12 National Parks Every Canadian Needs to Explore

Canada’s national parks are more than scenic backdrops. They’re living ecosystems filled with natural drama, seasonal shifts, and raw beauty worth seeing up close.

You’ll discover parks that bring you face to face with ancient glaciers, alpine meadows, boreal forests, and wildlife you might only know through photos. Each one offers a distinct experience, shaped by its climate, culture, and terrain.

Auyuittuq National Park

This Arctic park on Baffin Island is home to dramatic granite cliffs and deep fjords shaped by ancient glaciers. It’s remote, cold, and unforgettable. You’ll need to be well-prepared, but hiking the Akshayuk Pass rewards you with views of Mount Thor, which has Earth’s greatest vertical drop. Few parks offer this level of raw, untouched nature.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Situated on Vancouver Island’s west coast, this park brings together lush rainforests, rugged shoreline, and storm-battered beaches. Surfers love Long Beach while hikers flock to the West Coast Trail, a challenging multi-day trek along cliffs and through old-growth forests. You’ll often spot grey whales as they pass close to shore in the spring. It’s a place that stays with you long after you’ve left.

Fundy National Park

Located in New Brunswick, this park sits on the Bay of Fundy, known for having the world’s highest tides. Twice a day, the water rises and falls dramatically, exposing red cliffs and seaweed-covered sea floors. Trails lead through the Acadian forest and alongside tumbling waterfalls. It’s an excellent park for campers, families, and photographers alike.

Banff National Park

Banff is Canada’s first national park and one of the most visited. Here, turquoise lakes like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake steal the spotlight, especially in summer when the glacial melt turns the water vivid blue. You can hike to hidden alpine tarns or soak in natural hot springs as elk wander nearby. The town of Banff also serves as a charming base for exploring the park’s rugged trails and snow-capped peaks.

Gros Morne National Park

On the west coast of Newfoundland, Gros Morne’s dramatic fjords and exposed earth crust make it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of the few places on Earth where you can walk across the ancient ocean floor. The Tablelands, with their orange rocks, feel more like Mars than Canada. You’ll want to take your time here, as every trail offers something geologically rare.

Jasper National Park

Jasper is larger and quieter than Banff but just as striking. The Icefields Parkway connects the two, so visiting both on one trip is easy. You’ll find glaciers, waterfalls, and some of the darkest skies in the world, perfect for stargazing. Wildlife encounters here are common, especially around Maligne Lake and Medicine Lake.

Kootenay National Park

Tucked into British Columbia, Kootenay offers everything from icy glaciers to dry grasslands. The park’s Radium Hot Springs is a perfect stop after a hike through Sinclair Canyon or a visit to the Paint Pots, where iron-rich soil creates pools of vivid orange. Its variety makes it a favorite for travelers looking to see a lot without covering huge distances.

Waterton Lakes National Park

Sharing a border with Glacier National Park in Montana, Waterton is where prairie meets peaks. It’s smaller than other western parks, which makes it feel more intimate. The wildflower bloom in late spring is especially beautiful, and you might see bighorn sheep right in town.

Bruce Peninsula National Park

In Ontario, Bruce Peninsula showcases some of the clearest freshwater views in Canada. The park features cliffs above Georgian Bay and a network of caves and grottos carved into the limestone. On sunny days, the water glows a Caribbean blue. It’s a must-visit if you love coastal walks and cool dips.

Prince Albert National Park

Prince Albert balances boreal forest, lakes, and open plains in the heart of Saskatchewan. It’s where you can paddle alongside loons at sunrise and watch wild plains bison roam freely. The park is also rich in history thanks to Grey Owl’s cabin, which tells the story of one of Canada’s earliest conservationists. Summer brings perfect conditions for canoeing and camping.

Riding Mountain National Park

This park in Manitoba feels like three parks in one: it blends grasslands, forests, and wetlands. The result is incredible biodiversity; if you’re lucky, you might see moose, black bears, and even wolves. Clear Lake is a hub for swimming, boating, and exploring the nearby heritage townsite. It’s a peaceful retreat with a bit of everything.

Ivvavik National Park

Way up in the Yukon, Ivvavik is one of Canada’s least visited parks, and that’s part of its appeal. It’s co-managed with the Inuvialuit people and offers a rare opportunity to learn about Indigenous history alongside a true Arctic wilderness. The Firth River cuts through the park’s ancient peaks and attracts experienced whitewater paddlers. Visiting here often requires a charter flight, but the remoteness makes it so special.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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