Hidden Gems: Canada’s Lesser-Known Parks

Canada spans six time zones and is bordered by three oceans — the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Arctic — with the world’s longest border to the south. That much country makes for a great many landscapes and climates worth protecting.

Banff, Jasper, Mont Tremblant and Cape Breton pull millions of visitors a year, and the crowds come with them. Thankfully, Canada is also home to some hidden gems: magical destinations that lie beyond the well-trodden paths of their more famous neighbours.

Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan

At Val Marie, SK, this park preserves the prairie that once covered much of North America. Beauty doesn’t necessarily need to gobsmack the observer; it can be experienced in gentler ways. Rolling hills, pronghorn and bison, and stargazing under clear skies with nobody else around.

Mount Revelstoke National Park, British Columbia

The Meadow in the Sky Parkway is a winding paved road that will take you through an inland temperate rainforest — one of the rarest in the world — with hiking access and panoramic mountain views. In winter: fat biking, nordic skiing and snowshoeing. Note the restrictions: Class A RVs are not allowed on the parkway, and campers must be hard-sided because of bears.

Forillon National Park, Quebec

Near the tip of the Gaspé peninsula — rugged cliffs, lighthouses, forest and beaches. Percé Rock draws hikers onto the Cap Gaspé Peninsula, and the birdwatching is excellent, with seabirds and migratory species throughout.

Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia

Ancient petroglyphs and Mi’kmaq cultural heritage. Paddle Kejimkujik Lake, walk the forest trails, and learn some history.

Nahanni National Park Reserve, Northwest Territories

Remote, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and reachable only by air. For wilderness people — and if you can’t get in on the ground, flightseeing shows you the raw, untamed beauty of Canada’s northern wilderness.