canadian national park tours

Get the Hottest Deals First!

Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park

About this tour.

Ice fields, rushing waterfalls, glacial peaks, and towering summits are just a few of the wonders awaiting you in the Canadian Rockies and Glacier National Park. Visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s oldest, best preserved buffalo jumps. Ride aboard a Jammer (open-air touring car) during a visit to Glacier National Park. Journey along the unforgettable Icefields Parkway. Stop at Athabasca Glacier and choose to ride across this mass of glacier ice or take a walk on the glass bottom platform at the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. Explore Bow Falls and Surprise Corner. Visit the incomparable Lake Louise. Get ready for an adventure that brings together the expanse of the prairies, the majesty of the Canadian Rockies, and Montana’s Glacier National Park.

Your Tour Includes

• 4 Handpicked Accommodations
• 2 Choice on Tour Options

Included Highlights

• Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
• Waterton Lakes National Park
• Glacier National Park

Your Tour at a Glance

6 Breakfasts

2 - Moderate

Travel Style

Activity Level

• Level This Tour

For specific details about this tour's activity level and other info to know before you book your trip, click here.

Extension Style

Travel styles, highlights and inclusions.

Must-See Inclusions:

Bear witness to the incredible views of Glacier National Park as you drive along the Going-to-the-Sun Road.*

Drive the unforgettable Icefields Parkway.

Spend time discovering Lake Louise.

Cultural Experiences:

Ride aboard a historic Jammer, an open-air touring car, during your visit to Glacier National Park.

Visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, one of the world’s oldest buffalo jumps.

Culinary Inclusions:

Enjoy lunch at Ski Lake Louise Lodge.

• Going-to-the-Sun Road
• Athabasca Glacier
• Choice on Tour: Ice Explorer Glacier Tour or Columbia Icefield Skywalk
• Lake Louise

Book with Confidence

* With Insurance Purchased

• *No Hassle Refunds
• Traveling Well Safety
• No booking fee, *no change fees
• Top Rated Travel Protection

Share This Tour

Looking to add your itinerary for friends and family? Share your Itinerary

Getting Prepared

Know before you go, travel tips, enhance your tour.

• Choice On Tour

Pre and Post Night Stay

Unique Experience

Cultural Experiences

Enhance Your Trip

• Tour Extensions

Hotel-Calgary Marriott Downtown

Accommodations

Arrive earlier.

Pre Night: Calgary Marriott Downtown From $110 per night

Calgary Marriott Downtown

Bayshore inn, stay longer.

Post Night: Calgary Marriott Downtown From $110 per night

Need More Information?

We're here to help

Call us toll free at 800.340.5158

Trip reviews.

Live, Unedited, & Independent Traveler Reviews

Filter Reviews: All

Emergency Banner Component

Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park

Select Year

Select Group Size

• Small Group

Year, Departure Type

Select small group departures (averaging 24 Tauck guests), or classic departures, and the year you would like to travel.

• 2024 Classic
• 2024 Small Group
• 2025 Classic
• 2025 Small Group

Accommodations

• Pricing & Availability
• Important Info

Uniquely Tauck

EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK

TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – Hear insider stories about the national parks during filmed narratives by filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan

Wild West Welcome Dinner at Heritage Park Museum with entertainment featuring cowboy stunts and Calgary fiddlers

T AUCK VALUE INCLUDES

Guided exploration in Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Waterton Lakes and Glacier national parks in Canada and the U.S.

Inside-the-heart-of-the-park accommodations at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

A private lake cruise and a ride aboard a vintage "Jammer" bus in Glacier National Park

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Guests should be able to easily walk one to two miles, which may include climbing one or two flights of stairs and walking over uneven pavement, groomed hiking trails or cobblestones. Standing up to one hour or more may be required.

Often robust – may include long days, active sightseeing, early starts, evening activities, significant travel times.

The World Next Door

Explore five National Parks – from the inside, out... craggy peaks, buffalo jumps, stunt-riding cowboys and vintage "Jammer" buses set the tone throughout the timberlands of the Canadian Rockies and Montana's Glacier National Park... Kootenay's canyons and hot springs... alpine vistas and glaciers along the Icefields Parkway... a cruise on ice-blue mountain lakes... a ride in an Ice Explorer on Athabasca Glacier... luxury mountain resorts in Banff National Park, Jasper National Park and at Lake Louise... and so much more. 

Explore glacier national park in a vintage touring car, red "jammers" have been the mode of choice for travelers along the famed "going-to-the-sun" track since the 1930s....

In the 1930s, visitors to Glacier National Park toured in style aboard flashy red coaches called "Jammers," affectionately named for the noise of jamming gears the drivers frequently made while tooling the buses around mountain roads. A fleet of these vintage vehicles are still in operation, and still equipped with canvas tops which (weather permitting) can be rolled back to give you a better view of the spectacular scenery, and a timeless sense of freedom. And you'll get a taste of 1930s touring aboard one traveling the "Going-to-the-Sun" engineering marvel of a road.

Enjoy a private Canadian Wild West welcome reception and dinner

To fully appreciate western canada's scenic beauty you need the stories....

A private welcome reception and dinner at Heritage Park Historical Village is a perfect introduction to Western Canada. Canada's largest living history museum brings the region's history, from the 1860s through the 1950s, to life through knowledgeable interpreters, a variety of transportation (steam train, horse-drawn wagons, a paddle wheeler...) and historical exhibits. A special private evening in a western town includes a Wild West cowboy stunt show... toe-tapping hot fiddle music by The Calgary Fiddlers... a reception, dinner and more... for the perfect introduction.

Spend a night at Many Glacier Hotel, only open three months a year

If solitude in a remote natural alpine setting sounds appealing....

Many Glacier Hotel is the largest hotel within Glacier National Park; the historic, Swiss-themed hotel dates back to 1914, built by the Great Northern Railway. Its location on Swiftcurrent Lake, with panoramic views of Grinnell Point and Mt. Henkle, make it unique in the Rockies. The hotel is surrounded by panoramic beauty – a harmonious blend of nature's best that captures the imagination. The cozy guest rooms reflect both the era in which the lodge was built and the rustic area in which it lies.

Explore five national parks

10 days... 5 national parks... and some of the most spectacular scenic vistas on earth.

Experience awe-inspiring wilderness and wildlife in five great national parks, from icefields to prairies, towering alpine peaks to grasslands, canyons and glacier-fed mountain lakes. Waterton Lakes... discover this uncrowded, pristine wilderness where dramatic mountains meet the prairie, wildflowers spill across meadows and glacier-carved lakes mirror peaks and forests. Glacier National Park... scenic vistas of alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and glacial panoramas leave you speechless. Kootenay National Park... marvel at ice blue glacial lakes, cliffs of white marble and red iron, paint pots, alpine forests, semi-arid grasslands, narrow Sinclair Pass. Banff National Park... Canada's oldest national park embraces the emerald waters of Lake Louise, spectacular glacial mountain vistas along the Icefields Parkway and lush forest settings. Jasper National Park... home to waterfalls, canyons, crystal lakes and stunning mountain peaks...

Download, Print Or Share

Take The Details With You

Download day-by-day details.

All the information you need for this journey at your fingertips – day-by-day details, map, hotel descriptions, key highlights and more.

Where you stay is an important part of your journey – with Tauck, accommodations have been handpicked and carefully selected for their location and ambiance, enhancing the destinations you explore. Download accommodation details and your travel plans begin!

Tour Planner

Download the details to make planning your trip easier - including an itinerary overview, pricing based on your selected departure date and accommodations, plus protection plan costs.

Request A Tour Planner

Overnight Accommodations

Extend your stay

Arrive Early

Fairmont palliser.

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Many Glacier Hotel

Glacier National Park, Montana

Lake McDonald Lodge

Fairmont chateau lake louise.

Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Jasper, Alberta, Canada

Fairmont Banff Springs

Banff, Alberta, Canada

Your Journey

Pricing & Availability

Pricing & Dates are not available yet. Please check back soon.

No departures found.

Try using less filters or select a different year.

Want More Detailed Information?

Request a Tour Planner

Call 800-788-7885

About Booking This Tour

Travel Documents

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey for entry into Canada. Click here for more information on the U.S. Department of Customs and Border Patrol website.

On day 2, the tour crosses the U.S. border into the state of Montana; on day 4, the tour crosses back across the border into Canada. On both days, you will pass briefly through a customs checkpoint.

If you are a U.S. citizen, you do not require a visa for the short duration of this tour. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation. If you are a frequent traveler to Canada from the U.S., you may benefit from the NEXUS program which is a joint initiative between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency that allows pre-screened and approved travelers faster processing at designated highway lanes in high-volume border crossing locations, at a NEXUS kiosk at several airports, and at certain marine reporting locations in the Great Lakes and Seattle regions. For further information, you may log on to the Nexus Internet site by clicking here .

Prior to your journey, and to facilitate the two border crossings included in your itinerary, we are required to provide the U.S. and Canadian governments with passport information for all Tauck guests crossing the U.S./Canada border. Therefore, your passport information must be provided to our office no less than 60 days before your departure date.

If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally, you must check with the consulates or embassies of the United States and Canada to determine the entry and exit requirements. Multiple entry visas may be required, as we enter the U.S. on Day 2 for a two-night stay and return to Canada on Day 4.

Anyone with a criminal record (including some misdemeanors such as Driving While Impaired (DWI) charges) may be excluded or removed from Canada, and should contact a Canadian embassy or consulate well in advance of any planned travel to ensure proper travel documentation.

We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. In addition, we recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AS A GUARDIAN: If you are traveling as the guardian of a child/children, we strongly suggest that you carry a letter from both parents of the child authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident. For travel abroad, many foreign countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally without BOTH parents. (These requirements are in response to the increased incidence of children being abducted and taken abroad.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TAUCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for children traveling without both parents.

How to Book a Tour

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

• Tour Name and Departure Date
• Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
• Traveler's Address(es)
• Email Address*
• Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
• Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number  of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
• Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
• Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
• Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

* Required Fields

Deposit & Final Payment

The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

The deposit amount is $350 per person

Final Payment:

Final Payment is due to Tauck 60 days before departure for lands trips, and 120 days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Travel Protection Plan

Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment.

*Extreme Circumstances:  In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.

Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

• Trip Cancellation –  If you must cancel your tour due to a covered reason, the plan provides coverage for the amount you paid for your travel arrangements. Since the non-insurance cancellation waiver takes care of the land package cancellation fees already, this benefit reimburses the airfare cancellation charges up to the value of your original airfare purchase.
• Trip Interruption –  If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement for up to $5,000 to catch up to your tour or return home.
• Travel Delay –  Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.
• Medical Expense –  Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 
• Baggage / Personal Effects Protection –  Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.

Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services –  Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection is: $349  per person

This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Fees are based on costs as of July 1, 2021, and are subject to change. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined below, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit  affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACGPPDOM .

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees. If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan :

60 days or more before departure = $350 per person

59-8 days before departure = $600 per person

7-1 days before departure = $900 per person

Time of cancellation  will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control,  Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

Note:  All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Fee Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here  to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

Air Information and Luggage Restrictions

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.

TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.

AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Due to space limitations during your Tauck journey, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person. Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies. PLEASE NOTE that if you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your international flights.

Checked Luggage – General

Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).

Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Carry-on Lugga

ge - General

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

Health, Safety and Mobility

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

Regarding Oxygen

If you require portable oxygen while traveling, you will be responsible for any maintenance and operation that the tank requires while on tour, and for locating health facilities on the tour route that can perform tank maintenance. If you choose to bring a tank on tour, you will need to provide us the exact specifications of the tank, including size, model, and all components that accompany it prior to booking the tour to determine motor coach storage capabilities. You may inquire about having them filled at a hospital in Banff or Jasper (there is no hospital in Lake Louise), but tank maintenance facilities are limited in the Canadian Rockies.

Seaton General Hospital: Box 310, 518 Robson Street, Jasper, Alberta T0E 1E0.

Phone: (780) 852-3344. Fax: (780) 852-3413

Banff Mineral Springs Hospital: 305 Lynx Street, Banff, Alberta, Canada TIL1H7.

Phone: (403) 760-7214

PLEASE NOTE:  We regret that we're unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs.  The responsibility of the Tauck Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest.  Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

Smoking is not permitted on the motor coaches. Local legislation in Canada varies greatly with respect to smoking; Jasper currently bans smoking in all public places and there is a province-wide ban on smoking in public places in British Columbia.

If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

VACCINATIONS  

If you are a resident of the U.S. traveling internationally, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Canada. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The CDC operates a 24-hour information number at 800-232-4636 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on on to the CDC website by clicking here .

If you are a resident of another country traveling internationally, please contact an embassy or consulate of Canada and the U.S. to determine what vaccinations may be required for you to visit.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.

To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. The amount of walking you do, however, is at your discretion.

This tour is moderately active and, among many other activities, includes two thirty-minute boat rides and a moderate hike up a gradual incline on the morning of day 3, followed that afternoon by a 3 hour narrated ride in restored 1930s vintage touring buses, and, on day 7, a smooth ride in the Ice Explorer SnoCoach on the Athabasca Glacier and an opportunity to walk on the glacier itself. Other optional physical activities such as golf, biking and mountaineering are available for anyone who wishes and, of course, is able to partake in such sports.

In keeping with the era in which the lodges were built, there are no elevators at the 5-story Many Glacier Lodge, the 3-story Lake McDonald Lodge, or The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge cabins.

Regarding Wheelchairs

If you require a wheelchair while traveling, you must meet the specifications of each of the tour's suppliers, including the motor coach and SnoCoach. You may bring a collapsible, lightweight wheelchair on tour that weighs less than 100 lbs (45.4 kg), but you must be able to maneuver on and off the coach with limited assistance. We strongly recommend that if you require a wheelchair for travel or have moderate to severe difficulty walking that you bring a companion to assist you. Before you book this tour, you will need to provide us with the exact specifications of the wheelchair, including: size, model, and all components that accompany it to determine its motor coach storage capabilities.

Reading List

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey!

You can view the reading list  here.

The summer weather in the Canadian Rockies can change instantly and is often unpredictable as in any mountainous region. From June through early September, normal temperatures range from 50 to 80˚F (10 to 27˚C). However, the Canadian Rockies could experience some unusually warm weather (80 to 90˚F) (26 to 32˚C) during the summer months. Therefore, we suggest including some light warm weather clothing in your travel wardrobe. Conditions vary widely by location and can change radically from one valley to the next, or change during the course of the day. Due to its geographic location, Western Canada generally has long hours of daylight and in mid-summer the sun will rise as early as 5:00 a.m. and set as late as 10:00 p.m. In the early spring and fall, daylight hours average about 14 hours, from 6:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.

To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website by clicking here.

TRAVEL GEAR

We have partnered with New Headings, an experienced online provider of travel gear, to assist you in selecting the appropriate gear for this destination. Their Tauck-exclusive website is accessible at necessarygear.com . Please note that while Tauck has an affiliation with New Headings, this is only one option for travel gear. You may wish to look into other outfitters for your travel needs.

What To Pack

Bringing the right clothing for your trip is important – we've partnered with New Headings who provide an "easy-to-use, one-stop shop" for your Tauck travel needs, specifically selected for this trip. Click here to visit their site .

Your journey is designed with leisure in mind. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Generally, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Cool weather at higher elevations or at night will require warmer, layered clothing. For the welcome and farewell receptions, casual resort wear is appropriate; formal wear is never required.

You will find a hair dryer located in your hotel guest room, except at the Lake McDonald Lodge. Irons and ironing boards are available upon request. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are also available for a fee at all the hotels on this itinerary, except for Many Glacier Lodge and Lake McDonald Lodge.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor's prescription (or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you), a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your trip to the Canadian Rockies:

• Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts
• An optional jacket for men
• Casually elegant evening wear for ladies(optional)
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
• A light sweater or jacket for higher elevations or a breezy night
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and chargers
• Lightweight, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
• Hiking boots if you want to hike some of the trails
• Travel alarm clock/ cell phone with alarm function (many hotels do not have clocks in the rooms)
• Rain poncho and collapsible umbrella
• Reusable zipper-lock bags or other waterproof bags
• Daypack for camera equipment
• Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

The Tauck Experience

Leave Your Worries At Home

One upfront price – no hidden costs, tauck directors – simply the best, never settle for ordinary.

• {{ forumDate }} {{ forumTopic }} ({{ totalForumComments }})

From the Forum

Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

Discover The World

Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

Related Journeys

Other Journeys You May Enjoy

Vancouver & the rockies with rocky mountaineer.

From $9,790

Land Journey

Grand Canadian Rockies

From $7,990

Best of the Canadian Rockies

From $5,790

• Destinations
• Antarctica & the Arctic
• Australia & New Zealand
• Israel & Jordan
• Latin America
• United States
• Tours & Cruises
• Exclusive Partnership
• Family Journeys
• Guest Favorites
• River Cruises
• Small Groups
• Small Ship Cruises
• Awards and Accolades
• Our History
• Tauck Impact
• The Tauck Difference
• The Taucker Blog
• About Tauck
• Media Center
• Tutorial Video
• Agent Connect
• Register Your Agency
• General Information
• Travel Protection
• Newsletter Sign Up
• Order an eGift Card
• Request a Brochure
• Tauck Forums
• Travel and Health
• Travel Updates

Sign Up to Subscribe to Our Emails

• 137 View All Tours
• 8 Africa Tours
• 8 Asia Tours
• 6 Australia Tours
• 83 Europe Tours
• 35 North America Tours
• 3 South America Tours

Our Destinations

• Middle East
• North America
• South America

Tour Styles

Enjoy a refined take on the art of group travel.

Experience true adventures on these Collette small group tours.

Set out on inspiring journey on these faith-based travel experiences.

Explore the world's most beautiful waterways.

Come to know your destination during a single-hotel stay.

Why Guided Travel

Sit back, relax, and let us handle all the details. You won't miss a thing.

Enhance your tour with this easy to use mobile companion.

Combine two tours into one grand adventure.

Making the travel experience a force for good.

No worries, we're with you every step of the way.

Going guided gets you more for your money.

Find travel tips, travel advice, and answers to some of the most commonly asked travel questions here.

Meet the Tour Managers that enhance your travel experience at every turn.

Travel Planning

Current tour and destination information based on world events.

Current travel requirements by country including entry and exit information.

Your questions regarding travel requirements, trip interruptions, payments and refunds.

Get Your Money Back. Any Reason, Every Tour. No Blackout Dates or Restrictions.

• To book, call Interval Travel at 877.273.7737

National Parks: Canadian Rockies, Glacier & Yellowstone

4.6 out of 5 stars

You have up to 60 days to get a full refund

Feel good about putting a tour on the calendar today: Enroll in AutoPay or pay in full when you book, and if you change your mind,  you’ll get your money back .†

Uncover the beauty and variety of North America’s national parks.

Take in the highlights of some of North America’s most alluring national parks on this immersive, multi-country journey. Discover breathtaking wildlife and geographic diversity as you make your way from the Canadian Rockies to the Grand Tetons. Scenic drives, jewel-colored lakes, geothermal marvels, snowy summits—this tour’s extraordinary landscapes and natural wonders are sure to leave you in awe.

Your tour package includes

• 10 nights in handpicked hotels
• 10 breakfasts
• 4 dinners with beer or wine
• 8 sightseeing tours

Included highlights

• Banff National Park
• Cave and Basin National Historic Site
• Lake Louise
• Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
• Glacier National Park

An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.

Day-by-day itinerary

Welcome to Canada! Transfer to your hotel and get settled in.

With your Tour Director leading the way, head out on a guided sightseeing tour of Calgary, site of the 1988 Winter Olympics.

• Drive by City Hall, Canada Olympic Park, and the winding Bow River.
• Pass by Fort Calgary and make a photo stop at the vast Calgary Stampede grounds, where an annual festival and tournament-style rodeo are hosted.

