Canada’s national parks offer many amazing sights. They have everything from huge fjords to big rainforests. Parks Canada looks after these places. From North to South, East to West, you can have some of the most memorable experiences in North America when you visit any of Canada's national parks and historic sites.
10 Parks Canada Destinations
You Simply Can't Miss
June 2nd 2025
Key Highlights
- Explore the top 10 Parks Canada destinations that are must-visits for your adventurous bucket list.
- Witness stunning natural beauty, including dramatic coastlines, turquoise lakes, and the majestic Canadian Rockies.
- Visit world-renowned locations like Banff National Park and Gros Morne National Park, designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Immerse yourself in rich Indigenous heritage while discovering diverse ecosystems unique to North America.
- Engage in thrilling activities like hiking scenic drives, observing remarkable wildlife, and exploring geological wonders.
When you talk about natural wonders, Parks Canada sites can’t be beat. They give people a chance to have great experiences filled with beauty and history. You can walk through the thick forests in Cape Breton Highlands, or go paddling near tall mountains in Banff National Park. Each park has something unique that makes it special.
Are you ready for a RV road trip? Here are 10 sites that capture the true wild side of Canada. They should be on any adventure to-do list.
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta
1. Banff National Park, Alberta: The Crown Jewel of the Rockies
Banff National Park is Canada’s first national park. It gives you an amazing mix of nature and nice towns. The park sits in the Canadian Rockies where you can see shining blue lakes like Lake Louise. Big mountains and thick forests surround the area. A top thing to add to your bucket list is hiking the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail. You see big views of Victoria Glacier and Lake Agnes from this path.
After a walk or hike, you can relax your muscles in the Banff Upper Hot Springs. The water is rich with minerals and helps you feel better. In the town of Banff, there are lively places to stay, and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel stands out. If you want even more adventure, try camping at Waterfowl Lakes Campground. This place is quiet and lets you be close to nature.
You can go boating on Moraine Lake or enjoy a drink in a tea house with a long history. Banff National Park offers so much. You can be out in the wild or enjoy the busy town of Banff. Either way, Banff National Park is known as the crown jewel of the Canadian Rockies.
National Historic Sites
- Banff Park Museum
- Cave & Basin National Historic Site
Suggested Camping
- Tunnel Mountain Village 1, II and Trailer
- Two Jack Lakeside Campground
Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park, Alberta
2. Jasper National Park, Alberta: Wilderness and Wildlife Encounters
Jasper National Park is a place of wild beauty. It is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. If you want to be in the wild and see animals, this is where you want to go. Start your trip on the Sulphur Skyline Trail. This trail is known for amazing, panoramic views. At the end, you can relax in the warm water of the Miette Hot Springs.
Drive on the famous Icefields Parkway. Along the way, you will see tall mountains and clean, beautiful canyons. Make sure you stop at Athabasca Glacier. This huge glacier is part of the Columbia Icefield that goes on for miles. You can take an ice buggy tour onto the glacier here or join a guided tour to safely learn about glaciers and walk on the ice.
The park is also a dark sky preserve. That means it is a great place to look at stars up above at night. Jasper is full of life—from tall waterfalls to bighorn sheep. You get peaceful moments and fun adventures. For people who love being outside, Jasper gives you a trip to remember.
Suggested Camping
- Wapiti Campground
- Whistlers Campground
Western Brook Pond, Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
3. Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland & Labrador: Dramatic Fjords and Geological Wonders
Gros Morne National Park is known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It sits on the west coast of Newfoundland. This area is well known for its amazing fjords and special features of the land. One spot to see is Western Brook Pond. This is a freshwater fjord with high cliffs all around. Many people say it is one place you have to visit.
Explore the Tablelands, an area where you can see part of the earth’s mantle right on the ground. Not many places in the world show this, so it is a rare place to go to. If you want to see the coast, try the Green Garden loop hike. There you will see cliffs, sea caves, and waterfalls. The view is stunning.
Rocky Harbour is where many people go to start their trip. This spot gives you a way to reach both sides of the park, north and south. When you finish your day, head over to Trout River Campground. It is a quiet place with lots of green trees, perfect for rest. Gros Morne has so much natural beauty and those earth’s mantle views are special. You will find your trip there full of energy and wonder.
National Historic Sites'
- L'Anse aux Meadows
Suggested Camping
- Green Point Campground
- Lomond Campground
- Trout River Campground
Pacific Rim National Park, British Columbia
4. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia: Wild Coastlines and Rainforests
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve shows the wild beauty you can find on Vancouver Island’s west coast. The reserve has three main areas: Long Beach, the Broken Group Islands, and the well-known West Coast Trail.
At Long Beach, you can walk on the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Trail that goes through thick rainforest to wide sandy beaches and soft waves. If you feel up for more, there is the rough West Coast Trail that is about 47 miles long. You can also go kayaking in the Broken Group Islands, which are known for how many different plants and animals live there. At Incinerator Rock, you may be able to take surf lessons. These are good for people who are new to surfing.
You may want to stay at the Green Point Campground. The view from there is lovely and lets you enjoy all that is good about the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Exploring this west coast park gives you the chance to learn about different cultures and see beautiful places that look almost untouched by people, full of plants and animals.
Suggested Camping
- Green Point Campground - Long Beach Unit
Fundy National Park, New Brunswick
5. Fundy National Park, New Brunswick: Home of the World’s Highest Tides
Fundy National Park in New Brunswick is known for the Bay of Fundy’s world-famous tides. At low tide, you can walk on the ocean floor and look for crabs and other small animals in the mud. When high tide comes, the water rises up to 50 feet and changes the whole view.
