Complete list of 48 national parks in Canada

Aulavik

Auyuittuq

Banff

Bruce Peninsula

Cape Breton Highlands

Elk Island

Forillon

Fundy

Georgian Bay Islands

Glacier (Canada)

Grasslands

Gros Morne

Gulf Islands

Gwaii Haanas

Ivvavik

Jasper

Kejimkujik

Kluane

Kootenay

Kouchibouguac

La Mauricie

Mealy Mountains

Mingan Archipelago

Mont-Orford

Mont-Saint-Bruno

Mont-Tremblant

Mount Revelstoke

Náátś'įhch'oh

Nahanni

Pacific Rim

Point Pelee

Prince Albert

Prince Edward Island

Pukaskwa

Qausuittuq

Quttinirpaaq

Riding Mountain

Rouge

Sable Island

Sirmilik

Terra Nova

Thousand Islands

Torngat Mountains

Tuktut Nogait

Ukkusiksalik

Vuntut

Wapusk

Wood Buffalo

Canada National Parks

Located on Banks Island in the Northwest Territories, Aulavik is one of Canada's most remote national parks. The park protects a portion of the Western Arctic Lowlands and features the Thomsen River, one of the northernmost navigable waterways in North America. It's home to muskoxen, Arctic wolves, and numerous species of birds.

Located on Baffin Island, Auyuittuq features dramatic Arctic landscapes including glaciers, fjords, and towering granite peaks. The park is dominated by the Penny Ice Cap and includes Mount Thor, which features Earth's highest vertical cliff. Traditional Inuit hunting and fishing areas are preserved within the park boundaries.

Canada's oldest national park, Banff is located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. The park features dramatic mountain scenery, glaciers, ice fields, and dense coniferous forest. It's renowned for its turquoise lakes, including Lake Louise, and abundant wildlife such as elk, grizzly bears, and mountain goats.

Located on the Niagara Escarpment, Bruce Peninsula features dramatic cliffs overlooking Georgian Bay and ancient cedar trees growing from the cliff faces. The park is part of the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and includes the famous Grotto sea cave. It protects rare orchids and ferns while offering spectacular hiking along the Bruce Trail.

Located on Cape Breton Island, this park features dramatic cliffs and highlands where the mountains meet the sea. The famous Cabot Trail winds through the park, offering spectacular ocean vistas and highland scenery. The park protects a unique blend of Acadian, Boreal, and Taiga habitats, supporting diverse wildlife including moose and bald eagles.

Located east of Edmonton, Elk Island is a crucial wildlife sanctuary and played a significant role in the conservation of plains and wood bison. The park features aspen parkland, boreal forest, and wetlands. It's home to large populations of elk, moose, and both subspecies of bison in North America.

Located at the tip of Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula, Forillon features dramatic sea cliffs, dense forests, and sandy beaches. The park protects diverse marine and terrestrial ecosystems where the Appalachian Mountains meet the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Visitors can observe seals, whales, and numerous seabirds while exploring the park's historic lighthouse and fishing villages.

Located along the Bay of Fundy, this park is famous for having the world's highest tides. The dramatic coastline features steep cliffs, marine caves, and unique geological formations. The park protects Acadian forest ecosystems and offers visitors opportunities to witness the extreme tidal changes while hiking along coastal trails.

Comprised of 63 islands in Georgian Bay, this park represents the world's largest freshwater archipelago. The islands showcase the unique landscape of the Canadian Shield with windswept white pines and granite shorelines. The park preserves the transition zone between southern deciduous and northern coniferous forests while offering opportunities for boating and island camping.

Glacier National Park is located in British Columbia's Selkirk Mountains. The park features active glaciers, dense temperate rainforest, and unique subalpine flora. It's renowned for its deep valleys, steep peaks, and extensive network of hiking trails.

Grasslands National Park preserves one of the nation's few remaining areas of undisturbed mixed-grass prairie. The park is home to unique wildlife including bison, prairie dogs, and endangered species. It offers exceptional dark sky viewing and contains numerous paleontological sites.

Gros Morne National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring dramatic fjords and mountains. The park showcases unique geological features including the Tablelands, which helped prove the theory of plate tectonics. Its diverse landscape includes coastal lowlands, alpine highlands, and boreal forests.

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve encompasses a portion of British Columbia's beautiful southern Gulf Islands. The park protects rare Garry oak ecosystems and coastal Douglas fir forests. It features numerous marine and terrestrial wildlife viewing opportunities across its scattered island components.