Make your way to Banff, a glamorous resort town known for its mix of outdoor activities, art galleries, and vibrant culture. Join your Tour Director to explore the natural wonders in Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park, this afternoon.

• Pass by Bow Falls, the Banff Springs Hotel, and Lake Minnewanka.
• Admire Banff’s beautiful landscapes, which are rich in history and home to a wide variety of wildlife.
• Enter the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, the birthplace of Canada’s first national park.

Get to know your Tour Director and fellow travelers during tonight's welcome dinner.

Journey into Banff National Park to Lake Louise, a mirror-like glacial lake known as Canada’s diamond in the wilderness.

• Discover a landscape rich in wildlife and history.
• Stroll along the glittering shores of Lake Louise and take in staggering vistas of the towering Victoria Glacier.
• Visit the grand Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, an iconic hotel located on the lake’s eastern shore.

Spend a free afternoon in Banff or add an excursion.

Sulphur Mountain Gondola Ride

From $85 per person

Enjoy a free day in the Banff region or add an excursion.

Icefields Parkway & Glacier Experience

From $105 per person

Transfer into the United States to Montana today. Before crossing the border, stop to admire some of Alberta’s scenic gems.

• Drive south to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO-listed site that serves as a telling remnant from the time of the First Nations people.
• Continue on to Waterton Lakes National Park, a picturesque area dotted with rugged mountains and dense wilderness.
• Enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant before continuing on to your hotel in the Glacier region.

Travel along Going-to-the-Sun Road, a national landmark considered to be one of the world’s most scenic drives. (Please note: Activities in Glacier National Park may vary depending on the season and weather conditions.)

• Marvel at cedar forests, rocky cliffs, and glacial lakes as you wind your way through Glacier National Park, which makes up a portion of the UNESCO-listed International Peace Park.
• Appreciate the wilderness of the park and take in the sight of melting glaciers that experts estimate will be gone within the coming decades.

Continue in to Kalispell to enjoy free time for lunch. Then, take in views of the changing landscape as you continue on to Missoula.

Later this evening, gather together with your group for an included dinner.

(Please note: Early June and September departures may overnight in Kalispell instead of Missoula.)

Learn about the area's history and culture as you make your way to the Yellowstone region today.

• Stop in Butte, which got its start as a gold and silver mining camp in the 1800s.
• Learn why the city was once referred to as “The Richest Hill on Earth” before enjoying free time to explore.
• Step back in time to the beautifully preserved Old West in Virginia City.
• Stroll the boardwalks, view antique automobiles, play the penny arcade games, and view the two-story outhouse.

Continue on to the Yellowstone region and sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Drive into Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, designated the world’s first national park in 1872, to discover its unique landscape and vast array of animal life with your Tour Director leading the way.

• Make a photo stop at the Fountain Paint Pot, a colorful, geothermal mudpot located in the Lower Geyser Basin.
• Stroll along the boardwalks around Old Faithful, a famous, frequently erupting cone-type geyser that reaches between 100 and 200 feet high.
• Head to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, which was created by the erosive forces of water thousands of years ago.
• Stop at the canyon’s Upper and Lower Falls for sweeping perspectives of the area at Inspiration Point and Artist Point.
• Drive further north to spend free time at the ethereal, terraced Mammoth Hot Springs before making your way back to West Yellowstone.

Enjoy a scenic drive to Jackson, one of the West’s premier arts communities. Stop along the way for photo ops in Grand Teton National Park, an area that has a human history dating back over 10,000 years.

• Explore the Grand Tetons, the youngest mountain range in the Rockies.
• Try to spot elk, coyotes, black bears, wolves, bison and the elusive mountain lion.

Then, continue on to Jackson.

Spend a free day in Jackson or add an excursion.

Then, celebrate your trip with your group at a farewell dinner this evening.

Snake River Float

From $129 per person

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Book for just $99 down

That’s all it takes to secure your spot on tour with AutoPay. Then, pay for your trip in interest-free, monthly installments.†

Overall rating 4.6 out of 5

5 out of 5 stars

The leader and bus driver were great. The scenery was great and so we're the other people. We saw Buffalo, Moose, some Big Horn Sheep and a bear. Wonderful trip. We saw geysers too.

Have been on several tours and learned that the tour director has a huge impact on the satisfaction level. And our tour director, Andreanne, was fantastic! If you are lucky enough to have her as your guide, you will learn so much about each stop and you will see additional, beautiful sights that ar...

4 out of 5 stars

Lovely scenery in each of the parks! Patrick was a very knowledgeable and fun tour director, and Jackie was an excellent driver. Good inclusion of native peoples' history in all of the areas. Smashed Head Buffalo Jump was a highlight. Wish we had at least 2 hours free time in all of the parks to...

Traveler photos

Hotels, flights & FAQ

This comfortable hotel is located near the Victoria Park neighborhood. Guests enjoy a fitness center and on-site restaurants. Nearby you’ll find shops...

This mountain lodge is located in the heart of Banff. Guests enjoy the indoor pool, the Red Earth Spa, and free passes for local transit. Nearby you'l...

This comfortable hotel is located in Kalispell outside of Glacier National Park. Guests enjoy the indoor pool, sun deck, and fitness center. Nearby yo...

This relaxing hotel is located in Missoula. Guests enjoy the indoor pool, fitness center, and bistro. Nearby you'll find Glacier National Park, the Ae...

This charming hotel is located just outside of Yellowstone National Park. Guests enjoy the indoor pool, hot dub, and delicious breakfast. Nearby you’l...

This western hotel is located in the Historic neighborhood. Guests enjoy a fitness room, a free ski shuttle, and a picnic area. Nearby, you’ll find Gr...

• Round-trip flight for your tour
• Airport transfers at your destination
• A great price locked in today
• 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
• Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
• Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
• Find out more about flights
• U.S. citizens need valid government-issued identification for air travel within the United States. If you plan to use a state-issued ID or driver's license on or after May 7, 2025, it will need to meet Real ID requirements. Real ID compliant versions of these IDs will have either a yellow or black star, white star inside a yellow or black circle, or a white star inside a bear in the top righthand corner. Please visit dhs.gov for more information.
• Canadian citizens need valid government-issued identification for air travel within Canada.
• Canadian citizens entering the U.S. and U.S. citizens entering Canada need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
• If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
• You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code CGY.
• You will walk for at least 1 hour daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and ice, with some steep inclines. Some activities will take place at high altitudes.
• Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
• You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
• Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
• Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Calgary, Alberta and depart from Jackson, Wyoming. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
• Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
• All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
• Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
• Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
• Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
• Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
• You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to ** goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements **and searching the code CGY.
• We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
• A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
• You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
• At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov .
• Please be aware that you will be traveling to altitudes as high as 6,000 feet above sea level. These high altitudes can sometimes cause breathing difficulties for travelers who have heart problems or respiratory ailments. If you suffer from any of these conditions, please speak to your doctor regarding any potential health risks.
• During the summer months, take proper care with sun exposure and heat.
• If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
• If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
• Canadian cuisine closely resembles British cuisine, with elements that will be very familiar to Americans as well. While in Canada, you may want to try local favorites like butter tarts, poutine, and anything with maple syrup.
• The western region of the United States is known for barbecue, especially in the plains and mountain states of Wyoming and Colorado where the cowboy tradition lives on. Try a bison burger or a steak for a true local dining experience.
• All of North America operates on 110-120 volts and uses Type A or B plugs with two flat pins or two flat pins and one round pin, respectively.
• The majority of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning.
• Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
• Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
• There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
• Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
• All destinations visited on this tour are on Mountain Time (MT), which is two hours behind Eastern Time (ET).
• When it’s noon in New York City, it’s 10am on tour.
• You will use the Canadian dollar and U.S. dollar on this tour.
• We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
• You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
• Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your purchases for fraudulent charges.
• Many banks and businesses now primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
• At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
• We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
• If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
• Tips can only be paid in cash.
• Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on your tour.
• Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
• Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
• Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

More tours you might love

4.7 out of 5 stars

4.5 out of 5 stars

National Park Train Tours

Canada boasts more than 40 national parks and reserves — huge areas of untouched wilderness that are protected from development. Many can be explored while on a Canadian train vacation. Admire untamed natural beauty from your comfortable train seat: thundering waterfalls, dramatic limestone cliffs, rain-misted old-growth forests.

Table of contents

Popular national park train trips in canada, quick facts about canadian national parks, train experiences, discover canada's national parks, other famous national parks in canada.

In Banff and Jasper National Parks , the train will stop right in the heart of the park where you can explore at your own pace. You'll also get to travel through other parks, including Yoho National Park, where you can admire the spectacular scenery from the train window. 

Speak to a Canadian Train Vacation Advisor to discuss all your options.

Keep reading or chat with one of our local travel experts. We’re passionate about Canada and can help you at any stage of your vacation planning.

• The first park in Canada was Banff Hot Springs, discovered by CPR surveyors and made public property in 1885. This began the movement in Canada towards setting land aside as national parks. 
• There are 39 national parks and 8 national park reserves in Canada , covering a total of approximately 328,198 square kilometers (126,718 square miles). 
• When exploring the Mountain Parks, your entire journey will take place in daylight, which means you won't miss a moment of the spectacular scenery. You'll spend the night in towns or cities along the route. 

#1 Travel tip: Try an easy hike

Even if you're not much of a trekker, most national parks offer accessible trails, which are rated "Easy." It's the perfect way to get out in nature.

Rocky Mountaineer 

The Rocky Mountaineer, a luxury sight-seeing train, is a great way to see the scenery of Banff and Jasper National Parks. This service, which runs from April through September, connects British Columbia and Alberta, with stops in Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, Vancouver, Whistler, Quesnel and Kamloops. It only operates during daylight hours so passengers can experience the most spectacular views and optimal photo opportunities as they pass through the stunning park lands. Guests spend their nights in local hotels along the route.  

VIA Rail  

VIA Rail is Canada’s main passenger train and connects Vancouver to Halifax with four major train routes. Major national parks you can explore while riding VIA Rail include Cape Breton Highlands, Banff and Jasper. The train runs year-round, and the Vancouver to Jasper route is popular in the winter for the snowy scenery. Depending on the route, VIA Rail does offer overnight sleeper train experiences. 

Sleeper Train  

There are two train routes in Canada which allow you to sleep on the train, both through VIA Rail. Travel between Vancouver and Toronto on The Canadian with an extended stop over in Jasper to explore the cluster of national parks in the Canadian Rockie s, including Jasper, Banff and Yoho.  This sleeper train route is available all year long.  

Alaska Cruise 

Extend your time exploring the natural world with an Alaska cruise add-on. This portion can come before or after your rail journey. We offer two types of cruise ships to choose from: a larger, more luxurious vessel or a smaller ship that allows you to explore more coves and inlets.  

Download a brochure

Get inspired with sample itineraries, train information, route maps, and travel advice from our local experts.

Banff National Park 

It's only fitting to travel to the spectacular mountain vistas of Banff National Park by train, as the railway had such an integral role in this park's development (it was even named by CPR director Lord Steven in 1884, after his birthplace of Banffshire, Scotland). 

The train weaves its way into Banff National Park, hugging the steep cliff sides and following the banks of the Bow River. As you travel to the heart of this mountain landscape, with the towering peaks leaning in on all sides around you, you'll get the same sense of awe the early railway pioneers must have felt when they first set eyes on the spectacular Rockies. 

Jasper National Park 

The train enters Jasper National Park via the historic Athabasca and Yellowhead passes, which were first braved two hundred years ago by explorer David Thompson on his journey to reach the Pacific Ocean. 

You'll arrive at the heritage Arts and Crafts railway station in Jasper - which is served by VIA Rail's The Canadian Train  and The Rocky Mountaineer.  

As the train passes through alpine meadows, keep your eyes peeled for black bears dining on berries or the majestic silhouette of an elk's antlers. You can even take a driving detour to the Icefields Parkway — a route that carves through a larger-than-life landscape of rocky peaks, expansive valleys and glittering glaciers.

Download our Brochures and Mini Guides

Yoho national park .

From soaring mountains to serene overgrown forests to thundering waterfalls, Yoho has plenty to explore. The rushing rapids of the Kicking Horse River flow through these dramatic landscapes.

Glacier National Park 

Lace up your hiking boots and go on an adventure through cedar forests, marveling at the slowly moving gargantuan sheets of ice and the tips of the Selkirk Mountains shrouded in clouds.

Mount Revelstoke National Park 

Meadows alive with brightly hued wildflowers, trailside streams burbling over moss-covered rocks and dense forests of towering red cedars — this national park will have you constantly reaching for your camera. 

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Explore sandy beaches, watch crashing waves and wander through ancient, old-growth forests. Pacific Rim gives you a taste of Canada's raw West Coast.

#2 Travel tip: Be wildlife aware

Never get too close to wildlife. You are in their habitat. Walk in groups when possible and always carry bear spray when in areas where you may encounter a bear.

What Our Customers Say

It exceeded expectations.

First of all, thank you for organizing such a terrific trip (and especially for arranging many extras; it seems "someone" must know we celebrated our fall birthdays). The Hop On...   read more

Diane and Joanne

Every arrangement you made was perfect

Anna and I arrived home last night wishing we had many more days to spend in your beautiful country. Every arrangement you made was perfect, from getting picked up at the Toronto a...   read more

Everyone was wonderful, helpful, and excellent

The overall experience of Canada was amazing! The people were friendly, the accommodations were top notch, the food was excellent, and the scenery was breathtaking. We had an excel...   read more

Steve, Val, Lindsay and Shannon

Why book with Canadian Train Vacations?

We take care of all the details

You want to relax and enjoy your trip, not get overwhelmed by the planning. Let us make all of the bookings for you, including rail tickets, hotels, excursions and activities, meals and transfers.

Independent travel with expert support

Enjoy local expertise and guidance with a personalized itinerary. Your preferences and needs are our priority. We take care of you from the moment you land until the moment you leave.

Get help when you need it

You’ll receive the inside scoop before you even leave home. And you can relax during your vacation because we’re only a phone call away if you have any questions while you’re in Canada.

About the author: Athena McKenzie is the Content Manager at Fresh Tracks Canada. An experienced lifestyle journalist, she has written about travel, design, arts and entertainment. Her work has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Zoomer Magazine, Elle Canada and...   Read more

Explore More Tours

Discuss your Canadian train vacation with a local travel expert

Or call us toll free

Current promotions

Sign up for special offers, monthly Canadian Insider tips, and vacation inspiration.

Experience a world beyond your expectations. Choose from our award-winning vacations on virtually every continent with local favorites and off-the-beaten-path experiences only Globus can share.

We know why you travel. You’d rather have an extra day exploring than a fancy chocolate on your pillow at night. Enjoy hand-selected inclusions and world-class experiences for value-minded travel lovers like you.

Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities.

cities & locations

The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Globus).

TTC family of brands

My Trafalgar

Destinations

Get Inspired

866 513 1995

Canada's Rockies

468 reviews

Discover Canada's Rockies

Extend Your Tour

Last Minute Deal

Save up to $330

Available Dates

Your itinerary

Dates & prices

7 Day Canada Tour from Calgary to Banff

7 days, 1 country and 7 cities

Accommodation

6 Breakfasts, 1 Welcome Reception, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners

View day-by-day trip itinerary

Your Canada tour in the Rocky Mountains begins in a stunning natural setting, ticking off Jasper and Banff, Lake Louise and a scenic trek across the Athabasca Glacier in an Ice Explorer. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as a Cree guide gives insight into the importance of buffalo.

Looking to book in a group of 9 or more?

Deals, savings and exclusive private touring options available plus if you need a different date or itinerary change we can create a custom trip. Contact us for more details

Trip code: 

Low deposit from $200

Deposit protection

Free booking changes

Trip map & itinerary

Day by day itinerary

7 days itinerary trip from Calgary to Calgary visiting 1 country and 7 cities Extend Your Tour

Download itinerary

Print itinerary

Expand all days

Continue Your Journey With the Rocky Mountaineer

Change view

Selected Version

Rocky Mountaineer (Silverleaf)

Enjoy Silverleaf service on this iconic railroad.

Rocky Mountaineer (Goldleaf)

Enjoy Goldleaf service on this iconic railroad.

About this trip

Sightseeing highlights.

Explore Columbia Icefield Adventure, Learn to play hockey like a pro with a professional hockey coach in Canmore.

Visit Jasper National Park, Maligne Canyon, Banff National Park

Scenic Drive along the Icefields Parkway

Scenic Cruise  Cruise across Maligne Lake to Spirit Island

View  Lake Louise, Athabasca Falls, Bow Lake, Bow Falls, Surprise Corner

Travel highlights

Specific transfer information can be found here:

Airport Transfers

An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted

All porterage and restaurant gratuities

All hotel tips, charges and local taxes

Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing

All transport and transfers shown

Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Optional Experiences and free time

On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences

Every one of our tours includes at least one conscious travel experience that supports one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). Look out for yours within the day-by-day trip itinerary.

Find out more

Net-zero by 2050

Travel knowing our 4-point climate action plan will ensure net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Support Local

Your tour directly supports local communities by visiting family-run businesses, UNESCO sites and places of cultural significance.

Sustainable Practices

Every part of our business, from trip design to how we run our offices, aligns to our 5-year sustainability strategy which ensures a positive impact on people, the planet and wildlife.

Philanthropic Efforts

Our not-for-profit, the TreadRight Foundation, invests in nature-based solutions to address climate change.

You’ll make a positive impact to people, planet and wildlife on this tour

LIVE, UNEDITED & INDEPENDENT TRAVELER REVIEWS

Canada's Rockies trip reviews

Or search for something else.

Help & Info

WE MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Unedited Reviews

Our Destination Management Companies

Frequently Asked Questions

Travel Updates

Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Travel Planning

Get Your Free Brochure

Booking Conditions

Trip Deposit Level

Recommendations

Trafalgar Tours Limited is a proud member of  The Travel Corporation  family of companies.

#SimplyTrafalgar

Travel House, Rue du Manoir St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2JH

Selected Region

United States

United Kingdom

New Zealand

South Africa

Copyright 2024 Trafalgar. All rights reserved.

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy

Canadian Rockies Tours & Trips

Find the right tour package for you through Canadian Rockies. We've got 163 trips going to Canadian Rockies, starting from just 3 days in length, and the longest tour is 24 days. The most popular month to go is August, which has the most tour departures.

163 Canadian Rocky tours with 3,978 reviews

• Hiking & Trekking

9 Day Rockies Hiking and Camping Tour

Kevin, Brendon and Alex were amazing in organizing a guided adventure trek in the Rockies! From teaching you to pitch your own tent ???? to conquering new mountains, they are with you in every step :) Oh and the delicious meals, haha! We had the luxury of having cinnamon buns for breakfast, campfire and s’mores, endless conversations and meeting people from different backgrounds, it’s a trip of a lifetime! Thank you for making my graduation trip worth it, team! Cheers! Apoorva.

• €130 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Canadian Rockies: National Parks Westbound

Loved every minute of the tour! Angel Gabriel was honestly amazing, funny, amazing cook and always listened to what everyone's preferences were and always came out with the best options!! Honestly had the best 2 weeks of my life so thanks so much!! We love you Angel Gabriel!!!!!

Great tour with amazing sights and wildlife; however, be aware of a lot of driving the first two days on the way to banff and on the last two days back to Vancouver. Furthermore the itinerary should be updated as there where some changes as to the description.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Coach / Bus

Rockies Classic Summer Tour

Excellent tour. Ryan, our tour leader, was excellent. We had fun with him. He was helpful.

