Ten Of Canada's Greatest National Parks

Canada's National Park System is made up of 37 National Parks and 10 National Park Reserves altogether encompassing 336,343 square kilometers or 208,993 miles of protected wild space. These parks offer visitors a rare up close look at the rugged Canadian wilderness and the majestic wildlife that calls it home. The best way to see and experience all these parks have to offer is with a fantastic car or even RV from Auto Europe. It allows you to stop and see the sights at your own leisure and get the absolute most out of your visit. After careful consideration we came up with the top ten that in our eyes offered the most unique experiences and must see natural wonders.

1. Gaspesie National Park

Gaspesie National Park is located roughly 5 hours from Quebec City and 7 hours from Montreal is a true gem of Quebec, featuring two distinct mountain ranges and the highest point of the Appalachian Mountains in Canada. This park with its vast variety of trails on and around Mount Jacques-Cartier is considered a mecca for hiking in the province. In addition to hiking the peaks, you can partake in many other outdoor activities like biking, skiing, fishing, kayaking and canoeing plus many more. One of the area's major attractions is viewing the population of Caribou that are special in the area. The park was actually formed in 1937 to protect this rare population of Caribou which is the only group in this southern region of Canada.

2. Pukaskwa National Park

Pukaskwa National Park Ontario, is situated on the picturesque and sandy granite strewn shores of Lake Superior. The park is located roughly 12 hours from Toronto and Ottawa and is part of the "Lake Superior Circle Tour". This park offers modern amenities in its camp grounds and visitors center making your visit in Ontario's only wilderness national park surprisingly leisurely. The Coastal Hiking Trail is a bit of a challenge but offers breathtaking views of the coastline all along its roughly 60 km duration. A highlight of the hiking trail is The White River Suspension Bridge spanning 30m across and 23m above the raging Chigmiwingum Falls. Cascade Falls with its remote beauty can be accessed by chartering a boat or by paddling the Coastal Paddling Route. These falls are well worth the trouble to access as they offer gorgeous views of the water rushing over the cliffs.

3. Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park located roughly 4-5 hours away from Calgary and Edmonton Alberta, is the largest park in the Canadian Rockies and its high elevations help preserve a number of flourishing animal species and rare plants. Many of the hiking trails located in the park were first established by the local wildlife then frequented by first nation peoples and early settlers. The Columbia Ice Fields are one of the top attractions in the park with its Glacier Sky Walk, which puts you on a glass observation deck 278m over the Sunwapta Valley. The sky walk offers unparalleled views of the valley below and is situated near routes frequented by wildlife. One other thing unique to the area, It is the second-largest dark sky preserve in the world. In the month of October, Jasper celebrates dark sky month with the annual Jasper Dark Sky Festival offering some of the clearest views of the night sky found anywhere in the world. People tend to do this park and neighboring Banff National Park together due to their proximity and plethora of things to see and do on the drive in between which you can read about in our blog about some of the top Canadian road trips.

4. Banff National Park

Established in 1885 Banff National Park located 129 km from Calgary is Canada's first and oldest national park. The park offers conventional outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, rafting and even golf at a handful of nearby courses nestled in the mountains like Greywolf, Eagle Ranch and Kananaskis. Extensive hiking trails give visitors breathtaking views of the glaciers and the lakes full of crisp blue water that they feed. The lakes are some of the best in the country and have ideal conditions for boating and accompanying water sports. The resort town of Banff is just as much of a star as the park itself, a cozy retreat offering numerous lodges and restaurants to rest or grab a bite to eat or shops full of goods and gifts from local vendors. People tend to do this park and neighboring Jasper National Park together due to their proximity and plethora of things to see and do on the drive in between which you can read about in our blog about some of the top Canadian road trips.

5. Gros Morne National Park

Located on the west coast of Newfoundland 6 hours from St. John's, Gros Morne National Park takes its name from the Gros Morne Mountain which is a highlight of the park offering panoramic views from its summit. Hike on the Earth's mantle when you visit The Tablelands a stretch of land between the towns of Trout River and Woody Point that looks akin to a desert. This land is comprised of rock forced up from the earths core, this rock lacks the nutrients to sustain life hence the areas barren appearance. Taking a boat tour of Western Brook Pond gives you beautiful views of the surrounding cliffs and waterfalls of this freshwater fjord. Some of the best camping and fishing spots in the Canadian national parks are found here as well.

