11 Best Places to Visit in Canada for Nature Lovers
Canada is a dream for nature lovers, offering wild coastlines, glacier peaks, boreal forests, and shimmering lakes. From British Columbia’s ancient rainforests to the thunder of Niagara Falls, each place connects visitors to something vast and beautiful. This list of the best destinations will guide you through Canada’s most breathtaking outdoor experiences, perfect for hikers, paddlers, wildlife watchers, and anyone chasing natural wonder far from the crowds.
Yoho National Park, British Columbia
Yoho National Park may be smaller than its neighbors, but it packs a punch. Towering waterfalls like Takakkaw plunge over 1,200 feet, and emerald Lake O’Hara is a gem surrounded by alpine trails. Hike to fossil beds over half a billion years old, or paddle Emerald Lake under sheer cliffs. With fewer crowds and stunning wilderness, Yoho delivers solitude, scenery, and rich geology, making it a dream spot for hikers, photographers, and anyone looking to escape into raw Canadian beauty.
Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
Gros Morne is a geological marvel where cliffs drop into fjords and Earth’s mantle rises from the ground. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s home to the otherworldly Tablelands and the breathtaking Western Brook Pond fjord. Moose roam freely here, and trails lead to coastal views and alpine summits. Boat rides through glacier-carved canyons and coastal hikes reveal ancient landscapes, making this park a rugged, unforgettable destination for serious nature explorers.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, BC
On Vancouver Island’s wild west coast, Pacific Rim blends rainforest, surf, and rocky shores. Boardwalk trails wind through moss-covered old-growth trees in the forest of the giant Sitkas. Long Beach draws surfers and storm watchers alike, while the Broken Group Islands invite multi-day kayak adventures through calm inlets and sea caves. This park is rich with biodiversity, whales, sea otters, bald eagles, and offers raw, powerful scenery in every season.
Nahanni National Park Reserve, NWT
Few places in the world feel as remote and wild as Nahanni. Deep in the Mackenzie Mountains, it features 1,000-meter-deep canyons, hot springs, and Virginia Falls, twice as tall as Niagara. Accessible mostly by floatplane or guided rafting trips, this UNESCO site is for true wilderness seekers. Paddle the South Nahanni River, hike to the Cirque of the Unclimbables, or soak in steaming pools under towering cliffs. It’s Canada’s untamed heart at its most dramatic.
Moraine Lake, Alberta
Tucked in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, Moraine Lake glows with an unreal turquoise hue thanks to glacier melt and rock flour. Surrounded by jagged summits, it’s one of the most photographed places in Canada. Arrive at sunrise for magical reflections and peaceful views before the crowds. Paddle across the glassy water, hike up the Rockpile Trail for sweeping vistas, or just sit in silence, it’s pure alpine perfection in the heart of Banff National Park.
Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
Tucked against the U.S. border, Waterton is a hidden jewel where prairie meets peaks. The park’s namesake lake stretches beneath the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel, with trails weaving through wildflower meadows and bear country. Cruise the glassy waters, hike to roaring waterfalls, or pedal scenic Red Rock Canyon. Fewer crowds than Banff and sweeping views make Waterton perfect for nature lovers seeking a quieter, more intimate Rockies adventure, one where wildlife and wilderness rule.
Great Bear Rainforest, BC
The Great Bear Rainforest is one of Earth’s largest intact temperate rainforests, covering 21 million acres along British Columbia’s coast. Ancient cedars tower above mossy trails, and remote inlets reveal spirit bears, rare white-furred black bears found nowhere else. Paddle quiet waters, watch humpbacks breach, or spot wolves and salmon in wild rivers. With low human impact and rich Indigenous stewardship, it’s a pristine sanctuary for both wildlife and visitors.
Jasper National Park, Alberta
Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, offering quieter, wilder experiences than Banff. Paddle Maligne Lake to Spirit Island, hike through narrow Maligne Canyon, or admire glaciers from the Icefields Parkway. Wildlife is abundant, watch for elk, black bears, and mountain goats. As a certified Dark Sky Preserve, it’s also one of the best places in North America to stargaze or witness the dancing northern lights on crisp, clear nights.
Mont-Tremblant National Park, Quebec
This Laurentian park offers a nature escape just a couple of hours from Montreal. Mont-Tremblant National Park is home to over 400 lakes, winding rivers, and thick boreal forests. Visitors can canoe through peaceful waters, hike up mountain viewpoints, or spot beavers, deer, and birds along quiet trails. In autumn, the fall foliage transforms the landscape into a painter’s palette. Whether for a weekend getaway or a longer retreat, it’s a must-visit for outdoor lovers in eastern Canada.
Kootenay National Park, British Columbia
Nestled in the Canadian Rockies, Kootenay National Park offers dramatic contrasts, arid canyons, glacier-fed rivers, and lush pine forests. Soak in the steamy Radium Hot Springs after a day of hiking into Marble Canyon or trekking to the Paint Pots, where vibrant orange mineral springs bubble up from the earth. Wildlife sightings are common, from bighorn sheep to black bears. It’s a less-crowded alternative to neighboring parks and a paradise for hikers and hot spring seekers alike.
Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario
Algonquin is Ontario’s oldest and most iconic provincial park, sprawling across over 7,600 square kilometers of maple forests, lakes, and rivers. Canoeists glide through glassy waters, anglers cast for trout, and hikers explore over 20 interpretive trails. Fall is especially stunning, with fiery reds and golds lighting up the hardwood canopy. Wildlife lovers can spot moose at dawn or hear wolves howling at night. It’s nature at its finest, serene, wild, and just a few hours from Toronto.
