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Mar 30, 2020 · The map below indicates the location of national parks and national park reserves in Canada. Click on individual points to learn a park’s name and the year it was established. Canada’s national parks and national park reserves are protected areas established under federal legislation.
Nov 23, 2015 · Our national parks protect and preserve those areas of natural beauty under federal legislation. They also tend to be BIG! So big, in fact, that the majority of them are larger than entire countries (Denmark, Switzerland, Armenia, El Salvador — we’re looking at you!). Here are 30 national parks that are larger than 30 individual nations.
Mar 16, 2023 · This story map points at all of Canada's National Parks. When the point of interest is chosen the name and description of the park shows up.
Map of national parks, national park reserves, and active national park proposals in Canada. The map below identifies the terrestrial regions of Canada. It notes whether these regions are represented by a national park, or are underrepresented. It also identifies national parks, national park reserves, and active national park proposals.
- Alberta National Parks
- British Columbia National Parks
- Manitoba National Parks
- New Brunswick National Parks
- Newfoundland and Labrador National Parks
- Northwest Territories National Parks
- Ontario National Parks
- Prince Edward Island National Parks
- Québec National Parks
- Saskatchewan National Parks
Banff National Park
Banff National Park was Canada’s first national park (and the world’s third) after being established in 1885. The arrival of the Europeans and the creation of the transcontinental railroad changed Banff forever as the “discovery” of the hot springs was seen as an opportunity to bring tourism to the area. Nowadays, Banff National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site and whilst it is still famous for its hot springs, it is known throughout the world for its stunning mountains, mesmerizing blue...
Elk Island National Park
Elk Island National Park is a gorgeous park just 35 minutes outside of the city of Edmonton. While not as popular as other parks in Alberta like Banff and Jasper, Elk Island has its own beauty that should not be missed. If you are traveling across Canada by train,you can easily get off at the Edmonton station and visit the park. The park was founded in 1906 as an elk preserve to protect one of the last remaining big elk herds in the region. It was the first wildlife refuge in Canada! Today, t...
Jasper National Park
Featuring jagged snow-capped peaks, sweeping glacial valleys, turquoise lakes and flowering alpine meadows, Jasper National Park’s legendary scenery makes the spectacular park one of the most popular wilderness areas in Canada. Jasper was founded in 1907 and granted national park status in 1930. The park—in conjunction with the adjacent parks of Banff, Kootenai, and Yoho— was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1984. Today, Jasper holds the distinction of being the world’s second-largest...
Glacier National Park
British Columbia’s Glacier National Park is often confused with Montana’s Glacier National Park. Glacier National Park protects the northern end of the Selkirk Mountains. While located near the Canadian Rockies National Parks of Banff/ Jasper/ Yoho/ Kootenay, these mountains are geologically distinct from the Rockies. The area is often called the “Canadian Alps.” This mountainous park is home to five mountains over 8,000 ft and is home to 131 glaciers. The glaciers have shrunk considerably si...
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is a protected space located on the Gulf Islands of British Colombia. The park is made up of 16 islands and the surrounding waters. The park covers 14 square miles. These islands have a climate similar to the Mediterranean climate. The summers are dry, sunny while the winters are mild and wet. The island’s vegetation is similar to the other areas of the Pacific Northwest. The park offers visitors a range of activities from hiking to kayaking. There is pl...
Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site
Gwaii Haanas translates to ‘Islands of Beauty’, and that it certainly is! Located off the west coast of British Columbia on the archipelago of Haida Gwaii, this is the only park in the world that offers protection from ‘mountaintop to seafloor’. There are around 500 identified Haida heritage sites within the park’s boundaries, making it one of the most popular things to do in Haida Gwaii. Access to the park is by boat or air only. So, unless you have your own boat, kayak or seaplane, you will...
Riding Mountain National Park
Riding Mountain National Park protects three different ecosystem – grasslands, upland boreal forest and eastern deciduous forest. The park is located on the Manitoba Escarpment, an area of hills. Riding Mountain is the highest point in the park. The park offers a range of outdoor activities from hiking to biking to water activities. Riding Mountain National Park was created on May 30, 1933 and the park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Wapusk National Park
Wapusk National Park is an isolated national park in northern Manitoba along the Hudson Bay. The park protects an important polar bear breeding habitat and the Hudson Bay Lowlands which consist of the muskeg and wet peatlands. Wapusk National Park has limited access. There are no roads or hiking trails in Wapusk. Access is limited to select authorized commercial tour operators. Most of the tour operators focus on animal tourism – Beluga Whales and Polar Bears. These tours operate on the Hudso...
