The summer season is the perfect time to go on vacation, when the ideal weather conditions are suitable for many outdoor activities, such as hiking and car tours. North American summer begins in May and ends in September, about four months of perfect weather. When choosing an ideal vacation destination this summer, consider an excellent offer from the Canadian government to celebrate the country’s 150th anniversary. Canada provides a package called “The 2017 Discovery Pass” which grants tourists free entry to all of Canada’s national parks, excluding all provincial parks. The one-of-a-kind offer offers visitors a wide range of scenic spots to choose from.
10. Banff National Park
Peyto Lake, Banff National Park.
Established in 1885, Banff National Park is Canada’s oldest national park. It is located in western Alberta, near the border with British Columbia. The park covers square kilometers of magnificent rocky mountain landscapes. Visitors are drawn to the pristine landscape of the park, including beautiful clear-water lakes such as Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, as well as the country’s largest network of caves, the Caves of Castleguard.
Banff National Park is located around a 2.5 walk from Calgary International Airport.
9. Grasslands National Park
Prairie dogs in Grasslands National Park.
Grasslands National Park is one of two national parks in the Prairie Province of Saskatchewan (the other being Prince Albert National Park). The park covers an area of 350 square miles and is a popular tourist destination with more than 11,000 tourists visiting the park in 2016 alone. The park is reputed to be the only park in Canada where black-tailed prairie dogs live. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful meadow with herds of pronghorns.
The nearest major airport to Grasslands National Park is about an hour’s drive from Regina International Airport.
8. Thousand Islands National Park
The thousand lush islands.
Thousand Islands National Park is one of the smallest national parks in Canada, with an area of 9.4 square miles. However, despite its small size, it is made up of islets 26 and islets 90 that are found in a XXX-mile section of the St. Lawrence River. It is a popular tourist destination especially for its fishing and picnic facilities, as well as for several trails where visitors can observe wild animals such as beavers, deer, raccoons and weasels. The park was created in 49.7.
Thousand Islands is just a few hours’ drive from Toronto Pearson International Airport or Ottawa International Airport.
7. Cape Breton Highlands National Park
The beautiful low mountains of Cape Breton.
Located in Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Highlands National Park is a 366 square mile national park located on Cape Breton Island. The park includes a combination of Acadian, taiga and boreal habitats that are home to unique animal and plant species found nowhere else, a fact attributed to its cool maritime climate. Visitors to the park are encouraged to sample the Cabot Trail, which offers picturesque views of the park’s wildlife and its rugged landscape. For golf enthusiasts, another flagship attraction in the park is Golf Course 18, called Highlands Links, which has been rated the country’s best public golf course by Golf magazine.
The closest airport to Cape Breton is Sydney JA Douglas McCurdy Airport.
6. Forillon National Park
Cliffs of Forillon National Park.
Forillon National Park is located at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec, covering 94 square kilometers. The national park was established in 1970 and is the oldest national park in Quebec. The park offers various attractions from the sea, the steep cliffs and the lush forests. Several hiking trails are found in the park, including the five-mile Graves trail, which leads hikers through the woods and to Cap-Gaspé on a cliff that overlooks 312 feet. The park offers views of many species of animals, including spectacular views of great whales.
The nearest major airport to Forillon National Park is Michel-Pouliot Gaspé Airport.
5. Pointe-Pelée National Park
The promenade at Point Pelée.
Point Pelee National Park is a park in southwestern Ontario, on a peninsula spanning 4.3 miles to Lake Erie. Point Pelee is also famous for being the southernmost point in the country, covering 5.8 square kilometers. Pointe-Pelée National Park is located mainly in a marsh and offers canoes and kayaks on which visitors can make their way through the wetland. The park is also famous for its many species of birds, thanks to its location at the crossroads of two main migratory routes.
The closest airport to Point Pelee National Park is Windsor International Airport, approximately 45 minutes by car.
4. Fundy National Park
Hopewell rocks in the Bay of Fundy.
Fundy National Park is an 80-mile square park located in the Bay of Fundy in the eastern province of New Brunswick. The park has many unique attractions, including views of the world’s highest tides. At low tide in the Bay of Fundy, visitors can see several sea creatures on display on the beach. The park is one of the most picturesque in the country with 25 waterfalls and vast forests where visitors can admire the flora and fauna of the park.
Fundy National Park is the closest to Saint John Airport.
3. Gros Morne National Park
Gros Morne dramatic landscape.
Gros Morne National Park is a 697-square-mile national park located in the easternmost province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Gros Morne National Park is named Gros Morne, a 2,644 foot mountain located in the park and a member of the Long Range Mountains. Gros Morne National Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 because of its geological history and its unique offer of landscapes. The park’s mountain ranges offer perfect hiking trails, including the 10-mile trail above Gros-Morne Mountain. Lucky visitors can also see the park’s resident animals, including arctic foxes, red squirrels and many species of birds.
The closest airports to Gros Morne are Deer Lake Airport at Corner Brook and Stephenville International Airport at Stephenville.
2. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
The Canadian Pacific Coast.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is a national park reserve located on the coast of British Columbia. The national park reserve was established in 1970 and is the oldest of its kind in the country. The 197-mile square park consists of Long Beach, the West Coast Trail and the Broken Group Islands. Among the three regions, Long Beach is the most popular because of its accessibility and its large beach. Long Beach also hosts several campsites as well as many natural trails through the temperate rain forest. The Broken Group Islands are another key attraction on the Pacific coast and are made up of 100 small islands located in Barkley Sound. It is a popular destination for kayakers and surfers.
Victoria International is the closest airport to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
1. Jasper National Park
Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park.
Jasper National Park is a 4,200-square-mile national park located west of Alberta, Canada. The national park is famous for its mountainous landscape, including Mount Columbia, which is the highest peak in Alberta. The large forest is home to many animal species that visitors can get a chance to see, including grizzly bears, elk, coyotes and golden eagles. The Columbia Icefield, the largest glacier in the Rockies, is another flagship attraction located on the road between Banff National Park and Jasper.
The closest airport to Jasper National Park is Edmonton International.