Canada’s National Parks: Fascinating Family Fun Year-Round

Parks Canada offers single annual passes to all national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. Visiting more than one place? The Discovery Pass offers unlimited admission to over 80 participating locations. Whether you’re an outdoor sports enthusiast, nature lover or history buff, you won’t want to miss a chance to check out these top provincial parks.

Banff: Canada’s Oldest Park

If you want to learn more about Canada’s more than 150-year history, make your way to Banff, Alberta—located within Canada’s oldest national park. You’ll feel the heart of the Canadian Rockies beating once you enter Banff National Park, and there’s plenty for you to get excited about, too. With more than 6,641 square kilometers of mountain scenery, you can go on a glacier tour, ski down snow covered peaks and take a canoe out on a crystal-clear lake.

Or, you can visit Akami-Uapishku-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve in Banff, Labrador, Canada—one of Canada’s newest (and most remote) national parks. Listed as one of the “Places You Need to Visit in 2018” by National Geographic Traveler, it’s the perfect destination for your next Canadian adventure.

Bruce Peninsula National Park: A Photographer’s Dream

You’ll know when you get to Bruce Peninsula National Park when you see the picture-perfect vistas that frame lush sunrises and sunsets, and trails that beckon hikers of all skill levels. If you’re planning to travel to the Tobermory area of Ontario to admire the region’s natural beauty you’re not alone. This 156-square-kilometer Canadian provincial park is a favorite destination for photographers from around the world. It’s also a top pick for people who enjoy outdoor activities like camping, bird watching and wildlife exploration. Adventurous types may even want to plan a day where they leave the camera at the hotel and go “bouldering”—rock climbing without ropes—in the designated areas along the Georgian Bay shoreline.

Fundy National Park: Family Fun for All Ages

“Surf’s up” at Fundy National Park—way up. This park is known for the highest tides on earth. People travel from all over to Moncton, New Brunswick, to see the tides along the Bay of Fundy. Especially popular with families, visitors can walk the ocean floor at low tide and check out a variety of sea creatures, or take a bike trail that passes by beautiful waterfalls and spectacular lakes. Don’t be surprised if you feel like you’re living inside of a stunning picture as you explore the park’s 207 square kilometers and 25 trails. And—as if you needed one more reason to visit—when you look across the bay you can even see the gorgeous Nova Scotia coast.

Rouge National Urban Park: Experience the Wilderness in the City

Who said nature and urban living couldn’t co-exist in beautiful harmony? The two came together splendidly in 1995 at Rouge National Urban Park. Located in the Rouge River watershed along the border of Toronto and Pickering—near Markham, Ontario——it’s considered the largest nature park located within a metropolitan core, creating a fun juxtaposition that makes its 50 square kilometres a must-see. While the designation as a national park is fairly new, the area is rich with history. You can explore some of Canada’s oldest known indigenous sites as the large Toronto cityscape looms in the horizon.

Ready for your outdoor adventure? Find hotels in Banff, Tobermory, Moncton, Toronto.