Last updated on May 21st, 2018 at 06:24 pm

Oh Canada, the true North strong and free….
Canada turns 150 this July, but that doesn’t mean we can’t use the birthday present everyone’s eligible for right now! All year, Parks Canada is inviting us to celebrate Canada’s momentous milestone in its national parks all across the country. To mark the occasion, admission to the national parks will be free! You just need to get yourself a Discovery Pass and you’re good to go.
Thanks Parks Canada!
Here’s a comprehensive list of Canada’s national parks, every beautiful one them. They’re organized by province; provincial flags, taglines, highlights, and all.
I hope this inspires a Canadian adventure for you!
Super Natural- British Columbia
The Pacific Rim National Park Reserve– Pacific Coast Mountains join marine and forest environments. Check out hellobc.com for a great overview of the area.
Yoho National Park– Yoho National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Rockies. Banff and Beyond.com offers excellent tips for visiting the park in this post, Highlights and Itinerary for Yoho National Park.
Kootenay National Park– A UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring the renowned Radium Hot Springs.
Glacier National Park– B.C.’s abundant interior rainforest and permanent glaciers.
Mount Revelstoke National Park– A rainforest home to 1000 year old cedars and stunning mountains.
Gulf Islands National Park– An exquisite island landscape in the Southern Strait of Georgia. Gulf Islands.com offers helpful info about weather and other things to be aware of before you decide to visit.
Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site- Haida culture and incredible coastal rainforest. Canadian Encyclopedia.com offers a detailed overview of the area.
Wild Rose Country – Alberta
Banff National Park– A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first National Park in Canada (established in 1887).
Elk Island National Park– Home to rare and endangered species from Alberta’s plains.
Jasper National Park– A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the glacial gem of the Canadian Rockies.
Waterton Lakes National Park– International Peace Park where the Prairies meet the Rockies.
Wood Buffalo National Park of Canada– A UNESCO World Heritage Site with an area larger than the country of Switzerland!
The land of Living Skies – Saskatchewan
Grasslands National Park– Saskatchewan’s unique prairie grasses, badlands, and dinosaur fossils.
Prince Albert National Park– A protected slice of coniferous forest; the perfect blend of wilderness and accessibility. Tourism Saskatchewan lists exciting things to do in the park in this post, Top Things To Do in Prince Albert National Park (PANP).
Friendly Manitoba
Riding Mountain National Park– A protected island area in Manitoba.
Wapusk National Park– One of the worlds largest polar bear maternity denning areas.
Yours to Discover – Ontario
Bruce Peninsula National Park– A protected area including the Northern end of the Niagara Escarpment. It is at the core of UNESCO’s Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve.
Georgian Bay Islands National Park– Enchanting islands that typify Lake Huron’s landscape.
Point Pelee National Park– The park sits at the Southernmost point on mainland Canada.
Pukaskwa National Park– The Canadian Shield’s prehistoric landscape on Lake Superior’s Northern Shore.
Thousand Islands National Park– Including 26 islands and around 90 islets, this smaller national Park covers 24 square kilometers along the St Lawrence River.
Je me souviens (I Remember) – Quebec
Forillon National Park– The gem of the Gaspé; where land meets the sea.
La Mauricie National Park– Lakes wind through forested hills; a perfect landscape for canoe portaging adventures.
Mingan Archipelago and Natural Park Reserve– A series of islands sculpted by the sea.
The Picture Province – New Brunswick
Kouchibouguac National Park– A complex Acadian mix of coastal and inland habitats.
Fundy National Park– The Atlantic’s sanctuary with world’s highest tides.
Canada’s Ocean Playground – Nova Scotia
Cape Breton Highlands– Home to the Cabot Trail; a landscape that boasts spectacular cliffs.
Kejimkujik National Park and Historic Site– The provinces inland historic Canoe routes and portages.
Sable Island National Park Reserve– A windswept island of sand way out in the North Atlantic. Sable Island is one the country’s furthest off shore islands.
