Here are 10 national parks in Canada you need to visit

The discovery of hot springs in Banff, Alberta led to its inauguration as Canada’s first national park in 1887. Almost 140 years later, the protection of natural spaces across the country is as Canadian as mounted police and maple syrup. All 10 provinces and three territories are represented within the National Park System. In total, there are 37 national parks, 11 national park preserves and 168 national historic sites. It’s a bounty that can feel overwhelming to visitors choosing where to start. These 10 distinct parks are the perfect starter list to explore the world’s second largest country.

1. Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia 

When to go: Year-round 
Why go: A scenic driving route with camping and hiking adventure 

Of the eight national parks in the Atlantic Provinces, Cape Breton—the region’s first—is probably the best known. With a mix of boreal and temperate forest species that can’t be found anywhere else in the country, the park’s 235,000 acres includes the Cabot Trail—a winding, scenic driving route famous for its cliffs and coasts. Road trips here are serene meanders with options for stops that range from wheelchair accessible hiking (Skyline Trail) to sandwiches you’ll call home about (Dancing Goat Bakery).  

Just outside the park, there are accommodations for every budget. (Two to consider: Cabot Cape Breton in Inverness or Silver Dart Lodge, in Baddeck). And  be sure to save time for tourist attractions like the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, where you can learn about the telephone creator’s many other inventions. On the trail itself, tent and back-country camping options await. 

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2. Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland and Labrador

When to go: Year-round 
Why go: Viking history and a chance to walk the Earth’s mantle

Granite Mountains, verdant valleys, and a freshwater fjord await travelers to this UNESCO World Heritage site. Head here to see one of the best examples of continental drift.  Adventurous hikers can try the Long Range Traverse—a multi-day hike rated by National Geographic as one of the world’s 15 best. The Viking Trail, a 310-mile drive along Newfoundland’s northwest coast, through the park, and out to L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, adds the chance to see a recreated Viking settlement built around thousand-year-old archeological remains. 

3. Mingan Archipelago National Park, Québec 

When to go: Mid-June to early September
Why go: Wildlife watching 

Set on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, this archipelago is a 93-mile collection of almost 1,000 islands and islets. Whale watchers will marvel at Minke, Common, and Humpback whales. Bird watchers come to see nesting puffins, terns, and kittiwakes soaring over waters where dolphins and sea lions play. The landscape is equally breathtaking, with the world’s largest concentration of erosion monoliths (almost 500-million-year-old sedimentary rock formations) lining the shore. It’s a 10-hour road trip from Québec City or a 2.5-hour drive from Sept-Iles, Québec, so getting here isn’t easy. But the views from a kayak or boat tour of the islands make it all worthwhile.

(Whale watching is booming. Here’s how to do it responsibly)

4. Pukaskwa National Park, Ontario 

When to go: June to October
Why go: Thrilling hikes

Challenging trails make this northern Ontario park a prime pick for seasoned hikers. The 38-mile return backcountry Coastal Hiking Trail takes six to eight days to complete. The Mdaabii Miikna Trail, a two-to-three-day loop trail within the Coastal Trail, is slightly less intense. Short on time? Opt for the almost 5-mile White River Suspension Bridge Trail, a day hike to the 100-foot-long bridge that overlooks Chigamiwinigum Falls’ swirling rapids.

5. Rouge National Urban Park, Ontario 

When to go: Year-round
Why go:  Nature on the city’s edge 

One of the largest urban parks in North America, this is the only Canadian National Park accessible by public transit. Which means that within 30 minutes’ drive of Toronto, you can walk more than seven miles of woodland, waterfront, and mixed-surface trails in this 19,521-acre park. Its heritage as part of a travel and trade route for First Nations make it historically significant. And with geocaching sites, a beach, and more than 1,700 species of plants and animals (including Great horned owls, hawks, and egrets), there’s plenty to enjoy. 

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6. Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan

When to go: Year-round (visitor center is open mid-May to mid-October)
Why go:  Unique wildlife and dark skies without the crowds 

Split into two blocks that abut against the Montana border, this prairie landscape was once home to a million roaming bison. Today, you’ll find prairie dogs, antelope, and the endangered black-footed ferret.  Routes range from the almost half-mile Top Dogtown Trail to the 10-mile return Red Buttes Trail, with foot hiking and horseback options. The park is also one of the darkest Dark Sky Reserves in the country, with fewer people and less traffic than the country’s top pick, Jasper National Park.

7. Rocky Mountain House, National Historic Site, Alberta  

When to go: Summer 
Why go:  Canada’s fur trading history

Technically, this National Historic Site isn’t a park. Managed by Parks Canada, it traces the history of the Canadian fur trade, which started with the First Nations who lived in the area long before settler companies united under the Hudson’s Bay Company moniker in 1821. For 76 years after the trading post’s establishment, fur trappers exchanged their work for goods from abroad.

Today, Parks Canada offers history lessons alongside trails and unique lodging options, which include trapper cabins and tipis. The site also works with Indigenous communities to share the history through interactive activities (try on 19th-century clothing at the visitor center or learn to bake Bannock, an Indigenous bread)  and drum and song performances. Visitors can also learn about David Thompson, a trader regarded as “Canada’s Greatest Map Maker”—thanks to the 1.5 million square miles of North America that he charted on paper.  

(Trace the backcountry trails of Banff National Park on horseback)

8. Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, British Columbia 

When to go: Year-round 
Why go:  Whale watching from the shore

Originally home to the Coast Salish people, the 15 islands (and numerous islets) off the coast of Vancouver Island, were eventually settled by Europeans in the 1870s. Protected by two mountain chains, the Reserve has a mild, Mediterranean microclimate, enjoyed by artisans and visitors who relish the opportunity to spot orcas feet from the shore May through October. Exploration is independent: There’s no Visitors Center (bring a map), and you’ll need to take a ferry to get here. Also, plan to leave no trace. Anything you bring to the Reserve must leave with you. 

9. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, British Columbia 

When to go: Year-round
Why go: An Indigenous-led introduction to pristine land 

Haida Gwaii—recognized by National Geographic’s Best of the World 2026—is a collection of rainforest islands about 62 miles off the coast of mainland British Columbia. Gwaii Haanas is the protected UNESCO World Heritage site on its southern end. As one of the country’s most pristine landscapes, it makes sense that getting here takes effort. The park relies heavily on the Haida people who’ve called the area home for thousands of years.

Booking a tour with a licensed tour operator is recommended. Expect both natural wonders (Bald Eagles, Black bears, 20 species of whales, and more than 1.5 million seabirds), and cultural connections including traditional storytelling and song, intricately carved poles and longhouse ruins. Getting on the water (via kayak or boat) is the best way to appreciate the surroundings. 

(Find out why Haida Gwaii made our annual list, Best of the World 2026)

10. Kluane National Park and Reserve, Yukon Territory 

When to go: Year-round; Backcountry trips from June through September 
Why go: Top of the world adventures 

Seventeen of Canada’s tallest mountains are here and more than half of the park is permanently covered by snow and ice. Add in the stunning Mät’àtäna Män (Kathleen Lake)—a haven for canoers and kayakers that you can access steps from a car park—and you have everything you need for a world-class, outdoor adventure. Trails include the 1650-foot, wheelchair-accessible Kokanee Trail. Dall sheep, mountain goats, and grizzly bears reward eagle-eyed sightseers. Nearby, the Thechàl Dhâl Visitor Centre offers additional viewing points and educational information about the region.  

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