Have you ever wondered how many national parks are in Canada? The list of National Parks in Canada is impressive because this country has parks and natural habitats in every province and territory.
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How Many National Parks Are There in Canada?
Canada is known for the seemingly boundless landscapes in its 10 provinces and 3 territories. Everyone seems to want to know how many national parks there are in Canada.
There are a whopping 47 National Parks and over one thousand Provincial and Territorial parks in the Great White North!
National parks in Canada are focused on protecting the natural ecosystem of the park. But that doesn’t mean people aren’t wanted there.
It’s the opposite, actually. People are encouraged to explore and learn about Canada’s natural spaces. If you’ve never been, here’s a list of all Canadian National Parks in alphabetical order.
List of National Parks in Canada
Below is a list (in alphabetical order) of all the Canadian National Parks:
Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve (Labrador)
Aulavik (Northwest Territories)
Auyuittuq (Nunavut)
Banff (Alberta)
Bruce Peninsula (Ontario)
Cape Breton Highlands (Nova Scotia)
Elk Island (Alberta)
Forillon (Quebec)
Fundy (New Brunswick)
Georgian Bay Islands (Ontario)
Glacier (British Columbia)
Grasslands (Saskatchewan)
Gros Morne (Newfoundland and Labrador)
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (British Columbia)
Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve (British Columbia)
Ivvavik (Yukon)
Jasper (Alberta)
Kejimkujik (Nova Scotia)
Kluane (Yukon)
Kootenay (British Columbia)
Kouchibouguac (New Brunswick)
La Mauricie (Quebec)
Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve (Quebec)
Mount Revelstoke (British Columbia)
Nahanni National Park Reserve (Northwest Territories)
Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve (Northwest Territories)
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (British Columbia)
Point Pelee (Ontario)
Prince Albert (Saskatchewan)
Prince Edward Island (Prince Edward Island)
Pukaskwa (Ontario)
Qausuittuq (Nunavut)
Quttinirpaaq (Nunavut)
Riding Mountain (Manitoba)
Rouge National Urban Park (Ontario)
Sirmilik (Nunavut)
Terra Nova (Newfoundland and Labrador)
Thousand Islands (Ontario)
Torngat Mountains (Newfoundland and Labrador)
Tuktut Nogait (Northwest Territories)
Ukkusiksalik (Nunavut)
Vuntut (Yukon)
Wapusk (Manitoba)
Waterton Lakes (Alberta)
Wood Buffalo (Alberta/Northwest Territories)
Yoho (British Columbia)
Canada’s most visited National Park
Last year, Canada’s National Parks and Historic sites welcomed over 27 million visitors, a good percentage of whom were Albertans. Banff National Park is Canada’s most visited national Park.
Each year, typically over 4 million people visit, making Banff Canada’s most visited National Park.
A close second, almost 2.5 million checked out Jasper National Park. Rounding out the top three of Canada’s most visited National Park list is the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park in Quebec.
This Quebec National Marine Conservation Area is one of only four in Canada dedicated to protecting a purely marine environment. Located where the Saguenay River meets the Saint Lawrence River, it’s a prime spot for whale watching. Many different species are drawn here, looking for the rich food supply created where the two rivers mix.
What is Canada’s first National Park?
Do you know what’s Canada’s or even the world’s first National Park? Perhaps it shows my age, but when I think of a National Park, my mind goes to Yogi Bear and Jellystone Park. It’s probably because Jellystone was based on the first National Park in the world: Yellowstone National Park in the good old US of A.
The oldest National Park on the planet, Yellowstone, was created in 1872 by a bill passed by Ulysses S. Grant. It wasn’t long after, in 1885, that Canada created its very own first National Park—Banff. Originally called Banff Hot Springs Reserve and later Rocky Mountains National Park, Banff National Park still remains one of Canada’s most popular National Parks.
Banff National Park
So now you know we can’t really talk about parks in Canada without giving special consideration to Banff National Park, now can we? Originally set aside to preserve its sulphur hot springs for public use, today, Banff National Park continues to draw crowds from all over the world. Many come to check out Lake Louise, one of the most Instagram-able locations in Canada.
Banff National Park is just over an hour’s drive from Calgary and stretches 240km. At its northern peak, you’ll find Jasper National Park, Canada’s second most visited park. At the south end of the park, you will find the town of Banff, home of the Castle in the Rockies AKA Fairmont Banff Springs and the largest municipality living inside a Canadian national park.
