Traveling abroad is a privilege that not everyone enjoys. Those who can explore other countries and cultures should never take traveling for granted. One of the most exciting aspects of travel is seeing diverse landscapes and breathtaking sights.
Canada is a massive country, especially considering that it is the second-largest nation by landmass in the world. With almost 10 million square kilometers to explore, endless natural wonders satisfy even the most adventurous explorers. More specifically, numerous Canadian national parks are worth visiting.
Canadian national parks are designated for many reasons. Often, the purpose is to protect a particular landscape from human intervention outside of observation. As of 2022, this country has 48 national parks and reserves, each offering something unique to travelers. If you are considering a trip abroad to see some unique formations, wildlife, and natural phenomena, here are some of Canada’s national parks that should be on your list:
Western Canada: Majestic Mountains and Pacific Wonders
Along the west coast of this vast country are some of the most awe-inspiring environments in the world. Even the lands hundreds of miles inland from the Pacific Ocean offer plenty of adventure. Let’s explore the majestic mountains and Pacific wonders of western Canada with a few world-famous national parks.
Banff National Park
Banff National Park is at the top of the list of most beautiful places to visit in Canada. If you love the idea of turquoise-colored lakes, then you will take endless pictures of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. The iconic peaks of Banff National Park include Mount Forbes, Mount Assiniboine, and Mount Temple. These natural landscapes alone are worth the trip.
There is also a very charming mountain town known as the Banff Townsite. It is a hub of outdoor activities like hiking, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, and skiing. If you care more about wildlife, Banff National Park features grizzly bears, elk, and bighorn sheep. Want a warm bath in the frigid air of a subarctic climate? You can visit the Banff Upper Hot Springs and bathe in Canada’s highest-operating hot springs.
Banff is the oldest of the Canadian national parks, established in 1885 as Rocky Mountains Park. A trip to Banff is convenient because you can also visit Yoho and Glacier National Parks without traveling too far.
Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park stands above the rest of Rocky Mountain parks. It is a rugged wilderness with glacial lakes, rivers, alpine forests, and diverse wildlife. You’ll likely spot some elk, caribou, and bighorn sheep during your visit to Jasper.
Maligne Canyon is worth exploring for its underground caverns, or you can climb Mount Edith Cavell’s peaks. Medicine Lake is located in the Maligne Valley watershed and is precisely what you think of when you see a mountain lake desktop background.
Other adventures in Jasper National Park include visiting the Jasper Townsite, your gateway to numerous outdoor adventures. Whitewater rafting, climbing, and wildlife tours are very popular in this area. With hundreds of trails throughout the park, you can hike to your heart’s content while exploring the landscape.
Yoho National Park
If you visit Banff National Park, you should also visit Yoho National Park since they are very close. The highest waterfall in Canada, Takakkaw Falls, will take your breath away. Wapta Falls is also a popular tourist spot. The largest lake in the park is Emerald Lake, and it won’t take long to figure out why it was given this name.
Some iconic hiking trails in Yoho National Park include the Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit and the Iceline Trail. For an experience of mountain hospitality, you can visit the Village of Field, established in the 1880s as a siding for the Canadian Pacific Railway. Another highlight is watching trains pass through the Spiral Tunnels from nearby viewpoints.
If you have time, check out the Burgess Shale fossils. You will see fossils estimated to be 500 million years old! This park also offers most outdoor activities, such as hiking, climbing, camping, and wildlife viewing. With towering rock formations, numerous high peaks, beautiful lakes, and diverse wildlife, Yoho National Park has something for everyone.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
If you head over to the western coast of Canada, you’ll find the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. The park is on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, so you are right on the ocean. Explore Long Beach and the Broken Group Islands Unit for rugged coastlines. On the island, you can explore unique rainforests. Whether you want to see tide pools, beaches, cedar groves, or rocky formations, the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is a must.
Since you are on an island, you should try some outdoor adventures. You can go surfing or kayaking in the waters. For a more relaxed experience, whale watching is incredibly popular in this area. Some of the most well-known trails in Canada, including the West Coast Trail and Wild Pacific Trail, are also found in this national park.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Pacific Rim National Park is its connection with indigenous peoples. By visiting this area and taking guided tours, you can experience cultures like no other. These nations still live in and preserve the land of their ancestors. Therefore, you can enjoy an authentic experience of their culture in one of the most popular Canadian national parks.