Canadian Rockies

Fantastic itinerary and a great 2 weeks in the Canadian Rockies. The trip covers all of the 'must see' destinations but the real highlights were the places we wouldn't of found ourselves including an amazing hike at Mt Robson (with a very cold swim in the glacial lake at the top!) and the overnight canoe trip in Wells Grey NP which was a highlight for the entire group. If you enjoy camping, pitching in to prepare meals and the great outdoors then I highly recommend this trip to see the Rockies!

Excellent tour Chris was a great tour guide and had lots of information. Yee the driver was very helpful and I would recommend the tour there was so much to see but rushed at time and would have liked to spend more time in Banff. Robert Hanna

Rockies Premium Tour from Vancouver (34 Seats)

Was a good experience with great tour guide Kara and driver Chris. The long drives were broken down with strategic stops to use wash rooms, view amazing scenery and experience Alberta’s outdoors.

Hiking in the Canadian Rockies

Excellent trip, definitely recommend it!

The tour was absolutely amazing from start to finish. Dayton was the perfect guide to have along and made the experience the best it could be. The other people on this tour where also just as fun. Would definitely recommend to people.

• Train & Rail

Via Railway Experience｜5-Day Vancouver to Rockies Railway Full Experience Tour Departure

We enjoyed our tour very much, the sights were beautiful, staff we well informed. A highlight for us was the optional evening photographic tour. The only thing stopping me from giving five stars was the last day felt very rushed, especially at the Banff gondola as the queue to get on took half an hour and not enough time allocated to our lunch at the Lake Louise Chateau, we had to ask the waitress to bring out the dessert while we were eating the main as we only had 15 minutes until the bus left. Allocate a bit more time for those things and you will get five stars.

5-Day Rockies Unique Tour (Banff & Jasper & Yoho National Park)

The navigation of trip using Tourradar was easy and helpful. The Calgary Tours arrangement of the bus trip along with accommodations was comfortable. Only wished that there could have been a better representation of diversity in the tourists-- limited or total absence of Europeans, Americans and Canadians. The bus #532 of Calgary Tours was used throughout the trip. The driver Mr. Gary is a great driver and human being with excellent companionship. He and the guide Mr. Jesse were friendly and made the trip worthwhile. They managed the trip professionally to everyone's liking. Kudos to the two---keep it up. However, on visiting the Calgary Tours website directly I noticed their charges for the 5day tour was cheaper and quoted and charged in Canadian dollars. Hope, I had seen it before finalizing with you. Besides higher expenses we have no regrets. Thank you.

• In-depth Cultural

Wonders of the Canadian Rockies (10 Days) (7 destinations)

Amazing scenery and a wonderful CEO: I had the best time!

Heart of the Canadian Rockies

We real enjoyed our time away.

7 Day Rocky Mountain Camping Adventure

One of the best trips I've ever had! I wanted an experience that pushed me to be adventurous and one that was set within natural landscapes. Fresh Adventures fulfilled both. I not only was able to see some of the most breathtaking landscapes I have ever seen but also gained loads of information on places we went from our knowledgeable guide, Alex. All the while amazing meals kept us fueled along the way. The small size of the group allowed us to easily bond and be flexible which enriched the experience. Fresh Adventures is the ideal way to experience the Rocky Mountains and more!

Canadian Rockies Express

Itinerary was great, scenery was beautiful, and our guide was fun. I was the only male in the group with my wife and 11 other females and it worked out fine. Everyone was very congenial, and the diversity of the group added to the experience. Only thing I would change would be the accommodations in Vancouver. While the hotel was fine it was very far from the downtown and sights, so we spent most of our time the last day in the van in traffic. Overall, it was a fantastic trip.

Canadian Rockies Tours and Vacation Packages Reviews

Kevin, Brendon and Alex were amazing in organizing a guided adventure trek in the Rockies! From teaching you to pitch your own tent ? to conquering new mountains, they are with you in every step :) Oh and the delicious meals, haha! We had the luxury of having cinnamon buns for breakfast, campfire and s’mores, endless conversations and meeting people from different backgrounds, it’s a trip of a lifetime! Thank you for making my graduation trip worth it, team! Cheers! Apoorva.

This trip was the best experience of my life so far! My CEO Melanie was so amazing, I felt so at ease and happy throughout every step of the tour. This is the perfect trip to see some of Canada. 100000/10 would recommend to everyone!

Canadian Rockies Tours starting in:

• Calgary (48)
• Vancouver (38)
• Group (144)
• Explorer (135)
• Fully Guided (132)
• Family (108)
• Personalized (40)
• Active (35)
• Coach / Bus (21)
• Hiking & Trekking (21)
• Partially Guided (17)
• In-depth Cultural (14)
• Private (13)
• Train & Rail (11)
• Ocean Cruise (7)
• Self-Guided (7)
• Northern Lights (5)
• 7 Day Tours (43)
• 10 Day Tours (34)
• 2 Week Tours (17)
• 3 Week Tours (4)
• Spring 2024 (35)
• Summer 2024 (83)
• Fall / Autumn 2024 (66)
• Winter 2024 / 2025 (9)
• Spring 2025 (17)
• Summer 2025 (29)
• Fall / Autumn 2025 (21)
• Winter 2025 / 2026 (3)
• May 2024 (43)
• June 2024 (63)
• July 2024 (69)
• August 2024 (73)
• September 2024 (66)
• October 2024 (28)
• November 2024 (5)
• December 2024 (7)
• January 2025 (6)
• February 2025 (5)
• March 2025 (5)
• April 2025 (3)
• May 2025 (21)
• June 2025 (25)
• July 2025 (28)
• August 2025 (27)
• September 2025 (21)
• October 2025 (4)
• November 2025 (3)
• December 2025 (3)

Other Regions in Canada

• West Coast Canada (286)
• Eastern Canada (141)
• The Prairies (112)
• Alberta (111)
• Icefields Parkway (76)
• Yukon and Northwest Territories (69)
• Banff National Park (51)
• British Columbia (45)
• Jasper National Park (33)
• Canadian Maritimes Provinces (27)
• Canadian Shield (25)
• Nova Scotia (25)
• Quebec (21)
• Newfoundland and Labrador (19)
• Dempster Highway (15)
• Ontario (13)

Travel Styles

• Budget (18)
• Singles and Solo (74)
• For Couples (29)
• Young Adults (8)
• Seniors (48)

• Skip to main content
• Skip to "About government"

Language selection

• Français

Parks Canada

450 000 km 2 of stories

Plan your visit

Reservations.

Reserve campsites, accommodations, and activities.

Camping and overnight accommodations

Types of accommodations, camping basics, and recommendations.

Things to do, travel tips, vacation ideas, activities and experiences.

Passes, permits and fees

Daily fees, seasonal and annual passes, and boating permits.

Safety and guidelines

Prepare for a safe and enjoyable trip.

Get involved

Volunteer with us, be a citizen scientist, or join a campus club.

Family activities

Be inspired by these kid-approved family activities.

Plan your family outing

Tips to make the most of your visit

Pro tips to help plan your visit, choose the best time to visit, avoid crowds, and more.

Plan your dream visit

May is Asian Heritage Month

Highlighting a selection of persons, places, and events related to Asian heritage across Canada.

Learn more about Asian heritage in Canada

Find a Parks Canada location

Search by province or territory

Alberta destinations

Athabasca Pass National Historic Site

Banff National Park

Banff Park Museum National Historic Site

Banff Upper Hot Springs

Bar U Ranch National Historic Site

Cave and Basin National Historic Site

Elk Island National Park

First Oil Well in Western Canada National Historic Site

Frog Lake National Historic Site

Howse Pass National Historic Site

Jasper House National Historic Site

Jasper National Park

Jasper Park Information Centre National Historic Site

Maligne Lake Chalet and Guest House National Historic Site

Miette Hot Springs

Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site

Skoki Ski Lodge National Historic Site

Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site

Waterton Lakes National Park

Yellowhead Pass National Historic Site

British Columbia destinations

Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site

Fort Langley National Historic Site

Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site

Fort St. James National Historic Site

Gitwangak Battle Hill National Historic Site

Glacier National Park

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve

Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site

Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site

Kicking Horse Pass National Historic Site

Kootenae House National Historic Site

Kootenay National Park

Mount Revelstoke National Park

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Radium Hot Springs

Rogers Pass National Historic Site

SGang Gwaay Llnagaay (Nan Sdins)

Stanley Park National Historic Site

Twin Falls Tea House National Historic Site

Yoho National Park

Manitoba destinations

Forts Rouge, Garry and Gibraltar National Historic Site

Linear Mounds National Historic Site

Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site

Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site

Riding Mountain National Park

Riding Mountain Park East Gate Registration Complex National Historic Site

Riel House National Historic Site

St. Andrew's Rectory National Historic Site

The Forks National Historic Site

Wapusk National Park

York Factory National Historic Site

New Brunswick destinations

Boishébert and Beaubears Island Shipbuilding National Historic Sites

Carleton Martello Tower National Historic Site

Fort Beauséjour – Fort Cumberland National Historic Site

Fort Gaspareaux National Historic Site

Fundy National Park

Kouchibouguac National Park

Monument Lefebvre National Historic Site

Saint Croix Island International Historic Site

St. Andrew's Blockhouse National Historic Site

Newfoundland and Labrador destinations

Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve

Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site

Castle Hill National Historic Site

Gros Morne National Park

Hawthorne Cottage National Historic Site

Hopedale Mission National Historic Site

L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site

Port au Choix National Historic Site

Red Bay National Historic Site

Ryan Premises National Historic Site

Signal Hill National Historic Site

Terra Nova National Park

Torngat Mountains National Park

kitjigattalik - Ramah Chert Quarries National Historic Site

Northwest Territories destinations

Aulavik National Park

Nahanni National Park Reserve

Nááts'ihch'oh National Park Reserve

Pingo Canadian Landmark

Saoyú-ʔehdacho National Historic Site

Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve

Tuktut Nogait National Park

Wood Buffalo National Park

Nova Scotia destinations

Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site

Beaubassin and Fort Lawrence National Historic Sites

Bloody Creek National Historic Site

Canso Islands National Historic Site

Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Charles Fort National Historic Site

D’Anville’s Encampment National Historic Site

Fort Anne National Historic Site

Fort Edward National Historic Site

Fort McNab National Historic Site

Fort Sainte Marie de Grace National Historic Site

Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site

Georges Island National Historic Site

Grand-Pré National Historic Site

Grassy Island Fort National Historic Site

Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site

Marconi National Historic Site

Melanson Settlement National Historic Site

Port-Royal National Historic Site

Prince of Wales Tower National Historic Site

Royal Battery National Historic Site

Sable Island National Park Reserve

St. Peters Canal National Historic Site

Wolfe's Landing National Historic Site

York Redoubt National Historic Site

Nunavut Territory destinations

Auyuittuq National Park

Qausuittuq National Park

Quttinirpaaq National Park

Sirmilik National Park

Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area

Ukkusiksalik National Park

Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site

Ontario destinations

Battle Hill National Historic Site

Battle of Cook's Mills National Historic Site

Battle of the Windmill National Historic Site

Battlefield of Fort George National Historic Site

Bead Hill National Historic Site

Beausoleil Island National Historic Site

Bellevue House National Historic Site

Bethune Memorial House National Historic Site

Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse National Historic Site

Bruce Peninsula National Park

Butler's Barracks National Historic Site

Carrying Place of the Bay of Quinte National Historic Site

Fathom Five National Marine Park

Fort George National Historic Site

Fort Henry National Historic Site

Fort Malden National Historic Site

Fort Mississauga National Historic Site

Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site

Fort Wellington National Historic Site

Georgian Bay Islands National Park

Glengarry Cairn National Historic Site

HMCS Haida National Historic Site

Inverarden House National Historic Site

Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site

Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area

Laurier House National Historic Site

Merrickville Blockhouse National Historic Site

Mississauga Point Lighthouse National Historic Site

Mnjikaning Fish Weirs National Historic Site

Murney Tower National Historic Site

Navy Island National Historic Site

Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site

Point Clark Lighthouse National Historic Site

Point Pelee National Park

Pukaskwa National Park

Queenston Heights National Historic Site

Rideau Canal National Historic Site

Ridgeway Battlefield National Historic Site

Rouge National Urban Park

Saint-Louis Mission National Historic Site

Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site

Shoal Tower National Historic Site

Sir John Johnson House National Historic Site

Southwold Earthworks National Historic Site

Thousand Islands National Park

Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site

Waterloo Pioneers Memorial Tower

Woodside National Historic Site

Prince Edward Island destinations

Ardgowan National Historic Site

Dalvay-by-the-Sea National Historic Site

Green Gables Heritage Place

L.M. Montgomery's Cavendish National Historic Site

Prince Edward Island National Park

Province House National Historic Site

Skmaqn–Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst National Historic Site

Quebec destinations

57-63 St. Louis Street National Historic Site

Battle of Restigouche National Historic Site

Battle of the Châteauguay National Historic Site

Carillon Barracks National Historic Site

Carillon Canal National Historic Site

Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site

Chambly Canal National Historic Site

Coteau-du-Lac National Historic Site

Forges du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site

Forillon National Park

Fort Chambly National Historic Site

Fort Lennox National Historic Site

Fort Ste. Thérèse National Historic Site

Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site

Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site

La Mauricie National Park

Lachine Canal National Historic Site

Louis S. St-Laurent National Historic Site

Louis-Joseph Papineau National Historic Site

Lévis Forts National Historic Site

Maillou House National Historic Site

Manoir Papineau National Historic Site

Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve

Montmorency Park National Historic Site

Obadjiwan–Fort Témiscamingue National Historic Site

Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse National Historic Site

Québec Garrison Club National Historic Site

Saguenay–St-Lawrence Marine Park

Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site

Saint-Ours Canal National Historic Site

Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal National Historic Site

Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site

Sir Wilfrid Laurier National Historic Site

The Fur Trade at Lachine National Historic Site

Saskatchewan destinations

Batoche National Historic Site

Battle of Tourond's Coulee / Fish Creek National Historic Site

Cypress Hills Massacre National Historic Site

Fort Battleford National Historic Site

Fort Espérance National Historic Site

Fort Livingstone National Historic Site

Fort Pelly National Historic Site

Fort Walsh National Historic Site

Frenchman Butte National Historic Site

Grasslands National Park

Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site

Prince Albert National Park

Yukon Territory destinations

Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site

Dawson Historical Complex National Historic Site

Dredge No. 4 National Historic Site

Former Territorial Court House National Historic Site

Ivvavik National Park

Klondike National Historic Sites

Kluane National Park and Reserve

S.S. Keno National Historic Site

S.S. Klondike National Historic Site

Vuntut National Park

57-63 St. Louis Street is a grouping of three two and two-and-a-half- storey early eighteenth and nineteenth century stone houses within the walls of Quebec City’s Upper Town at the foot of Cavelier du Moulin Park, forming part of the panoramic townscape of Old Quebec Fortifications of Québec...

Located in Labrador, the glacially-rounded, bare rock summits of the Mealy Mountains reach up to 1180 meters to overlook Lake Melville. The pristine landscape of mountain tundra, marine coasts, boreal forests, islands and rivers are home to numerous boreal species. For thousands of years,...

Meet the man who would forever transform the modern world. Feel Alexander Graham Bell’s remarkable legend come to life while touring full-scale replicas, touching his personal artefacts and taking part in exhilarating behind-the-scenes tours.

Stroll the serene and grand grounds surrounding Ardgowan, the former Charlottetown home of William Henry Pope, one of Canada’s Fathers of Confederation who resided and entertained in this cottage-style house during the Charlottetown Conference of 1864.

A major fur trade transportation route traversed by David Thompson and other early adventurers during the mid 1800s.

Located in Canada’s Northwest Territories, Aulavik is among the country’s most remote national parks. But it rewards adventurers with untouched tundra, pristine rivers, archaeological sites and ample wildlife, from muskoxen to seals and other marine mammals.

Home to spectacular natural landmarks like the Akshayuk Pass, Thor Peak and the Penny Ice Cap, Auyuittuq is the “land that never melts” in Inuktitut.

Founded in 1885, Banff is Canada’s first national park and part of the first national park system in the world. With its soaring peaks, azure lakes and abundant wildlife, this Rocky Mountain park attracts millions of visitors every year.

Explore the oldest natural history museum in western Canada and its 5,000+ vintage botanical and zoological specimens — from bears and bighorns, to birds and bees.

One of Banff National Park's greatest traditions is visiting the Upper Hot Springs for a soothing soak in the hot, mineral-rich water. Relaxing in the outdoor pool among the jagged peaks of Rundle and Cascade Mountains is a magical experience that has drawn visitors to Banff since 1886.

Ride into history on a wagon pulled by Percheron horses to discover the life of a ranching cowboy from the late 1800s. Back-dropped by the Rocky Mountains - it’s a true Alberta experience!

Experience life as a Métis settler in the village community of Batoche and discover the history of the last battle of the Northwest Rebellion/Resistance of 1885, scene of Louis Riel’s last stand.

Battle Hill National Historic Site is located on a rolling landscape in the valley of Battle Hill near Highway 2 (also known as Longwoods Road) west of Wardsville, Ontario. The site is associated with the Battle of Longwoods, which occurred on March 4, 1814 on an open landscape near what is now...

The Battle of Cook's Mills National Historic Site is a rolling semi-rural landscape east of the Welland Canal bordering the north bank of Lyon’s Creek in the City of Welland, Ontario. It was the site of an engagement between British and Canadian troops and American forces during the War of 1812....

Relive the last naval battle between France and England for possession of American territory at the Battle of Restigouche National Historic Site. As well, discover the remains of the wreck of the Machault which has been under water for over 200 years!

This is the scene of an important victory for the Métis resistance in their fight against the Northwest Field Force of the Dominion of Canada. Discover the story of Fish Creek and the Battle of Tourond's Coulee.

Discover the strategies behind the significant day of October 26, 1813 when outnumbered Canadian troops defeated the invading American army. Ride 14 kilometres by bike or car across the actual battlefield!

Visit the Battle of the Windmill National Historic site to see one of Canada’s most historically significant windmills, and learn how British redcoat and Canadian loyalists waged a battle to protect Upper Canada from invaders.

Battlefield of Fort George National Historic Site is located near Fort George National Historic Site in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The rolling open landscape near the shore of Lake Ontario at Two Mile Creek was the site of one of the fiercest and most important battles of the War of 1812.

Bead Hill National Historic Site of Canada is located within the boundaries of Rouge Valley Park in the lower Rouge River Valley in Scarborough, Ontario near the confluence of the Rouge River and the Little Rouge Creek.

A thriving Acadian settlement here became a pivotal site in the struggle between Great Britain and France for control of the Isthmus of Chignecto region.

Welcome to the world’s largest freshwater archipelago—home to a boat-access nature preserve situated where the windswept white pines and granite shores of the Canadian Shield turn to dense deciduous woodland. Here, adventure is easy. Cycle wooded trails, overnight at secluded campsites or...

Follow staff in period costume on a tour of Bellevue House. Hear stories about Canada’s first prime minister, who made history here in the 1840s. Feel a Lake Ontario breeze in an heirloom garden. 

A revered icon to China. A medical pioneer. A wartime hero. A political activist. Dr. Norman Bethune’s lasting worldwide influence is on display in a perfectly preserved Victorian-era home and interactive Visitor Centre.

Two circles of land mark the sites of two battles, which took place in 1711 and 1757, between British forces and allied French and Indigenous forces over the possession of Acadia.

On the shores of Lake Erie, the Bois Blanc Lighthouse, a classic limestone tower, guided sailors for more than a century. A walk around the site gives visitors a chance to imagine what life there must have been like for the light keepers who stood watch. 

Uncover the trials and triumphs of centuries past. Connect with history on a Voyageur Canoe adventure. Interact with lively historical recreationists. Stroll through old-growth pines and discover the captivating stories of Boishébert and Beaubears National Historic Sites.

