Hidden gems to discover

Embrace the independent spirit of 1898. Explore some of the restored wooden buildings that line the boardwalks of Dawson City. Visit the iconic Palace Grand Theatre and the Red Feather Saloon or stride out to the goldfields. Feel the past come to life by taking a tour with a Parks Canada guide. You'll discover the secrets of this historic frontier town and tales of the 50,000 gold seekers. Pick up a free Parks Canada Xplorers activity booklet and challenge your kids to complete it as you tour the Dawson Historic Complex and the S.S. Keno National Historic Sites.

 

Look up, up, up and feel awe-struck by so many high peaks and amazing views! Make a multi-day adventure into the backcountry through high mountain passes under the midnight sun. Enjoy accessible-for-all trails along the shores of Kathleen Lake. Catch your breath as you paddle past glaciers on the Alsek River. Visit the Da Kų Cultural Centre to hear recordings of traditional stories told by the Champagne and Aishihik, and Kluane First Nations’ Elders. Learn about the unique plants, animals, and seasons of life in the park.

Stroll through part of the world’s only inland temperate rainforest on the Giant Cedars Boardwalk Trail and try to wrap your arms around soaring old cedar and hemlock trees, some more than 500 years old. Hike through alpine meadows of swaying red paintbrush and a rainbow of other wildflowers. Learn about the traditions of the Secwepemc, Ktunaxa and Okanagan First Nations through art and sculpture on the First Footsteps trail. Immerse yourself in Canada’s ski jumping history as you step into a sculpted pair of skis and lean out over the precipitous drop where world records were once set. Hone up the kids’ bike skills and discover cool nature facts at the all-new Beaver Lodge Bike Park. Kids can bike, play and learn in this creative play area —don’t miss the dragonfly teeter totter! Mount Revelstoke is an interesting alternative to the most famous national parks in the Rockies.

Wheelchair and stroller-friendly, ride the open-sided Batoche Shuttle and access all the important places of this historic Métis settlement. Visit the East Village where Louis Riel headquartered his provisional government of Saskatchewan. Explore the Church and Rectory as well as the Caron house. Make a reservation to spend some time kayaking or canoeing the South Saskatchewan River. Shaded by the banks of the lush green river valley, you’ll follow the trail of fur trappers and traders. Immerse yourself in a brief period of history that changed the face of Canada; go on a Journey Through Time tour and learn the tragic story of the 1885 Northwest Resistance and the people who once called this place home.

Visit Beausoleil Island and pedal the Huron trail through a beech-maple forest. Learn the story of Fairy Lake on a 2.5-km loop hike which takes in views over tranquil waters, Canadian Shield and shady white pines. Wander the fringed granite shoreline, a dense vivid green woodland and the sparkling waters of the world’s largest freshwater archipelago. Bring your camera and capture the sweeping views which inspired the art of the Group of Seven and share it with us on Facebook! Georgian Bay is an interesting, less crowded, alternative to other renowned national parks in the region.

Explore 1,000 islands and islets covering 100 km² in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Here, whales flip their tails and seals swim around the islands. Discover the limestone sculptures, carved by the waves, a must-see at Mingan Achipelago. Hop on a boat and meet a Parks Canada Heritage Presenter to uncover the cultural and natural richness that awaits in this special place. See Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills nesting high in the cliffs. Join members of the Ekuanitshit community to learn more about the rich culture of the Innu and the wonders of the natural world in their traditional territory.

 

Enjoy a front row seat to the incredible sights of the sea where seals, seabirds and whales are the main attraction! Drop by the brand new Visitor Centre when you first enter the park to get tips and insight to start your trip off right. Visit Cap-Bon-Ami and climb to the top of the Mont-Saint-Alban lookout tower to admire sea, cliffs and forest as far as the eye can see. Have a picnic at the enchanting Grande-Grave, testament to the golden era of the codfish industry and the peninsula’s cultural diversity. Follow the bay, on foot or by bike, along Les Graves trail. Keep an eye on the ocean and you might spot whales and seals. Explore Gaspé Bay by kayak. Enjoy the sunset or sail to the mouth of the bay by the foot of the cliffs. Relax on the sandy beach, explore the salt marsh or stroll through the taiga.

Walk in the footsteps of the hundreds of thousands of immigrants who came through this quarantine station between 1832 and 1937. Once on the island, you’ll be directed to a mandatory medical examination, just like immigrants from the 1800s. Meet Nurse Sarah Wade! Hear moving stories of tragedy and life-affirming tales of hope on a tour with a knowledgeable Parks Canada guide. During summertime, enhance your experience by adding to your visit one of the four thematic circuits to your visit! Take a hike around the island for panoramic views over the Isle-aux-Grues archipelago. Keep an eye out for heron soaring above and deer nibbling grass in the meadows.

Join us on a guided tour to discover the tale of the Acadian Deportation and learn about the heartbreaking story of Longfellow’s Evangeline. Located at the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Grand-Pré National Historic Site, once the centre of Acadian culture, is now a significant memorial to the tragic upheaval of the Acadian Deportation (1755-1764). Tap into your creative side and join a guided Pop Art zine workshop to create your very own artistic tribute to the “Acadian Queen.”

Experience the wonder of the world’s highest tides! At low tide explore the mudflats teaming with marine life on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. At high tide paddle a kayak as the waters rise 12 meters over the very spot you were a few hours earlier. Reserve your spot at an authentic Atlantic Canada kitchen party in the historic childhood home of Molly Kool. Molly was the first woman in North America to become a sea captain. It wouldn’t be a kitchen party without stories, singing, dancing and plenty of foot-tapping fun! Develop your skills by riding around a network of mounds, banks and turns on the Pumptrack, one of the bike trails in the Chignecto Recreation Area. Experience winter in all its wonder and enjoy these stunning trails with your Fat Bike, snowshoes, or skis!