6. Auyuittuq National Park

Auyuittuq National Park is a remote winter wonderland located on Baffin Island in Nunavut. Auyuittuq means “the land that never melts” in Inuktitut and this park is full of powerful icy glaciers and lakes to take your breath away. This park is one of the most rugged in all of Canada with its terrain being 85% rock and ice. Hiking and Cross Country Skiing are the two most popular draws, but be cautioned that visitors should be experienced in these activities due to the remoteness of this park. For climbers Mount Thor and Mount Asgard offer a great challenge with the reward of amazing views their respective summits. Dog sledding expeditions are a uniquely unforgettable experience offered by the park and prove to be one of the most effective means of travel in the Arctic Circle.

7. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve

Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve is located 130 kilometers off the mainland of British Columbia and is accessible via flight or boat from Vancouver or Victoria. Comprised of roughly 138 islands, visitors can learn about the unique culture of the Haida people through various archaeological sites and explore the remains of two remarkable former Haida villages, Tanu and Skedans with their longhouses. Kayaking and boating are two of the parks most popular activities allowing visitors the chance to island hop and hopefully spot some of the parks marine inhabitants like sea lions, porpoises, killer whales and migrating grey whales.

8. Riding Mountain National Park

Riding Mountain National Park, situated in Manitoba roughly 3 hours from Winnipeg is known for its sweeping grasslands full of wildlife. Visitors driving through the park are likely to spot a variety of species such as Black bear, elk, moose, and lynx that all call the park home. Camping is one of the best ways to explore riding mountain and it offers both maintained campgrounds and country camping in permitted areas. The Wasagaming Campground offers many activities for families and is located close to trails for hiking and biking as well as the main beach area which offers canoe and kayak rental. Near to the camp ground is the resort town of the same name. Wasagaming or "Clear Lake Country" with its quaint charm welcomes visitors to a unique collection of restaurants, bakeries, boutique hotels, cabins, locally owned shops and more.

9. Grasslands National Park

Camp out amongst the stars in one of the largest dark sky preserves in Canada at Grasslands National Park located roughly 3-4 hours from Saskatoon and Regina. This park in Saskatchewan offers some of the best chances for visitors to observe the unobstructed night sky and see constellations and stars hidden from plain sight in urban areas by light pollution. In addition to back country and RV/Site camping the park has a variety of differing difficulty hiking trails for visitors to explore. The badlands area in the east block is also known for a high number of dinosaur fossils being found there by paleontologists. Unique formations of land and climate have created niches for rare species of birds and animals including the pronghorn antelope, black tailed prairie dog, burrowing owl, sage grouse, ferruginous hawk, short horned lizard and prairie rattlesnake.

10. Yoho National Park

Yoho National Park the second oldest of Canada's National Parks is perhaps most famous for its plethora of awe inspiring waterfalls, including Takakkaw Falls one of the highest in North America. Located in British Columbia a few hours from the cities of Calgary, Kamloops, and Kelowna. This park was shaped by the primordial forces of melting glaciers and shifting tectonic plates resulting in the dynamic topography of the park which lends itself to activities like hiking and biking in the warm months and a plethora of winter sports and activities when the ground is coated in snow. Visitors can also gain insight into the origins of life and natural history of the region by exploring sights like The Burgess Shale Fossil Beds. The various glacier fed lakes of the park offer a chance for you to get out on the crystal clear and still water to enjoy boating, watersports, kayaking, canoeing and much more.

Hit the roads of Canada armed with this knowledge and see all of these incredible National Parks with a fantastic rate on a car or RV from Auto Europe. With an RV you can explore the parks in absolute luxury and have the flexibility to stop an explore at your leisure. Many parks also offer RV camp sites allowing you to have some personal space for activities and leisure while giving you the chance to camp over night and take in the clear starry sky.