Bruce Peninsula National Park beckons hikers to travel woodland trails, swimmers to refresh in clear waters, explorers to discover the rugged limestone coast and campers to revel at a stunning night sky.

Butler’s Barracks is a historic military complex comprised of five wooden buildings located at the edge of the Commons behind the Fort George National Historic Site in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Wander an interpretive trail to unveil vital history. Uncover the secrets of an 18th century settlement. Be amazed by the war-torn remains of a stone fortress. Canso Islands National Historic Site brings to life the stories of Atlantic Canada.

A third of the world-famous Cabot Trail winds through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, renowned for stunning ocean vistas, deep-cut canyons, 26 diverse hiking trails, spectacular campsites and glorious sandy beaches.

Atop a headland at North America’s easternmost point, Cape Spear Lighthouse overlooks a parade of drifting icebergs and waters teeming with whales and porpoises. Its restored interior offers a glimpse into 19th century lightkeeping along Newfoundland’s unforgiving coast.

Today, there is little sign of the military occupation – after the garrison departed, the building was renovated and served as a hotel for travelers. Since 1940, it has housed the Argenteuil Regional Museum.

Watch boats pass through the Carillon Canal lock, navigating a 20-metre drop in a single operation. Stop in at the museum to inspect an interpretive panel about the history of the Ottawa River’s 19th century travelers.

Built around the time of the War of 1812, Carleton Martello Tower once protected New Brunswick’s most important port against American overland invasion. The site features restored barracks, interactive exhibits, and commanding harbour views.

Carrying Place of the Bay of Quinte National Historic Site is located on the isthmus at the west end of the Bay of Quinte on Lake Ontario. The site, at the intersection of the Trenton and Carrying Place roads, marks the location where Sir John Johnson and the Chiefs of the Mississauga...

Follow the trail of Jacques Cartier and witness his meeting with the St. Lawrence Iroquois in this magnificent urban park.

An impressive fort stands sentinel above a seaside town. Stone walls and cast iron cannons are testaments to a turbulent past. This is Castle Hill National Historic site—bastion to the struggle for a continent.

As the birthplace of national parks in Canada, the Cave and Basin shares stories about one of the finest and most extensive systems of natural and cultural heritage places in the world.

A mere 20 kilometres from Montreal, an oasis awaits cycling and outdoor enthusiasts: the Chambly Canal NationalHistoric Site. Observe the locks and bridges providing passage to boaters, and in August, admire the hot-air balloons darting between the clouds. It's magical.

Charles Fort National Historic Site marks where the colony that would eventually become Nova Scotia got its start in 1629. The original fort has been buried under centuries of history but visitors can still imagine the dramas of early settlers.

Hike a legendary trail through the northern Coast Mountains, from Alaska’s Taiya Inlet to the headwaters of the Yukon River in northern British Columbia. 

The Coteau-du-Lac site is a natural stop for history lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. As the first fortified lock structure in North America, the canal is the direct ancestor of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

1873 attack on Assiniboines by wolf hunters, North West Mounted Police restored order Fort Walsh, Saskatchewan.

Surrounded by sand dunes, beaches and a lake, Dalvay-by-the-Sea is a peek into a luxurious Victorian estate. Explore the interior, cycle the shoreline, stroll the grounds or simply relax in an Adirondack chair with a view.

Important collection of buildings from the Klondike Gold Rush Dawson, Yukon Territory Klondike National Historic Sites.

Not long after gold was discovered in large quantities in the Klondike, dredges were brought into the Yukon, the first dredge being built in the fall of 1899. One of the two dozen dredges that worked this area, Dredge No. 4 rests on Claim No. 17 Below Discovery on Bonanza Creek near the spot...

It was in this area, in 1746, that Duc d’Anville camped along the shore on a failed expedition from France to recover Acadia.

Experience first-hand the story of the bison and how it was saved from near extinction at Elk Island National Park, where an active conservation program replenishes herds around the world.

Fascinating limestone flowerpots, pristine freshwater, lush cliff-edge woodland, serene backcountry campsites, historic lightstations and exciting scuba-sites make Fathom Five National Marine Park an awe-inspiring Great Lake escape.

Touch the first oil well in Western Canada and imagine how hard it was to explore for oil so far from civilization. The oil well failed but sparked the passion to explore for oil in Alberta.

Grab the wheel as a “master mariner” at Fisgard Lighthouse, the oldest on the Canadian west coast, and wander through a rare Garry Oak meadow.

From 1730 to 1883, the Forges du Saint-Maurice produced a variety of iron and cast iron products for military and domestic use. Enter the Grande Maison and immerse yourself in the history of the first industrial community in Canada.

Forillon is a place where you can paddle with seals, watch passing whales and swim off a magnificent sandy beach all on the same day. You may even see a beaver on a walk through the forest.

The Former Territorial Courthouse, is located in Dawson Historical Complex National Historic Site. Built between 1900 and 1901, the Courthouse is closely associated with the establishment of a federal presence in the Northwest and the exercise of Canadian sovereignty. It is one of two remaining...

Dating to the early 1600s, Fort Anne on Nova Scotia’s Annapolis River is Canada’s first administered National Historic Site. A new innovative interpretive exhibit complements the historic grounds, whose earthen walls and restored buildings speak to centuries of struggle.

Uncover the central but little-known role of Fort Battleford in the Conflict of 1885. Discover the stories of the First Nations, Métis, North West Mounted Police, and settlers in these difficult times.

Discover a time when Britain and France were caught in a tug-of-war for dominance in Acadie, and be moved by the stories of soldiers and settlers who lived and died around the historic star-shaped fort.

Roughly 30 kilometres southeast of Montreal, Fort Chambly rises proudly at the foot of the Richelieu River rapids. Built in 1711 to defend the colony, this stone fortification was preceded by three wooden forts.

Fort Edward is home to North America’s oldest blockhouse, a two-storey defensive structure built by the British in 1750 to secure their hold over Nova Scotia. Visitors today can visit the grounds and blockhouse to see a piece of Canada’s military history.

Once standing proud between Saskatchewan’s prairies and the tranquil banks of the Qu’Appelle River, Fort Espérance’s history tells the tangled tale of the North West Company’s bid to dominate the fur trade in the West.

Built by French troops in 1751 to prevent the English from penetrating the Chignecto Isthmus, Fort Gaspareaux served particularly as a provisioning base for the forts of Acadia.

Discover the history of The War of 1812 by speaking with costumed interpreters, touring historic buildings, and watching demonstrations at Fort George.

Fort Henry National Historic Site is a 19th century British military fortress situated on Point Henry between the mouth of Kingston harbour and a second natural harbour at the mouth of the Cataraqui River.

Experience life as a 19th century voyageur at Fort Langley, where the colony of British Columbia was born. Mingle with fur traders, pan for gold, learn the blacksmith’s art and camp in an HBC-themed oTENTik.

Built on Île aux Noix between 1759 and 1760, Fort Lennox reopened its doors in June 2023 after major restoration work. This mythical site was at the heart of the French defense against the British invasion by the Richelieu River, and the ferry ride to get there is worth a visit in itself.

Perched on a hill on stony ground, surrounded by patches of alder groves and hawthorn trees, the site of Fort Livingstone marks the first HQ of the North West Mounted Police.

Discover the history of the War of 1812 and the Rebellions of 1837-38 with costumed interpreters, historic buildings, and more at Fort Malden.

From the 1880s and for more than half a century, Fort McNab played a key role in the Halifax Defence System, guarding one of the British Empire’s (and then Canada’s) most significant naval stations.

Completed after the War of 1812, the fort and its central tower were located at a strategic position at the mouth of the Niagara River to protect the British/Canadian side of the Niagara frontier and to serve as a counterpoise to Fort Niagara.

More than just a way of life, the fur trade was the industry on which this nation was forged.  Fort Pelly offers a glimpse into the enterprise that helped shape the economic, social and political development of western Canada.

Tour through secret bunkers, military command posts and original 19th century buildings at Fort Rodd Hill, a west coast artillery fortress on active duty from 1895 to 1956. Be touched by the personal stories of soldiers and their families. Camp overnight in a group-friendly oTENTik.

The land upon which the original fort was built has now eroded away; a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada cairn, which marks the site, is situated near the original location of the fort.

Take a self-guided audio tour, meet costumed interpreters, witness a world-famous chicken race and delight your taste buds at the Home Stretch Diner.

Visit Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site, 92 km south east of Sault Ste. Marie on the southern tip of St. Joseph Island, to learn about the once-vital British stronghold on Upper Canada’s western front.

To permit the French army offensive against the Iroquois nations and to put an end to their attacks, a series of forts was built in 1665 and 1666 at the most strategic spots along the Richelieu River.

Experience life with James Morrow Walsh and his NWMP troops in the 1870s. Barter for buffalo robes at the trading post, smell sweet lodge pole pines on a hike through the Cypress Hills.

At Fort Wellington, one of the fortified posts the British built to defend its colonies against American invasion in 1812 and 1838, you can relive this precarious period when the fate of Canada hung in the balance.

Explore the Fortifications of Québec with Parks Canada and live more than three centuries of history through authentic buildings.

Mingle with Louisbourg’s lively 18th century citizens, hearing their stories and tasting their food while soldiers march, cannons blast, children play and women mend clothes on a typical 1740s day in the French fortified town.

Forts Rouge, Garry and Gibraltar National Historic Site of Canada is located on three different positions at the forks of the Red and Assiniboine rivers in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba. The only original surviving above-ground element is the north gate of Fort Garry II located in Upper Fort...

Walk in the footsteps of warriors and government militia men in a timeless landscape which still bears the scars of a key battle in the 1885 Northwest Rebellion/Resistance

Just inside the Alberta border, the site of this tragic event is laden with memories of lives lived and lost: archaeological remains, a cemetery, and depressions in the earth representing the church, the mill, the milk house, stables… remnants of old wagon trails still exist. Frog Lake became...

The world’s highest tides await visitors at Fundy National Park. Kayak on the Bay of Fundy, explore the seafloor when the tide recedes, hike or bike through native Acadian forests and more at one of Canada’s best-known national parks.

A drumlin created by glacial deposits thousands of years ago, Georges Island sits in the centre of Halifax Harbour and was at the heart of military action for hundreds of years.

Swim in Lake Huron’s clear waters. Cycle wooded island trails. Hike paths that meander between ecosystems. Unwind at a cosy cabin. Welcome to an inspiring and beautiful place. Welcome to Georgian Bay Islands National Park.

Climb the mound at Gitwangak Battle Hill and survey the site of a legendary Gitxsan village fort. See the oldest collection of totem poles in British Columbia retained in their original context at nearby Gitwangak Village.

Glacier is known for steep alpine hikes, lush cedar forests and unparalleled backcountry skiing. At the heart of the park, history comes alive at Rogers Pass, the key to completion of Canada’s transcontinental railway.

Conical stone monument, with stairway, to the Glengarry and Argyle Regiment, erected in 1840 Cairn Island, Ontario.

Discover powerful Acadian stories within a picturesque landscape. Successes and struggles are illuminated through multimedia presentation and engaging displays, a splendid Victorian garden and a Memorial Church. This is Grand-Pré National Historic Site, monument to Acadian culture and deportation.

At Grasslands National Park, expanses of dinosaur fossils harken back to a time before history. Tipi rings are testament to First Nations communities, and ruins of prairie homesteads tell of settlers intent on taming the prairie.

Grassy Island Fort National Historic Site is the remnant of 18th century British fortifications situated on Grassy Island.

Be charmed by an encounter with Canada’s iconic redheaded sweetheart, Anne of Green Gables. Relive the fictional orphan’s youthful adventures at the Island farmstead that inspired author Lucy Maud Montgomery.

Cruise sheer-walled fjords and hike diverse landscapes from windswept shorelines to sub-Arctic summits. Explore rare geological oddities that earned Gros Morne UNESCO World Heritage status, and relax amid the culture of Newfoundland’s coastal communities.

Grosse Île was once the main immigration gateway to Canada and served as a quarantine station for the port of Quebec from 1832 to 1937.

Scattered throughout the Salish Sea, the Gulf Islands teem with wildlife, a haven for rare species and threatened eco-systems and a playground for hikers, campers, cyclists, boaters and kayakers.

Tour a historic Fraser River salmon cannery, through a herring reduction plant and interactive fishing displays. Learn about local marine life on the Fish Wall and be inspired by the industrious fishery of BC’s past.

Amid lush rainforest islands and seas rich with wildlife, Gwaii Haanas harbours rare sites of carved poles and longhouses, making this park culturally important to the Haida people who co-manage cooperatively manage the region with Parks Canada.

Discover HMCS Haida National Historic Site in Hamilton, Ontario. Learn about the ship's role in the Second World War, the Korean Conflict and more.

Where better to get your Halifax bearings than at the Halifax Citadel, which in its current form has been a core part of this culturally vibrant city since 1828. Halifax’s original guardian has many tales to tell, plus affords spectacular views and promises engaging activities.

Hawthorne Cottage was the Newfoundland home of legendary Arctic explorer Captain Bob Bartlett. See exhibits and artefacts from his voyages while admiring the nearly 200-year-old cottage, a fine example of the picturesque architectural style in Newfoundland.

A complex of large, wooden buildings constructed by the Moravian Church at Hopedale, Labrador stand starkly silhouetted against the rocky shoreline of the vast, barren landscape. Official recognition refers to the cultural landscape comprised of the mission buildings on their shoreline site.

Used by generations of First Nations as a route east from the Columbia River Valley through the rugged Rocky Mountains, Howse Pass now sees fewer travelers.

Inverarden House, once the home of wealthy North West Trading Company partner John McDonald of Garth, is a classic example of the 19th century Regency style architecture once popular in eastern Ontario.  

Rafters from around the world meet up in Ivvavik National Park. The Firth River slices through canyons and mountain valleys to the Arctic Ocean.  A fly-in base camp offers hikers access to an Arctic landscape of tors, peaks and rolling hills untouched by the last Ice Age. 

The archaeological remains of an 1829 fur trade post.

Abundant in natural beauty, wildlife, lakes, waterfalls and mountains, Jasper is a wild and wondrous place to visit year-round.

Built in 1913, is one of the finest and most influential examples of the rustic design tradition in Canada's national parks.

Explore 4,000 years of Mi’kmaw heritage. Camp lakeside amidst Acadian forest. Spot harbour seals from a singing beach. Be enthralled by a Dark Sky Preserve. There are many sides to Kejimkujik and you can discover them all.

From the Kicking Horse Pass on the Trans-Canada Highway, look down onto a monumental 19th century transportation corridor to the West. See ingeniously engineered “Spiral Tunnels” burrowing from one elevation to another through the steep Canadian Rockies.

Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site is located in and around the harbour area of Kingston, Ontario. Situated at the mouth of the Cataraqui River, and overlooking the confluence of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, the fortifications consist of five separate 19th-century military...

Step back into the days of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. Prowl a paddlewheeler. Explore goldfields. Magical Dawson City is a frontier town where history mingles with everyday life.

With vast icefields and 17 of Canada’s 20 highest peaks, Kluane offers outstanding alpine scenery, rich First Nations culture and history, and a mix of extreme adventure and accessible outdoor recreation.  

A cairn at Kootenae House National Historic Site marks where the Ktunaxa people traded with the North West Company in the 1800s and celebrated explorer David Thompson launched expeditions to survey the majestic Columbia River.

With diverse terrain embracing everything from arid grasslands to glaciers, Kootenay National Park offers the full Rocky Mountain experience along the historic Banff-Windermere Highway. Take a scenic drive or stay and explore the park’s treasures.

Golden sand dunes, estuaries brimming with life, warm ocean beaches, Mi’kmaq and Acadian culture, the starry spectacle of a Dark Sky Preserve and snowbound winter activities weave together the compelling tapestry of Kouchibouguac National Park.

Tour the only known Viking site and the earliest known evidence of European presence in North America. Experience Norse life and see original 11th century artifacts at this UNESCO World heritage site.

L.M. Montgomery’s Cavendish National Historic Site is a cultural landscape that embraces the landscape near Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, that author L. M. Montgomery knew so well and made famous in her “Anne of Green Gables” books. The designated area includes the Green Gables house,...

With its 536 km2 area, La Mauricie National Park is the ideal place for an outdoor escape. Hills, forests and streams are accessible any season of the year.

A veritable open-air museum, the Lachine Canal recounts the beginnings of industrialization in Montreal. Explore the ingenuity of this 1825 structure. Follow its urban course, sail through the locks by boat, and enjoy an oasis in the city. 

Home to more than 70 fish species and 50 shipwrecks, Lake Superior is one of the world’s largest protected freshwater areas and offers outdoor activities ranging from fishing and swimming to snowshoeing and surfing.

Two of Canada’s most important Prime Ministers, Sir Wilfrid Laurier and the Rt. Hon. William Lyon Mackenzie King, resided in this Victorian Ottawa mansion where they entertained dignitaries and politicians while often conducting the nation’s business. 

Linear Mounds was designated as a national historic site of Canada in 1973 because the site contains some of the most spectacular and best-preserved examples of mortuary mounds belonging to the Devil's Lake-Sourisford Burial Complex. Located near the Souris River in southern Manitoba, the...

Buildings dating from 1839 to 1843 are set on a picturesque property with a garden filled with trees and flowerbeds, most of which existed in Prime Minister Louis S. St. Laurent’s time.

November 6, 1837: the house of Louis-Joseph Papineau, leader of the Patriotes, is attacked by the Doric Club, an Anglophone paramilitary organization. Fortunately, the attackers failed to get inside. This Old Montréal building bears witness to one of the most tormented times in Quebec and...

Standing on the bank of the Red River for more than 180 years, Lower Fort Garry tells inspiring tales of innovation, discovery and struggle. Chat with a 19th century Red River settler and immerse yourself in the daily life of the Fort’s inhabitants.

The last of a series of three detached forts built between 1865 and 1872, Fort No.1 bears witness to remarkable technological innovations.

Fine example of 18th century Quebec town architecture, 1736 Québec, Quebec Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site.

Constructed in between 1935 and 1942, are what remain of an early lodge complex on the shores of Maligne Lake.

Classified as a historic monument, the Manoir-Papineau immerses visitors into the heart of the 19th century with its romantic allure of a feudal castle on a riverbank. Explore the magnificent gardens, admire the barn, and take time to reflect in the funeral chapel.

Discover how the wireless age began at a museum chronicling inventor Guglielmo Marconi’s achievements in carrying out the world’s first transatlantic wireless telegraph experiments in Nova Scotia at the turn of 20th century.

The archaeological remains of the Melanson Settlement paint a vivid story of the pre-Deportation Acadians living on the banks of the Annapolis River during the 17th and 18th centuries. A short trail with interpretive panels recounts the story.

Built in 1832-33, the blockhouse is the largest and the most impressive of the four blockhouses built along the Rideau Canal for its defense and the second largest blockhouse surviving in Canada.

Miette Hot Springs, located in Alberta’s Jasper National Park, feature the hottest hot springs in the Canadian Rockies.

The first word that springs to mind at the mention of the Mingan Archipelago is “remote”. Far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Mother Nature enchants with limestone sculptures, prolific marine and bird life, and the seductive sound of the sea.

Located on the shoreline of the Niagara River in Niagara-on the-Lake, Ontario, Mississauga Point Lighthouse National Historic Site marks the site of the first lighthouse built on the Great Lakes in 1804.

Mnjikaning Fish Weirs National Historic Site is located on portions of the bottom of the Narrows between Lakes Simcoe and Couchiching, a part of the Trent-Severn Waterway.

Located at the top of Côte de la Montagne in the historic district of Old Québec, Montmorency Park has been a cemetery, a seat of religious and civil power, a strategic military site and an urban park.

