The 14 most beautiful Canadian parks to visit

The most famous park in Canada, for a good reason. Home to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, which are shades of bright blue, depending on the time of year. Banff is the perfect escape, no matter the season. Fall provides beautiful larch colors on hikes, and winter means skiing and snowshoeing to some of the best views in the country. You can also ski in the winter or enjoy summer backpacking trips and wildlife viewing galore.

A Rocky Mountain alternative to Banff, Yoho also has amazing views and lakes without the crowds. You can enjoy icons like Emerald Lake, Wapta Falls, and numerous wooded trails on the BC side of the mountain range.

Jasper is just up the Icicle Parkway, a great addition to a Banff trip. Home to the world’s second-largest dark sky reserve, this is the place to go if you want to get away from it all and see the stars. Like its neighbor, this park is great to visit year-round, with an expansive ski or hiking trail network and lakes that are perfect for swimming or skating.

Nova Scotia has long been a well-kept Canadian gem of a destination. Along the famous Cape Breton road trip, the province’s most scenic park is absolutely worth a stop. Home to the fantastic combination of mountains and ocean views and some of the best beaches in Canada.

Created to protect the area’s caribou, Gaspesie is one of the most beautiful places in Quebec. Located on the northeastern tip of the province, it’s where the St. Lawrence River empties into the gulf that eventually leads into the ocean. This means the area is home to some of the best beaches in Quebec and miles of forested trails for hiking in the summer months and skiing in winter. 

Another overlooked beauty is situated in the heart of the prairies. You can see bison for miles, a benefit of the flat topography. And with much fewer crowds than in other parks, you’ll often have the enjoyment all to yourself! Also, Grasslands has the benefit of being located in Canada’s sunbelt, which is important in a country with a famously non-tropical climate.

Visitors often overlook Kootenay in favor of more popular neighbors like Banff and Jasper, but if you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy the best of western Canada’s outdoors, this is the place to go! Soak in the numerous hot springs, campgrounds, and mountains perfect for all activities without the crowds. Bonus: unlike many parks, Kootenay is dog-friendly. 

This Maritime province gem is situated right on the edge of New Brunswick, with the shores of the Bay of Fundy at the edge. Wander cliffside trails and camp in pristine Atlantic wilderness. And don’t forget to make your way to Third Vault Falls, cascading waterfalls that are so mind-blowing they are a UNESCO world heritage site.

Another dog-friendly park, Prince Albert is located in the North of Saskatchewan and is the perfect mix of classic prairie grassland and boreal forest. Snow-covered trails are a paradise for cross-country skiers and snowshoers, and the dense forests are a hiking haven. It’s the year-round recreation capital for the prairies. 

Just a couple of hours from Montreal lies Mont Tremblant, a mountain resort in the Laurentians that makes for a perfect escape from the city. Lovely throughout the year, it really comes alive in the fall when the foliage explodes for as wide as the eye can see. Enjoy winter sports, golf, and relaxing spas any time of the year.

Way up north in Manitoba lies Wapusk National Park, where the boreal forest meets the arctic tundra creating a landscape unlike anywhere else in the country. As the polar bear capital of Canada, visit in February or March for the best cub viewing opportunities. Additionally, timber wolves, caribou, and other wildlife roam the park.

The wild west coast of British Columbia is the stuff of dreams. And the southwestern edge of Vancouver Island is as picturesque as it gets. Hike the West Coast Trail from multiple start points or take a small boat to one of the many small islands off the coast. Make sure to check the forecast, as the weather can be quite temperamental!

Off the coast of Newfoundland lies a completely unique palace with geology unlike anywhere else on earth. Hike along the Tablelands — where parts of the Earth’s mantle and crust are exposed. Wander the coastal lowlands, the fjords, valleys, and more. 

Canada is known as the land of the lakes, and Ontario is a great example. About three hours from Toronto is the wonderful Bruce Peninsula, where expansive beaches full of birdlife lie on the shores of Lake Huron. Take a day trip, or bring your boat and tent for a week of fun!