the sand dunes.
With different mountaineering trails, and a really lengthy sandy seashore, that is the proper cease on a PEI street journey. Get extra info: Issues to do in Prince Edward Island (PEI)
- Location: Prince Edward Island (PEI) – half-hour north of Charlottetown.
- Measurement: 27 sq. Km
17. Prince Albert Nationwide Park – Saskatchewan
Okay, that is taking us means again into the vault. Years in the past, I sang in a present in Prince Albert Saskatchewan known as P.A.Boys. It was throughout that point that I had the prospect to discover a little bit of the province within the north. The year-round vacation spot encompasses a boreal forest, grasslands, lakes and rivers. At 3,874 sq. kilometres, it’s an enormous one! Learn extra about Saskatchewan: 15 Greatest Issues to do in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- Location: Saskachewan – 1 hour north of Prince Alberta
- Measurement: 3874 sq. km
18. Gaspésie Peninsula – Quebec
Visiting the Gaspésie Area of Quebec gives the prospect to go to 4 Nationwide Parks in Canada of various landscapes and exeriences. If you wish to see woodland caribou within the wild, Gaspésie Nationwide Park is the place to do it. It was designated to guard the Gaspésie Caribou. Apparently it’s the solely place you possibly can see caribou south of the St. Lawrence (and I imply, actually, simply south of the St. Lawrence).
Situated inland within the Appalachian Mountains, it’s a lovely panorama of rolling hills. For the dramatic sea cliff views of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, head to, Forillian and l’Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé. And Miguasha Nationwide Park is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Website for its 370 million 12 months previous fossils. Evidently, it is a great spot to spend a summer season trip.
- Location: Quebec – 8 hours North of Quebec Metropolis within the Gaspé Peninsula.
19. Wapusk Nationwide Park – Manitoba
Dwelling to the Polar Bear Freeway, Wapusk Nationwide Park is positioned in a distant area of Manitoba on the Hudson Bay. We stayed on the sting of it when looking for polar bears with Churchill Wild at each Seal River Heritage Lodge and Nanuk Lodge. They act as bookends to the park!
When flying over this slice of the Arctic we noticed at the least a dozen polar bears strolling alongside the coast. You may’t go to this park by yourself, however you possibly can ebook polar bear excursions with expert guides in distant lodges to witness the unbelievable wildlife of the north. It’s not simply polar bears that you just’ll see, we noticed black bears, wolves and arctic fox. So cute! Learn extra: Strolling with Polar Bears
- Location: Manitoba – South of Churchill on the Hudson Bay reached by aircraft.
- Measurement: 11,745 Sq. km
20. Driving Mountain Nationwide Park – Manitoba
A extra accessible nationwide park in Manitoba is Driving Mountain Nationwide Park. Established in 1929, and it covers an space of over 3,000 sq. kilometers. The park is residence to a number of historic websites, together with the Gray Owl Cabin, which was as soon as inhabited by the well-known conservationist Archibald Belaney, often known as Gray Owl.
Driving Mountain nationwide park is 2 hours and 45 minutes from Winnipeg and the easiest way to get there’s to drive. If you happen to don’t have a automotive, you possibly can hire one. Autos going into any of Canada’s nationwide parks require a allow. You may choose one up from Parks Canada on the gate, or get a nationwide park go prematurely.
21. Gros Morne Nationwide Park – Newfoundland
Gros Morne nationwide park has been on our bucket record. We’ve had a few plans to see it, however life bought in the best way. Hopefully, this 12 months will lastly be our 12 months. Gros Morne Nationwide Park is understood for its excessive fjords and distant panorama and one of many must-do actions in Gros Morne Nationwide Park is a ship tour of the Western Brook Pond Fjord by towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls.
Gros Morne Nationwide Park can also be residence to a novel geological characteristic known as the Tablelands. This is likely one of the finest locations to hike alongside its flat-topped mountain plateau which rises greater than 700 meters above sea stage.
And at last, I do know what you’re pondering, why isn’t Torngat Mountains, Nationwide Park? Effectively, it like Gros Morne Nationwide Park, it too is in Newfoundland and we’ve got but to go to so it should wait. However as soon as we do, this area proper right here will likely be reserved for the Torngat Mountains.
And these are the very best nationwide parks in Canada. There are nonetheless a number of extra on our bucket record and we are able to’t wait to get outdoors and discover extra of fantastic Canada.
