the full list of Canada`s best national parks

Hit the road this summer with
getaways made for an active family!
With camping, water activities, historical tours, and more,
your family is guaranteed to stretch out their bodies and minds!
Here’s a list of some of Canada’s best active family destinations.
Atlantic Canada
PARKS
CAMPSITES
WATERPARKS
Terra Nova National Park
A Tactile Underwater Adventure
Gros Morne National Park
Trek to Panoramic Views
Green Gables Heritage Place
Sunday Picnic
Get up close and personal with the
marine creatures who call Terra Nova’s
frigid waters home. Reach into the
Touch Tank at Salton’s Brook Visitor
Centre, pick them up, and feel their
texture.
Trek to the top of Gros Morne
Mountain, the park’s high point, on a
challenging, one-day 16-kilometre loop.
Hike from lowland to alpine terrain
amid wildflowers and wildlife, enjoying
panoramic views from the summit.
Race in a potato sack, play games from
yesteryear, make ice cream by hand,
hear minstrels and storytellers spin
yarns while having good old-fashioned
fun during a Victorian-style Sunday
Picnic at Green Gables.
Corney Brook Campground
Cape Breton Highlands
National Park,
Nova Scotia
Cavendish Campground
Prince
Edward Island
National Park,
PEI
Point Wolfe Campground
Fundy National Park, New Brunswick
Trout River Campground
Gros Morne National Park,
Newfoundland & Labrador
Magic Mountain
Moncton
Shining Waters
PEI
Head here for water slides that boast
the same chills as amusement park
rides. You don’t have to go into space to
experience weightlessness, simply step
into the Torpedo, a skybox drop capsule
where you’ll be launched on the ride of
your life. Or brave the Kamikaze, a
100-ft. virtual vertical drop where you’ll
race along at speeds up to 60 km per
hour. With kiddie slides, a splash-pad,
lazy river and mini-golf, it’s a safe bet all
ages will have a splash-tastic time.
Hankering for gentle rides or heart
pounding thrills? The choice is yours
at this well-loved spot. Turtle Cove
captures the hearts of wee-ones,
while the CannonBowl caters to
adrenaline junkies, who’ll surge 40 feet
before finding themselves in a massive
bowl filled with swirling rapids before
being flushed out.
More: Magicmountain.ca
More: Shiningwaterspei.com
Check all websites for age recommendations.
All content from partner sites. Explore our sources.
Quebec
PARKS
CAMPSITES
WATERPARKS
Fortifications of Québec National
Historic Site
The Legend of the Talking Walls
Forillon National Park
Hike to the End of the World
Mingan Archipelago National Park
Reserve
An Island-Hopping Adventure
The fortifications are full of secrets. An
enchanted bracelet and a magic sword
have allegedly been concealed there…
can you find them? Can you solve the
mystery of the walls? Find out with two
fun-filled, sensory tours.
Travel to the ‘end of the world’, the
culmination of the International
Appalachian Trail, on foot or by bike.
Enjoy the opportunity to watch marine
mammals from the trail.
All aboard! Discover a remote section
of the archipelago by means of an
inflatable boat. Admire the monoliths
of île de la Fausse Passe and the
dazzling cliffs of île Saint-Charles.
Spot any seals or Atlantic puffins yet?
Cap-Bon-Ami Campground
Forillon National Park
Pointe-Chevrette Campground
Parc National de la Pointe-Taillon
Baie Sainte-Marguerite
Campground
Parc National du Fjord-du-Saguenay
Bromont Water Park
Bromont
Amazoo Iögo Water Park, Granby Zoo
Granby
Pools, pools and more pools — all six
of them — provide a refreshing end to
slides and chutes that range from easy
to extreme. Treasure Island tempts tots,
and a heated wave pool offers all the
fun of the ocean without any seaweed.
Thrill seekers will want to suss
La Tournade and Les Serpents.
