Top 15 National Parks in Canada: Explore the Polar Bear Capital

Expect jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, and incredible animal sightings in these nature preserves.

There are 63 national parks in the U.S., but you need only look north for another 46 spectacular preserves to explore. Canada’s national park system includes iconic sites like the rugged peaks of Jasper National Park and the turquoise lakes of Banff National Park, as well as lesser-known gems that most U.S. citizens have never even heard of. If you want to get off the beaten path, you can certainly do so in Canada.

Matt Sessions of Praytell, the agency that represents Destination Canada, highlights that the northern nation has many lesser-known sites, including some of the best freshwater diving sites in the world, along with a park co-managed by the area’s Indigenous people. Senior marketing specialist Guy Thériault, who has been with Parks Canada for 29 years, adds that Canada’s national parks offer “citizen science opportunities, where visitors can give back to nature in various ways, such as beach shore clean-ups and counting birds and species at risk.” iBestTravel reached out to Sessions and Thériault to determine which parks Canadians consider their finest, along with tips on how to navigate them.

Gros Morne National Park — Newfoundland and Labrador

The landscape of Gros Morne National Park is so unusual that it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thousand-foot waterfalls tumble down billion-year-old cliffs, and towering fjords give way to the Tablelands—a surreal landscape often compared to Iceland and “the surface of Mars.” This Newfoundland and Labrador park is essential for travelers who are eager for hiking and boating through Canada’s most intriguing landforms.

Wood Buffalo National Park — Alberta and the Northwest Territories

Want wildlife sightings? Wood Buffalo National Park is the destination of choice. The country’s largest national park houses the world’s largest herd of wood bison, alongside whooping cranes and wolves. Exploring the park’s natural elements, including impressive karst formations, caves, lakes, and a surreal white salt boulder field, offers remarkable opportunities for wildlife watching.

Torngat Mountains National Park — Newfoundland and Labrador

One of Thériault’s favorite parks is Torngat Mountains National Park. This park offers jagged peaks flanked by fjords, majestic waterfalls, and icebergs. Wildlife enthusiasts will be enthralled by the presence of polar bears and caribou. However, it is the cultural experience, immersed in Inuit traditions and communities, that makes this park stand out. Visitors engage with cultural performers and local elders, enriching their understanding of this extraordinary region.

Grasslands National Park — Saskatchewan

This wide-open national park in southern Saskatchewan is renowned for its stargazing and dinosaur fossils. Grasslands National Park contains one of the largest and darkest dark sky preserves in the country, making it ideal for visitors eager to see the Milky Way or various constellations. Moreover, visitors can uncover evidence of ancient life, as dinosaur fossils and archaeological artifacts are scattered throughout the park’s prairie landscape. Thériault recommends Grasslands as a top destination for international visitors due to its unique landscape, bison viewing, archaeological experiences, and exceptional stargazing opportunities.

Banff National Park — Alberta

Canada’s first national park is also its most famous. Chances are you’ve seen—or swooned over—photos of the stunning turquoise, mountain-rimmed Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. While these locations truly live up to the hype, visitors should anticipate crowds, especially during summer and winter. To experience Banff National Park without the throngs, aim for shoulder seasons and utilize the BanffNow service for real-time updates on traffic and parking.

Bruce Penisula National Park — Ontario

This picturesque waterfront national park includes the Fathom Five National Marine Park and boasts some of the finest freshwater diving in the world. Besides diving below cliffs and exploring caves and shipwrecks, Bruce Penisula National Park features rugged hiking trails, a robust population of black bears, and an array of stunning wild orchids. This park is located in the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation in Ontario.

Yoho National Park — British Columbia

The Great Divide that runs through Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park continues north into Canada, forming the distinctive and rugged landscape of Yoho National Park. The park features towering peaks, glaciers, and cascading waterfalls. Additionally, visitors can discover Burgess Shale fossils, which are more than five million years old and often found in remarkably preserved condition.

Fundy National Park — New Brunswick

For those experiencing a Canadian national park for the first time, Fundy National Park comes highly recommended. It is notable for having the world’s highest tides, which can rise 39 feet or more; during low tide, visitors can walk on the ocean floor. The park also offers over 30 hiking trails that wind through the Acadian forest and provide breathtaking coastal views.

Wapusk National Park — Manitoba

Located in the northeast corner of Manitoba, Wapusk National Park is one of the more challenging parks to access. However, the journey is worth it as this park protects the transition between boreal forest and arctic tundra and is home to one of the largest polar bear maternity denning areas worldwide. Photographers from around the globe flock to witness the stunning polar bears at Cape Churchill.

Jasper National Park — Alberta

The rugged beauty of the Canadian Rockies is showcased at Jasper National Park. As the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, it attracts climbers and mountaineers eager to experience the park’s extensive trail network while enjoying breathtaking mountain views. Additionally, Jasper is known for its dark skies and bright stars, being the world’s second-largest dark sky preserve. Many travelers may not be aware that Jasper also features natural hot springs; Miette Hot Springs offers a serene soak in the wild Fiddle Valley, promising relaxation in Alberta’s stunning mountain scenery.

Thaidene Nënéné National Park Reserve — Northwest Territories

If you have a passion for remote, hard-to-access parks, consider adding Thaidene Nënéné National Park Reserve to your travel list. Located in Canada’s remote Northwest Territories, access is provided only by float plane and snowmobile. The challenging terrain doesn’t deter those who arrive; in fact, the stark, rugged landscape and activities focused around water promise adventure. Sessions notes that Thaidene Nënéné, meaning “The Land of the Ancestors” in Dënesųłiné Yati, is distinctive for being co-managed with local Indigenous communities, allowing visitors to witness the vital relationship between people and the land.

Kootenay National Park — British Columbia

While Jasper National Park garners much attention, nearby Kootenay National Park in British Columbia also deserves recognition. A historic highway traverses the park, enabling visitors to appreciate the diverse landscape that transitions from grasslands to mountain peaks and glacier-carved canyons. The scenery offers a fantastic exploration of diverse wildlife and scenic beauty.

Waterton Lakes National Park — Alberta

If you admire Glacier National Park in Montana, continue north to Waterton Lakes National Park, a stunning continuation of the glacier-carved landscapes found in the U.S. This park is notable for its series of lakes nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Additionally, visitors can spot bison grazing and take in the vibrant fields of wildflowers across the park’s prairie.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park — Nova Scotia

The crown jewel of Cape Breton Highlands National Park is the Cabot Trail highway, which loops around the northern tip of Cape Breton Island. While the nearly 200-mile drive attracts many visitors, those willing to extend their adventure will find 26 breathtaking hiking trails, eight campgrounds, and whale watching opportunities from May to October.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve — British Columbia

The Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is an ideal starting point for U.S. citizens curious about Canada’s national parks. Situated on the western coast of Vancouver Island, it lies just across from Washington’s Olympic National Park, making it especially accessible. The park features stunning landscapes, including dense rainforests, sandy beaches, and the 46-mile West Coast Trail, which follows routes historically used by Indigenous people.