most beautiful national parks of canada
There are said to be more than 1,800 islands in the St. Lawrence River between Kingston and Brockville. With waterfalls, mountains, and a turquoise river, A visit to Canada’s Arctic is a truly unforgettable experience. Banff National Park. At 4,200 square miles (11,000 sq. Discover great travel, tour and car rental companies. Churchill is one of the best places in the world to see the aurora borealis. Allow 3 to 5 days to experience this great Canadian road trip. Want to check out more of the top national parks in Canada? The Most Beautiful National Parks in Western Canada With the staggering Rocky Mountains and miles of undisturbed, ancient forest, itâs little wonder that Western Canada is home to some outstanding areas of natural beauty. Set in the blue waters of Lake Huron, Georgian Bay Islands National Park is made up of 63 islands. With so much beauty to behold, it's tough to choose which natural wonders you should visit first. At Saskatchewan’s Grasslands National Park, you won’t find mountains, ocean, or forest—the usual scenic jaw-droppers. Reservations are required about a year ahead: See the park’s website. Much of the park is boat access only – great for super scenic kayaking. We’re Janice and George. You might see migrating whales too! TOP 15. The best wine clubs in Canada, 17 Exotic types of fruit in Mexico you must try, crazy fun things to do in Parksville and Qualicum Beach. Love fjords? Canada is best known for its nature. The United States of America is fortunate to have an abundance of gorgeous places to visit, with the majestic National Parks featuring on the bucket list of most travelers. It’s one of the most visited national parks in Canada, luring over 3 million visitors a year. Tucked into the southwestern corner of Alberta, the park borders Glacier National Park (to the south in Montana). Typically on everyone’s Canada bucket list of best places to go, this park is a stunner! One of the world’s largest protected wilderness areas – 38,00 square miles (98,000 sq. Grab your camera and start planning your adventure! Join the journey! 1. The island itself is long and skinny, made up of windswept sand dunes and two centuries-old lighthouses. Though Canada's first national park, in Banff, Alberta, was designated in 1885, the vast majority of Canada's national parks are quite new, and were only established in the second half of the 20th century or later.New Canadian national parks are still being created all the time, at a fairly regular pace. There is no end to the things you can see and do while in Canada. Check out this Nat Geo guide on the U.S. Amazon site. If you make a booking or purchase through our site, we’ll earn a small commission (at no cost to you). There are two blocks to the park with the western block offering more trails. Check out this Nat Geo guide on the Canadian Amazon site. Torngat Mountains National Park, Newfoundland and Labrador. Read our guide to the top 10 most beautiful and scenic National Parks throughout Canada. Here are just a few posts on British Columbia you might like: Parksville area | From swimming at warm shallow beaches to caving to spying the goats on the roof, you’ll love these crazy fun things to do in Parksville and Qualicum Beach. These wild pristine places preserve and protect our natural landscapes. Find destination guides, global food-and-wine stories, articles on cultural explorations and soft adventure trips, luxury hotel reviews, insanely useful travel tips and more! From the Rocky Mountains to Arctic glaciers, the country’s parks serve up non-stop eye candy. 50 Most Gorgeous Parks Across Canada Banff National Park, Alberta. What’s more, in many of these parks, you may only encounter a handful of other souls. Okanagan Valley | Swirl, sip, swallow: Check out the best Okanagan wineries for wine tasting! And in the nearby town of Alma, boats that rest on the sea floor, far below the docks, will be bobbing on the water a few hours later. Elk Island National Park is 15 miles (25 km) east of Edmonton. And marvel at glacial lakes so impossibly turquoise you won’t believe your eyes – hello Moraine Lake! Booking.com | Score a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one. National parks have existed in Canada for well over a century. And feel lucky that you’re one of only 400 people a year who leave footprints on this very special island. Only 260 square km, Mount Revelstoke may be one of Canadaâs smaller national parks but there is plenty to see here. Be sure to stop at the very interesting Sheep Mountain Visitor Center. You’ll see lots of wildlife, including elk (we couldn’t believe how many we saw! The only way to visit is by chartered plane for a day trip or on an expedition cruise. And we love all the great things to do in Victoria (our home city). Wings clipped for now, we’re award-winning travel writers staying close-to-home (Canada). Whatâs not to love about Banff National Park? But its town, Jasper, is much smaller and less touristy than Banff town. The color is? You can paddle to McDonald Island and sleep overnight by the water in oTenTik accommodations. 