This page is a listing of Canadian National Parks. These links will give you information on park history, lodging, attractions, and just about anything else you are looking for. So sit back and plan your next vacation in Canada's National Parks!
Aulavik National Park (Northwest Territories)
Aulavik, meaning “place where people travel” in Inuvialuktun, protects more than 12,000 square kilometres of arctic lowlands on the north end of Banks Island. The park encompasses a variety of landscapes from fertile river valleys to polar deserts, buttes and badlands, rolling hills, and bold seacoasts. At the heart of Aulavik is the Thomsen River, which offers visitors a chance to paddle one of the continent’s most northerly navigable waterways. This pristine arctic environment is home to both the endangered Peary caribou and to the highest density of muskoxen in the world. The wildlife and land have supported aboriginal peoples for more than 3,400 years, from Pre-Dorset cultures to contemporary Inuvialuit.
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Auyuittuq National Park (Nunavut)
This spectacular park reserve is an arctic wilderness of jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys, steep-walled ocean fjords and eternal glacier ice. At the heart of the park is the massive Penny Ice Cap, whose radiating valley glaciers are still actively shaping the land. The glaciers flow down into the surrounding treeless valleys, where they melt into swift rivers that rush over the rock and tundra valley floors to the ocean. Here, at the Arctic Circle, winter gives way to the brief arctic summer while darkness and daylight take turns dominating the land. This powerful landscape reflects the Inuit belief that time is infinite and unending. Whether you climb Auyuittuq's mountains, ski on its icefields or backpack through the Akshayuk Pass (formerly Pangnirtung Pass), you can take some of that unending time to explore the park and experience the majesty of the Arctic.
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In the fall of 1883, three Canadian Pacific Railway construction workers stumbled across a cave containing hot springs on the eastern slopes of Alberta's Rocky Mountains. From that humble beginning was born Banff National Park, Canada's first national park and the world's third. Spanning 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 square miles) of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers, Banff National Park is one of the world's premier destination spots.
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More information on Banff National Park
Bruce Peninsula National Park (Ontario)
In the heart of a World Biosphere Reserve, the 'Bruce' is a place of global significance. The massive, rugged cliffs of the park are inhabited by thousand year old cedar trees, overhanging the crystal clear waters of Georgian Bay. The park is comprised of an incredible array of habitats from rare alvars to dense forests and clean lakes. Together these form a greater ecosystem - the largest remaining chunk of natural habitat in southern Ontario.
More information on Bruce Peninsula National Park
More information on Bruce Peninsula National Park
Cape Breton Highlands National Park (Nova Scotia)
The headlands and cliffs of Cape Breton Highland tower over the rich, natural heritage that is all around. Home to the famous Cabot Trail, the land is blessed with spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife and a human history that stretches back to the last Ice Age. The park offers many accessible treasures and experiences remarkable in their diversity, beauty, and wonder.
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Elk Island National Park (Alberta)
Located less than an hour away from Edmonton, Elk Island National Park of Canada protects the wilderness of the aspen parkland, one of the most endangered habitats in Canada. This beautiful oasis is home to herds of free roaming plains bison, wood bison, moose, deer, and elk. Also boasting over 250 species of birds, the park is a bird watcher's paradise. Be it for wildlife viewing, hiking, cross-country skiing, picnicking or overnight camping, there is something for everyone at Elk Island National Park.
More information on Elk Island National Park
More information on Elk Island National Park
Forillon National Park (Quebec)
Forillon, an Invitation to Land's End!
Forillon, a national park created in 1970, is located at the farthest reach of the Gaspé Peninsula. Its majestic landscapes cover a 244 km2 area that is carved out of the sea, cliffs and mountains.
Forillon protects a representative sample of the Notre-Dame and Mégantic mountain regions and certain elements of the Gulf of St. Lawrence marine region. The presence of ten different rock formations, colonies of seabirds and enigmatic artic-alpine plants give this park its unique character.
Within this seaside park, the Grande-Grave National Heritage Site attests to the way of life of fishing families.