Gwaii Haanas protects an archipelago of 138 islands, featuring ancient Haida village sites and unique wildlife. The park encompasses land from mountain tops to the deep sea, protecting both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. It's known for its rich cultural heritage and pristine wilderness.

Ivvavik National Park is Canada's first national park created as a result of an aboriginal land claim agreement. The park protects a portion of the calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd. It features pristine arctic wilderness and the British Mountains.

Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. The park features glaciers, hot springs, lakes, waterfalls, and mountains. It's home to diverse wildlife including elk, bighorn sheep, bears, and wolves.

Kejimkujik National Park protects both inland forest and coastal landscapes. The park features ancient hemlock groves, Mi'kmaq petroglyphs, and numerous lakes and rivers. It's renowned for its dark sky preserve and excellent canoeing opportunities.

Kluane National Park contains Mount Logan, Canada's highest peak. The park features massive ice fields, diverse wildlife, and pristine wilderness. It's part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains one of the largest non-polar ice fields in the world.

Kootenay National Park features dramatic mountain scenery, hot springs, and deep canyons. The park protects unique landscapes ranging from glaciers to grasslands. It's known for its dramatic color changes in the Paint Pots and Marble Canyon.

Kouchibouguac National Park features barrier islands, sand dunes, lagoons, salt marshes and forests. The park is home to many endangered species and provides crucial habitat for harbor seals and various shorebirds. Its diverse ecosystems include both coastal and forest environments, making it a unique destination for nature observation.

La Mauricie National Park showcases the Laurentian Mountains' natural beauty with its numerous lakes and mixed-wood forests. The park offers exceptional opportunities for canoeing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Its rugged landscape was shaped by glaciers, resulting in stunning valleys and rocky outcrops characteristic of the Canadian Shield.

Located in Labrador, this park reserve protects a significant portion of the Mealy Mountains natural region. It features dramatic landscapes including boreal forests, alpine tundra, and coastal regions. The park is home to caribou, black bears, and various migratory birds while also preserving sites of cultural significance to Indigenous peoples.

The Mingan Archipelago consists of about 40 limestone islands and over 1000 granite islets and reefs. The park is known for its unique limestone monoliths shaped by erosion over thousands of years. It provides critical habitat for seabirds and features diverse marine ecosystems along with rich flora.

Mont-Orford Provincial Park is centered around Mount Orford and features diverse recreational activities in both summer and winter. The park includes three major mountains and several lakes, offering skiing in winter and hiking in summer. Its mixed forest ecosystem provides habitat for numerous wildlife species.

Mont-Saint-Bruno Provincial Park is located on one of the Monteregian Hills, featuring five lakes and an apple orchard. The park offers year-round recreational activities including hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Its location near Montreal makes it a popular destination for urban residents seeking nature.

Mont-Tremblant Provincial Park is one of Quebec's largest and oldest parks, featuring six major rivers and 400 lakes and streams. The park offers world-class skiing in winter and extensive hiking trails in summer. Its diverse landscape includes the Laurentian Mountains and vast forests home to abundant wildlife.

Mount Revelstoke National Park protects a portion of the Columbia Mountains natural region, featuring unique interior rainforest. The park is famous for its wildflower meadows and offers the only mountain in the national park system that visitors can drive to the summit. The park preserves unique ecosystems from valley bottom to mountain peak.

Náátś'įhch'oh National Park Reserve protects the headwaters of the South Nahanni River and sacred lands of the Shutagot'ine people. The park features rugged mountain terrain and pristine wilderness. It provides crucial habitat for mountain woodland caribou, grizzly bears, and Dall's sheep.

Nahanni National Park Reserve centers around the South Nahanni River and features deep canyons, huge waterfalls, and complex cave systems. The park includes Virginia Falls, which is twice the height of Niagara Falls. Its remote wilderness protects diverse wildlife and unique geological features.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve encompasses three distinct units along Vancouver Island's west coast: Long Beach, the Broken Group Islands, and the West Coast Trail. The park features rugged coastline, temperate rainforest, and diverse marine life. Its extensive beaches and ancient forests provide habitat for numerous species and opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Point Pelee National Park is the southernmost point of mainland Canada, consisting of a peninsula of land extending into Lake Erie. The park is famous for its migratory birds and monarch butterflies, featuring marshlands and beaches. It contains a rare Carolinian forest and is designated as a Ramsar wetland of international importance.