Central Canada: Prairie Landscapes and Boreal Forests
The land in Canada is vast, and we have not even entered the central region. In this part of the country, you can explore prairie landscapes, boreal forests, and even more diverse wildlife. Let’s look at more contenders for the best national park in the country that occupies central Canada:
Riding Mountain National Park
Wildlife enthusiasts should put Riding Mountain National Park at the top of their itineraries. This pristine wilderness in Manitoba is bursting with diverse plants and animals you cannot find in many other places. Explore the 250 miles of hiking trails to catch glimpses of wolves, lynxes, black bears, and moose. If you are lucky, you might even witness the bison herds of the prairie lands. There are over 1,900 lakes in the Riding Mountain National Park, including Lake Audy and Clear Lake. With sweeping grasslands, you may also see vast fields of orchids and lilies.
For picturesque trails through wooded highlands, your best choices are Bald Hill Trail and Lake Katherine Trail, which take you past stunning landscape views. If you would rather relax and take in the sights and sounds, you can also spend a warm afternoon swimming or fishing in some of the lakes in this national park.
Prince Albert National Park
Prince Albert National Park is in Saskatchewan, Canada. It offers boreal forests, lakes, and even dunes. Waskesiu Lake is the most popular attraction. Numerous trails surround the lake and lie throughout the Waskesiu Hills. Visitors can also explore the only community in the park, the hamlet of Waskesiu Lake.
If you are interested in history, you can check out Grey Owl’s cabin. Grey Owl, also known as Archibald Stansfeld Belaney, was the first naturalist for the park and lived on Ajawaan Lake. He wrote many books about wilderness protection, and there has even been a movie about Grey Owl in which Pierce Brosnan portrayed him.
The most popular activities in Prince Albert National Park are canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. You can also take a scenic driving tour of the park.
Pukaskwa National Park
Pukaskwa National Park lies along the banks of Lake Superior. The wilderness is remote, so walking along the Coastal Hiking Trail feels like you’re in the backcountry. This trail also includes the famous White River Suspension Bridge over the Chigamiwinigum Falls, which may not be for the faint of heart.
As you explore this park’s wetlands and sandy beaches, you may even have the opportunity to spot some black bears, loons, and moose. Please keep your distance to protect yourself and the local wildlife.
Because of its remote location, Pukaskwa National Park is immensely popular for backcountry camping. You can also enjoy plenty of hiking and paddling activities here. Regarding indigenous cultures, you can glimpse the Anishinaabe First Nation with a visit to the Anishinaabe Camp, which features traditional structures.
Eastern Canada: Atlantic Shores and Historic Sites
The eastern regions of Canada are known for their part in history and the natural wonders of the Atlantic coastline. Some of these national parks are located on the Atlantic Ocean, while others are inland. Here are some of the top options for national parks in Canada’s eastern region:
Gros Morne National Park
Gros Morne National Park is so unique that it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is on the island of Newfoundland. What makes this park so unique? Part of the earth’s mantle is exposed through the crust. This feature is the Tablelands because it has massive mountains with flattened tops. Waterfalls cascade down from these rugged mountains into beautiful lakes and rivers. The Western Brook Pond, Gros Morne Mountain, and the Tablelands Trail for hiking are of particular note.
Boat tours of Gros Morne National Park offer a more relaxing experience. You can also explore the waters with a kayak. Thousands of travelers flock to the area yearly to enjoy camping spots and fishing. Whether you want to view the fjords from the comfort of a boat tour or brave the summit of Gros Morne Mountain, this national park on the Gulf of St. Lawrence is one of the wonders of eastern Canada.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Canadians call Cape Breton Highlands National Park the place where the mountains meet the sea. It is aptly named as it sits at the northern tip of Nova Scotia. Cabot Trail is the most popular way to explore the scenery, and you can either walk it or take your car along the scenic Cabot Trail Drive. Views of the coast and potential glimpses of moose and bald eagles will make this park well worth your visit.
This region is also known for its Celtic heritage, so you can learn about a new culture during your visit. Along the Skyline Trail are several salt and freshwater beaches where you can relax or enjoy an incredible sunset. The forested river canyons carve through a lush plateau, making this area a unique landscape. As a national park, Cape Breton Highlands is also one of the country’s best places for whale watching.