If you’re looking for a change of scenery,
consider escaping to the Amazon, if only
for a day. This 12-acre themed water
park features palm trees, a beach,
and plenty of waves. Kick back along
the lazy river or rent a private cabana
and snooze under thatched palms.
More: Zoogranby.com
More: SkiBromont.com
Check all websites for age recommendations.
All content from partner sites. Explore our sources.
Ontario
PARKS
CAMPSITES
WATERPARKS
Bruce Peninsula National Park
Where Warm, Shallow Waters Meet
Sandy Shores
Thousand Islands National Park
Island-Hop via Kayak or Canoe
Sault Ste. Marie Canal National
Historic Site
Savour Sunday Tea at The Canal
Relax, play and discover at Singing
Sands Beach. Beautiful Lake Huron
beckons with soft-sand shores and
inviting, shallow waters—an ideal
summertime getaway for fun-filled
family memories.
More than 20 granite islands,
stewarded within a rich ecosystem,
invite adventurous paddlers. Whether
guided or independent, skilled or
novice, Thousand Islands National Park
welcomes you to island-hop on scenic
day trips, overnights or extended stays.
Stroll the beautiful gardens and
grounds at the Sault Ste. Marie Canal
National Historic Site and then savour
an elegant Sunday tea, served at the
historic Superintendent’s Residence.
Gargantua Bay
Lake Superior Provincial Park
Ottawa River Campgrounds
Driftwood Provincial Park
George Lake Campground
Killarney Provincial
Park
Main Campground
Rondeau Provincial Park
Mazinaw Lake Campground
Bon Echo Provincial Park
Splash Works Water Park
Toronto
Calypso Park
Ottawa
If you think Canada’s Wonderland is
just another theme park, think again.
A visit to this 300-acre extravaganza
nets you both a wet and dry adventure
for the price of one. Tiny tikes slide into
moderate thrills at Splash Island, and
you can let your cares float away drifting down the quarter mile lazy river. But
what’s really fantastic (for drenched
parents), is that all the water is heated.
Canada’s largest themed water park
has it all going on. Offering a wide variety of aqua attractions, this park has
over 35 water slides, 100 water games
and a 52,000-square-foot wave pool.
Dive down the tallest free-standing water slide tower in North America, walk
the plank on a pirate ship, or explore a
mystery river brimming with caves, cascading waterfalls and sneaky mammals.
More: Canadaswonderland.com
More: Calypsopark.com
Check all websites for age recommendations.
All content from partner sites. Explore our sources.
Prairies
PARKS
CAMPSITES
Batoche National Historic Site
Kid-Fest
Grasslands National Park
Epic Backpacking Adventure
Riding Mountain National Park
Beach-Side Fun and Music
Stroke a cuddly bunny and meet Mr
Goat at the petting zoo, discover your
inner Métis warrior playing games of
skill and strength as pint-sized pioneers
hook bison in a fun fishing game.
Get away from it all with an overnight
backpacking adventure in the Grasslands backcountry. Traverse rugged
coulees of the North Gillespie or spend
the night among the hoodoos of the
Valley of 1,000 Devils.
Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the
annual beach-side outdoor concert
at Clear Lake Wasagaming in Riding
Mountain National Park. Dance under
the trees and clap your hands to the
music.
Frenchman River Valley Campground
Grasslands National Park,
Saskatchewan
Whirlpool Lake Campground
Riding Mountain National Park,
Manitoba
Tulabi Falls Campground
Nopiming Provincial Park,
Manitoba
Variety Heritage Adventure Park at The Forks
Winnipeg
WATERPARKS
Cooling off during the searing prairie
summer has never been easier thanks to
this new splash park. Like a giant pop-up
book bringing history back to life, you’ll
find more than just touch-pad activated
spray features. Kids can step into the
past wading along a trickling stream
and hopping over stone remnants from
centuries-old buildings at this Red River
representation set within a National
Historic Site.
More: www.theforks.com
Check all websites for age recommendations.
All content from partner sites. Explore our sources.
