37 National Parks in Canada

Atlantic Region

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Gros Morne National Park - A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring dramatic fjords and the Tablelands, where the Earth's mantle is exposed. The park's unique geology tells the story of continental drift and ancient ocean floors.
• Terra Nova National Park - Coastlines meet boreal forest in this Eastern Canadian gem. The park's sheltered inlets provide perfect conditions for kayaking while spotting whales and seabirds.
• Torngat Mountains National Park - The northernmost park in Atlantic Canada is home to polar bears, caribou, and stunning Arctic landscapes. This park is also deeply significant to Inuit culture and history.

Nova Scotia

• Cape Breton Highlands National Park - Where mountains meet sea along the famous Cabot Trail which winds 185 miles through lush forests, towering cliffs, and picturesque fishing villages.
• Kejimkujik National Park- A dual park featuring inland lakes and forests perfect for canoeing. It is also home to is also white sand beaches and rich Mi'kmaq heritage.

New Brunswick

• Fundy National Park - Home to the world's highest tides and the famous Hopewell Rocks. You can walk on the ocean floor at low tide and kayak in the same spot hours later.

• Kouchibouguac National Park - A coastal paradise with warm salt marshes, sand dunes, and vibrant wildlife, including seals and endangered piping plovers.

Quebec

• Forillon National Park - The tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, where mountains plunge into the sea.The parks cliffs are a perfect spot for whale watching.

• La Mauricie National Park - A sanctuary of lakes and maple forests in the Laurentian Mountains, spectacular in autumn and perfect for canoeing in summer.

Ontario

• Bruce Peninsula National Park - Crystal clear waters of Georgian Bay meet limestone cliffs along the Niagara Escarpment. The Grotto Sea Cave is a must-visit natural wonder!
• Point Pelee National Park - The southernmost point of mainland Canada, a crucial stopover for migrating butterflies and birds, with a unique Carolinian forest.
• Pukaskwa National Park - Remote wilderness along Lake Superior's shore, offering challenging hiking and beaches accessible only by foot or boat.
• Georgian Bay Islands National Park - A paradise of 63 windswept islands perfect for kayaking, camping, and experiencing the landscapes that inspired the Group of Seven painters.

Prairie Provinces

Manitoba

• Riding Mountain National Park - An island of wilderness rising above the prairies, home to black bears, elk, and a captivating mix of grasslands and forests.

• Wapusk National Park - One of the world's largest polar bear denning areas, this subarctic park protects critical wildlife habitat near Churchill.

Saskatchewan

• Prince Albert National Park - Where northern forest meets aspen parkland, featuring the only protected white pelican nesting colony in Canada accessible to visitors.

• Grasslands National Park - Experience the vanishing prairie grasslands, home to bison, prairie dogs, and some of the darkest night skies in Canada.

The Rocky Mountains

Alberta

• Banff National Park - Canada's first national park and a world-famous destination featuring turquoise lakes, glaciers, and the iconic Lake Louise.
• Jasper National Park - The largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, with the Columbia Icefield, abundant wildlife, and the spectacular Maligne Lake.
• Waterton Lakes National Park - Where the prairies meet the peaks, forming a unique ecosystem and part of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.
• Elk Island National Park - A crucial sanctuary for bison conservation near Edmonton, offering excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
• Wood Buffalo National Park - The largest national park in Canada and home to the world's largest wild bison herd and last natural whooping crane nesting site.

British Columbia

• Yoho National Park - "Yoho" means "awe" in Cree, and this park lives up to its name with the stunning Takakkaw Falls and Burgess Shale fossils.
• Kootenay National Park - Features hot springs, dramatic canyons, and paint pots where mineral springs create naturally colourful pools.
• Mount Revelstoke National Park - Thid National Park gives you a unique opportunity to drive to the summit of a Columbia Mountains peak, famous for its wildflower meadows.
• Glacier National Park - Not to be confused with its American namesake, this park protects a portion of the Columbia Mountains and important transportation history.
• Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - Wild Pacific coastline divided into three units: Long Beach, the West Coast Trail, and the Broken Group Islands.
• Gulf Islands National Park Reserve - A marine paradise in the Salish Sea, protecting rare Garry Oak ecosystems and offering excellent kayaking opportunities.

The Territories

Yukon

• Kluane National Park - Home to Canada's highest peak (Mount Logan) and the world's largest non-polar icefield, offering incredible hiking and wildlife viewing.
• Vuntut National Park - Protecting critical caribou habitat and traditional First Nations hunting grounds in the northern Yukon.
• Ivvavik National Park - The first national park in Canada created as a result of an Indigenous land claim agreement, protecting the calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd.

Northwest Territories

• Nahanni National Park Reserve - A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring the South Nahanni River, Virginia Falls, and unique karst landscapes.
• Aulavik National Park - Remote Arctic wilderness on Banks Island, protecting critical muskoxen habitat and offering opportunities for extreme adventure.
• Tuktut Nogait National Park Protecting the calving grounds of the Bluenose West caribou herd and featuring spectacular canyons along the Hornaday River.

Nunavut

• Auyuittuq National Park - Arctic wilderness featuring massive peaks, glaciers, and the famous Akshayuk Pass hiking route.
• Sirmilik National Park - Protecting critical marine wildlife habitat and featuring stunning fjords, glaciers, and traditional Inuit hunting grounds.
• Quttinirpaaq National Park - Canada's northernmost national park, located on Ellesmere Island, featuring unique High Arctic ecosystems and polar desert landscapes.

This list provides a starting point for exploring Canada's incredible National Parks. Before your visit, be sure to research specific park regulations, fees, and reservation requirements. Pack accordingly for the climate and activities you plan to enjoy. Remember to practice Leave No Trace principles and respect wildlife by maintaining safe distances. Most importantly, be prepared to be amazed by the raw beauty and untamed spirit of Canada's wilderness.

Happy exploring!