Why go
Compare the exposed mantle rock of Gros Morne National Park with the high Rockies of Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. Fundy National Park offers a tidal coast, while Kejimkujik National Park links inland waterways and Mi’kmaq heritage in Nova Scotia. Each place gives a different reason to plan around terrain and season.
Useful to know
- Plan separate regional trips for distant parks rather than treating this Canada-wide set as one route.
- For island parks such as Gwaii Haanas and the Gulf Islands, settle transport before choosing trails or campsites.
The route, stop by stop
Times are planning estimates. Unknown visit durations start at an editable 30 minutes; access is checked separately.
- 01
Optional · – min
Banff National Park
Banff brings Rocky Mountain lakes, glaciers and the Bow Valley into one well-connected Alberta park. Its road access makes major viewpoints approachable, while popular areas can feel very different from quieter trails.
Explore - 02
Optional · – min
Bruce Peninsula National Park
On Ontario’s Bruce Peninsula, escarpment cliffs meet the clear water of Georgian Bay. Trails range widely in difficulty, so the choice between a short shore walk and a longer hike matters here.
Explore - 03
Optional · – min
Elk Island National Park
East of Edmonton, Elk Island protects a patchwork of grassland, aspen and boreal forest. It suits a wildlife-focused outing close to the city, with bison conservation as its defining story.
Explore - 04
Optional · – min
Forillon National Park
At the tip of Québec’s Gaspé Peninsula, Forillon combines cliffs, coast and Appalachian ridges. Its former fishing settlements add a human history that deserves as much attention as the sea views.
Explore - 05
Optional · – min
Fundy National Park
Near Alma, New Brunswick, Fundy National Park rises from tidal shore to Acadian Highlands forest. A visit can centre on the exposed seabed, inland waterfalls, or both if the tide allows.
Explore - 06
Optional · – min
Glacier National Park, British Columbia
Glacier National Park protects steep Columbia Mountains terrain around Rogers Pass. The Trans-Canada Highway gives a view into the park, but its deep snow and avalanche terrain shape any closer outing.
Explore - 07
Optional · – min
Gros Morne National Park
On Newfoundland’s west coast, Gros Morne pairs glacial fjord scenery with unusually exposed deep-Earth rock. It rewards time on both sides of Bonne Bay rather than a single viewpoint stop.
Explore - 08
Optional · – min
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
This reserve protects scattered islands, islets and reefs between Vancouver Island and the mainland. Your transport choice determines the visit: some areas suit a ferry-based walk, while others require a boat.
Explore - 09
Optional · – min
Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site
In southern Haida Gwaii, Gwaii Haanas protects islands and Haida cultural places where land and sea belong to one story. Visiting requires a deliberate marine journey, not a casual roadside stop.
Explore - 10
Optional · – min
Jasper National Park
North of Banff, Jasper spreads across a larger, wilder stretch of the Alberta Rockies. The Icefields Parkway connects glaciers and falls, while lakes and valleys invite more time away from the road.
Explore - 11
Optional · – min
Kejimkujik National Park
Kejimkujik has two separate Nova Scotia landscapes: an inland network of lakes and canoe routes, and a smaller Atlantic coastal unit. Pick the one that matches your day rather than expecting them to connect on foot.
Explore - 12
Optional · – min
Kluane National Park and Reserve
Kluane's Saint Elias mountains and glaciers dominate southwestern Yukon. Day visitors can use lower-elevation lakes and trails, while the icefields and Mount Logan belong to a much larger wilderness scale.
Explore