9. Here’s a list of all Canadian national parks. You might have gathered from seeing Banff, Jasper and Waterton above that many of the best national parks of Canada are in the Rockies. This Canadian national park is one of the best places in... 2) Banff National Park. Even driving the Alaska Highway and Haines Highway alongside the park, you may see grizzly bears and Dall sheep. Bison are North America’s largest land mammal (wood bison weigh about 2,000 lbs/907 kg), and the bison population is managed. Sable Island is extremely remote, about 180 miles (290 km) off the coast of Halifax. Fundy National Park is home to the highest tides in the world. “Where the mountains meet the sea” is how Cape Breton Highlands National Park is often described. Totally untamed and truly wild, Torngat Mountains is one of the most unspoilt national parks in Canada to visit. Mount Revelstoke National Park. Check out these things to see in Jasper National Park, and you’ll get a better idea of its raw majestic beauty. Located in Banff National Park, Lake Louise is a glacier lake of unusual and beautiful colors. During the summer (and, really, even during the winter) the nature in Canada's 44 national parks is some of the most incredible in the world. The park attracts roughly 150,000 visitors to its remote wilderness each year. Also be sure to watch the skies at night for the northern lights! Say hello to Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site! In the Inukitut language, Auyuittuq means âthe land that never melts,â but in fact, the park is accessible to tourists from late March to September, when the ice breaks up and the midnight sun shines brightly. Located in the Canadian Rockies, Canada’s first national park – Banff National Park – was established in 1885. ), bears, bighorn sheep – and if you’re really lucky, moose. Here are the 15 most beautiful and best national parks in Canada – the ones you really must visit. Not all of Canadaâs national parks are totally remote as can be seen with Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba. The Most Beautiful National Parks in Western Canada ... here we take a look at the most beautiful national parks to visit in Western Canada. These 30 are among the most spectacular national parks in the country. Stay at charming B&Bs along the way, and gobble up all the lobster you want (lobster is a specialty in this part of Canada). National parks are a country-wide system of representative natural areas of Canadian significance. You guessed it – a brilliant emerald. If you’re crazy about nature, knock-your-socks-off scenery and wildlife (hello bears! Our Travel Resources Guide | Get airline booking tips. Pssst! Boat cruises of beautiful Waterton Lake are also popular. Think soaring mountains (17 of Canada’s tallest mountains), glaciers, rushing rivers and wildlife galore (especially grizzlies). We’ve stayed at the lakeside Emerald Lake Lodge, a charming timber lodge in one of the most gorgeous remote locations in the world – a very special place. Eastern Canada. This is Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. And breathe in the salt air as you spot eagles, cormorants and great blue herons. And it’s fun to bicycle through grasslands and valleys along the car-free Red Rock Parkway to Red Rock Canyon. The diverse eco system has been well protected over the years, with lots ⦠4. The Vertical rock walls, beautiful waterfalls, and dizzying peaks draw visitors from around the globe. Explore the Tablelands, an eerie moon-like landscape. But we’re still tasting and virtually discovering the world. Dermody. I've asked the travel experts, and they have reported back with the most beautiful national parks in the world for you to explore on your next outdoor adventure!From the ⦠You can enjoy wilderness camping on Beausoleil Island, the park’s largest island. The following National Geographic paperback – “National Parks of Canada” – is one of the best illustrated guides. About 1,000 polar bears call Wapusk home (“Wapusk” is the Cree word for “white bear”). Thousand Islands, Ontario. From emerald lakes, glaciers, snow-capped mountains, and amazing wildlife scenery, Canada is every way is a dream destination for people who love outdoors. (In fact, you have be careful of the grizzlies when hiking.). See which places our readers like the best, and vote for your favorites. Now, you will need a professional and accredited guide to take you around this area as ⦠“Yoho” means “awe and wonder” in the Cree First Nation language. Drive up the steep switchback road to Canada’s third highest waterfall, Takakkaw Falls. Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George are the owners and founders of Sand In My Suitcase. It’s like basic glamping – the units are a cross between a tent and a cabin, with solar-powered lighting, cell phone charging station, fire pit and picnic table. Biggest towns in Canada are Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa. It passes by the Columbia Icefield, the largest ice field in the Rockies. Grasslands National Park, Highway #4, Val Marie, SK, Canada, +1 306 298 2257, Grasslands National Park | © Tourism Saskatchewan / Chris Hendrickson. Apart from tide watching, you can hike some 60 miles of trails (100 km), see more than 25 cascading waterfalls, camp in a yurt and snorkel with salmon with Parks Canada biologists. And that’s exactly what you’ll feel when you gaze upon its powerful waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and evergreen forests! At low tide, you’ll also see towering tree-topped rock pillars. And you don’t have to worry about dangerous wildlife, like bears, in this park. Being Canadians who’ve lived in Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria, we’ve written tons on Canada. Please only travel when itâs safe to do so. Be sure to hike the spectacular Skyline Trail. FIND OUT MORE. Swim in natural hot springs (like Banff Upper Hot Springs). Gros Morne is, hands down, one of the best national parks in Capture views of incredible waterfalls, go hiking and relax by Lago Pehoe. (It’s almost like three separate parks, offering three distinctly different experiences.). GetYourGuide | Check out local tours and book tickets to attractions. We’ve explored all the national parks in western Canada, but the others are still calling. Top 10 national parks in Canada Gros Morne, Newfoundland & Labrador. In general, Banff National Park is a great starting place to see Canadaâs breathtaking nature, as it has a healthy combination of unspoiled wilderness, modern amenities, and opportunities for active exploration. The park is located in the province of Saskatchewan and, as the name suggests, is not a mountain-filled park. Beautiful beach campsites when you backpack the Coastal Trail in Pukaskwa National Park â one of the quieter national parks in Canada Grasslands National Park. Canada boasts 48 national parks and reserves covering some 3% of the country. The main drop is an awesome 1,224 feet (373 meters). Fish Creek Park, Alberta. Check out the Flam train ride in Norway – there are big eye-catching fjords to be seen there! Glacier-carved fjords, vast uninhabited tundra, stark icebergsâNunavutâs Auyuittuq National Park is truly one of the most startlingly beautiful places in Canada. Elk Island is also one of the best places to photograph the northern lights in Alberta. And read useful trip planning info! Share the love for Canada and pin this to Pinterest! Want to see polar bears in the wild? The diversity and vastness of the Canadian landscape offer a wide array of gorgeous scenery and experiences. And in autumn, the fiery red and burnt-orange leaf colors are gob-smacking. If you’re lucky, you might see moose; offshore, whales are often spotted. Take a boat ride up into Western Brook Pond (which is a massive fjord). Sitting right on Highway 10 and home to the town of Wasagaming, this national park is a convenient and comfortable place for some outdoor adventures. Sure, as Canadians, we have a soft spot for Canadian cities, like Vancouver (where bicycling Stanley Park can’t be beat). Victoria | Lace up your sneakers and check out these easy scenic walks in Victoria. One of the best hikes in the park is Les Graves trail, which follows the coast. chapter), Silver 2015 NATJA, 15 Epic national parks in Canada for nature lovers, Wine please! Explore Canadaâs natural secrets and beauty, starting with the 10 most visited national parks in Canada. Quiet beauty, big skies and solitude is what you find in southern Saskatchewan in Grasslands National Park. Our research is editorially independent but we may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. It may be the smallest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Don’t feed the animals. And even though the park numbers are high, its still easy to find solitude if youâre willing to hike and backpack deeper into the mountains. Jill of Adventure J suggested Edith Cavell Meadows in Jasper National Park and Iâm definitely seeing why: Edith Cavell Meadowsis one of the most stunning day hikes you can tackle in the Rocky Mountains. The park is home to 7,000 to 8,000 moose, perhaps the world’s largest concentration of moose. Ancient fjords and sea caves. I only went to three national parks in 2016. But Waterton Lakes National Park packs a powerful punch with superlative mountain scenery, a cute little village (population about 40 in winter) and wildlife galore. Helping to conserve bison for over 100 years, Elk Island is Canada’s only completely enclosed national park. This Canadian national park is one of the best places in the world to see them. km.) Kayakers will want to paddle the sheltered Broken Group Islands, home to seals and eagles. The park is made up of three separate units: Broken Group Island, Long Beach and West Coast Trail. Cape Breton Highlands National Park, NS, Canada, +1 902 224 2306, Cape Breton Highlands | © Nova Scotia Tourism, We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. Disclosure Here, the Atlantic rises and falls up to 40 feet (12 meters) each day. – this Canadian national park is big, bold and wildly beautiful. Kluane National Park is found high in the mountains, near the Alaska border. OUR ULTIMATE COVID BOOKING GUARANTEE.