Spud Island – Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island National Park of Canada– A protected landscape blessed with a spectacular coast.
The Rock – Newfoundland and Labrador
Gros Morne National Park– A UNESCO World heritage Site amidst Newfoundlands stunning natural beauty.
Terra Nova National Park of Canada– Remains of Eastern Newfoundland’s historic Appalachian Mountain Range.
Torngat Mountains National Park of Canada– The breathtaking wilderness of this park covers 9700 square kilometers of the Northern Labrador Mountain region.
Canada’s Last Frontier – Northwest Territories
Aulavik National Park of Canada– Over 12000 square kilometers of Arctic wilderness on Banks Island.
Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada– Adjacent to Nahanni National Park Reserve, Nááts’ihch’oh touches the Yukon border to the West.
Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada– A UNESCO Worlds Heritage Site in The Northwest Territories.
Tuktut Nogait National Park of Canada– The calving area for the Bluenose caribou.
The Yukon – Land of the Midnight Sun
Ivvavik National Park– The calving area for the Porcupine caribou.
Kluane National Park and Reserve– World Heritage Site and home to Canada’s highest peak.
Vuntut National Park– Northern Yukon’s remarkable non glaciated terrain.
Nunavut – Our Land, Our Strength
Auyuittuq National Park– Baffin Island landscapes including the Northern edge of the Canadian Shield.
Quttinirpaaq National Park– The most isolated, delicate, harsh northerly lands in North America.
Sirmilik National Park– On Northern Baffin Island including the Eastern Arctic lowlands and Lancaster Sound.
Ukkusiksalik National Park– Canada’s most prolific wildlife roam the lush tundra in Ukkusiksalik including grizzleys, Polar bears, Caribou, and Arctic Wolves.
Additional resources
Want to Camp? Here’s a detailed article from Explore Magazine outlining 25 of Canada’s best campsites. It includes helpful tips and advice on camping in National and Provincial Parks throughout Canada.
Want to rent an R.V.? Get the best price using Moterhome Choice.com
Want to see a lot of Canada efficiently? Check out Via Rail Canada for scenic train routes across Canada.
Want and App to help you with your trip? Parks Canada has a whole list of fun and helpful apps.
Want more information about particular Canadian provinces or major Canadian cities?
Visit Canada.com lists links to each of Canada’s provincial tourism boards as well as the websites for major cities across the country.
Which of Canada’s national parks do you want to visit this year? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Great list! I’ve been ticking them off one by one this year! The photography has been epic aside from the crowds!
These are some great parks, plus they are all free! Great ideas for budget travellers!
We love visiting National Parks when we travel and Canada definitely has some great options! We are so excited for the free admission this year and we can’t wait for our road trip this summer. We are planning on visiting Jasper and Banff and hopefully a few others, as well! Thanks for the great list!
Wow, didn’t know that! That is such a great idea for an anniversary. Canada and its nature are really amazing!
What a comprehensive list! I’m going to pass to my friend who has recently moved to Canada. This is such an amazing way to celebrate 150 years and get more people exploring all the beauty on their doorstep!
Wow, this is awesome! I’m actually going to be visiting Canada next month and hope to be able to visit a few of these National Parks. Thanks for such a great list!
I love that Canada is doing this. What a way to spark in interest in its beautiful natural landscape, and get more people to head north and see more of Canada. Brilliant.
Loving this list! I have been saying for months I was going to make this the year to see a few of Canada’s hot spots. Now that Spring is here I need to get a plan going — this will come in handy!
Wow! This sounds great. We are considering Canadian Rockies and Alaska for a 2 week vacation this October. Do you think that is long enough?
What a great listing – very useful. ARe you visiting any yourself this year?
Seems like a comprehensive list all right. How many are you intending to visit this year? What one are you most looking forward to?
What a great listing. Also seems like a great goal list to work though and see all of these beautiful parks!