A National Park can be a great destination for your next family vacation! They offer so much for kids to see and do all year round! Most National parks in Canada offer the Parks Canada Xplorers program for kids. Upon admission to the park, your child will be given a booklet full of fun and educational activities to enjoy during their visit.
Geocaching is a fun family activity that’s also available at most Canadian National Parks. You can even create your own geocaching adventure or create a cache! Learn more about Geocaching on your next family vacation at Parks Canada Geocaching Adventures.
Best National Parks in Canada for Your Family Vacation
Banff
Located in Alberta, Banff National Park was named Canada’s first official National Park in 1885. Banff has it all: valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows, and rivers. Enjoy hiking, biking, and camping as a family, and so much more! Be sure to enjoy the Banff Upper Hot Springs that were discovered in 1883. One of the world’s premier destination spots, I would really love to visit this park with my family someday!
Cape Breton Highlands
Cape Breton Highlands National Park is located on beautiful Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. The island has been dubbed North America’s Number 1 Island Paradise, in large part because of the breathtaking beauty of the Highlands. Take an amazing hike on the trail and see moose, bald eagles, and more with your family. If you’re visiting during the summer, take a dip at the beach, surrounded by stunning cliffs. In the fall, experience the unparalleled beauty of the vivid fall colours. We make it a point to drive up the famous Cabot Trail and through the Cape Breton Highlands yearly.
Point Pelee
Located on the southernmost tip of mainland Canada, Point Pelee is located in Ontario. We spent so much time there when I was growing up, in every season. There is plenty to see and do as a family. Hike the trails year round, or strap on your cross country skis in the winter. Walk all the way to the sandy point and take in the view of the water all around you as far as the eye can see! Enjoy the Naturalist Centre, with great, interactive stations for the kids to learn about the various flora and fauna.
Bruce Peninsula
Nicknamed “The Bruce”, this park is located on Georgian Bay in Ontario. Take a family walk on Canada’s oldest and longest hiking trail, at 782 km long. View thousand year old cedar trees on rugged cliffs. We thoroughly enjoyed taking a ride on a glass-bottomed boat to view old shipwrecks in the Fathom Five National Marine Park part of the Bruce Peninsula. Travel to Flowerpot Island, take a leisurely hike and check out the amazing rock formations that give the island its name.
Looking for more great National Parks in North America? Check out our guide to the best National Parks in the US!
What is your favourite Canadian National Park? Do you have a story to tell about your family’s experience there? Please share in the comments below!
We’ve only popped into Canada, never done any real travelling across it. Looks like it would be a wonderful getaway.
I have never been to a Canadian National Park–but they certainly look beautiful. I would love to be able to go there and experience a couple of them someday.
I’ll second Ashley M – Bruce Peninsula looks amazing. I hadn’t even heard of several of these parks before – thanks for sharing!
Bruce Peninsula looks amazing! I love that it offers a little of everything.
Canada is on our family travel list. I’m bookmarking your page for future reference. Thank you for sharing.
I literally JUST said to my husband, “I think we should try the lesser of talked about vacation places,” and he said, “Canada!” It’s like you read my mind. Great post!
Breathtaking photos! I’ve never made it to Canada other than during a flight layover, and that doesn’t really count, because I didn’t have time to leave the airport, lol! I’d love to visit these beautiful parks.
Such Amazing Parks Thank You For All The Helpful Information!!