21 Most Lovely Canadian Nationwide Parks

Canada is blessed with open areas and there’s nothing higher than hopping in a canoe to discover its freshwater lakes or mountaineering by means of the forest in one among our Canadian nationwide parks. From coast to coast to coast and in every single 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? Properly, 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 now we have had the privilege of exploring lots of our best protected lands. We haven’t seen all of them but, however because the saying goes, “I haven’t been in every single place, nevertheless it’s on my record.”

Finest Nationwide Parks in Canada

One of the simplest ways to get to the Nationwide Parks in Canada is by automotive. You may try automotive rental comparisons at RentalCars.com. A few of the greatest nationwide parks in Canada can solely be reached by airplane as lots 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 yr, we wished spherical up our experiences in one of the best Canadian Nationwide Parks that we’ve seen. You may choose up your Nationwide Parks Go at pc.gc.ca from the Nationwide Park Service. A Discovery Go value $145 per household (as much as 7 individuals) 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 scorching springs by staff of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Situated in Alberta simply 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 outside playground. Banff Nationwide Park is so stunning, that one among 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 could possibly 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 situated in Alberta within the Rocky Mountains simply 90 minutes from Calgary.
• Measurement: 6641 11,000 sq. kilometers

2. Jasper Nationwide Park

Situated simply up the highway 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 all the things you could possibly wish to see in a nationwide park. Make your approach out to one of the vital picturesque lakes in Canada, Maligne Lake or hike in Maligne Canyon. Within the winter, you may see its frozen waterfalls and ice caves after which take a scenic drive to chill out within the Miette scorching Springs.

Jasper city is situated inside Jasper Nationwide Park and makes for an excellent base to take pleasure in its eating places, retailers, and galleries at night time after you’ve loved its magnificence.

3. Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park – Alberta

Situated in Southern Alberta, Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park is commonly 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 will be a disgrace to not cross the border to see Glacier Nationwide Park. Take a look at all there’s to do there at 16 of the Finest Glacier Nationwide Park Hikes

With superior backcountry mountaineering, the well-known crimson rocks, and the historic Prince of Wales Resort, Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park has all of it. Plus, you may 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. Make certain to maintain an eye fixed out for wildlife together with bears, elk, moose bighorn sheep, and mountain goats. Once we have 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

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 means of little cities in Northern Canada as we picked individuals up on a small airplane like a northern bus route earlier than stopping within the city of Inuvik in Northwest Territories for the night time. 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 dwelling to Canada’s oldest river.

• Location: Far Northern Yukon on the Beaufort Sea – Solely approach in is by airplane
• Measurement: 10,168 sq. km

• Plan your journey to Ivvavik Nationwide Park:

5. Kluane Nationwide Park – Yukon Territories

Whereas visiting the Yukon, one other unimaginable Canadian nationwide park may 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 the planet spanning 35,233 sq. km (13,600 sq. miles)

The park’s panorama is dominated by the Saint Elias Mountains, which comprise 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 one among 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 might be secure 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 trying to find 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

Residence 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 one among 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 without doubt one of the pure wonders of the world at low tide you may stroll for miles on the ocean flooring and probably the greatest locations to do this is at Hopewell Rocks. At excessive tide you may go kayaking round these unimaginable formations.

Fundy NP has incredible tenting together with yurts for lease by means of 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

Residence to one of many best drives on the planet, Cape Breton Highlands Nationwide Park in Nova Scotia is the place the place the mountains meet the ocean. It’s dwelling 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 actually a spot to take pleasure in 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 one among Canada’s nice hikes situated alongside the west coast of Vancouver Island. The Pacific Rim Nationwide Park Reserve additionally consists of the Lengthy Seashore and the Damaged Group Islands.

With paddling at Damaged Group Islands or browsing at Lengthy Seashore and world-class whale watching, Pacific Rim nationwide park has all of it. Learn extra: Kayaking to the Damaged Group Islands

With a purpose to hike the West Coast Path, hikers should receive 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 to be able to shield the delicate ecosystem and make sure the security of hikers.

10. Mount Revelstoke – British Columbia

Revelstoke is one among our favourite locations to go to in British Columbia. It is part of a number of mountain nationwide parks operating by means of BC and Alberta. Many individuals suppose Revelstoke is in Alberta since it’s nearer to Calgary than Vancouver, however it’s in reality, in British Columbia. 

