You're not a true Canadian unless you've been to at least 6 of these 10 stunning national parks
If you consider yourself a true Canadian, it might be time to put your status to the test.
Canada is home to some of the most jaw-dropping national parks in the world, with turquoise lakes, glacier-capped peaks, pristine coastlines and hidden waterfalls just waiting to be explored.
We've rounded up 10 gorgeous parks that are a must-visit for any true Canuck. From coast to coast, these national parks offer true Canadian beauty that you just can't miss.
Until September 2, Parks Canada is offering free admission for all visitors to all national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas it operates, meaning you can cross a national park off your bucket list for no cost.
Here are 10 beautiful Canadian national parks you have to see at least once. But fair warning: if you haven’t been to at least six of these, can you really call yourself a true Canadian?
Bruce Peninsula National Park
Price: $9 per adult; free admission until September 2, 2025
Address: 469 Cyprus Lake Rd., Tobermory, ON
Why You Need To Go: Located in Tobermory, Bruce Peninsula National Park is famous for its rugged cliffs, rocky caves, and turquoise waters of the Georgian Bay.
The park is home to some of Ontario's top blue-water swimming spots, including the popular Grotto swimming hole. Take an hour-long hike to the Grotto, to discover a limestone sea cave and an underwater tunnel that glows in the sunlight, or enjoy the cobblestone beach at the scenic Indian Head Cove inlet.
There are also plenty of hiking trails in Bruce Peninsula National Park that lead through mixed forests, along the rugged shoreline and connect to the Bruce Trail, the longest and oldest marked hiking trail in Canada.
The park can get very busy over the summer months, so consider visiting in spring or fall for a quieter experience.
Banff National Park
Price: $11 per adult; free admission until September 2, 2025
Address: Visitor Centre - 224 Banff Ave., Banff, AB
Why You Need To Go: Banff National Park is an iconic Canadian spot that every Canuck should visit at least once. The park offers vibrant lakes, majestic mountains and easy access to outdoor adventures and wildlife spotting.
Canada's first national park, Banff, offers more than 1,600 kilometres of hiking trails, over 2,468 campsites, an abundance of glaciers and glacier-fed lakes, and plenty to do no matter which season you visit.
Of course, no visit to Banff would be complete without seeing the iconic Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Extensive hiking trails wrap the bright blue lakes, offering breathtaking vistas at every turn.
After you've had your fill of nature, head to the Banff townsite, also located within the park, for restaurants, shopping and more.
Gros Morne National Park
Price: $11 per adult; free admission until September 2, 2025
Address: Gros Morne National Park, NL
Why You Need To Go: Gros Morne National Park is a place unlike any other on Earth.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 1,805 square kilometres, the park is home to an ancient landscape shaped by colliding continents and grinding cliffs, with soaring fjords, moody mountains, beaches, bogs, forests and barren cliffs.
Here, you can see thundering waterfalls cascading from 2,000 feet, climb summits with panoramic views and see some of the most spectacular scenery and wildlife in eastern Canada.
Hiking the Tablelands is a must-do while visiting the park. The Tablelands are a rare outcrop of the Earth’s mantle (normally found far below the Earth's crust) pushed skyward half a billion years ago. You can walk over an ancient sea floor and preserved ocean avalanches in the distinctive red landscape of the area.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Price: $9 per adult; free admission until September 2, 2025
Address: Visitor Centre - 37639 Cabot Trail, Ingonish Beach, NS
Why You Need To Go: This beautiful park in Nova Scotia offers breathtaking landscapes, where towering mountains meet the Atlantic Ocean.
Located on Cape Breton Island, Cape Breton Highlands National Park offers tons to see and do, including endless hiking trails, dramatic coastal cliffs and vibrant wildlife.
Any true Canadian will want to drive the Cabot Trail, a 298-kilometre trek of cliff-hugging turns, ocean vistas, and highland culture that loops around the island. Along the way, stop for whale-watching, hikes, and fresh local seafood.
Waterton Lakes National Park
Price: $11 per adult; free admission until September 2, 2025
Address: Waterton Park, AB
Why You Need To Go: Waterton Lakes National Park is known as one of the most beautiful destinations in the Canadian Rockies.
Located about 2.5 hours from Calgary in southwest Alberta, the park is home to diverse wildlife, including more than 60 species of animals such as bighorn sheep, elk, and black bears, dozens of different wildflowers and some of the best hiking in North America.
Here, you'll find majestic waterfalls and pristine mountain lakes where you can take a dip or enjoy canoeing, kayaking or paddleboarding.