The park has beautiful waterfalls and good hiking trails too. Alma Beach shows off the changing coast, and the Coastal Trail gives you great views from the cliffs. It will also take you through the forest to beaches like Herring Cove.
You can camp near the beach at Point Wolfe Campground, which is close to what makes Point Wolfe Beach special. Fundy is a place where you will find a lot of shorebirds and even some plants that eat bugs. The park brings together the ocean tides and its amazing natural life.
Suggested Camping
- Chignecto North
- Chignecto South
- Headquarters
- Point Wolfe
- Wolfe Lake
Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia
6. Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia: Ocean Views and Highland Trails
Cape Breton Highlands National Park sits in Nova Scotia and shows the best of the area, where the ocean touches the mountains. The Cabot Trail is well known for its scenic drives. When you drive along the trail, you see high cliffs at La Bloc and green forests all around.
If you take the Skyline Trail, you walk a 5.1-mile loop that lets you look at the Gulf of St. Lawrence. If you are there at the right time, you could see whales in the water. For those who like a hard hike, the Franey Trail has steep areas. When you get to the top, you see wide views of the Atlantic coastline.
Corney Brook Campground has only 22 spots, so you get quiet and special time with nature after seeing the high views. Cape Breton Highlands is the place to go if you want to get close to the sea and the hills.
Suggested Camping
- Chéticamp
- Mkwesaqtuk/Cap-Rouge
- Ingonish Beach
- Broad Cove
- Corney Brook
- MacIntosh Brook
Kluane National Park, Yukon
7. Kluane National Park and Reserve, Yukon: Vast Glaciers and Rugged Peaks
Kluane National Park and Reserve is the place to go if you want to see some of the most amazing sights in Canada. The park has huge glaciers and tall, rough mountains. You can hike on marked trails that take you through the best parts of the Saint Elias Mountains. Many people come here just to see Mount Logan, which is the tallest mountain in the country.
If you like animals, you will enjoy spotting black bears and other local wildlife in the park. The park is also great for looking at the stars, as it is marked as a Dark Sky Preserve. All in all, this is a bucket list spot for anyone who loves to see how great nature can be.
Suggested Camping
- Kathleen Lake Campground
Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba
8. Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba: Bison Herds and Rolling Hills
Located in the middle of Manitoba, Riding Mountain National Park is a special place. You will see green hills and lots of bison here. There are grasslands and thick forests that are home to many animals, like black bears and different kinds of birds. The park has miles of trails for people who want to go on long walks or hikes. Along the way, you can look at wide views and see land shaped by old glaciers. Riding Mountain National Park shows the natural beauty of the Canadian prairies and lets people learn about the history of this area.
Suggested Camping
- Wasagaming Campground
Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario
9. Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario: Turquoise Waters and Ancient Cliffs
Bruce Peninsula National Park sits between the bright waters of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. This park is a good place to see Ontario’s natural beauty. You can hike along the marked trails, see rough cliffs, and enjoy the calm blue water. There is so much life here, with many kinds of animals and green plants. You can walk across the old limestone rocks and take in the wide, clear panoramic views. The park is on the bucket list for people who want new things to do and time outside.
Suggested Camping
- Cyprus Campground (Reservations required)
Prince Edward Island National Park, PEI
10. Prince Edward Island National Park: Sandy Beaches, Coastal Dunes,Red Sandstone Cliffs
Nestled on Prince Edward Island’s north shore, Prince Edward Island National Park is known as a peaceful place where you can find great views and many kinds of animals. You can find everything from the famous Green Gables to big sand dunes here. The national park runs for over 65 kilometers. It has wide sand beaches, lovely wetlands, and different types of places for wildlife.
Suggested Camping
- Cavendish Campground
- Stanhope Campground
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Parks Canada site is best for families?
When you are thinking about family-friendly parks from Parks Canada, try to find places that have many things to do and good services. Riding Mountain National Park is a place where you can see bison up close. Bruce Peninsula has swimming and hiking for everyone to enjoy. These parks are great for people of all ages. When you visit, you get to have fun and make memories with your family in nature.
Do I need permits or reservations to visit these parks?
All Parks Canada sites need you to have a permit. It is a good idea to look at the official website for each park where you can find the rules about getting in, camping, and things to do there. This way, you know what to expect and can have a good time with no problems. Consider purchasing a Parks Canada Discovery Pass to make your Park visits easier. This pass also gives you access to National Historic Sites, Marine Conservation Areas and National Urban Parks.
What wildlife should I watch out for in Canadian national parks?
In National Parks in Canada, you can see many different animals. There are moose, bears, and bison in some areas. If you enjoy watching birds, you might spot eagles or loons. The parks are home to fish like salmon and other animals such as otters. Each of these national parks gives you a chance to see many types of wildlife. This shows just how many different animals live in Canada.
Are there guided tours available in Parks Canada destinations?
Yes, many Parks Canada places have guided tours. These tours give you a better experience. You can join a tour to see animals or to learn about the culture and history of the place. They help you learn more about each park. The tours can also help you stay safe and get good information while you visit.
Conclusion
Exploring Canadian National Parks is a great foundation for a wonderful RV road trip, showcasing some of the best landscapes and wildlife you will ever see. The Canadian Rockies have tall granite peaks, while the west coast has dramatic trails along the water. Each park gives you a special look at the land and the history that make up the country. You can see the beauty of the aurora borealis, or walk by old cliffs. These places are more than just stops to visit. They are big parts of Canada’s story that everyone should see at least once. The best way to experience Canada's national parks is by camping in their spectacular surroundings. CanaDream has RV Rentals to suit everyone, from singles and couples to friends and families. Start planning your Parks Canada RV Road Trip today!