The town is very focused on tourism and is popular with tourists who want to enjoy the mountains, skiing, campgrounds, resorts, and 1,100km of hiking trails.
As if that weren’t enough, Banff National Park is also home to seven national historic sites, including Banff Museum Park, Cave and Basin, Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin, Howse Pass, Skoki Ski Lodge, and Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station.
How many National Parks are in Alberta?
Since Banff was created in 1885, Alberta has added four other National Parks: Elk Island National Park, Jasper National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park and Wood Buffalo National Park. That makes it 5 National Parks in Alberta.
Together, these parks protect Alberta’s unique wildlife, including bison, swift foxes, peregrine falcons, grouse and burrowing owls. Alberta’s National Parks in the Rockies (Banff, Jasper and Waterton) are part of Canada’s seven Mountain parks, which are hugely popular with locals and international travellers.
Canada’s Mountain Parks include Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Waterton Lakes, Mount Revelstoke, and Glacier. Considering the Canadian Rockies are located on the border of Alberta and British Columbia, it’s not surprising that all seven Mountain Parks are in those two provinces.
With world-renowned winter skiing (in Banff and Jasper) and picture-perfect Lake Louise, it’s no surprise these Parks are busy year-round.
What is the smallest National Park in Canada?
National parks cover a lot of land in Canada. To be precise, they cover 303,571 km² or about 3.0% of the total land area of Canada. Some parks cover a bit less, like Canada’s smallest National Park, Georgian Bay Islands National Park, at 13.5 km².
It’s closely followed by Point Pelee at 15.2 km². The park’s small size is impressive when you realize it is made up of 63 small islands or parts of islands in Georgian Bay. Both these two National Parks—the smallest in Canada—are situated in the province of Ontario.
Largest national park in Canada
Georgian Bay Islands National Park seems even smaller when compared to Wood Buffalo’s 44,741 km². Not only is Wood Buffalo National Park the largest National Park in Canada, but it’s also one of the largest in the world.
Located in Alberta (and bordering the Northwest Territories), Wood Buffalo tends to do everything on a large scale. It’s home to the world’s largest wood bison population and the birthplace of North America’s largest bird, the Whopping Crane.
And if you’re interested in spotting the largest beaver dam in the world, look no further than Wood Buffalo, the largest national park in Canada.
Parks Canada Pass
In order to take part in all the great things our national parks have to offer, you must have a valid Parks Canada Pass in order to enter the park. You can get an annual or seasonal admission passes for specific national parks. But if you plan on visiting more than one park or bigger parks like Jasper or Kootenay, then you’ll want a Discovery Pass.
The Discovery Pass gives you access to history, nature, and all things park-ish from coast to coast. You get unlimited access to 80 Parks Canada places, including a variety of National Historic Sites. The Discovery Pass costs $75.25 for an adult, but you can get a family pass of $151.25 for up to 7 people—as long as you’re all crammed into one vehicle.
This may seem like a lot at first, but you have to remember it’s valid for the year and is cheaper than a one-time family trip to a theme park. Did I mention children 17 and under are FREE?? There aren’t many things in life that are free these days, so I consider this a win!
Personally, I don’t mind contributing to our environment and protecting Canadian wilderness. Exploring our national parks also keeps kids off screens and delivers fresh air and exercise. All this leads to (fingers crossed) tired tots who don’t resist an early bedtime so parents can have some time for themselves.
What is not included in your Parks Canada Pass?
It’s important to note that not everything in the park is covered by the Parks Canada pass. Admission to parks and historic sites is included, but extras like camping, accommodations, guided hikes, and specialty programs aren’t. Personalized things like reservation fees, firewood, some special events, and backcountry overnight use are also not included.
National Historic Sites
Your Parks Canada Pass gives you access to more than just our national park’s natural beauty. Your pass also gives you access to National Historic Sites in every province in Canada. If you or your kids are less outdoorsy, these sites are for you.
National Historic Sites are places where big things happened in Canada. They are places where you can learn about Canadian history, diverse cultural communities, and indigenous peoples across Canada. They can be found in a variety of settings, including archaeological sites, battlefields, heritage houses, places of scientific discovery, and more.
My daughter, who is a very outdoorsy and athletic child, still remembers that time she got to dig like a real archaeologist at the Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site. In addition to being one with nature and bringing history alive, your pass also gives you access to Marine Conservation areas in Ontario and Quebec.