West
PARKS
CAMPSITES
Rocky Mountain House National
Historic Site
Camp in Métis Trappers’ Tents
Yoho National Park
Guided Hikes to the Burgess Shale
Fossils
Fort Langley National Historic Site
Learn Traditional Skills in the
Blacksmith Shop
Submerse yourself in the full
wilderness experience by camping
in one of the tents along the North
Saskatchewan River. Complete the
adventure with the Enhanced
Camping Kit. Light a fire with a flint
and steel to cook bannock for supper.
Exercise body and mind alike with a
guided all-day hike to one of the world’s
most significant fossil discoveries.
Knowledgeable guides will fill you in
on 505 million years of earth’s history
as you traverse spectacular mountain
geography. Step out of your urban wear and
into the clothes of a 19th century
blacksmith, ready to learn the
passion and skills that shaped molten
iron into the tools of the fur trade.
Green Point Campground
Pacific Rim National Park, BC
Berg Lake Campground
Mount Robson Provincial Park, BC
Columbia Icefield Campground
Jasper National Park, Alberta
Main Campground
Alice Lake Provincial Park, BC
Point Campground
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park,
Alberta
Main Campground
Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park,
Alberta
Lake of the Woods Campground
Cathedral Provincial
Park, BC
World Water Park
Edmonton
WATERPARKS
Yeah, it’s indoors, but you’re guaranteed a
wet and wonderful day in a tropical setting,
no matter the weather. Dip your toe in the
world’s largest indoor wave pool or plummet off the world’s tallest indoor permanent
bungee tower. Parents of little ones needn’t
fret — a sprawling play area and variety of
water slides suitable for all ages are also on
hand.
More: Wem.ca
Townsite Campground
Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
Granville Island Water Park
and Adventure Playground
Vancouver
The best things in life really are free. Take
this large splash park in trendy Granville
Island. It sports a tricked-out spray pad
complete with rotating spray cannons, fire
hydrants and geysers. There’s also a water
slide, and a special zone just for toddlers.
Green spaces surround the park, allowing
parents to sneak in a spot of sunbathing
while still keeping a watchful eye on the
tots.
More: Falsecreekcc.ca
Cultus Lake Water Park
British Columbia
You’ll get splashed, sprayed, and soaked at
this adventurous aquatic facility located in
BC’s Fraser Valley (a 90-minute drive from
Vancouver). Experience a hair-raising rush
in The Valley of Fear, BC’s only free-fall tube
ride, or plunge into The Pirates’ Cove, a
multi-level, interactive playground.
More: Cultus.com
Check all websites for age recommendations.
All content from partner sites. Explore our sources.
North
S.S. Klondike National Historic Site
Roam the Decks of an Authentic
Sternwheeler
PARKS
The days of ferrying practically everything up and down the Yukon River are
gone but you can explore the mighty
S.S. Klondike and discover how the ship
maneuvered the swift waters. Wander
the decks, inspect the powerful paddlewheel and admire the spectacular
scenery of the Yukon River valley from
every deck.
Main Campground
Queen Elizabeth Territorial Park,
Northwest Territories
Nahanni National Park Reserve
Nahanni Alpine Experience
Nahanni combines wilderness with
diverse peaks to create a mountaineering mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Top
climbers ascend the world-renowned
Lotus Flower Tower. Trekkers explore
the valleys and mountain passes of the
Ragged Range.
Sirmilik National Park
An Arctic Wildlife Safari to the Flow
Edge on Baffin Bay
Ride a snowmobile-pulled qamutiq
(sled) across Eclipse Sound to the edge
of the frozen ocean to watch whales,
seals, polar bears and seabirds feast,
then camp on the ice under the Midnight Sun.
Kathleen Lake Campground
Kluane National Park, Yukon
CAMPSITES
Sources:
Parks Canada
www.parkscanada.ca
Today’s Parent
http://www.todaysparent.com/family/activities/best-water-parks-canada
explore Magazine
http://www.explore-mag.com/the-top-25-campsites-in-canada
Check all websites for age recommendations.
All content from partner sites.