Prince Albert National Park protects a portion of the southern boreal forest and aspen parkland ecosystem. The park features numerous lakes, including the iconic Waskesiu Lake, and is home to one of the few free-ranging herds of plains bison in North America. It offers year-round recreational activities and preserves the transition zone between parkland and boreal forest.

Prince Edward Island National Park features stunning red sandstone cliffs, miles of sandy beaches, and rolling dunes along the island's north shore. The park includes Green Gables Heritage Place, which inspired the setting for L.M. Montgomery's classic novel. It protects rare dune systems and wetlands while providing habitat for numerous bird species.

Pukaskwa National Park protects a pristine stretch of Lake Superior shoreline and boreal forest. The park features rugged granite cliffs, cobble beaches, and dense forests typical of the Canadian Shield. It preserves the culture and heritage of the Anishinaabe people while offering wilderness hiking and camping experiences.

Qausuittuq National Park is located on Bathurst Island in Nunavut's High Arctic region. The park protects key wildlife habitat for Peary caribou, muskoxen, and other Arctic species. It represents the Western High Arctic natural region and preserves traditional Inuit hunting and fishing grounds.

Quttinirpaaq National Park is Canada's northernmost national park, located on Ellesmere Island. The park features rugged mountains, ice caps, and glaciers in a polar desert environment. It protects some of the most remote and pristine wilderness in the world, with unique Arctic wildlife and landscapes.

Riding Mountain National Park sits atop the Manitoba Escarpment, featuring a unique mix of boreal forest, aspen parkland, and fescue prairie. The park is home to a captive bison herd and diverse wildlife including elk, moose, and black bears. It offers year-round recreational activities and preserves the region's natural and cultural heritage.

Rouge National Urban Park is Canada's first national urban park, located within the Greater Toronto Area. The park protects important natural, cultural, and agricultural landscapes while providing urban residents with nature experiences. It features hiking trails, wetlands, forests, and working farms within city limits.

Sable Island National Park Reserve protects a remote crescent-shaped sandbar in the Atlantic Ocean. The island is famous for its wild horses, extensive dune systems, and numerous shipwrecks. It serves as an important breeding ground for seals and hosts various species of migratory birds.

Sirmilik National Park encompasses three separate areas in northern Baffin Island. The park features glaciers, ice fields, and rugged mountains, providing habitat for narwhals, polar bears, and seabirds. It preserves traditional Inuit hunting grounds and spectacular Arctic landscapes.

Terra Nova National Park is Newfoundland and Labrador's easternmost national park. The park extends from the rugged coastline of Newman Sound into sheltered forest areas, featuring a mixture of boreal forest and rocky headlands. The park protects numerous species of plants, mammals and birds, while providing opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Thousand Islands National Park consists of several mainland properties and over 20 islands between Kingston and Brockville. It is one of Canada's smallest national parks, featuring granite islands, sheltered bays and rugged headlands. The park is part of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve and provides crucial habitat for many species.

Torngat Mountains National Park is a remote wilderness area in northern Labrador. The park features dramatic mountains, glaciers, and wild coastline. It is the traditional homeland of Inuit and Innu peoples, protecting both natural and cultural heritage while offering opportunities for visitors to experience Arctic landscapes and wildlife.

Tuktut Nogait National Park is located in the Northwest Territories, protecting a portion of the Arctic tundra. The park is an important calving ground for caribou and features spectacular canyons and waterfalls. It preserves archaeological sites dating back thousands of years and provides habitat for numerous Arctic species.

Ukkusiksalik National Park surrounds Wager Bay, a vast inland sea in Nunavut. The park features rolling tundra, coastal cliffs, and numerous archaeological sites representing thousands of years of human history. It is home to polar bears, caribou, and various marine mammals, offering a pristine Arctic wilderness experience.

Vuntut National Park is located in northern Yukon, protecting part of the traditional territory of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation. The park features wetlands, mountains, and tundra that support massive caribou herds. It is a crucial area for migratory birds and preserves important cultural and natural heritage.

Wapusk National Park protects one of the world's largest known polar bear denning areas. Located along the Hudson Bay coast in Manitoba, the park encompasses vast expanses of tundra and boreal forest. It provides critical habitat for polar bears, caribou, and numerous bird species.

Wood Buffalo National Park is Canada's largest national park and one of the largest in the world. The park protects the world's largest free-roaming wood bison herd and the last natural nesting site of whooping cranes. It features vast boreal forests, salt plains, and the Peace-Athabasca Delta.