The Must-See National Parks In Canada
Encompassing sandy beaches, serene lakes, jagged coastlines and wild forests, Canada’s national park system is one of the world’s oldest and most extensive. Whether you want to camp in the remote wilderness or admire the natural views from the window of a luxury resort, the country’s diverse parks truly offer something for everyone. Here are 12 national parks in Canada that you need to check out.
1. Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario
Natural Feature
One of southern Ontario’s largest protected areas, Bruce Peninsula National Park features rare orchids and 1,000-year-old cedar trees. On its eastern coast, the park is bounded by the spectacular Niagara Escarpment, a designated biosphere reserve, and, on its western coastline, you’ll find incredible beaches on the shores of Lake Huron. Stop in at the visitors’ center, home to a 65ft (20m) observation tower, offering wonderful views over the park, and check out one of its best-known attractions, the Grotto, a scenic limestone cave located between the Marr Lake and Georgian Bay hiking trails.
2. Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland and Labrador
Park
3. Banff National Park, Alberta
Camping
Established in 1885, Banff was Canada’s first national park. Part of the Canadian Rockies, this park is home to jagged mountains, bright turquoise lakes, dramatic valleys, and untouched stretches of coniferous forest. Its mountains are between 45 and 120 million years old, with the highest, Mount Forbes, reaching 11,850ft (3612m). The park encompasses more than 1,000mi (1609km) of hiking trails, and the Banff Upper Hot Springs offer visitors a chance to soak in the beauty of natural mineral springs. Its six large resorts invite visitors to discover its wonders without sacrificing homely comforts.
5. Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba
Park, Natural Feature
Despite being one of Canada’s smaller national parks, this spot on our list is home to a diversity of habitats and a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts. Here, you’ll find everything from black bears and bison to rare flora and fauna. Riding Mountain National Park is situated atop the Manitoba escarpment — a landscape characterized by towering peaks, sparkling lakes and miles of boreal forest. Having an extensive trail system, the park also offers opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing.
6. Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan
Park, Natural Feature
Grasslands National Park captures the vast fields and gently rolling hills that define Saskatchewan’s landscape and is the first in Canada to preserve a section of mixed prairie grasslands. Despite its harsh climate, with temperatures ranging from -7F (-22C) all the way up to 104F (40C), it’s also home to a complex ecosystem, providing a habitat for the likes of bison, ferrets and endangered species like the black-tailed prairie dog. Don’t miss the hike leading to 70mi (113km) Butte, the highest point of land in the area. This flat-topped promontory rises up 325ft (99m), providing amazing views of the surrounding grasslands.
7. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia
Park
8. La Mauricie National Park, Québec
Natural Feature
La Mauricie National Park covers 212sqmi (549sqkm) of land between Quebec City and Montreal. Founded in 1970, the park preserves a large section of the Laurentian Mountains, which have rounded peaks and are one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges. The park is bounded by the Saint Maurice River in the north and the east, as well as the Matawin River in the north-west. It consists of a densely forested landscape broken up by more than 150 lakes of various sizes. Evergreen forests are found toward the north, while the south features more hardwoods.
9. Fundy National Park, New Brunswick
Park
10. Prince Edward Island National Park, Prince Edward Island
Park
11. Nahanni National Park Reserve, Northwest Territories
Park
12. Thousand Islands National Park, Ontario
Park
Additional reporting by Emma Gibbins
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