The Monument-Lefebvre is a 19th century heritage building where visitors experience the triumphs of the Acadians through artefacts, film, performances, and the permanent exhibit, “Reflections of a Journey – The Odyssey of the Acadian People.”

Hear prairie songbirds sing and smell the sweet hay as you help feed the horses. Re-connect with Canada’s homestead life and bake bread with flour ground from grain harvested from the golden fields outside.

Stroll through brilliant wildflower meadows, or lie back in awe atop a mountain peak. From lush green valley to mountain summit, all is within a leisurely day’s drive at Mount Revelstoke National Park.

Murney Tower National Historic Site is a squat stone defensive tower located on a point of raised ground known as Murray Point on the west shore of Kingston Harbour. Murney Tower is also a component of Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site.

Remote granite pinnacles lure top alpinists, wilderness river tripping opportunities attract paddlers, interpreters share cultural and natural history with river trippers, campers and day flight visitors.   

Navy Island National Historic Site is a heavily wooded, uninhabited island on the Canadian side of the Niagara River just above Niagara Falls, Ontario.

In the headwaters of Tehjeh Deé (South Nahanni River) Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve is a place where culture and nature are intertwined. Nááts’įhch’oh offers whitewater paddling and off-the-grid hiking in the Northwest Territories for experienced adventurers.

Stand at the spot where an important trading post operated for two centuries. Travel into the past and enjoy a natural setting on the shores of Lake Témiscamingue.

Catch a wave, or spread a blanket and watch the sun dip below the horizon. From rainforests on land to marine kelp forests at sea, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve embodies the rich natural and cultural heritage of Canada’s west coast.

The Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site of Canada is located on the Otonabee River section of the Trent Canal in the City of Peterborough, Ontario. It is a large concrete structure along the Trent-Severn Waterway designed to lift boats 19.8 metres.

Pingo Canadian Landmark protects a unique arctic landform: ice-cored hills called pingos. Rising out of the flat tundra, these hills provide a distinctive backdrop to the community of Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories.

Visit the Point Clark Lighthouse where waves still crash on the shore below. Walk beside the tall limestone tower, gaze up at its 12-sided lantern as you imagine its beams safely guiding Lake Huron sailors.

Explore the Southernmost point of mainland Canada at Point Pelee National Park. Enjoy walking and cycling trails, paddling, birding, swimming and more.

The Pointe-au-Père navigational aid station, among the most important in Canada, helps us better understand the complexity of the St. Lawrence River and the role played by its lighthouse, one of the tallest in the country.

See prehistoric artifacts from four ancient Aboriginal cultures that inhabited Newfoundland’s rugged northwest coast. Visit an ancient burial ground, hike coastal trails and see prehistoric artifacts including slate spears, harpoon tips and ivory daggers.

Converse with costumed interpreters as they share their knowledge and tell the story of a colony of intrepid French inhabitants. Experience the early 17th century lifestyle in the reconstructed Habitation at Port-Royal. You will also learn about the way of life of the first people on this land –...

Prince Albert National Park offers accessible wilderness and extensive outdoor recreation in central Saskatchewan. Hike boreal forests, canoe pristine lakes and see free-range bison, with the town of Waskesiu as a convenient base.

Cliff and dune-lined beaches, woodlands and wetlands rich with wildlife, and all levels of outdoor activities make Prince Edward Island National Park a diverse and accessible natural destination for a seaside escape, restful or active.

Stone remains of the star-shaped, 18th century Prince of Wales Fort stand on Hudson Bay’s tundra shore, offering a glimpse into a remote Hudson’s Bay outpost amid a wild subarctic landscape alive with polar bears, birds and beluga whales.

Built in 1796-97 to protect against French attack, the Prince of Wales Tower was the first of its kind in North America. Visitors can explore its history, architectural features and significance as a defensive structure.

The birthplace of Confederation and the seat of Prince Edward Island's provincial legislature since 1847, Province House National Historic Site is a Charlottetown highlight. Stroll the grounds to experience the magnificent neo-classical architecture of this majestic building and view interpretive...

This is Ontario’s only wilderness national park, defined by pink-and-slate granite shores, Great Lake temperaments and near-endless stretches of spruce, fir, pine and hardwoods. Biodiverse coastal regions—where wetland, lake and forest meet—are home to iconic Canadian species like bald eagles,...

A home for the endangered Peary caribou and a traditional Inuit hunting and fishing area on Bathurst Island in Nunavut’s High Arctic.

Queenston Heights is the Niagara battlefield where Major General Sir Isaac Brock, Commander-in-Chief of British forces in Upper Canada died while leading British regulars, local militia and First Nation warriors against an American invasion.

Inuktitut for “land at the top of the world”, Quttinirpaaq is Canada’s northernmost national park, a vast arctic wilderness on Ellesmere Island.

Only private military club in Canada perpetuating the British colonial tradition of assembling military officers in a social environment, 1879 Québec, Quebec Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site.

One of British Columbia’s top natural hot springs is found in Kootenay National Park. This family-friendly facility offers plenty of space to relax and soak in the expansive hot pool or cool off with the kids in the swimming pool.

Red Bay was once the largest and most important commercial whaling station in the world. See the restored chalupa, explore archaeological treasures and original artifacts from the period at this UNESCO World Heritage site.

An historic 19th century military waterway linking rivers and lakes across Eastern Ontario’s countryside, the Rideau Canal is now a popular natural playground, perfect for boating, paddling, fishing, camping, hiking and cycling the canal’s wooded pathways.

Ridgeway Battlefield National Historic Site is located within a four-hectare parcel of parkland in the small community of Ridgeway in southwestern Ontario, approximately five kilometres west of the Town of Fort Erie.

Explore 3000 km2 of thrilling outdoor possibilities in Riding Mountain National Park where the boreal forest, aspen parkland and fescue prairie meet.

Canada’s last remaining early 1930s-style national parks entrance, the East Gate Registration Complex stands as a carefully maintained example of this form of traditional architecture.

Travel back to spring 1886, six months after the death of Louis Riel. Visit his family home and discover what life was like for the Riel family and Métis who lived along the banks of the Red River.

Discover a historic trading post along the North Saskatchewan River and immerse yourself in stories of Indigenous Peoples and legendary explorers.

Discover the role Rogers Pass played in the transcontinental Canadian Pacific Railway. Follow an abandoned rail line to the ruins of a Victorian-era resort, where legendary Swiss mountain guides forged popular trails and climbing routes.

A rich assembly of natural, cultural and agricultural landscapes, Rouge National Urban Park is home to amazing biodiversity, some of the last remaining working farms in the Greater Toronto Area, Carolinian ecosystems, Toronto’s only campground, one of the region’s largest marshes, unspoiled...

Royal Battery National Historic Site, located within the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site in Nova Scotia, is an archaeological site that dominates the north shore of Louisbourg Harbour. Appearing as a low grassy ridge, the outline of the battery’s ditch and glacis are still evident,...

On Bonavista’s scenic harbour, knowledgeable interpreters, diverse exhibits and displays within the Ryan Premises’ restored buildings bring to life a 19th century Newfoundland fishing enterprise and tell the tale of Canada’s East Coast fisheries dating back 500 years.

The S.S. Keno was part of the fleet that played a major part in the history of the Yukon Territory. Without the riverboats, the gold of the Klondike and the silver, lead, and zinc of the Mayo district would have remained in the hills for at least another half century, and the development of the...

Steam-powered sternwheelers were the Yukon’s link to the outside world for almost a century. The S.S. Klondike National Historic Site in Whitehorse honours these vessels, so vital to the settlement of the North.

SGang Gwaay Llnagaay (Nan Sdins) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located in a sheltered bay on the east side of the island. Visitors can explore upright and fallen poles, house pits, and standing posts and beams of longhouses.

A home to wild horses, submerged shipwrecks, rare birds and basking grey seals, Sable Island National Park Reserve defines the word “remote.”

Watch whales and learn about the fascinating mammals and their habitat. The Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park is recognized as one of the best places in the world for whale watching.

In June of 1604, French nobleman-courtier Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons and his expedition established a settlement on St. Croix Island. In the milder months, they built houses, a storehouse, kitchen and chapel, and formed strong Aboriginal trade alliances. In the territory they called...

Beneath Dufferin Terrace hides the remains of the residence and seat of power of French and British governors for over 200 years.

Site of Huron village destroyed by Iroquois in 1649.

Stroll through Darvard Island and enjoy recognizing many species of trees and birds. Have a family picnic while watching the lockage of pleasure craft. Children will be fascinated by the fish ladder, a structure unlike anything else in the world. 

Opened in 1843, the Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal was the main entry point for the waterway between Montreal and Kingston. Take a trip through 150 years of history. Then go to the pier for a picnic and watch the lock in operation.

Saoyú-Ɂehdacho National Historic Site celebrates the traditional lifestyles of the Sahtúgot’įnę – “the people of the Sahtú.” Visitors to Canada’s largest National Historic Site learn about the teaching, healing and spiritual places as conveyed through oral history.

Tour the Sault Ste. Marie Canal with an informative Parks Canada guide and you’ll soon understand the vitally important role this innovative piece of engineering made to water transportation in Canada. 

Shoal Tower National Historic Site is a circular stone defensive tower located on a shoal in the harbour, directly offshore from the site of the historic City Hall and the site of the former Market Battery in Kingston Ontario.

Signal Hill celebrates St. John’s rich communications and military history, amidst spectacular city and ocean views. Enjoy military and musical performances, stirring ceremonies, coastal hikes, dramatic fortifications, and the iconic Cabot Tower.

The only Victorian-style house open to the public in the city, Sir George-Étienne Cartier’s home in Old Montreal offers an opportunity to become better acquainted with one of the Fathers of Confederation.

Sir John Johnson’s house is located in the village of Williamstown. Built in 1792, it is one of the oldest buildings in the province.

Discover the life and work of famed Prime Minister Wilfred Laurier and admire an imposing collection of artifacts and old furniture in his former home, a typical house from the 19th century, in the St. Lawrence Valley.

Narwhals, belugas, polar bears and thousands of seabirds thrive in the Arctic landscape of Bylot Island and Baffin Island’s Borden Peninsula.

Established in 1720, Port-la-Joye was the entry point for European settlers coming to Île Saint-Jean to embark on a new life. There are centuries of history to discover in this historic location, declared a national historic site in 1967.

Skoki Ski Lodge has been welcoming skiers and hikers to the idyllic Skoki Valley for nearly a century. Built as a backcountry ski lodge in the 1930s, it is both a beautiful example of the rustic building tradition and a living link with the earliest days of ski tourism in Canada. The lodge and its...

Walk where Canada's earliest inhabitants did and imagine the Attiwandaron longhouses and palisade walls that once stood at Southwold Earthworks.

Built just after the War of 1812 began, St. Andrews Blockhouse recalls an era of conflict along the New Brunswick harbour and US border, when townspeople united to protect family and community from American raiders.

Learn about the significance of the St Andrew’s Rectory, an excellent example of mid-19th century Red River Hudson’s Bay Company architecture. Imagine the day to day lives of the Reverend and his Red River settler parishioners in the 1800s.

Located in one of Canada’s oldest European settlements, St. Peters Canal links the Atlantic Ocean with the Bras d'Or Lakes as well as Canada’s historic trading past to Cape Breton Island’s vibrant future.

Stanley Park National Historic Site of Canada is a magnificent green oasis in the midst of the heavily built urban landscape of Vancouver.

A cosmic ray station was built on Sulphur Mountain as part of the International Geophysical Year in 1957-1958 and Canadian scientists made important contributions to the research. Geophysicists studied cosmic rays and space particles entering the atmosphere from the station perched above the...

Explore Tallurutiup Imanga’s breathtaking Arctic landscape where narwhals live side by side with thousands of seabirds in an area adjacent to vibrant Inuit communities and majestic fiords and glaciers.

A dramatic Atlantic shoreline, fringed in long headlands and fjords with views of whales and icebergs, gives way to marshland, tranquil ponds and wildlife-filled boreal forest – Terra Nova is accessible, wild Newfoundland for outdoor enthusiasts and nature-lovers of every age.

Located at the eastern end of Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories, Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve is part of a larger group of protected areas around the East Arm and Artillery Lake regions. Thaidene Nene means ‘Land of the Ancestors’ in the Dënesųłiné—or Chipewyan—language.

Delve 6,000 years into the past at Winnipeg’s “Meeting Place” while soaking up the bustling ambience. Learn how two great rivers at the heart of the continent connected the prairies to the world.

Strategically located on the fur trade route, this storage building recounts the lives of the voyageurs. Stop in at this enchanting waterfront setting in Lachine and discover the inner workings of the trade that helped shape Canada.

Granite islands speckle the St. Lawrence River in a transition zone between Canadian Shield and Adirondack Mountains. Explore by boating, paddling, or hiking. Awesome Thousand Islands National Park awaits, a few hours from Toronto or Montreal.

Amid jagged peaks and vast glacial valleys, polar bears and caribou roam the Torngat Mountains, for centuries the homeland of Inuit who today now welcome visitors to experience a dramatic landscape where nature and culture meet.

Discover a newfound fascination with engineering along the Trent-Severn Waterway. This navigational wonder adds up to 44 locks, 104 operable dams and six heritage lockstations along a 386-km scenic string of canals and waterways.

Arctic rivers, waterfalls, canyons and tundra combine to provide habitat for caribou, muskoxen, wolves and other arctic species.

Book a backcountry stay in a historic log tea house in the Canadian Rockies. Or stop on a day hike at Twin Falls Tea House to view the phenomenal side-by-side cascades of Twin Falls from this historic spot.

An area rich in arctic wildlife and Inuit history where hundreds of archaeological sites dot the landscape surrounding Wager Bay.

Explore untouched northern landscapes and learn the story of the Vuntut Gwitchin people and their relationship to the land and animals of the northern Yukon. 

A vast subarctic wilderness of tundra and boreal forest, Wapusk protects one of the world’s largest known polar bear maternity denning areas, as well as more than 200 bird species, caribou, wolverine, arctic hare and foxes.

Visit the Waterloo Pioneer Memorial Tower, admire its Swiss-style copper roof, fieldstone construction and Conestoga wagon weather vane and remember the hard work of the Pennsylvania–German pioneers it honours.

The prairies of Alberta meet the peaks of the Rocky Mountains in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Wolfe’s Landing National Historic Site is located in Kennington Cove, on the east coast of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Contained entirely within the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, the site is bounded by a rocky beach to the south, and a rolling landscape of grasses and forest...

Wood Buffalo National Park is our country's largest national park and one of the largest in the world. It protects an outstanding and representative example of Canada's Northern Boreal Plains.

Discover the Victorian childhood home of Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King at Woodside National Historic Site in Kitchener, Ontario.

Learn about Sir John Franklin’s legendary 1845 expedition and the role of Inuit knowledge in the discoveries of the shipwrecks.

Referred to by early fur traders as “leather pass” is a major transportation route through the Rocky Mountains.

In the shadow of the Great Divide, Yoho’s towering rockwalls, spectacular waterfalls and soaring peaks reveal the secrets of ancient life, the power of ice and water and the stories of plants and animals that continue to evolve today.

Perched incongruously amid vast tundra wilderness, York Factory was the Hudson’s Bay Company’s major trading and administration centre for centuries. Its grounds and grand Depot, filled with artifacts, provide profound insights into a pivotal period in Canada’s founding days.

An integral part of Halifax’s Defense Complex, York Redoubt helped protect this strategic port city from military attack for over 200 years. Walking paths and interpretive panels help tell its impressive story.

Site actively quarried from 5,000 to 600 years ago for Ramah chert, a visually distinctive and important stone type used by several ancient cultures of the northeast in the manufacture of tools and other objects. Torngat Mountain National Park, Newfoundland and Labrador.

About Parks Canada

National parks.

About, system plan, and how parks are created.

National historic sites

About, system plan, and national historic designations.

National marine conservation areas

About, system, policies, regulations, and how areas are created.

National urban parks

About, draft policy, funding for related research, and how new urban parks are created.

Nature and science

Protecting lands, waters, species and ecosystems. Climate change. Indigenous leadership.

Culture and history

People, places and events that have shaped Canada’s history. Indigenous connections, world heritage sites and more.

Unforgettable moments with Parks Canada

Snap a photo and tag us with #ParksCanada for a chance to be featured

11 Guided Tours in the Canadian Rockies You Don’t Want to Miss!

The Canadian Rockies offer some of the most incredible scenery in the world. From towering mountains to pristine lakes and forests, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Guided tours allow visitors to see these natural wonders at their leisure, while also learning about the history and culture of the area. Taking advantage of the variety of guided tours in the Canadian Rockies are a great way to make the most of your time!

And remember, you get to see all that this amazing region has to offer!

Table of Contents

History of Guided Tours in the Canadian Rockies

Guided tours in the Canadian Rockies run throughout the year regardless of the season. The Canadian Rockies become more and more dramatic and beautiful as the year progresses, making any time of year an ideal time to explore. With high peaks of shale and limestone, much of which are inside protected national and provincial parks, large parts of the Canadian Rockies also have World Heritage Status . This entire region was first explored during the early 1800s as explorers and traders forged paths through the mountains to open up trade routes.

Guides of the Canadian Rockies have existed since the early 1920s. Since then, locals, Canadians, and tourists from further afield have been captivated by this mountainous region and have longed to explore it. The introduction of guided tours during the 1950s and 60s opened up much of the Rockies to those who are not avid hikers or climbers. Today, guided tours take the form of short to day long hikes, longer treks across the peaks, tours via bus, or bicycle to name a few. 

The Canadian Rockies By Region

There are 5 directional regions, based off the centrally located Banff National Park, that follow the spine of the Canadian Rockies. These regions are further divided into the 7 National Parks. At the heart of the Rockies is Banff National Park, which was Canada’s first National Park. All regions within the Canadian Rockies boast untouched nature, pristine blue-green lakes, snow-capped mountains, enchanting forests and of course incredible wildlife. With each region offering something a little different, you will find a great tour while there.

Central Region

Banff, the oldest National Park in Canada, covers 2564 square miles (6640 square kilometres) of the Canadian Rockies. Banff is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada thanks to its vividly coloured lakes and snow-capped peaks. It is a great location to see the Northern Lights. Within the National Park are many spectacular skiing hills. Banff is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has excellent plant and animal diversity.

North Region

Jasper is the largest National Park in the Canadian Rockies, covering an area of 4335 square miles (11,228 square kilometres). The skies above Jasper are the perfect place to stargaze as it is the second-largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world. Waterfalls and glaciers pack the National Park. It’s beauty and geological importance had Jasper named an UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

East Region

The river running through the National Park gave Kananaskis its name. This park covers 1544 square miles (4000 square kilometres) of wild land parks and ecological preserves. Kananaskis is well-known for its scenic mountain drives leading to many pristine, blue-green bodies of water. 

West Region

Kootenay National Park is an extreme wilderness of extreme beauty. Kootenay covers 543 square miles (1406 square kilometres). The National Park is filled with hot springs and contrasting icy rivers. Above all, Kootenay is a hotbed for Canadian wildlife, with black and grizzly bears often sighted. 

Glacier National Park is 521 square miles (1349 square kilometres) in area and was established in 1886. Within the National park is one of the largest cave systems in Canada, active glaciers and many high peaks just wanting to be scaled. Glacier National Park is famous for its heavy snowfall.

Yoho National Park covers 507 square miles (1313 square kilometres). Endangered pine trees pack the National Park. It has many sheer vertical rock walls. Paleontologists discovered many fossils while exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yoho is the Cree exclamation of excitement and awe, which is appropriate given the beauty of the region.

South Region

Waterton is a significant place for Niitsitapi and other indigenous peoples. This staggeringly beautiful area is the smallest National Park in the Canadian Rockies at just 195 square miles (505 square kilometres). Waterton is home to many of Canada’s native large predators; black and grizzly bears, wolves, and coyote. The National Park is also home to the deepest lake within the Rockies. Waterton is another excellent location for observing the night sky as it is a multi-national Dark Sky Park. 

