Not all national parks in Canada are cut from the same cloth. They are as diverse as the country is wide. From the east coast of Newfoundland to the farthest reaches of the Northwest Territories, you will find something for every taste and budget. There are too many to name all national parks in Canada but below are three popular ones you shouldn’t miss.
Cape Breton Highlands, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
Driving along the Cabot Trail that skirts the rocky cliffs of the northern coast of Cape Breton, you feel like you stepped out of North America and into the Scottish Highlands. What you have to look forward to in this Canadian national park are breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, rolling green mountains, steep roads, deep valleys, and enough scenery to fill a photo album (or your digital memory card). The Cape Breton Highlands are also home to several family-friendly trails and beaches, and is the location of the best public golf course in Canada, the Highland Links.
Of all national parks, the Cape Breton Highlands National Park should be seen to be appreciated. Please visit your national parks website (www.capebretonhighlands.com) for more information or check out the Parks Canada website at www.pc.gc.ca.
Banff National Park, Banff, Alberta
Nestled in the Rocky Mountains along the border of Alberta and British Columbia just an hour and a half-drive from Calgary, you will find the first Canadian national park and the third of all national parks worldwide ever established.
This 6641 square kilometer (2564 square mile) park boasts some of the most impressive peaks of the Rockies (Castle Mountain), year-round refreshing hot springs, world class downhill skiing (Lake Louise), renowned glaciers (Columbia Icefield), and wildlife. This popular park is a must-see destination for anyone who enjoys skiing, hiking, or just relaxing.
All national parks in this area of Canada have the Rocky Mountains as the backdrop to their canvas but only this one can claim to be the first of all Canadian national parks. So be the first in your community to explore this great park and please visit your national parks website (www.banffnationalpark.com) to plan your trip today.
Mount Revelstoke National Park, Revelstoke, British Columbia
Mount Revelstoke stands on the west side to the Rocky Mountains and is where you can find the world’s only inland temperate rainforest. Here you will see some of the oldest natural environments in the world.
The Giant Cedars Nature Trail is a popular one that trails for a little less than half a mile through the park. Giant cedars over five hundred years old stand tall, some as thick as your automobile. The park itself is split into three areas to visit based on each zone’s elevation: Rainforest, Snow Forest, and No Forest. There’s a definite chill in the air the higher you travel up Mount Revelstoke. At its highest point, looking down on the plains of forests is a breathtaking sight.
For more information, please visit your national parks website for Mount Revelstoke at www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/revelstoke.
Visiting a Canadian national park is like visiting all national parks – it is a welcome refuge from the daily grind. We have only looked at a few of the many things to see in the broad and diverse land that is Canada. For more information, visit www.pc.gc.ca.