Of all the places in the world for avid travelers to visit looking for amazing outdoor experiences, the entire country of Canada has to be one of best. From mountain ranges, to enormous lakes, to dense forests, there are thousands of locations within Canada’s borders that can make for a truly memorable trip. With that said, I’ll mention just a few of many things you can take part in in the Canadian wilderness.
First, be sure to have a list of all the national parks within your area. There are 37 national parks in the entire country, each consisting of information centers and staff willing to help at any given time. Most of these offer tours around the parks as well, some of which having entrance fees, but others being free. It is important to note that if camping, fishing, or hunting is part of your itinerary, you will need to obtain the necessary permits from the appropriate park center. Once all the necessary paperwork is completed and you are legally permitted to enter the parks, the opportunities are endless.
Hiking is one of the simplest, yet most enjoyable outdoor activities that virtually anyone can do. The parks throughout Canada all have clearly marked paths and trails according to their levels of difficulty. Banff National Park in Alberta for example, has over 1,500 kilometers of hiking trails alone, and with the size of the mountains and lakes surrounding the park, it is one of the most scenic areas in all of Canada.
Of the main hiking areas, the Rockies national parks in Alberta and British Columbia are some of the largest, crossing all four parks of Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay. Manitoba consists of plenty of uphill hiking trails, and Ontario has some of the more challenging paths in Algonquin Park and Lake Superior Provincial Park.
If fishing is more up your alley, the lakes and rivers found all throughout the Canadian countryside are abundant with an enormous variety of fish. The colder bodies of water found in the Northwest territories are full of arctic char, while salmon are commonly found throughout the the entire country. As mentioned before, permits are required in their respective areas, and typically cost fees ranging from $15 a day to $30, though annual permits can be bought as well.
For those that wish to have a more relaxing getaway and would prefer camping, British Columbia is home to plenty of stunning parks and campsites able to house hundreds of campers. Cathedral Provincial Park has stunning landscapes that you can hike, or admire from one of the many campgrounds found throughout.
As one of the most visually breathtaking countries in the world, Canada is perfect for travelers who wish to experience the outdoors unlike anywhere else. If a summer trip is in your near future, look into what outdoor area would work best for you, and consider taking part in any of the activities mentioned above.