Best Guided Tours in the Canadian Rockies

Banff national park – top rated tours in the canadian rockies.

There are many guided tours within Banff offering a range of tours for individuals, families, hikers and more. Each guided tour takes in a different part of the National Park revealing some of its hidden treasures. 

Wow Banff makes sightseeing across Banff easy.  This comfortable open top double decker bus is a multi-language, hop on hop off tour takes a range of routes to some of the most beautiful areas in Banff. 

Wow Banff’s Same Day Sightseeing Loop is their most popular tour. From one of their outdoor seats, undoubtedly the best seats in the house, Wow Banff offers an immersive experience through the Canadian Rockies and Banff National Park. 

On the tour there are plenty of opportunities to take in beautiful panoramic views across the Rockies. Whilst on the tour you will learn about the lakes, mountains, waterfalls and wildlife that call Banff their home. Each tour on the Sightseeing Loop takes approximately 2.5 hours offering visitors a great introduction to the area. 

Add tickets to the Lake Louise Gondola to extend your day.

Mahikan Trails

Mahikan Trails offers a unique tour range differing from traditional hiking and sightseeing tours. The tours offer indigenous experiences

Mahikan’s tour selection covers two medicine walks, and one canyon walk. 

On a Banff Medicine Walk offered by Mahikan, head out with an experienced guide who will share the history of Cascade Ponds with your group. This tour has a minimum group of 6 people in order to run and takes between 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. The walk is relaxed with plenty of stops to rest and take in the beauty of the area. The trails are well established and easy to walk along, making this a great tour for many interested parties. 

Your knowledgeable guide, Brenda Holder, will identify plants, trees and bushes on your walk that could help with survival. Brenda will point out plants used in traditional cold and flu remedies, great sources of food and perhaps most importantly in the cold mountains, fire starters. 

Pack appropriately for the weather on your medicine walk. The tours run year round so if booking a winter walk, bring extra layers. Moreover, should the conditions in the canyon be icy you can even hire boots to help make your walk even more comfortable.  

Rocky Mountain Cycling Tours

Rocky Mountain Cycling Tours , does exactly what it says on the tin; offering a range of cycling tours for discovery, adventure and fun.

Rocky Mountain Cycling has ran tours in Banff since 1977. They aim to create unique travel experiences and allow their visitors to experience new things and places, and make memories. 

Three types of tours are available through Rocky Mountain Cycling; cycling, hiking and custom. All of Rocky Mountain Cycling Tour offerings are more akin to adventure holidays, with each tour regardless of style spanning several days of exploration and fun. 

Book onto the Best of Lake Louise and Banff to explore more of this incredible National Park from the saddle. The trip lasts for 3 days and 2 nights and is all inclusive. No more than 12 people will be in your group making for a more intimate experience. Rocky Mountain Cycling Tours have the ability to cater to the level of need for its participants. All levels of riders are welcome and trips can be modified to be more relaxed or more challenging. They are the ideal trip for anyone with a more active lifestyle.

This incredible mini-break begins in the Bow Valley Parkway with time to meet your group, guides and get set up on your bike. You will then head to Lake Avenue on day 2, before finishing back in Banff on day 3. As the trip is all inclusive, all meals are included in the cost. Also included are your 2 professional guides from the region, hotel accommodation, transportation and luggage. 

Banff by Scooter 

Banff by Scooter is a self-guided tour where you can hire a scooter for unforgettable experiences. Hire a 49cc Vespa and take off into the mountains.

To explore Banff by Scooter you need to have a valid driver’s license. Drivers feet must be able to reach the ground when seated, and passengers feet must be able to touch the foot pedals. For more adventurous families, this could be the ideal way to see this incredible area. 

Banff by Scooter is a self-guided tour, however they can provide you with recommended routes to make your journey easy, and to take in as many incredible sites as possible.

Head to Tunnel Mountain for incredible views across the rest of the National Park, or explore Cave & basin National Historic Site. Start in Banff by having a tasty lunch at one of the town’s many restaurants before heading off on your adventure.

Included in your booking is unlimited gas, 2 helmets per scooter, unlimited kilometres to travel, route advice and an orientation to Vespa scooters.  Booking lengths also vary. Scooters can be hired for as little as 2 hours or as many as multiple days if you are staying in the area for longer and want to see as much as possible. 

Glacier National Park Tours – A Must Visit Destination

Glacier is a spectacular National Park to explore. It’s alpine scenery is filled with ancient forests just waiting to be explored. Swiss pioneers mapped the National Park, creating many spectacular ways and hikes. Within the National Park is Rogers Pass, an important historical location in the coming together of Canada as a country, united by the railroad.

Glacier Sun Tours

Glacier Sun Tours run a range of bus tours through Glacier National Park on Going-to-the-Sun Road and throughout Blackfeet Country. Guides at Glacier Sun Tours are local and specialise in Blackfeet culture, history and tradition to name a few. Furthermore, Glacier Sun Tours offer a range of tours to suit your needs. All of Glacier Sun Tours through the Canadian Rockies are suitable for the whole family. 

On their full day tours, you will be picked up and taken to your starting destination. Full day tours do not include lunch so it is recommended to bring lunch or snacks, or money to purchase food at the designated lunch stop.

Full day tours begin in the high plains. Your knowledgeable guide will show you a range of plants from the more than 1500 species that grow in the area. There is also a multitude of wildlife in Glacier National Park including black and grizzly bears, moose and antelope. Your guide will stop regularly giving you the chance to photograph the incredible scenery surrounding you. Stops on the tour include Rising Sun, Deadhorse Curve, Grizzly Point and Logan Pass. 

Jasper National Park – Majestic Mountains and Abundant Wildlife

As Jasper is the second largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world, there should be no surprise that one of the best tours to do involves the night sky. Likewise with all areas in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper can be explored individually or with an expert on a guided tour. Here are two we recommend for your visit. 

Jasper Hikes & Tours 

Jasper Hikes and Tours is a great place to start your Canadian Rockies adventure. On your tour you will learn about the geology of Jasper, its history and ecology. 

Jasper’s tours are divided into three main categories; summer hikes, climbing and winter adventure. 

One of Jasper Hikes and Tours most popular packages is their Wildlife and Hike package that is available in May, June and September. The timings of the tours and the months selected are directed by the wildlife activity. 

During this unique tour, which is suitable for the whole family, head out on the trail in search of the characteristic fauna within the area. Each hike can vary depending on season and wildlife search location, and the guide running your trip. On your hike you have the chance to see new families emerging across the park, including bear cubs and baby moose. 

Jasper Planetarium 

A planetarium may not be the first place you think of to book a tour or a National Park with, however Jasper Planetarium offers one of Canada’s most incredible and unique tour experiences.

The Jasper Planetarium Constellation Binocular Tour is a must for anyone interested in the night sky. Suitable for ages 4 and up, and lasting a pleasant 50 minutes, head out at night with your specialist Dark Sky host to observe something incredible.

Your host will take you and your tour group to a specially-selected part of the dark sky site within walking distance of the Jasper Fairmont Hotel . Once you reach your destination a laser-guided tour of the constellations observable by the naked eye will begin. Binoculars are provided to help you get a closer view of the constellations, milky way, and deep space objects. 

Kananaskis National Park Tours – Beauty In The Foothills

Head out on a tour into Kananaskis Park to be completely surrounded by incredible wild land park. Tours of the Canadian Rockies through Kananaskis reveal a treasure-trove of natural beauty. As the park is one large ecological preserve, expect to see a wide variety of native flora and fauna on your tour. 

Boundary Ranch

Boundary Ranch is a tour like no other. Instead of heading out on foot or on a traditional tour bus, why not take in the majestic sites around you from a horse drawn sleigh?

The best time to take a horse drawn sleigh ride through Kananaskis is during winter for that truly quintessential sleigh ride experience. Huddle under a blanket and get lost in your winter wonderland. The land surrounding Boundary Ranch is overlooked by towering mountains and is bordered by thick forests of pine. Your sleigh ride has a stopping point at the Buffalo viewing paddock where you can observe, and of course photograph, Canada’s largest land animal. 

Boundary Ranch tours also take in their Teepee Village which showcases local Native Heritage. Once back at the ranch enjoy a marshmallow or S’more roast around the bonfire. 

Boundary Ranch does not provide blankets, however small lap blankets can be rented. For the ultimate cosy experience back your own. 

The ride itself takes between 30 and 45 minutes, and includes a warming cup of hot chocolate or coffee. In addition to your ticket, extras including marshmallows or S’mores to roast around the bonfire, an Irish twist in your coffee or hot chocolate, and any additional drinks can be purchased. 

For fans of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, The Ice Queen, Frozen, or simply the romance of being on a horse drawn sleigh, this is a great way to see some of Canada’s beauty. 

Kootenay National Park Tours – The Gateway into the Canadian Rockies

Exploring the unique landscape of Kootenay can be done in the traditional way (by bus or on foot) or through something a little more unusual.  

Scootin Koots

Book onto a Scootin Koots Segway tour and see the Kootenay National Park in a whole new way. Each 1.5 hour tour begins with a short training session where you will master the SegwayX2. 

On your SegwayX2 explore the wilderness surrounding Radium Hot Springs. On your guided you will head into the lush forests that border Kootenay National Park. As the experience is entirely off-road you will experience beautiful scenery and surroundings and some great photo opportunities while enjoying an unusual tour. 

Due to the nature of the tour and equipment used, guests are required to weigh between 90lbs and 260lbs which may not make this the best option for families with younger children. 

Waterton Lakes National Park Tours – The Land of Many Lakes

Waterton’s landscape is where the prairies meet the peaks of the Rocky Mountains, while rivers meander and waterfalls cascade. Explore Canada’s fourth National Park and its beautiful surroundings on a guided tour and above all, have fun.

Uplift Adventures 

Uplift Adventures offer a range of outdoor activities and wilderness courses. Book onto an Intro into Backpacking course to understand what it takes to backpack successfully, head out on an overnight backpacking trip, or follow in the footsteps of famous Canadians on a historical tour. 

Uniquely, Uplift Adventures creates interpretive yours that tell stories to connect you to the nature and landscape surrounding you. The tours are all about combining learning and having fun. Above all, Uplift adventures are suitable for the whole family. 

One of the most popular tours with Uplift Adventures is the Waterton Wildflower Walks. This tour runs from mid-may to September on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Meet your guide and learn about how to identify a range of diverse plants found in the National Park. 

Begin your tour at Crandell Lake where experienced guides reveal the interesting biodiversity of the area. Following this, at a slow pace your trail walk begins with regular stops to look at wildflowers. 

Whilst the tour covers 3.4 kilometres (2.11 miles) at a gain/loss elevation of 180m (590.55ft), it is carried out at a gentle pace making it suitable for all. 

Yoho National Park Tours – A Spectacular Landscape That Will You Keep You in Awe

Yoho National Park is deeply connected to its history, both through anthropology and geology. Tours of the Canadian Rockies through Yoho focus on reconnecting people with nature in a pure, organic and self-sustaining way.

Self-Propelled Adventures

Self-Propelled Adventures are a small local company that aim to preserve and promote a sustainable connection to outdoor activities. Above all, Self-Propelled Adventures aim to encourage people to slow down. They encourage guests to observe the world around them away from the stresses of everyday life. 

Self-Propelled Adventures offers a number of tours across the Canadian Rockies to inspire potential travellers. 

To truly understand the historical allure of Yoho, book onto the Emerald Triangle Tour. Due to it’s advanced difficulty raiting, this trail is not recommended for families with young children, or those who struggle with hiking. The trek covers 19.7 kilometres (12.24 miles) in approximately 8 hours, at an elevation gain of 880m. Despite this challenge, the reward throughout the tour is breathtaking. Hike along Yoho and Burgess Passes, and head through the Wapiti Highline. From various viewpoints along your hike there are unrivalled views across Emerald Lake. Your guide will also share information about the world famous Burgess Shale Fossils. 

The Canadian Rockies are so vast and filled with wonder that it would take a lifetime to see everything. Coupled with the constraints of daily life, it can be difficult to decide what to do and where to go. As there is so much to do, there is a tour suitable for everyone’s needs. For those who don’t live there, the Canadian Rockies are a once in a lifetime experience. What better way to explore this incredible area than with an experienced guide. Tours in the Canadian Rockies are varied, exciting and above all will create incredible memories.

Kelly Smith

Discover the drive from calgary to edmonton, vermilion lakes – everything you need to know before visiting, you may also like, 50 incredible things to do in banff in..., heli-skiing in canada: the 9 best high-flying adventure, power up your adventure: e-bikes in banff, canoeing lake moraine – discover the canadian wilderness, biking in banff national park: the 8 best..., the best places for snowshoeing in banff national..., vermilion lakes – everything you need to know..., banff sightseeing tours: experience the best of banff..., up, up, and away a ride on the..., skiing in banff – the ultimate ski trip....

Canadian Rockies & Glacier

Dear Traveler, Welcome to a great vacation at an affordable price. Canadian Rockies tour is fully guided and includes all hotels, activities, and some meals. Happy Travels! Caravan

Glacier National Park Montana USA

Book a tour with Caravan to see the Canadian Rockies and your vacation includes a guided tour of Glacier National Park in northern Montana.

Activities to Perk up Your Glacier National Park Vacation Experience

Glacier national park landscape, glacier national park red jammers, going-to-the-sun road in glacier national park, logan pass in glacier national park, about caravan tours, 2024 hotels, days 1, 8 • calgary, hilton garden inn airport, days 2, 3 • pincher creek, heritage inn, days 4, 5 • banff, banff park lodge, days 6, 7 • jasper, jasper house, airport transfers, arrival transfers, departure transfers, passports & visas, weather & clothing, temperature °f (high/low) rainfall (inches), clothing tips, travel tips & faqs, are meals included, children on tour, canada’s national holidays, family trips, my tour price does not include, my tour price includes, age of travelers on a caravan tour, forms of payment, many tours sell out each year, fully guided tours since 1952, size of tour group, a well-paced itinerary, caravan’s $129 travel protection, customer reviews.

"This was a totally awesome and magnificent tour. Our first with Caravan and now certainly not our last, we couldn’t be more pleased. It went way above all our expectations. Extremely great value. Most spectacular place we have ever visited with the possible exception of the Grand Canyon. Timing of all the stops was excellent. Day after day we were amazed beyond words by the beauty of the sites visited. Don’t omit any stops. Information, history, stories and jokes from our director were outstanding, the most awesome we have ever had. She helped everyone on our bus in one way or another. I would love to have her on every tour and we would recommend this tour over and over." Mr. & Mrs. D.G., Greenwood, Indiana

"This was our 7th Caravan tour. Needless to say, we keep coming back because we have great experiences on Caravan tours. Our lives are enriched on every tour by the places we visit and by the people we meet. The places we went, the things we saw, and the activities we experienced fulfilled my expectations for this trip. In every direction, the scenery was stunning...so beautiful. There were plenty of great activities such as the float on the Bow River, walking on the glacier, the cruise to Goat Haunt and the Peace Park, the gondola in Banff, the Red Jammer tour in Glacier...everything. Yet, there was enough time to explore on our own." Mr. C.R., Lebanon, Pennsylvania

"This tour was so much fun and sold us on Caravan. This was our first Caravan tour following multiple trips with numerous other companies, including a previous one to the Canadian Rockies with another company. For the money, the Caravan Tour is a thorough and very enjoyable tour, good accommodations and an excellent value. Couldn’t believe what quality we got for such a low cost! As each day passed, the sights became more and more impressive, the mountains higher and more snow capped, culminating in the Columbia Icefield. Despite the cold, we were so happy that our director did everything on our itinerary. He was our all time favorite tour guide. So well-organized, professional, amiable and well-versed in the Canadian Rockies. Every day had its special moments, a complete itinerary. We had a wonderful time! We were pleased with every accommodation where we stayed. Great accommodations for comfort, accessibility, and service. Loved the Jasper House cabins and Banff Lodge." Mr. & Mrs. W.H., Berea, Ohio

"A very refreshing, nature-filled trip. Excellent, beautiful scenery was absolutely breathtaking. In AWE of the views at Lake Moraine and Lake Louise. Although the weather was not typical for the time of our visit, we loved every bit of the variety of cold, snow, rain, and sun that we experienced. Loved the Red Jammer Road to the Sun. River rafting in the snow was fabulous. Glacier field was breathtaking. Ample time for rest and photo stops of views to have as cherished memories of this tour." Mr. & Mrs. D.W., Vacherie, Louisiana

"A special family trip to celebrate my husband’s retirement. Loved the tour in full. The best trip I have ever taken. Just loved it. Our sightseeing and activities could not have been better. The Rockies were great. I enjoyed every activity and this is why I chose Caravan Canadian Rockies tour. Each day just got better and better. Everyday we kept saying “can’t get any better” and every day we were wrong. Just gorgeous. We got to see a lot but didn’t feel rushed, it was just right. The trip was broken up and we were able to stretch when tired of traveling. Our director was exceptional. The added knowledge of the area complemented each and every sight that we got to see. Words cannot begin to express our director’s expertise and his presentational skills, the best ever. I will use Caravan again." Mrs. & Mr. S.L., Murrysville, Pennsylvania

"It was our first Caravan tour. We were amazed at how smoothly it all went. We were awestruck by the scenery and by the friendly ambiance of our travel group. We were glad to have walking available to whatever extent we wanted or could manage. Loved the wide range of offerings, rafting, gondola, Red Jammer ride, awesome scenery, seeing the stampede grounds. Excellent to have rotation of seats!! A smooth, expertly ride with local info and a tidy coach, our driver was a true gentleman. A very wide range of places to stay and something for everyone in the group, well done!" Mr. & Mrs. P.W., Polo, Illinois

"Without a doubt, this was the best tour I have been on. Worth every dollar. The sights were the most beautiful I have ever seen and the stops, attractions, guides, free time, and overall schedule was just perfect. Perfect selection of activities and free time. Where to start! The cruise on Waterton Lake and dinner with friends was great. Our guide on the boat did a great job explaining everything we were seeing. The Red Jammer ride and Sun Highway and everything associated with that day was absolutely amazing. The drivers were outstanding and the scenery and wildlife was breathtaking. While we experienced fog going up Sulphur Mountain on the gondola, the views at the top were out of this world. Then the fog lifted and what a sight! All the other stops like Lake Louise and the many waterfalls were great additions to the trip. I would have not wanted to miss any of them. We saw so much more than I expected and I think because of the way our TD managed the tour and the group, we all developed personal relationships with each other early on in the tour and the entire group worked together to make sure no one was left out. Everything went just like clockwork and we had nothing to think about except to enjoy and take in the beauty of the country. Leave the work to Caravan! Another great tour, thanks!!" Mr. W.S., Dayton, Ohio

Why Travel with Caravan?

Excellence since 1952, caravan care, caravan's proud history, great hotels, complete sightseeing, fully guided by tour directors, all-inclusive, shopping freedom, great value, book early, how does caravan tours sell these tours for such a low cost, trade association memberships.

How to Take an Epic Canadian National Parks Road Trip

By: Author Taryn Eyton

Posted on Last updated: March 12, 2024

If you think of National Parks in Canada, you probably think of the famous National Parks in Canada’s Rocky Mountains near Banff. And yes, the mountain parks are spectacular. But… Canada is a REALLY big country with a REALLY varied landscape. And we have dozens of National Parks spread all the way from sea to sea, to sea. (That last “sea” is the Arctic if you weren’t sure.)

I have visited a lot of Canada’s National Parks. Recently I wanted to figure out how many parks I had left to visit, and the best way to see them. I’ve also driven across Canada twice, and I know it’s a beautiful trip.