Coastal cliffs and lush forests make this park one of eastern Canada’s most naturally beautiful spots.
Fundy National Park
The Bay of Fundy in Fundy National Park is popular worldwide because it has the highest tides on the planet. When the waters recede, a vast landscape is exposed for exploration. The difference between high and low tide in this park is roughly the height of a four-story building, so the changes are dramatic.
Numerous hiking trails allow you to explore the watery landscapes of the park, with Fundy Footpath and Dickson Falls Trail being two of the most popular. You can also participate in tidal bore rafting for a more thrilling experience. There are plenty of camping sites throughout Fundy National Park, and you can also take a kayak out to see the land from a new perspective.
As far as wildlife, you can admire multiple crustacean species and shorebirds while walking along the ocean floor when the tides recede. The beaches, waterfalls, and lakes make this park ideal for watery landscape fans.
Northern Canada: Arctic Wilderness and Indigenous Culture
Canada’s location in the Northern Hemisphere makes it one of the most wintry countries on the planet. Sure, you can experience plenty of warm weather, but the further north you go, the more arctic your experience will be. Let’s explore some of the national parks of northern Canada, where the arctic climate and indigenous cultures shape the experience.
Kluane National Park and Reserve
If hiking is your thing, you must visit Kluane National Park and Reserve in Yukon. This park lets you explore trails of varying lengths, some of which can be traversed in half an hour while others take days. The King’s Throne Trail is roughly 10 kilometers but is much more intense than the Sheep Creek Trail of the same length.
One of Kluane National Park and Reserve’s most unique features is the world’s largest non-polar ice field, which can be viewed from a trail or flightseeing tour. In this national park, you can also climb Canada’s highest peak, Mount Logan.
For a more adventurous activity, you can go whitewater rafting on the Alsek River, which takes you along the glaciers in the park. As you navigate the river, watch for grizzly bears, frequently patrolling the waters for fish. If you want an authentic wilderness experience, there are also spots for camping overnight.
Nahanni National Park Reserve
Nahanni National Park Reserve is another of the national parks in Canada designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area’s centerpiece is the South Nahanni River, which carves out remote river canyons in multiple spots along its length. Virginia Falls provides spectacular views if you want to see the river differently.
Nahanni National Park Reserve is known for its challenging backcountry adventures. It is often called the land of peaks, plateaus, and wild rivers. For a cultural experience, you can interact with the Dene people who have used and lived on these lands for 10,000 years. If you get lucky, you may even discover archeological evidence of the past, so you can take pictures and let park authorities know about your discovery.
Auyuittuq National Park
Auyuittuq National Park is located within the Arctic Circle and is considered one of the country’s wildest parks. Access is tough, as you must take several flights to reach one of two Inuit villages. From there, local guides can take you by boat or snowmobile past the sky-high fjords and into the park. As you can imagine, this park is not for casual visitors.
Auyuittuq National Park epitomizes the Arctic wilderness. Explore the glaciers, high cliffs, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and numerous frozen landscapes. Akshayuk Pass is a 100-kilometer corridor between mountain ranges where you can hike, ski, or even snowshoe. Winding river valleys make for lifelong memories, especially after all the work required to access these remote features.
If you are interested in more intense activities like backpacking, mountaineering, and even seeing polar bears, then Auyuittuq National Park is right for you. Arctic foxes are also common here if you have heard too much about the dangers of polar bears.
Visit the Best National Parks in Canada
The national parks listed above do not even scratch the surface of Canada’s wonders. So many parks have been left off this list.
Wood Buffalo National Park is the country’s largest and is home to half the world’s wood bison population. Bruce Peninsula National Park features limestone coasts along the Georgian Bay. On the Labrador Peninsula, you can travel to the Torngat Mountains National Park, which contains almost 10,000 square kilometers of mountainous terrain. Kootenay National Park is one of the best Canadian Rocky Mountain parks to visit if you want to avoid the crowds at Banff. If you are looking for a small-scale park, Mount Revelstoke National Park is a few hundred square kilometers in southern British Columbia.
No matter what type of trip you plan, visiting a Canadian National Park can create lasting memories. Whether you visit the parks in the Canadian Rockies or a national historic site on the country’s east coast, these national parks have something for everyone. Start planning your trip to the Great White North to admire its sweeping landscapes, diverse wildlife, authentic cultures, and natural beauty.