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Fundy National Park (New Brunswick)
Fundy National Park of Canada encompasses some of the last remaining wilderness in southern New Brunswick. Here, the conifer dominated Caledonia Highlands roll down to meet the fog-generating Bay of Fundy. The tidal fluctuation of the Bay of Fundy is the highest in the world. Watch fishing boats come and go to the rhythm of the bay. Inland, explore lush forests and deep stream valleys.
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Georgian Bay Islands National Park (Ontario)
Protecting one of Canada's national treasures for your enjoyment: from the Honey Harbour area to Twelve Mile Bay in southern Georgian Bay, you will discover spectacular landscapes, time-worn rock faces, diverse habitats and the rugged beauty of the Canadian Shield. These magnificent islands are accessible by boat only. The largest island, Beausoleil offers island tent camping, overnight and day docking, heritage education programs, a Visitor Centre and hiking trails. Wheelchair accessible sites and reserved campsites are also available at the Cedar Spring campground on Beausoleil Island.
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Glacier National Park (Alberta)
Glacier National Park of Canada protects, for all time, a portion of the Columbia Mountains Natural Region, in the interior wet belt of British Columbia. The steep, rugged mountains, warm, moist climate and wide variety of plant and animal life are typical of this natural region. The park protects unique stands of old-growth cedar and hemlock and critical habitat for threatened and endangered wildlife species such as the mountain caribou, mountain goat and grizzly bear. The Rogers Pass National Historic Site is located in Glacier National Park. Rogers Pass was so designated for its importance in the construction and development of the country's first major national transportation route.
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Grasslands National Park (Saskatchewan)
Grasslands is the first national park of Canada to preserve a portion of the mixed prairie grasslands. Eavesdrop on a prairie dog town or learn about how Sitting Bull took refuge here after the battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. Guided hikes, interpretive trails, bird watching, and nature photography are popular activities in Grasslands.
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Gros Morne National Park (Newfoundland)
Gros Morne National Park of Canada was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, is an area of great natural beauty with a rich variety of scenery, widlife, and recreational activities. Visitors can hike through wild, uninhabited mountains and camp by the sea. Boat tours bring visitors under the towering cliffs of a freshwater fjord carved out by glaciers. Waterfalls, marine inlets, sea stacks, sandy beaches, and colourful nearby fishing villages complete the phenomenal natural and cultural surroundings of Gros Morne National Park of Canada.
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More information on Gros Morne National Park
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (British Columbia)
The southern Gulf Islands are located in one of Canada’s most heavily developed and urbanized natural regions—the Strait of Georgia Lowlands of British Columbia. To protect a representative portion of this region, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada was officially established on May 9, 2003. One of the most significant achievements of the Pacific Marine Heritage Legacy initiative of the governments of Canada and British Columbia, the new national park reserve will offer a variety of opportunities for Canadians to learn about and experience an exceptional coastal island landscape and the cultures of the people who live there.
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Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site (British Columbia)
Together, the Government of Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation manage the special place called Gwaii Haanas through a unique agreement signed in 1993. The two parties strongly agree on the need to protect Gwaii Haanas, even though the question of ownership is unresolved. Gwaii Haanas embodies the essence of the rugged beauty and rich ecology of the Pacific coast. It is a celebration of the Haida’s more than ten thousand years of connectedness with the land and sea. For some visitors, this opportunity to witness a living culture, and immerse themselves in nature is a spiritual experience.
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Ivvavik, meaning ‘a place for giving birth, a nursery', in Inuvialuktun, the language of the Inuvialuit, is the first national park in Canada to be created as a result of an aboriginal land claim agreement. The park protects a portion of the calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd and represents the Northern Yukon and Mackenzie Delta natural regions.