I had a look at a map and figured out that while some Canadian National Parks are fly or boat-in only, most of them are easy to reach on a road trip. And actually, you could design a really epic road trip from coast to coast that includes most of the National Parks plus lots of Canada’s major cities.

So I sat down with google maps and worked one out for you! Here is my guide to the ultimate Canadian National Parks road trip. Enjoy!

Psst! Do you love national parks? Check out my list of the best Canadian national parks gifts

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

Table of Contents

Canadian National Parks Road Trip Planning

As of 2019, Canada has 48 National Parks. Thirty-one of them have road-access. (You have to fly or boat into the others.) I’ve used Google maps to design a cross-Canada road trip that visits all 31 of those parks with the least amount of backtracking possible. In most places, the route stays close to the trans-Canada highway, so it’s easy to take short detours off the cross-Canada route to visit National Parks.

This road trip visits every single Canadian province and two territories. (Nunavut isn’t connected to the road network. That means it’s not even possible to road trip there!) It includes 31 National Park and also visits lots of major Canadian cities and provincial capitals, since you’ll have to to eat some great food and soak up some culture now and then.

The entire Canadian National Parks road trip involves over 19,000km (11,800 miles) of driving. And lots of the parks are REALLY big. For example, Wood Buffalo National Park is larger than the entire country of Denmark! (For more fun trivia, check out this list of 155 crazy facts about Canada ).

At a minimum, it would take about a month or two to complete the entire trip, but it would be REALLY rushed. Ideally, I would set aside at least 4 months for this epic road trip, but ideally closer to 5 or 6 months to really spend time in each place.

Of course, that’s a lot of time off for most people, so if you don’t have that much time, take a few weeks to just do a section. Some of the areas I’ve enjoyed the most are the Rocky Mountain parks in BC and Alberta, and the Atlantic Canadian provinces, especially Newfoundland.

Weather in Canada is no joke. By far the best time of year to do this road trip would be the summer months of June to September. May and October are also nice unless you are in the north. Theoretically, you could do this trip at any time of year with good snow tires and some winter driving experience, but many of the parks have reduced services in the winter or close completely. 

Canadian National Parks Road Trip Map

Here’s the custom google map of Canada’s National Parks I’ve made for you. Click to explore the map. The National Parks you can visit by car are in green. Parks you have to fly or boat into are in red. The blue line is the epic Canadian National Park road trip route.

Canadian National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

Here’s a list of every single National Park in Canada visited on the road trip, in order from west to east. It also includes important cities and provincial capital cities. I’ve listed every National Park and city I have visited in bold. That means I’ve been to 17 of the 31 parks on this road trip already! Just 14 to go!

• Victoria, British Columbia
• Pacific Rim National Park  (Read about the West Coast Trail in Pacific Rim)
• Gulf Islands National Park
• Vancouver, British Columbia ( Read Vancouver area posts )
• Mount Revelstoke National Park (Read my guide to Mount Revelstoke National Park )
• Glacier National Park
• Kootenay National Park (Read about the Rockwall Trail in Kootenay National Park)
• Waterton Lakes National Park
• Calgary, Alberta
• Banff National Park (Read about h ow to visit Banff in the fall and what to do in Banff in the spring )
• Yoho National Park ( Read about Lake O’Hara in Yoho )
• Jasper National Park
• Whitehorse, Yukon Territory
• Kluane National Park
• Wood Buffalo National Park
• Edmonton, Alberta
• Elk Island National Park
• Prince Albert National Park
• Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• Grasslands National Park
• Regina, Saskatchewan
• Riding Mountain National Park
• Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Pukaskwa National Park
• Georgian Bay Islands National Park
• Bruce Peninsula National Park
• Point Pelee National Park
• Toronto, Ontario
• Rouge National Urban Park
• Thousand Islands National Park
• Ottawa, Ontario
• Montreal, Quebec
• La Mauricie National Park
• Quebec City, Quebec
• Mingan Archipelago National Park
• Forillon National Park (Read my friend Josanne’s guide to hiking and camping in Forillon National Park )
• Kouchibouguac National Park
• Fredericton, New Brunswick
• Fundy National Park
• Prince Edward Island National Park
• Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
• Halifax, Nova Scotia
• Keijimkujik National Park
• Cape Breton Highlands National Park
• Gros Morne National Park (Read about the Long Range Traverse in Gros Morne)
• Terra Nova National Park
• St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

Canadian National Parks Without Car Access

While they are difficult to get to, and in many cases pretty expensive, I’d love to visit some of Canada’s more remote National Parks. Here are the other 17 National Parks that require charter flights or boats to reach. I’ve included info on their location and how to get there if you’re curious.

Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve: Located in southeastern Labrador, the only way to reach this park is to fly in from the town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Aulavik National Park: This park is on the north end of Banks Island, an arctic island in the North-West Territories. To get there, you’ll fly in from Inuvik, NWT.

Auyuittuq National Park: To get to this park on the southern end of Baffin Island in Nunavut, you charter a flight from Iqaluit, NU.

Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve: This national park is located in the southern end of Haida Gwaii (also known as the Queen Charlotte Islands) off the west coast of British Columbia. To get to Haida Gwaii, drive your car onto the passenger ferry in Prince Rupert, BC. Once you’re on the island, you can take a boat or a float plane from Queen Charlotte City into the park. Read my guide to Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve .

Ivvavik National Park: This park is located along the Arctic Ocean in the northern part of the Yukon Territory. The only way to get there is to charter a flight from Inuvik, NWT. 

Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve: This Canadian national park is located in the North West Territories near the border with Yukon Territory. To get there, you’ll need to fly to the remote communities of Norman Wells, Tulita, or Fort Simpson, NWT, and then charter a floatplane into the park. 

Nahanni National Park Reserve: Located in the southwestern part of the North West Territories, you can only reach Nahanni National Park by floatplane. Charter one in Fort Simpson or Yellowknife (NWT), Watson Lake (YT), or Muncho Lake (BC).

Qausuittuq National Park: This park is located on Bathhurst Island in Nunavut’s high arctic. To get there, you can fly in from Iqaluit, Nunavut.

Quttinirpaaq National Park: Canada’s northernmost National Park, this park is located on Ellesmere Island. To get there, you’ll have to fly in from Iqaluit, Nunavut to Resolute Bay, then into the park.

Sable Island National Park Reserve: Located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Nova Scotia, Sable Island is a giant sand bar with a population of wild horses. The only way to reach it is by charter flight from Halifax, NS.

Sirmilik National Park: This arctic National Park is on the northern end of Baffin Island in Nunavut. To get there, fly from Iqaluit to Pond Inlet or Arctic Bay, then snowmobile or boat into the park.

Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve: This brand new National Park was just created in 2019. It’s located on the eastern end of Great Slave Lake in the North West Territories. The only way to get there is by boat or floatplane from Yellowknife. 

Torngat Mountains National Park: Located in northern Labrador, the easiest way to get there is to take a charter flight from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador to Saglek airstrip at the southern end of the park. From there you can take a boat or helicopter into the park.

Tuktut Nogait National Park: This northern park is located in the North West Territories near the border with Nunavut. To get there, book a charter flight from Inuvik, NWT.

Ukkusiksalik National Park: Located in Nunavut near Hudson’s Bay, the only way to reach this park is by charter flight from Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet, or Naujaat, Nunavut then boat or fly into the park.

Vuntut National Park: This National Park is located near the Alaska border in Yukon Territory. To get there, fly to Old Crow, Yukon, then fly or paddle into the park.

Wapusk National Park: Located in the heart of polar bear country on Hudson’s Bay in Manitoba, this park can be reached by boat, snowmobile, plane or dog team from the town of Churchill, Manitoba.

Canadian National Parks Resources

• Parks Canada’s website is your best source for up to date info on the parks. You can also buy National Parks passes online . For an extended trip, the best deal is the Discover Pass, which gets you in to all parks for a year. 
• To help plan your trip (and get excited about what you’ll be seeing) the National Geographic Guide to the National Parks of Canada is a great choice. National Geographic also has a great bundle of maps of Canada . They’re waterproof and tear-resistant so they’re great on the road or for at-home planning.
• For general Canada travel advice, Lonely Planet’s Canada Travel Guide is great. We used an older version of this guide on our drives across Canada.

So there’s my itinerary for the most epic Canadian National Parks road trip. If you are planning a road trip across Canada, these 31 National Parks should be on your list. 

Don’t have enough time for a full cross-Canada road trip? Here are some ideas for shorter Canadian road trips :

• Drive the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler
• Explore the Pacific Marine Circle Route on Vancouver Island
• Take a hot springs road trip in BC and Alberta
• 20 Fabulous Canadian National Park Gift Ideas
• Best Small Towns in Canada for Outdoor Adventures
• The Best Canadian Adventure Books
• Your Guide to the Best Hot Springs in Canada
• Things to do in Mount Revelstoke National Park, Canada
• Your Guide to Camping and Hiking at Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park
• Your Guide to the West Coast Trail in Pacific Rim National Park
• Hiking the Long Range Traverse in Gros Morne National Park
• Rockwall Trail in Kootenay National Park: Everything You Need to Know
• Cozy Cabins near Vancouver Perfect for a Weekend Getaway
• Latest Posts

• 2024 West Coast Trail Hiking Guide - May 2, 2024
• BC Parks Day Passes 2024 – Everything You Need to Know - April 25, 2024
• Joffre Lakes Hike (By a Local) - April 25, 2024

Saturday 23rd of March 2024

Very well done and I really like the fact that you admit that this itinerary will take at least 4 months. People do not always understand how big Canada is. Thanks!

Saturday 25th of June 2022

I have two questions: 1. What are A, B, C, .... meanings on the map? The map cannot be linked to the google map. 2. I plan to visit Acadia NP and across the border to visit Canada NP nearby. Would you please advise on the best road trip? James

Taryn Eyton

Tuesday 28th of June 2022

Sorry about that - the link is fixed now and you can click through to see everything in Google Maps now. The closest Canadian National Park to Acadian National Park is Fundy National Park in New Brunswick.

Monday 31st of January 2022

Hello Taryn!!! My name is Barbara and my family and I are planning a 38 days epic road trip through national parks in the Northwest United States and Southwest Canada. I would love to talk to you about some of the planning logistics with you if you can reach out to me via email.

Tuesday 1st of February 2022

Hi Barbara, That sounds like an incredible trip. Feel free to email me: taryn [at] happiestoutdoors [dot] ca if you're looking for help planning. I offer travel consultation services and custom itineraries.

Saturday 10th of July 2021

Can you please explain your map that has indexed A to I three different times on the map. Are they the same repeated or… please help I’m planning to go across Canada in the fall and like your site.

Sunday 11th of July 2021

That's just a function of how google maps works - it has a limit on how many stops you can include in one trip. So I had to split it up into several segments. If you click through to the map you can see the entire route.

Thursday 1st of April 2021

You can’t drive through wood Buffalo national park. There is no road in summer. You can only do that route via arc or canoe.

You should publish advice on things that you haven’t done and are inaccurate.

Friday 2nd of April 2021

Hi Kate. You're right - I haven't done this route. As I say in the post, I've done portions of it and the rest is for inspiration only - It's a dream route that I'd love to do some day. And you're right - can't drive through Wood Buffalo National Park. But the Google maps route that I suggest recommends driving paved roads (highway 5) to Fort Smith NWT (the gateway to Wood Buffalo), then taking turning around and taking the same highway back to connect with the 35 down to Edmonton. In the post I haven't suggested driving through the park or driving on roads that aren't open all year.

• 13 Meals: 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners
• Spend two nights in Calgary
• Enjoy a relaxing cruise on Upper Waterton Lake in Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park
• Spend two nights at the Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier
• Travel the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road in a “Jammer” Red Bus through Glacier National Park
• Spend two nights in the town of Banff inside Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park
• Take a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain for views of the Banff village valley and mountains
• Snocoach excursion on the Columbia Icefield’s Athabasca Glacier, the largest in North America
• Visit the Glacier Skywalk for spectacular views
• Spend two nights in Jasper inside Jasper National Park, the largest park in the Canadian Rockies
• Enjoy a leisurely narrated cruise on Maligne Lake with some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rockies
• Travel the Icefields Parkway through Jasper and Banff National Parks
• See the vibrant blue, glacier-fed waters of Lake Louise
• Special farewell dinner atop the Calgary Tower

8 National Parks in Canada to Visit on Your Next Trip

Posted: March 14, 2024 | Last updated: March 14, 2024

The carvings at SGang Gwaay Llanagaay are some of the totems visitors can see at Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site.

Photo by Destination BC/Brandon Hartwig

Oh, Canada —how we could go on about your outdoorsy goodness. All countries offer their own unique variety of landscapes, but few can claim the assortment found in the Great White North. It’s a country that encompasses the best of the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Arctic, the Rockies . . . need we continue?

As the second-largest country in the world in terms of landmass with a population smaller than the state of California, Canada is a haven for outdoor adventure. Just look to its 37 national parks and 10 national park reserves (the difference between the two is that reserves have one or more Indigenous land claims) for proof: Jaunt to Banff for its Rocky Mountain nature and see what all the hype is about, or go off the grid at a national park that regularly has less than 30 yearly visitors (shout-out to Tuktut Nogait National Park in Canada’s Arctic).

So whether you’re a surfer, hiker, wildlife lover, or all of the above, be prepared to dust off that backpack and experience what these eight memorable national parks and reserves have in store.

1. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve

British Columbia

The remote Haida Gwaii archipelago off the coast of British Columbia is where travelers can find the approximately 570-square-mile Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve , taking up the southernmost third of Haida Gwaii archipelago. On these rainforest-covered islands, you can come across bald eagles soaring overhead and groups of basking sea lions, all while walking among trees, including sitka spruce, western hemlock, and red cedar. Red cedar, in particular, has been important to the Haida people, who have called Haida Gwaii home for more than 10,000 years. The Haida weave cedar bark into baskets, use its wood to build longhouses (traditional dwellings), and carve cedar into massive poles that can be observed in the park reserve and throughout Haida Gwaii’s islands.

How to get to Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve

The park reserve can only be accessed by boat or seaplane. According to Parks Canada , travel through the inside waters of Carmichael Passage and Dana Passage from Moresby Camp to Gwaii Haanas takes about two days. The easiest way to get to Gwaii Haanas is to use a licensed operator . Additionally, travelers are encouraged to take the Haida Pledge to respect the land.

2. Banff National Park

Throughout the 1870s, construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway was underway to connect Canada’s east and west coasts. But an interesting bump happened along the way when workers found several hot springs in the Bow Valley of the Canadian Rocky Mountains and thought the place would work better as a spa than a railroad track. In response to disputes over who had the right to develop the springs, the Canadian government created a reserve to protect the area in 1885—and Banff National Park was born. (Called Banff Hot Springs Reserve at the time, it was renamed in 1930.)

The 2,564-square-mile park is by no means spoiled by the frequent slew of visitors , despite being the most-visited in the country’s parks system. While crowds gather to admire the glossy, turquoise waters of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, there are plenty of hikes or falls to veer off to in the summer. When winter comes, walk up Sulphur Mountain and take a dip in the historical springs that made Banff a park in the first place.

For a unique spin on the traditional national park experience, book an Indigenous “medicine walk” tour with Mahikan Trails , during which you’ll learn about the healing properties of botanicals like trembling aspen, rose hips, and wolf willow.

How to get to Banff National Park

If you’re not driving your own car into Banff, Calgary International Airport is about 80 miles away and handles direct flights from Denver, San Francisco, New York, and other U.S. cities. After landing, you’ll need to rent a car for the drive 1.5 hours to the park via Trans-Canada 1 West.

3. Fundy National Park

New Brunswick

Take a walk along the shores in New Brunswick’s Fundy National Park on the eastern side of Canada, and you may find that your path is completely underwater on your way back. That’s not unusual in this park on the Bay of Fundy, which draws the highest tides—around 50 feet—in the world.

You can get a thrilling experience of high tide at the Bay of Fundy by tidal bore rafting , which encompasses a bumpy ride on the standing waves that form as high tide enters the Shubenacadie River.

How to get to Fundy National Park

While Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport is the closest airport to this part of New Brunswick, Halifax is much better connected. (American offers direct flights from a handful of U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C., New York City, and Tampa.) From Halifax’s airport, rent a car and drive about 200 miles east to reach Fundy National Park.

4. Jasper National Park

If you think Banff is all there is to the Canadian Rockies, think again: When UNESCO declared the area a World Heritage site in 1984, it also included the parks of Jasper, Kootenay , and Yoho . The biggest of the four— Jasper National Park —spans a whopping 4,300 square miles. With a 2021 yearly visitor count of 2.1 million people (compared to Banff’s 3.6 million), Jasper’s relative lack of people lends itself to more Kodak moments with Rocky Mountain wildlife.

If you do want to travel to one of the park’s more popular attractions, head to Maligne Lake, the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. Check out the vistas, which include the three glaciers you can see throughout the year.

How to get to Jasper National Park

Edmonton’s airport is close to Jasper and gets direct flights from plenty of North American airports, including Denver and San Francisco. Once you fly in, be prepared to buckle up and drive, because the park is still 200 miles away. But if you’re going to Banff National Park in the same trip, driving Highway 93—also known as the Icefields Parkway—between them offers an exceptionally picturesque route, with views of ancient glaciers, lakes, and Rocky Mountain larches and pines.

5. Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Nova Scotia

Cape Breton Highlands National Park in northern Nova Scotia offers plenty to do across its mix of highland and ocean landscapes. You can enjoy much of the scenery in this 360-square-mile park without leaving the car, with the Route 30 loop (also known as the Cabot Trail) bracing the shores of the Atlantic on one side and the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the other. Drive slowly, and not just for the coastal views that greet you at every mile—this is whale country, and particularly lucky visitors may get a glimpse of a minke or pilot whale coming up for air. You can also cycle part of the 185-mile loop course or opt to hike some of the park’s 26 scenic trails.

How to get to Cape Breton Highlands National Park

This part of Nova Scotia is most easily accessed through Halifax airport, which connects directly to many hubs on the continent. From there, you’ll drive around 150 miles north to get to Cape Breton Island. Travel north another 65 miles on Nova Scotia Highway 105 and you’ll reach Cabot Trail. This last 50-mile leg to the park is about an hour-long drive.

6. Auyuittuq National Park

Heading to the Arctic is nothing short of adventure, and adventure is what you’ll get at Auyuittuq National Park . In the winter, this 8,300-square-mile park is mostly rock and ice, making multiday treks extremely difficult to downright impossible. But come summer, you can spend all day and night exploring the fjords, glaciers, and seemingly endless fields of colorful wildflowers underneath the Midnight Sun. Fully grasp the beauty and drama of the tundra with a trip to its three most famous mountains: Mount Odin, Mount Asgard, and Mount Thor—which, if the names are any indication, are the stuff of legend.

How to get to Auyuittuq National Park

As much as we love a good road trip, getting to the Auyuittuq National Park isn’t possible by car. Instead, you’ll need to take a flight from either Toronto or Ottawa to Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, followed by a short flight to Pangnirtung or Qikiqtarjuaq. Both locations allow you to take a boat to trailheads within the park—Pangnirtung from the east and Qikiqtarjuaq from the west. Within the park, you’ll need to travel around on foot.

7. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve ’s 197 square miles of temperate rain forest showcase the magic that happens when you combine the grandeur of the Pacific Coast with the lowland forests of Vancouver Island. Here, sand dunes and towering trees such as sitka spruce keep Pacific winds from bulldozing the interior, supporting an ever-so-delicate ecosystem home to threatened species like the little brown bat and dromedary jumping-slug.