Fundy National Park
Fundy National Parkoccupies an 11-mile stretch of coastline along the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick’s southeastern corner. Established in 1948, it’s one of only two national parks in the province, and at 80 square miles, it’s one of Canada’s smallest. It’s a fairly accessible park for residents of northern Maine and the Maritime Provinces, though, since it’s less than a four-hour drive from all of their major cities. The park’s small size also means it can be thoroughly explored over a long w...
Kouchibouguac National Park
Kouchibouguac National Park protects an area of sensitive sand dunes and blogs along the east coast of New Brunswick. Kouchibouguac National Park was created in 1969.
Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve
Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve was created on 2017.
Gros Morne National Park
Gros Morne National Park is located on the west coast of the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador. I was so fortunate to have worked in this incredible park throughout university and it has remained in my heart. The park is absolutely stunning with an incredible variety of landscapes and natural beauty. This beauty is linked to an incredible geological history that must be protected. The park is one of the world’s best examples of continental drift and plate tectonics. Areas of the par...
Terra Nova National Park
Terra Nova National Park was created in 1957.
Aulavik National Park
Aulavik National Park was created in 1992.
Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve
Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve was created on December 18, 2014.
Nahanni National Park Reserve
Nahanni National Park Reserve was created in 1972.
Bruce Peninsula National Park
If you’re looking for awesome hiking, sweeping views, and an escape into nature then head Bruce Peninsula National Park. Located a few hours’ drive north of Toronto, the park covers over 150 square kilometers and was established in 1987. It’s one of the largest protected areas in southern Ontario and home to birds, mammals, and over 30 species at risk. There is a wealth of reasons to visit the Bruce Peninsula National Park. One of the most popular attractions is the famous Grotto, a sea cave...
Georgian Bay Islands National Park
Say hello to the world’s largest freshwater archipelago! Georgian Bay Islands National Park is composed of 63 islands and covers just 14 kilometers squared, making it Canada’s smallest national park! While the majority of the islands remain untouched, Beausoleil Island is the perfect destination for nature lovers. From wildlife watching to hiking to camping under the stars, it’s the perfect place to disconnect. While a day trip to Georgian Bay Islands National Parkis always a great adventure,...
Point Pelee National Park
Located at the southernmost point of mainland Canada, sitsPoint Pelee National Park. This park is shaped like a triangle, jutting downinto Lake Erie. Point Pelee is one of Canada’s most ecologically diverseparks. Thousands of birds flock here on their migratory routes, resting in thefood-rich marshland that makes up most of the park. At the Marsh store, you can rent a canoe to paddle into the marshlands. Try to spot as many species of birds as you can. There is a short route you can take and...
Prince Edward Island National Park
Prince Edward Island National Park takes up a large sectionof PEI’s northern shore, including towering dunes, red cliffs and sandybeaches. The three sections, Cavendish, Brackley and Greenwich, allhelp protect the fragile Maritime Plain natural region, including the sanddunes, beaches, wetlands and surrounding forests, which are home to a diversevariety of plants and animals like the endangered piping plover. At the Cavendish campground in Prince Edward Island NationalPark, you can wakeup wit...
Forillon National Park
Forillon National Park is situated on the Gaspe Peninsula where the St. Lawrence River empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Known to the Mi’qmaq as “Gespeg”, which means “Where Land Ends”, it is a perfect description for the stunning landscape. There are two visitors centres: one at L’Anse-au-Griffon at the north gate into the park and at Penouille in the south. Rte 132 will take you along the shore and through the park. Driving this road itself is well is worth the trip. This is a perfect place...
Grasslands National Park
Grasslands National Parkwas established in 1981 in order to protect one of Canada’s largest remaining native prairie grasslands. The park is unique, as it is the only national park in Canada to represent the wide open prairie grasslands that Saskatchewan is famous for. Grasslands National Park has two separate blocks: the West Block and the East Block, which are divided by private land that the government plans to acquire over time. The West Block is dominated by rolling prairie grasslands an...
As of July 2024, there are 37 national parks and 11 national park reserves, covering an area of approximately 343,377 km 2 (132,579 sq mi), [9] or about 3.3% of the total land area of Canada, and representing 31 of its 39 natural regions. There is at least one park located in every one of the nation's 13 provinces and territories.
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Jan 21, 2022 · Canada has 48 national parks and national park reserves, as well as one national urban park (see also National Parks of Canada). They protect important land and marine habitats, geographical features and sites of cultural significance.