Canada is an incredibly unique country – from coast to coast, we are lucky enough to enjoy gorgeous landscapes and welcoming communities. Canadians love to travel (and have a reputation for being the friendliest tourists!), but when planning time away, overseas destinations are often the first ones to come to mind. Maybe that’s because Canadians don’t realize just how much there is to discover right here! Just in time for Canada Day, we’re sharing a few of our favourite destinations for those wanting to get to know their home a little bit better.
1. Cathedral Grove, British Columbia
Have you ever wanted to hug an 800-year-old tree? Then you’ve got to check out Cathedral Grove, located in MacMillan Provincial Park in BC! Some of the oldest and largest trees here measure 75 metres tall (or 250 feet) and are 9 metres in circumference. These Douglas Firs are part of an endangered ancient ecosystem, home to woodpeckers, owls, elk, black bears, cougars, rainbow trout, and many more.
2. Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta
Dinosaur Park might seem like the perfect name for an amusement park meant for children and the occasional paleontologist, but in reality, this provincial park is one of the world’s largest dinosaur graveyards, as the pre-historic creatures (such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, primitive mammals and dinosaurs) that died here were fossilized and preserved in layers of sand from the river channels and mud flats. Though more than 500 species of dinosaur specimens have been found here, Dinosaur Provincial Park is best known for its fossil assemblage which includes 40 species of dinosaurs.
3. Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan
Cypress Hills is one of Canada’s best-kept secrets! This destination boasts a beautiful stretch of land that is also home to one of the highest points in the country, despite the Prairies’ reputation for being very flat. With these views and hiking options, and the 450 campsites in the nearby town of Elkwater, Cypress Hills is an ultimate experience for those looking for an amazing camping experience.
4. Churchill, Manitoba
If you plan to visit Churchill and its famous residents, you’re going to need to arrive by train or plane – as there are no paved roads directly into town! Churchill is often referred to as the Polar Bear Capital of the World, as the bears migrate south towards the town in the summer months, along with beluga whales! The town also attracts countless bird-watchers and is known as one of the best places to experience the northern lights. For many, this is a town where you can cross off more than one item from your bucket list!
5. Agawa Canyon, Ontario
This scenic canyon is the definition of a hidden jewel! Only accessible by hiking or by train, this gorgeous canyon has impressed generations of Canadians with breathtaking views of trees that turn gold and scarlet in the autumn. In fact, the Group of Seven rented a boxcar, converted it into a cabin, and would move around the canyon, looking for spectacular sights to paint. Now, hikers often seek out the famous waterfalls hidden within the canyon when visiting.
6. Charlevoix, Québec
Charlevoix has something for everyone, no matter the time of year! Throughout the year, visitors can ski, dog sled, hike, kayak, and go on cruises and whale-watching trips! More than the incredible activities, there are some phenomenal artisanal cheesemakers open for tasting! And, fun fact: Charlevoix is inside a 53-kilometre-wide crater formed by a massive meteorite, which crashed into North America 350 million years ago. Many will hike along the edge of the Canadian Shield side just for the amazing views!
7. Nahanni National Park, Northwest Territories
Many of the destinations on this list are national parks for a reason – Canada is home to some of the most incredible landscapes and nature in the world, Nahanni National Park is included in that, having been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The park itself is made up of over 30,000 square kilometres, with deep river canyons, hotsprings, rapids, mountains, waterfalls, intricate cave systems, and more. Some favourites spots are Ram Plateau and a cluster of peaks called the Cirque of the Unclimbables. Seriously, this place couldn’t get any more picturesque.
8. Kluane National Park, Yukon
Ever heard of Mount Logan? It’s Canada’s tallest peak, clocking in 5,959 metres (19,551 feet) tall, and can be found in Kluane National park! This massive park is 22,000 square kilometres of gorgeous glaciers, ice fields, forests, and valleys and is perfect for hiking, though many prefer to check out the views from a helicopter or plane to get an amazing birds eye view!
9. Mounts Thor, Odin, and Asgard, Nunavut
Calling all Marvel fans – want to go to Asgard and see Thor and Odin too? Chris Hemsworth aside (sorry!), we’re talking about the peaks in Auyuittuq National Park in Nunavut. The name Auyuittuq is an Inuit word which when translated means ‘the land that never melts’ – pretty accurate if you ask us! Mount Thor is amongst the world’s steepest and tallest cliffs, with a steeper-than-vertical overhang, and fans of James Bond might recognize Mount Asgard from The Spy Who Loved Me, as part of the film was shot here! Even more amazing, Mount Odin experiences 24 hours of daylight in the summer and 24 hours of darkness in the winter because it is located above the Arctic Circle.
10. Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
Gros Morne is an incredible destination for geology lovers, as it is one of the few spots in the world where the Earth’s mantle has been pushed to the surface in a display of the process of continental drift. Visitors are welcome hike and kayak in this UNESCO World Heritage site, designated as such in 1987, and see an astounding amount of geological diversity (including coastal lowlands, soaring peaks, cliffs, shimmering lakes, and incredible waterfalls.)
11. Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick
Ever wanted to explore the bottom of the ocean without an oxygen tank? Each day at low tide in the Bay of Fundy, over 100 billion tonnes of water empty out to reveal the ocean floor, including the Hopewell Rocks and other amazing rock formations. Though you’d never guess what’s down there at high tide, as these incredible sights are nearly entirely submerged!
12. Peggy Cove, Nova Scotia
Of course a list of amazing Canadian travel destinations wouldn’t be complete without Peggy Cove on this list! Its unwavering place on lists of this nature is well-deserved, since the Peggy’s Point Lighthouse has become an internationally recognized symbol. The famous and historic lighthouse was built in 1915, and each year, more than half a million tourists visit to snap a pic of the lighthouse! As if that wasn’t enough, the landscapes are gorgeous and there’s plenty of fresh and delicious seafood!
13. Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Charlottetown is capital of the smallest province in Canada, but has one of the biggest reputations, as the home of Anne of Green Gables, red rocky cliffs, historic architecture, and incredible food. Also, Abegweit, the Mi’kmaq word for Prince Edward Island, often is interpreted as “land cradled on the waves” – a perfect fit for the island, since everywhere you go, you’re no farther than 15 kilometres from the ocean!
There’s a lot to love about living in Canada, including the wonderful people and the beautiful landscapes and destinations. Canada is proof that sometimes you don’t need to travel further than your backyard for the best adventure! Happy Canada Day!