The reserve is divided into three parts, and each carries its own unique appeal. Its northernmost section, called Long Beach, is a haven for surfers year-round. For an experience on calmer waters, head southeast to the Broken Group islands, where kayaks and campers can hop among more than 100 islands, islets, and outcrops. Experienced hikers can take a week traversing the West Coast Trail. This hike travels over more than 100 ladders through its 47 miles as you navigate the coastal cliffs along the Pacific.

How to get to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

The western side of Vancouver Island is remote, so your best bet is to drive your car to either Nanaimo or Victoria’s ports. If you’re coming from Victoria, drive north along Highway 1 to reach Highway 19 (around Nanaimo). Keep going north for 30 miles until you get to Highway 4, which will take you to the Long Beach section of the park.

8. Wapusk National Park

Wapusk is the Cree term for polar bear, which is fitting considering that it’s the ideal national park to see the furry animals. Just south of Churchill (the self-proclaimed polar bear capital of the world), this 4,400-square-mile area of boreal forest and Arctic tundra is also home to other Arctic wildlife, including moose, wolves, Arctic foxes, and 200 different species of birds. At night, look up—the location and remoteness of this park make it one of the best places to admire the northern lights.

How to get to Wapusk National Park

This is truly a wilderness park, meaning you won’t find any trails or roads interrupting the landscapes here. You’ll need a licensed tour operator to get around the park, so book ahead of time, especially when polar bear viewing season rolls around in the winter. Some tours and guides for Wapusk National Park operate out of Churchill; the town is reachable through a 1.5-hour flight or 2-night train from Winnipeg.

This article originally appeared online in August 2022; it was updated on March 14, 2024, to include current information.

More for You

The accounting firm that Trump hired for his media firm’s IPO was caught copy-and-pasting previous audits and is now banned forever

F-22 Jet Crash At Savannah Airport: Everything We Know

If you use any of these 4 phrases you have higher emotional intelligence than most

Nancy Pelosi heckler at heart of Oxbridge Palestine protests

This humanoid robot currently holds the world record for speed

Twin Films: 25 Times When Hollywood Made the Same Movie Twice

17 Hairstyles Perfect For Older Women Who Want to Look Younger

Jeannie Epper, Legendary ‘Wonder Woman' and ‘Romancing the Stone' Stuntwoman, Dies at 83

The college with the richest graduates isn't an Ivy League school, based on data. Here are the top 100.

25 Things That Were Considered Polite 50 Years Ago

8 foods to eat before bed for a better night’s sleep

10 things you should be negotiating every time you land a job offer, according to ex-Microsoft HR VP

Michelle Yeoh Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden

Scholz announces Germany's readiness to deploy 35,000 troops to support allies

Letitia James Asks Trump Judge for More Time

Jennie Kim’s Torso Reveal on the 2024 Met Gala Red Carpet Is a Master Class in Confidence

‘Gray’ divorce is sky-rocketing among baby boomers. It can wreak havoc on their retirements

17 Phrases Confident People Use to Stand Up For Themselves

Chicago Sky Lose Rookie Kamilla Cardoso to Significant Injury Absence

15 of the most controversial final episodes in TV history

• Bear's Books

The Ultimate National Park Road Trip: How to See all 51 National Parks in the Continental U.S.

By Halle Homel

The United States is home to 63 national parks, most of which are located within the continental U.S. From expansive desert landscapes to some of the tallest mountains in the country to islands right off the coast, there is so much to see.

The U.S. National Park Service manages over 400 units, including national parks, monuments, and recreation areas. They all hold a different designation based on what is being protected, whether it’s natural landscapes, historical relics, or some combination. The 63 places that hold “park status” are located throughout the United States and are a mix of both natural and historic significance.

While it would be a long haul, it is more than possible to do a massive road trip that connects all of the national parks in the continental U.S. In 2019, I personally drove through all of the contiguous 48 states solo with the goal of visiting as many parks as I could. While I didn’t hit all of them on that first go, I’m now 52 parks in and work as an adventure guide in many of our western parks.

So, from California to Florida to Maine, this is the ultimate national park road trip. Pack your bags, gas up the car, and don’t forget your hiking boots—let’s go.

A Tip From a Full-Time Nomad

I’ve been living on the road and visiting national parks for almost five years now, and the number one piece of advice I have for anyone attempting a trip like this is to purchase an America the Beautiful Pass . This pass is $80 and allows entry into every National Park Service site in the country, which saves you so much money on entry fees. Most parks are approximately $30 to enter, so once you’ve visited three parks, your pass has already paid for itself.

The Weather

Something to keep in mind when doing a trip like this is the weather. It would be best to visit most of these parks in the summer, and while you can visit a lot of them in the off season, it’s crucial to check conditions. Determining when you’re going to start your road trip is going to depend on weather, road closures, and park accessibility. For example: Lassen Volcanic and Crater Lake have lots of winter road closures, and Isle Royale is completely inaccessible in the winter. On the other hand, visiting the Florida and Texas parks is going to be more pleasant in the cooler months.

For this reason, I’ve divided this route into sections that make sense to do seasonally. You won’t be jumping from the desert to the high alpine, so you can stay safe and prepared for what’s ahead.

There’s no better place to start and end this road trip than the stunning southwest. Because you’ll be traveling all over the country, it only makes sense to have this road trip be a loop. Most of the parks in the American Southwest are fairly warm in the winter, with the exception of Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef. However, it can be assumed that roads are generally open in these areas in the colder months.

Let’s start our journey in Joshua Tree National Park in California. This park is a great place to start—it’s easy to navigate, accessible for most beginner national park travelers, has great camping, and great views. It’s a fantastic introduction to the southwest, with massive granite rock features, desert flora and fauna, and sunny skies most of the year.

From Joshua Tree, drive east to Grand Canyon National Park , one of the seven natural wonders of the world. This is one of those places that’s on just about everyone’s bucket list, and it is a great place to camp, hike, or backpack. I’ll save the rest of the Arizona parks for later, but for now, let’s head north.

Not too far north from the Grand Canyon, we’ll hit the first of Utah’s Mighty Five: Zion . Known for stunning red rocks and the infamous Angel’s Landing hike . Visiting the rest of Utah’s parks is easy, simply drive east. This will allow you to witness the diversity in red rock formations, from hoodoos to natural arches. From Zion, you can easily hit Bryce Canyon , Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches in one week or less, maybe throwing in some underrated state parks along the way. Keep in mind that during peak season, Arches does require a timed entry reservation.

From Utah, it makes sense to stay in the desert a little bit longer, stopping at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado before heading south. Mesa Verde is known for its ancient ruins, so stop and take a tour while you’re here to see them up close.

South from Mesa Verde, you’ll visit Petrified Forest National Park, which is a perfect day trip destination where you can appreciate the fossilized wood, and walk your dog—this is a dog-friendly park. Saguaro National Park is next, right outside of Tucson, Arizona, where you can walk amongst giant cacti. Both of these Arizona parks are fairly small and take little planning.

As you head east, you’ll hit White Sands National Park , home to a massive gypsum dune field. This is your first of a few sand dune parks, and while it’s smaller than the others, there is nothing like sand that looks like snow. Go on a hike on the dunes or rent a sled and enjoy the downhill ride.

Staying in New Mexico for one more park, head down to Carlsbad Caverns . Walk down into the cave and check out the underground rock formations. Make sure you stay for the bat flight program at sundown if you visit in the right season—this is an unforgettable wildlife experience.

Just a few miles south of Carlsbad Caverns is Guadalupe Mountains National Park , home to the tallest peak in Texas. This is a smaller park that doesn’t need a ton of time, unlike its neighbor to the south, Big Bend . This park’s name makes it clear; in order to see the whole park, you’ll need a couple days. Check out the Chisos Mountain area and the Rio Grande River here. Go hiking or soak in a hot spring, just keep in mind that being so far south, this park is a hot one in the summer months.

This concludes the southwest portion of the trip, and while there are a couple desert parks left, the way they’re accessed means they’ll be on your route later in the trip.

From Texas, you’ll keep driving east, heading to Arkansas, where Hot Springs National Park is located. This park is more of a historic district, but with a beautiful campground and some hiking trails, it’s truly a mix of everything you could ask for in a park. Make sure you try the natural spring water and visit one of the historic bath houses while you’re here.

The thing about the eastern side of the U.S. is that the parks here are a lot less condensed. The next park on this route isn’t until southern Florida, where we’ll visit three: Biscayne, Everglades, and Dry Tortugas. Everglades is known for its swampy Florida landscape and is the only location in the world where you’ll have the chance to see both crocodiles and alligators. Biscayne is best seen by snorkeling through the park’s protected waters. Dry Tortugas does require a boat to get there, which must be reserved in advance, but once you arrive, you’ll be able to explore this old fort and its surrounding tropical waters.

Since the Florida parks are right next to each other, we’ll head north from here and start heading up the east coast, stopping at Congaree National Park in South Carolina next. This is a great park for wildlife viewing and is the perfect way to experience the unique swampy landscapes of the southeast. Not too far from Congaree is Great Smoky Mountains , located on the Tennessee and North Carolina state line. This is the most visited national park in the country and is a fantastic place to hike, visit waterfalls, and chase views.

From Great Smoky Mountains, you won’t be far from New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia. This is the newest national park in the country, and it’s known for whitewater rafting and rock climbing. Its river is the second oldest in the world, and you’ll be able to hike, camp, and so much more during your time here.

From New River Gorge, head to another iconic Appalachian park: Shenandoah . Shenandoah is similar to the Smokies but with fewer crowds. Take on one of the iconic hikes here, like Old Rag, and camp in one of the park’s many beautiful campgrounds.

New England and the Midwest

This section of the country is hard to put a name on, because you’ll be traveling through many states that don’t have national parks in them. That’s not to say there aren’t beautiful things to see, but there won’t be another park until you reach Maine. In Maine, you’ll visit Acadia National Park . Located on an island off the coast, Acadia is known for having the first sunrise in the U.S. every day. There are lots of hiking trails, and even opportunities for rock climbing here in Acadia, and don’t forget to stop at one of the many beaches.

Coming up next, you won’t have another park until you hit Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. This park is a little more urban than others, but it’s known for waterfalls and its scenic train ride. At this point, you’re heading west, and your next park is Indiana Dunes . At first glance, Indiana Dunes might not seem like much, but the reality is, it’s one of the most biodiverse places in the country. Like lots of sand dune parks around the U.S., this is another great place to bring your dog.

Now, you might be thinking we skipped a couple, but don’t fret—you’re heading to Mammoth Cave next. Mammoth Cave is the world’s longest known cave system. Take a cave tour here, and learn about the cave’s rich history. This park is also home to one of my favorite campgrounds in the Midwest—definitely spend the night here and make the most of your time in Kentucky.

Speaking of history, Gateway Arch is your next park. This iconic landmark is probably the most different from the rest of the destinations on our list. During my visit, I was told by a ranger that the reason it became a park was due to the historic significance of the land the arch was built on. Take the elevator to the top of the arch and look over the city of St. Louis.

Northwoods and Great Plains

While Isle Royale is in Michigan, you’ll drive up to the Upper Peninsula through Wisconsin. Make a stop at Apostle Islands on your way to your boat harbor. Isle Royale can only be accessed via boat, which must be reserved in advance. Isle Royale is going to force you out of your comfort zone: the boat ride is too long for day trips, so most people camp for at least one night on the island. This is also a great place to try backpacking for the first time.

Once you reunite with your car, you’ll drive to Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota’s Northwoods. This park does have hiking trails but is best seen and appreciated from the water. It’s a fantastic place to rent a kayak or canoe and head out to one of the islands while you take in a view of Canada in the distance.

From Voyageurs, you’ll keep heading west to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This park will be your first taste of badland formations . Theodore Roosevelt is known for its wildlife, so keep an eye out for prairie dogs, bison, and wild horses. Make sure you explore both the north and south unit as well—they’re very different from each other and worth seeing.

Next, head south to Badlands National Park . This is easily one of the most otherworldly landscapes in the country, and here, you’re able to hike anywhere, even if there’s no trail. Because of this, there aren’t a lot of designated trails in the park, but a fun, short hike is the Notch Trail. Make sure you get up for sunrise here and take in the views of bison, coyotes, pronghorns, and prairie dogs.

Wind Cave National Park is next, where you’ll be able to explore both above and below ground. Take a cave tour and go on a hike to experience the bison herds on the surface.

Mountain West

You’ve made it back to the expansive west, and by now you’re a seasoned national park traveler. Head south down to Rocky Mountain National Park , where you’ll be welcomed by stunning mountain vistas, herds of elk, and stunning hiking trails. This park does have timed entry requirements in the summer, so keep that in mind and try to plan ahead.

There are two more Colorado parks that you haven’t visited yet. Next up is going to be Great Sand Dunes National Park , home to the tallest sand dune in North America. Just like other sand dune parks, you can bring your dog here, as long as you stay in the front country. The sand does get quite hot in the summer, so my best tip is to plan a sunrise hike. The dunes will be less crowded and the sand will be cool enough for you to hike barefoot.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is next. This unique canyon is extremely steep, but it’s also one of the only canyon parks that allows you to drive down into it. If you’d rather hike down, this is an option too, just make sure you get a permit from the visitor center. There are also many overlooks along the rim of the canyon, which is perfect if you’re looking for a more low-key adventure.

Next, you’ll head north to Wyoming, where you’ll visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks . These unique parks are neighbors, but they couldn’t be more different. In the Tetons, you’ll find towering rocky peaks, and in Yellowstone you’ll be in the depths of a volcanic landscape. Grand Teton National Park hosts the Jenny Lake trail, one of the most famous trails in the park. In Yellowstone, visit some of the many boardwalks through the volcanic springs, like the famous Grand Prismatic. Both parks are known for wildlife—make sure you’re carrying bear spray if you choose to go hiking and appreciate all wildlife from a distance.

After Yellowstone, you’ll head north to one of my favorite parks in the continental U.S.: Glacier. Located in northern Montana, Glacier National Park is famous for mountains, wildlife, and well, glaciers. Drive the Going to the Sun Road or hike one of the many trails to a glacial view and learn about how ancient ice shaped our landscape. The Going to the Sun Road does require timed entry reservations, but it’s worth the extra hassle to get to drive through this stunning landscape. Make sure you stop at Logan Pass as well as some of the many other viewpoints as you make your way from west to east Glacier.

Pacific Northwest

After Glacier, drive west to North Cascades . You’ve officially arrived back on the U.S. West Coast. North Cascades is one of the least-visited parks in the country and is a great place to go backpacking. If you’re not into backpacking, check out Diablo Lake or one of the many views and day hikes throughout the park.

From here, head west to Olympic National Park . This stunning place requires a lot of time to properly explore. Here, you can visit the tall Olympic mountains, the rocky Washington coastline, and the Hoh Rainforest—one of the only true temperate rainforests in North America. This park is home to incredible coastal wildlife, such as Roosevelt elk, banana slugs, and black bears, as well as the invasive mountain goat.

South of Olympic, it’s time to visit Mount Rainier National Park. This park requires a timed entry reservation in the peak season (June-August), so plan ahead. Here, you’ll see the giant 14,000-foot Mount Rainier, which is home to wildlife such as black bears, elk, and foxes. This is a great place for a hike, and Sunrise Point is home to one of my favorite sunrises in the country.

After Mount Rainier, you’ll head south to Oregon’s only national park, Crater Lake. Crater Lake is the world’s ninth deepest lake, which formed as the result of the eruption of Mount Mazama. This park is amazing for a scenic drive, boat tour, hike, or swim, but keep in mind, the Rim Drive is only open in the summer months.

California and Nevada

Coming from Oregon, you’ll visit Redwoods National and State Parks first, where you’ll see the tallest trees in the world. This incredible park is on the coast, so make sure you visit both the forest and the beach while you’re here.

After the Redwoods, make your way back to the mountains, heading toward Lassen Volcanic National Park. This is one of the most underrated parks in the country , home to the southernmost Cascade mountain: Lassen Peak. Lassen stands at over 10,000 feet tall, and the park is home to volcanic activity similar to Yellowstone, as well as alpine lakes and unique lava fields left over from past eruptions. Keep in mind that many roads here are closed in the winter.

Lassen Volcanic is the perfect gateway to the Eastern Sierra, which is how you will get to Nevada. A long drive across the state will allow you to finally visit Great Basin National Park. This park is not what you would expect from this desert state—it’s home to Wheeler Peak, a 13,000-foot mountain that stretches up out of the desert landscape. Book a cave tour to see the Lehman Cave, so you can explore this park above and below ground.

From here, you’re heading back to California and entering Death Valley National Park from the Nevada side. Death Valley is the largest national park in the continental U.S. at over 3 million acres. There is so much to explore in Death Valley, from the lowest point in North America at Badwater Basin to the magical Mesquite Sand Dunes to the 11,000-foot summit of Telescope Peak, and so much in between.

From here, you might be wondering, what about the Western Sierra parks? The thing about California’s geography is that there is a massive mountain range that you have to drive around to access a lot of the parks here. Since Tioga Pass, which leads from the Eastern Sierra to Yosemite, is closed for parts of the year depending on snowpack, I’m going to suggest that you head south from Death Valley to Sequoia National Park .

Sequoia is home to the largest trees in the world—not to be confused with the Redwoods, which are the tallest. This incredible old-growth forest is home to massive trees, beautiful mountains, and amazing wildlife-viewing opportunities. Just north of Sequoia is Kings Canyon —Sequoia’s sister park. These parks are so close together, it only makes sense to visit them back to back. Kings Canyon is the underrated combination of Sequoia and Yosemite’s landscapes, with amazing rocky cliffs, canyon walls, and sequoia trees throughout the park.

From here, you’ll finally make your way north to the coveted Yosemite . Yosemite does require timed entry during the summer, and I highly suggest reserving a campsite or lodging far in advance—it’s very hard to find a place to stay here. Go see the mighty Half Dome, watch the climbers on El Capitan, or hike to one of the many waterfalls like Vernal or Nevada Falls.

From here, you’ll head southwest to Pinnacles National Park . I highly recommend getting a campsite here, because the park is pretty remote and there aren’t a lot of places to stay nearby. This is California’s newest park and is home to unique rock formations and the unique flora and fauna of central California.

There’s only one park left: Channel Islands . This one is an adventure worthy of being the final park on your road trip. Book a ferry ticket and park your car at Ventura Harbor. Your boat will take you to the island of your choice, and you’ll have the chance to see wildlife like whales, dolphins, and sea lions. Depending on the island you choose, you might even see the rare island fox, which only resides in Channel Islands National Park. Go for a day trip or take your backpacking gear and stay in one of the established campgrounds on the islands.

You now have the knowledge to accomplish a massive feat that many dream of: visiting all of the national parks in the continental U.S. While there are still other parks to see, this is more of the country than most people see in their lifetimes. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to hit the road.

SIGN UP FOR THE FREE OUTDOORS.COM NEWSLETTER

One Foot in Front of the Other: How Many Steps Does it Take to Conquer These Famous U.S. Trails?

100 Must-Visit National Parks Around the World

Related Tags:

More ‘Fire Tiger’ Footage—Check out Southeast Asia’s Elusive Cat

10 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas From an Outdoorsy Mom and Gear Tester

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Register for newsletter (optional)

More Like This

Ask Outdoors: What Are Earth’s Major Biomes, and Can I Go There?

Inspiring Bear Grylls Survival Advice That You Can Apply To Everyday Life

Delaware river sojourn connects canoers with nature and history – the express-times.

National Park Service Sued Over Cashless Entrance Fee Policy

Could You Survive the Bear Grylls Survival Academy’s Toughest Course?

10 Times Coyote Peterson Experienced Painful Stings and Bites for Your Viewing Pleasure

Camping Chugach State Park in Alaska

Four Paws Kingdom

More stories.