Check out this complete list of all the parks and sites you can visit with your pass. For more deets on Canada’s National Parks, this is the best book:
You may also be interested in reading:
25 Awesome spring adventures in Alberta’s National Parks
Via Ferrata: The wildest trip you can take in Banff National Park
The best spots for Glamping in Alberta
No tent? No problem! Banff’s equipped campsites
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My family and I love Banff National Park. We always go to Johnston Canyon, the Banff Hot Springs, and take the gondola up Sulphur Mountain. It’s such an amazing place to visit and it’s so close to home.
My favourite park is Banff National Park also referred to as “my happy place”
Banff, absolutely love Banff in all its beauty & entirety.
We love to travel the Icefields parkway in Banff and visit Peyto lake. Just amazing views everywhere you go.
My daughter read this story and now she is insisting we check out the marine conservation site in Quebec .. oh and wants to try to see one site in every province!
We’ve only been to 4 (AB & SK) – time to up our travel game!
So Lucky to have Banff National Park in my backyard! Only 60 mins to the Gateway ❤️????
Being from calgary (born and raised) my fave is banff/lake louise! Lake louise is SO beautiful, among the most gorgeous color lake in the world I’m sure!
We love Jasper National Park!
We love Banff and Lake Louise so much! So blessed to have them just a short drive away! We would love this! We have never been to Jasper if you can believe it! It is on the list this summer.
I’ve been to Banff and a few others I wold love to see Nunavut and farther north
LOVE Banff and everywhere around it! Would LOVE to WIN and Share with My Family!!
Banff! This year i hope to go to lake lousie
I love Yoho National Park especially the Lake O’Hara, this is the most gorgeous place I have ever seen
I was lucky to live and work in Banff for 8 years, but my favourite is Jasper in the winter.
I really would like to visit all of these Parks in Canada. My favourite would be Lake Louise
I have been longing to go to Jasper National Park. My husband and I have been talking about a road trip at some point so perhaps this is the year! Canada has so many beautiful National Parks that I can’t possibly choose a favourite, but Jasper is top on my list of parks soon to become one of my favourites! And thank you so much for posting this list. It reminds me that there are so many beautiful places in Canada that I still have yet to see. I feel lucky to live in such a wonderful and beautiful country and I can’t wait to explore even more.
I love going to Jasper. Since we moved it is not as close anymore but I am planning to go again sometime.
We have been to Banff, but Jasper is on our bucket list.
Love hiking in banff
I’ve been lucky enough to visit several of these parks.. we have an awfully beautiful country to call home!
Jasper will always have my heart. Even got married here.
I love Banff! It’s so close to my hometown (Calgary) that’s it’s an awesome day trip with friends or family anytime of year!!
My favourite park is Banff National Park!
Huh. Although I’ve pursued exploring provincial parks, it occurs to me I’ve not spent much time in National Parks (with the exception of student research work in Point Pelee for 2 summers). I’ve stepped foot in Banff and Pukaskwa on a cross country trip, but I need to, and want to, get out there much more and do some hiking and camping! Goal Set!!
I love Jasper!
Love Alberta’s parks!!
Prince Edward Island National Park is a favourite of our family – we’re returning to PEI this summer for the first time in 5 years and can’t wait to spend time in the park!
Canada really is full of incredible National Parks. And to pick a favourite is tough! You mentioned a few great ones in Ontario and I have to say my favourite is Bruce Peninsula National Park! It’s home to epic views, natural wonders that will make your jaw drop, and some of the best hiking in Ontario!
I would love to travel and see Banff in Alberta. Thanks for the chance to win!
Lake Louise!
Banff has always been my favourite. I’d love to explore some of our other amazing parks.
Wow, what glorious and amazing parks ❤️????
As much as I love Banff and Jasper, Elk Island is my favorite because it’s so close to home and a bison sighting is almost a guarantee every time we go. We visit at least a dozen times a year.
Living in Calgary, Banff is my favourite national park, because it is close and offers a variety of activities to do in any of the seasons.
Grey Owl’s Cabin in Prince Albert National Park. I have done all the steps to enter. Thanks!
My favourite park is Banff National Park.
Jasper
Spent some time in ’85 in Terra Nova NP, still my favourite
I appreciate your sharing. I also explored these all fabulous parks in my these tours and every time get great experience there.
Glad you’ve had a chance to explore our Canadian National Parks!