And Revelstoke Nationwide Park is just not situated within the Rocky Mountains. The Rockies are 100 km away, nevertheless it definitely feels as if you’re within the Canadian Rockies. Mount Revelstoke is situated inside the Columbia Mountains and the city of Revelstoke is situated simply exterior of Mount Revelstoke Nationwide Park. It makes for the proper outside escape in each summer season and winter. Learn extra: The Finest 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 affords distinctive mountaineering and biking. The title “Yoho” comes from a Cree phrase that 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 below are the pure bridge, an emerald lake, Wapta Falls, and Burgess Shale Fossil Website. The Burgess Shale, one other UNESCO World Heritage Website, is situated inside Yoho Nationwide Park. It’s a fossil deposit that accommodates among the oldest and most well-preserved fossils of early animal life on Earth.

12. Kootenay Nationwide Park – British Columbia

One other one among 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 scorching springs together with Radium Sizzling Springs the place you may benefit from the scorching swimming pools in luxurious and abundance of wildlife. A spotlight of Kootenay Nationwide Park is Marble Canyon the place you may hike by means of the slim gorge.

13. Pukaskwa Nationwide Park – Ontario

Pukaskwa Nationwide Park is situated alongside the north coast of Lake Superior and is within the coronary heart of Ontario’s untamed wilderness. It is without doubt one of the greatest 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 actually 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 one among Canada’s smallest nationwide parks with an space of solely 24.4 sq. km and most of that’s water. This can be a good spot to go paddling to discover the islands between Kingston and Brockville. Remember to cease in at Mallorytown Touchdown on the 1000 Islands Parkway to get all the data you want to 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 most likely 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 strategy 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 one of the vital 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’d swear that you’re within the Caribbean reasonably than Canada. Be ready to scramble right down to the water the place you want to squeeze by means of a gap to enter.

The Grotto is extraordinarily busy in the summertime and you should ebook entry prematurely. A parking allow should be bought forward of time and entry is blocked in four-hour slots for timed entry. You may examine with Park’s Canada for details to ebook your time slot.

16. Prince Edward Island Nationwide Park – PEI

Residence to Anne of Inexperienced Gables, Prince Edward Island Nationwide Park homes Inexperienced Gables and the nationwide historic website, Dalvay by the Sea situated at Dalvay Lake. Remember to 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 seaside, that is the proper cease on a PEI highway journey. Get extra data: 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 approach 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 Finest 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 affords 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 may 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 an attractive 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 yr outdated fossils. Evidently, it is a good spot to spend a summer season trip.

• Location: Quebec – 8 hours North of Quebec Metropolis within the Gaspé Peninsula.

19. Wapusk Nationwide Park – Manitoba

Residence to the Polar Bear Freeway, Wapusk Nationwide Park is situated in a distant area of Manitoba on the Hudson Bay. We stayed on the sting of it when trying to find 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 very least a dozen polar bears strolling alongside the coast. You may’t go to this park by yourself, however you may ebook polar bear excursions with expert guides in distant lodges to witness the unimaginable 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 airplane.
• Measurement: 11,745 Sq. km

20. Using Mountain Nationwide Park – Manitoba

A extra accessible nationwide park in Manitoba is Using Mountain Nationwide Park. Established in 1929, and it covers an space of over 3,000 sq. kilometers. The park is dwelling 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, also called Gray Owl.

Using Mountain nationwide park is 2 hours and 45 minutes from Winnipeg and the easiest way to get there’s to drive. For those who don’t have a automotive, you may lease one. Automobiles 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 obtained in the way in which. Hopefully, this yr will lastly be our yr. Gros Morne Nationwide Park is thought 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 means of towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls.

Gros Morne Nationwide Park can also be dwelling to a novel geological function known as the Tablelands. This is without doubt one of the greatest locations to hike alongside its flat-topped mountain plateau which rises greater than 700 meters above sea stage.

And eventually, I do know what you might be pondering, why isn’t Torngat Mountains, Nationwide Park? Properly, it like Gros Morne Nationwide Park, it too is in Newfoundland and now we have but to go to so it must wait. However as soon as we do, this house proper right here will probably be reserved for the Torngat Mountains.

And these are one of the best nationwide parks in Canada. There are nonetheless a number of extra on our bucket record and we will’t wait to get exterior and discover extra of fantastic Canada.