Many avid travelers spend a lot of time planning trips to the many national parks in the U.S. However, some of them might not realize that there are substantially large scenic parks in Canada. The country boasts an extensive system that’s unsurpassed in terms of size, beauty, and diversity.
The best national parks in Canada offer travelers an opportunity to get up close and personal with natural wonders such as glaciers and granite peaks. No matter which you choose to visit, you’ll be met with expansive stretches of pristine nature. Also, you’re very likely able to enjoy what they have to offer without the crowds normally found in U.S. national parks.
With everything that’s available to travelers, it may be difficult to determine which national park you should visit first. In this guide, we’re going to give you an overview of the best national parks in Canada to help make the choice easier.
Why Canada is a Top Destination for Nature Lovers
Natural Landscapes
Canada is home to breathtaking landscapes not found anywhere else in the world. You can find incredible waterfalls, serene lakes, majestic mountains, and stunning coastlines. This reason alone inspires droves of nature lovers to witness this for themselves.
Biodiversity
The flora and fauna found in Canada are varied, with multiple native species. When traveling to Canada you’ll have a chance of seeing grizzly bears, polar bears, moose, elk, and whales. Nature lovers can observe these animals in the nations national parks and some isolated areas.
Environmental Conservation
Canada’s national parks are established to protect and present outstanding representative examples of natural landscapes and natural phenomena that occur in the nation’s natural regions. Parks Canada and other organizations work to conserve and protect public land, freshwater, and the ocean and respond to natural crises.
This protection brings nature lovers to national parks because visitors will have an opportunity to see untouched landscapes and wildlife that’s not seen anywhere else.
The Best National Parks in Canada
Banff National Park
Banff is Canada’s oldest national park and the world’s third oldest. It’s one of North America’s premier destinations among nature lovers.
The park offers unsurpassed natural beauty with snow-capped peaks, dense forests, and pristine lakes. Every year, tourists make the trip to see the mountain scenery and indulge in Banff National Park, which is home to Lake Louise, a picture-perfect destination. It’s widely considered to be the crown jewel of the Canadian Rockies. You can also visit the turquoise water of Moraine Lake, which is surrounded by a dozen peaks, creating a focal point for some of the best views in Canada.
Jasper National Park
Sharing a border with Banff, Jasper National Park is a prime location to see towering cliffs, high peaks, and deep canyons. It’s a significant portion of the Canadian Rockies landscape that’s in the middle of nowhere.
What sets Jasper National Park apart from the rest is the wildlife in its natural habitat. You can explore this rugged backcountry on its expensive hiking and biking trails, where you can observe elks, bears, wolves, and cougars.
The park is also recognized as a Dark Sky Preserve, meaning it’s one of the best places on the globe for observing the night sky. If you time your trip with the Dark Sky Festival in October, you can take part in parties, exhibitions, and concerts centered on stargazing.
Yoho National Park
The word “Yoho” is an exclamation of awe in the Cree language. This is an excellent name for this park because visitors will be amazed.
Yoho National Park boasts some of North America’s most untainted natural wilderness. It’s a haven for outdoor lovers that’s brimming with beautiful scenery and exceptional hiking.
The park’s mesmerizing Takkakaw Falls is a world-class site and home to one of Canada’s highest waterfalls. From there, you can follow the Iceline Trail’s 20-kilometer trail that takes hikers to some of the most spectacular glaciers and mountain scenery.
Gros Morne National Park
The landscape of Gros Morne National Park is so special that it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s one of the best national parks in Canada because it boasts towering granite mountains and deep fjords. You can also take in its abundance of forests, beaches, waterfalls, and coastal features.
If you’re a geological fan, you can enrich your knowledge amid the park’s barren tableland’s unique topography. Its ancient landscape dates back millennia, making it an excellent example of geological significance, and it provides visible examples of plate tectonics.
Conclusion
Canada’s best national parks are a testament to the country’s unparalleled natural beauty. They offer diverse landscapes and experiences for all visitors.
From the high peaks of the Rockies in Banff and Jasper to the tectonic plates in Gros Morne, these parks give nature lovers a chance to see the wilderness of the nation.
As visitors explore these protected areas, it’s important to remember the landscapes, animals, and plant life these areas are responsible for preserving. So, if you want to have a unique experience that you’ll remember for a lifetime, visit the national parks that make Canada a top nature destination.
Read more: