Huge, eh?
Canada spans six time zones with coastlines along three oceans, and the landscapes and climates in between are as varied as the map suggests. Early on, Canada recognised the importance of protecting its natural treasures through the national park system, following the example set by Yellowstone and Yosemite.
The road less traveled, the campground less trampled
Banff, Jasper, Mont Tremblant and Cape Breton draw millions a year. Canada also has alternatives that give you the same scale of experience without the crowds.
Grasslands National Park, Val Marie, SK
Rolling prairie has a beauty that is nothing like mountains or forest. This park recreates the landscape European settlers found — grassland that once carried millions of bison. It is one of the few places left where you can experience genuine silence under a genuinely dark sky, and the guided and self-guided hikes are the way to spot pronghorn and bison.
Mount Revelstoke National Park, B.C.
Near Glacier National Park, Mount Revelstoke is alpine country. The Meadow in the Sky Parkway winds through a rare inland temperate rainforest to Balsam Lake, past subalpine wildflower meadows that are extraordinary in summer, with hiking access and mountain views the whole way. In winter there is fat biking, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. Note that Class A RVs cannot manage the narrow, winding parkway, and campers must be hard-sided for bear safety.
Forillon National Park, Qc.
Near the tip of the Gaspé peninsula: rugged cliffs, lighthouses, dense forest and clean beaches. The Cap Gaspé peninsula includes Percé Rock, and the birdwatching — seabirds and migratory species — is exceptional.
Kejimkujik National Park, N.S.
Nova Scotia’s own: ancient petroglyphs and Mi’kmaq cultural heritage, calm water for paddling on Kejimkujik Lake, and forest hiking trails.
Nahanni National Park Reserve, N.W.T.
Remote even by Northwest Territories standards, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is reachable only by air. Guided visits and flightseeing tours are how most people see it, and it belongs on the list.
Canada has a great deal more than its famous parks. These are the ones that still feel like they are yours.