Red Rock Canyon is a must-see spot, featuring colourful red, white, and green rock formations. The canyon can be reached on an easy, 20-minute hike from the parking lot.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Price: $11 per adult; free admission until September 2, 2025
Address: Visitor Centre - 2040 Pacific Rim Hwy., Ucluelet, BC
Why You Need To Go: Lying along the wild west coast of Vancouver Island, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve offers kilometres of long sandy beaches, unspoiled temperate rainforests and plenty of adventure.
You'll find some of the most iconic, postcard-worthy beaches within the park, including Incinerator Rock on Long Beach. Catch a wave here or relax on the long, sandy beach.
There are also beautiful trails to explore within the park, like the Shorepine Bog Trail of thick Sphagnum moss, the South Beach Trail, which brings you to the shore of a pebbly beach with a sea stack, or the Rainforest Trail A&B, which showcases a dense temperate rainforest.
Yoho National Park
Price: $11 per adult; free admission until September 2, 2025
Address: Visitor centre - Trans-Canada Highway, Field, BC
Why You Need To Go: Located near Golden, B.C., Yoho National Park is home to history, adventure, and breathtaking natural beauty.
The park is home to stunning turquoise waterways like Emerald Lake, Kicking Horse River and Lake O'Hara, and some of Canada's most impressive glacier-fed waterfalls, including Laughing Falls, Twin Falls, and the iconic Takakkaw Falls.
The park also offers over 400 kilometres of hiking trails to explore. One especially spectacular spot in the park is Wapta Falls, a majestic waterfall that can be reached by an easy hike.
Notably, you can also embark on a Burgess Shale fossil hike in the park, and see 500-million-year-old fossils that serve as the oldest evidence of complex life on Earth, even older than dinosaurs.
Forillon National Park
Price: $9 per adult; free admission until September 2, 2025
Address: South area toll booth - 2286 Grande-Grève Blvd., Gaspé, QC; North area toll booth - 1440 Cap-des-Rosiers Blvd., Gaspé, QC
Why You Need To Go: Covering almost 245 km2, Forillon National Park in Quebec offers a blend of sea, cliffs and forest.
Located in the eastern Gaspésie region, the park offers visitors the chance to see whales and seals and enjoy beaches with crystal-clear, warm water.
Here, you can hike on trails that lead to gorgeous lookouts to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Be sure to also visit the park’s heritage sites, including a historic general store, a typical fisherman farmer’s house and World War II fortifications.
One special spot in the park is Cap Bon Ami, a beautiful lookout and beach where you can get a front-row seat to admire the seascapes, soaring cliffs, seabirds, and marine life.
Prince Edward Island National Park
Price: $9 per adult; free admission until September 2, 2025
Address: Greenwich Visitor Centre - 29 Wild Rose Rd., Greenwich, PEI
Why You Need To Go: Prince Edward Island may be Canada's smallest province, but its national park is home to some of the best in Canadian beauty.
The park is home to some of Canada's best sand dunes, barrier islands, red sandstone cliffs, beaches, forests and wetlands. A variety of wildlife, like the endangered Piping Plover and the threatened Saint Lawrence aster, can also be seen here.
Trails in the Cavendish area of the park include the Dunelands, where you can walk on a floating boardwalk, and the Homestead, a loop trail that crosses farm fields and runs along the coast. Cavendish Beach is also a popular spot to visit in the park, with soft white sand and gentle waters.
Besides natural beauty, the park is also home to several cultural sites, including Green Gables, where images from the 1908 novel blend with the real-life experiences of local author Lucy Maud Montgomery.
Fundy National Park
Price: $9 per adult; free admission until September 2, 2025
Address: Visitor centre - 8642 Route 114, Alma, NB
Why You Need To Go: Fundy National Park is a must-visit spot for any Canuck.
Located near Alma, New Brunswick, the park is where you'll find hidden waterfalls and river valleys just waiting to be explored. Here, you'll find over 120 kilometres of walking and hiking trails where you can discover the richness of the Acadian Forest.
Famously, the park is known for being home to some of the world's highest tides along the Bay of Fundy.
You can walk along the ocean floor when the tide recedes and see huge sea stacks that are usually hidden by the waves. The most famous of these are the Hopewell Rocks, towering red sandstone flowerpot formations left behind by countless millennia of erosion.
At high tide, you can grab a kayak and paddle around the tops of those very same cliffs.
If you're looking for a new adventure, consider a trip to one of these majestic national parks in Canada. It's a good idea to plan ahead, as some parks experience closures or limited attractions due to weather or environmental-related factors, such as wildfires, flooding, or seasonal conditions.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
