We truly can't think of a better way to spend a long weekend than camping at one of Canada's beautiful national parks – fresh air and nature views are the best escape from that 9-to-5 grind. Join us as we count down the parks that are especially extraordinary:
Bruce Peninsula National Park, Tobermory, Ontario
Credit: Flickr / ebt47563
With dramatic cliffs and turquoise waters of Georgian Bay, there's plenty to explore at Bruce Peninsula. Check-out the Grotto, a limestone cave with crystal clear water, and Indian Head Cove, a cliff-enclosed beach and Singing Sands Beach on Lake Huron. The 782-km Bruce Trail, Canada’s oldest and longest footpath, runs through the entire park, offering incredible lookouts and views along the shoreline.
Banff National Park, Banff, Alberta
Credit: Pixabay / med-nunn
Opened in 1885, Banff is Canada’s oldest and most popular national park; in fact, it welcomes more than 300 million visitors a year. The incredible Rocky Mountain peaks and turquoise glacial lakes offers some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery. Enjoy hiking or biking this summer along the 1,600 kilometres of maintained trails.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Ingonish Beach, Nova Scotia
Credit: Flickr / Michel Rathwell
Hugging the world-famous Cabot Trail coastline, Cape Breton Park is known for its tundra-like landscape and forested river canyons that descend toward the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Take a hike through the thick forest or on a coastal trail, where there are many coves for exploring. Swimming or fishing are also popular in the area.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Credit: Creative Commons / gmariusica
The Pacific Rim, steeped in Indigenous Nuu-chah-nulth culture, perfectly embodies rustic Canadian wilderness, with diverse landscapes from rainforests to coastal cliffs to soft-sand beaches. Visitors can try some of the country’s wildest surf at Long Beach, take a one-hour interpretive walk along the legendary West Coast Trail and enjoy a serene kayak ride through the countless inlets and secluded bays of the Broken Group Islands.
Fundy National Park, Alma, New Brunswick
Credit: Pixabay / Graham-H
The Bay of Fundy in Fundy Park is known for having the world’s highest tides - one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Waters rise and fall each day, exposing the bare ocean floor. Plan to kayak as the waters rise up to 12 metres or walk the sea floor at low tide to discover the left behind treasures. There's also a lot to be explored inland, with hiking trails leading to beautiful, cascading waterfalls in the thick forest.
Gros Morne National Park, Rocky Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador
Credit: Barrett & MacKay Photo © / Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism
Gros Morne, boasting deep fjords, towering granite mountains, bogs, forests and barren cliffs, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its many natural wonders; it's also ranked as having some of the most diverse landscape in Canada. Take a guided hike, boat tour or drive along the billion-year-old terrain of the Tablelands, a rare expanse of the earth’s exposed crust.
Prince Edward Island National Park, Cavendish, Prince Edward Island
Credit: Flickr / Christopher Craig
Prince Edward Island Park’s sandy beaches, rolling dunes, lush marshes and vibrant red cliffs provide the perfect backdrop for a relaxing family camping trip. There are endless activities to enjoy; bike along the 50 kilometres of seaside trails or get lost in a book on the beach or picnic near a lighthouse.
Nahanni National Park Reserve, Dehcho Region, Northwest Territories
Encompassing 30,000 kilometres of vast and breathtaking land, Nahanni is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The South Nahanni river flows through the steep canyons and the stunning granite peaks of The Cirque of the Unclimbables, before surging into the Virginia Falls (which has a drop twice the height of Niagara Falls). Visitors can take a river kayak trip through the challenging and wild waters – the perfect adventure for any adrenaline junkie.
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