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Jasper National Park (Alberta)
Jasper is the largest and most northerly Canadian rocky mountain national park, part of a spectacular World Heritage Site. Comprised of delicate and carefully protected ecosystems, Jasper's scenery is non-the-less rugged and mountainous. In this special corner of Canada you can thrill to the thunder of Sunwapta Falls, enjoy the serene beauty of Mount Edith Cavell, connect with nature along 1,000-plus kilometres of trails, experience Athabasca Glacier up close or just resign yourself to a relaxing soak in Miette Hotsprings.
More information on Jasper National Park
More information on Jasper National Park
Kejimkujik National Park (Nova Scotia)
Kejimkujik, the only inland national park of Canada in the Maritimes, features abundant lakes and rivers ideal for canoeing. The lush woodlands and gently rolling landscapes are home to a variety of wildlife. Visitors will find historic canoe routes, portages and many beautiful hiking trails in the park.
More information on Kejimkujik National Park
More information on Kejimkujik National Park
A gem in the family of Parks Canada's national treasures, Kluane National Park and Reserve of Canada covers an area of 21,980 square kilometres. It is a land of precipitous, high mountains, immense icefields and lush valleys that yield a diverse array of plant and wildlife species and provides for a host of outdoor activities. Kluane National Park and Reserve is also home to Mount Logan (5959 m/19,545 ft), Canada's highest peak.
As part of a larger system of national parks and historic sites found throughout Canada, Kluane National Park and Reserve protects and presents a nationally significant example of Canada's North Coast Mountains natural region and the associated regional cultural heritage. Fostering public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of Kluane National Park and Reserve while ensuring ecological and commemorative integrity for present and future generations is Parks Canada's goal.
More information on Kluane National Park
More information on Kluane National Park
Kootenay National Park (British Columbia)
Established in 1920, Kootenay National Park is one of 41 national parks in Canada. Together, they celebrate and protect the diversity of the nation’s great landscapes. Kootenay National Park represents the south-western region of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. From glacier-clad peaks along the Continental Divide to semi-arid grasslands of the Rocky Mountain Trench, where cactus grows, this is a park rich in diversity of landscapes and ecology.
More information on Kootenay National Park
More information on Kootenay National Park
Kouchibouguac National Park (New Brunswick)
Welcome to this special Canadian Heritage protected area. One of two wilderness Canadian national parks in New Brunswick, Kouchibouguac is a fascinating mosaic of bogs, salt marshes, tidal rivers, sparkling freshwater systems, sheltered lagoons, abandoned fields and tall forests which characterizes the Maritime Plain Natural Region. Natural wonders abound in this Park that boasts the second largest tern colony in North America. As well, the 25 kilometres of shifting sand dunes are home to the endangered piping plover and witness to colonies of both harbour and grey seals that frolic in the sunshine on certain sections of the dunes.
The name Kouchibouguac (Kou-she-boo-gwack) is of Mi’kmaq origin and means “river of the long tides”. Established in 1969, this 238 square kilometre national park provides a host of exciting family activities. The 60 kilometres of cycling paths are always popular with both hikers and cyclists. Canoeing/kayaking, swimming, camping, bird watching, as well as cross country skiing, snowshoeing and tobogganing in winter are also available in this natural land of enchantment located on New Brunswick’s eastern coast line.
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La Mauricie National Park (Quebec)
Enjoy the Adventure of a Lifetime in the Heart of the Laurentians
La Mauricie National Park invites you to a close encounter with the Laurentians, the chain of mountains flanking the northern shore of the St. Lawrence River.
Covering an area of 536 km2, the park gives off an air of serenity throughout its gently contoured terrain. On this vast plateau of rolling hills intersected by valleys and dotted with myriads of lakes, life moves in perfect unison with nature. Here only the changes of the seasons mark the passage of time, retouching the landscape with subtle strokes and calling visitors with a promise of both activity and relaxation.
Since its creation in 1970, the park has safeguarded the continuing integrity of this richly endowed land, protecting it as a representative sample of the southernmost part of the Canadian Shield. Welcome to this haven of peace!
La Mauricie National Park, a conservation area that relies on your involvement!
More information on La Mauricie National Park
More information on La Mauricie National Park
