There are many beautiful places to camp across Canada, and some of the most spectacular are found in our national parks. From Vancouver Island to Baffin Island to Newfoundland, Canadians are fortunate to have access to amazing protected spaces.
Banff National Park in Alberta is Canada’s first national park, and it’s no wonder why! The park has some of the most famous and fantastic scenery in the entire country, and it’s home to magnificent wildlife. Colonies and Packs visiting Banff should consider camping at the Johnston Canyon campground – it’s conveniently close to the spectacular Johnston Canyon hike. Hit the trail early to appreciate the scenery before too many others arrive.
Jasper National Park (in Alberta) is not quite as famous as Banff National Park, and that may be for the best. The park is a little less busy than its sibling to the south, but its mountain scenery is equally breathtaking. Both Whistlers and Wapiti campgrounds are conveniently close to the townsite, and they’re also only a short drive from the Maligne Canyon trailhead.
Kootenay National Park is just across the British Columbia border from Banff National Park in Alberta. The park has the same fantastic mountain scenery found in both Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. Large Colonies and Packs can camp at Crook’s Meadow – a perfect base camp from which to explore the park’s hiking trails!
Waterton Lakes National Park is located on the Canadian-American border, opposite Glacier National Park in Montana. Explore the mountain scenery by hiking some of the park’s trails.
Pacific Rim National Park, is on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island. Camp at the Green Point campground and explore the park’s oceanfront and rainforest hiking trails!
Riding Mountain National Park, in western Manitoba, has a variety of ecosystems, including aspen and boreal forests, and grassland prairies. The park has a number of group campsites suitable for large Colonies and Packs. Head out on a hike and explore the Manitoba Escarpment!
Elk Island National Park is a conveniently short drive east of Edmonton. Large Colonies and Packs can camp at the Astotin Lakecampground. The park has a number of natural habitats to explore, and a variety of hiking trails. Perhaps most exciting are the opportunities to view the park’s populations of bison and elk!
Prince Albert National Park is nearly in the middle of Saskatchewan. The park has a variety of ecosystems to explore, including aspen and boreal forests, and grassland prairies. Take advantage of the park’s front-country campgrounds and explore the park’s collection of hiking trails!
Experience the wide-open Great Plains in Grasslands National Park. Explore the park’s rare natural grasslands by hiking the park’s front-country trails, conveniently located close to the park’s campgrounds.
Point Pelee National Park is Canada’s most southern point, jutting into Lake Erie at the tip of Ontario. Set up base at Camp Henry and explore the park’s unique wetlands with a freighter canoe tour.
Bruce Peninsula National Park is on the shores of Lake Huron’s spectacular and famous Georgian Bay. Set up camp at Cyprus Lake and take advantage of the park’s hiking and paddling opportunities.
Rouge National Urban Park is just on the edge of Toronto. The park’s a convenient place to get away from the bustle of Canada’s biggest metropolis – enjoy the peace of nature by rambling along one of the park’s hiking trails.
La Mauricie National Park is just outside of Shawinigan. Camp in the hardwood forest at Wapizagonke Lake and enjoy the spectacular canoeing and fishing in the park!
Prince Edward Island National Park, on the north shore of the island, is home to some of the most spectacular beaches in the country. While the park does not offer group camping, it is nonetheless a fantastic adventure destination for Beaver Scouts and Cub Scouts to enjoy swimming, building sand castles, hiking, cycling – and more!
Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site in central Nova Scotia offers group camping. Check out the Mi’kmaw petroglyphs on the shores of Kejimkujik Lake, and take advantage of some of the best paddling in Atlantic Canada!
Kouchibouguac National Park in New Brunswick sits on the beachy shores of the Northumberland Strait. The park offers group camping, supervised swimming and the opportunity to paddle a voyageur canoe and visit a grey seal colony!
Terra Nova National Park in Newfoundland offers some wonderful day hikes, and it’s conveniently just down the road from Scouts Canada’s Camp Nor’ Wes! It’s a great place to pitch your tents or stay in cabins. Enjoy the beautiful beach and welcoming water of Northwest Pond when you take a refreshing swim after hiking in the park!
Gros Morne National Park in western Newfoundland has a variety of hiking trails and some of the most spectacular scenery on the island. Camp at Berry Hill, and be sure to take advantage of the Berry Hill Pond loop adjacent to the campground.
Kootenay National Park is just across the British Columbia border from Banff National Park in Alberta. The park has the same fantastic mountain scenery found in both Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. The Rockwall Trail is a great backpacking opportunity in the Rocky Mountains. The 55-kilometre route passes through three alpine passes and includes views of mountain meadows and hanging glaciers.
The Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site is an opportunity to explore the route of those seeking fortune during the Klondike Gold Rush. The site is in northern British Columbia, and the rugged and challenging trail runs from Alaska.
Kluane National Park and Reserve in southwest Yukon is an amazing place to explore a remote mountain wilderness. Camp at Kathleen Lake and check out some of the park’s hiking trails. Alternately, intrepid Venturer Scouts and Rover Scouts can head out on a hiking expedition in the park’s backcountry!
Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site occupies the southern end of Haida Gwaii. It is a remote offshore wilderness that is considered part of the Great Bear Rainforest. Explore the park by kayak or paddleboard and enjoy the solitude of camping on the islands’ beaches. Alternately, you can explore the park by foot – but be prepared with your sense of adventure; the park does not have established hiking trails!
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve sits between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia. The park is easily accessible and offers spectacular kayaking and canoeing with backcountry camping sites.
Prince Albert National Park is nearly in the middle of Saskatchewan. The park has a variety of ecosystems to explore, including aspen and boreal forests, and grassland prairies. Explore the park’s backcountry by taking a canoe trip.
Canoe the Owl River to Hudson Bay in Wapusk National Park in northern Manitoba. Experience the stunning transition from boreal forest to arctic tundra – and be prepared for the adventure of a lifetime. Not only does the Owl River flow through a remote wilderness, it also offers the possibility of polar bear sightings!
Visit the Northern Boreal Plains and boreal forest of Wood Buffalo National Park in northern Alberta and southern Northwest Territories. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including a population of wood bison. The Peace-Athabasca Delta is a particularly special part of the park – make sure to include it when you visit. Explore the park’s vast backcountry by canoe.
Bruce Peninsula National Park is on the shores of Lake Huron’s spectacular and famous Georgian Bay. Hike the northernmost section of the famous Bruce Trail, and enjoy the solitude of backcountry camping in the park.
Fathom Five National Marine Park offers exciting scuba diving in Lake Huron off the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula; there are 22 shipwrecks in the park! Camp on Flowerpot Island and check out the island’s unique rock pillars and limestone caves. Experienced kayakers can paddle to the island.
Pukaskwa National Park sits on the northern shore of Lake Superior. The park is a magnificent place to explore the Canadian Shield’s boreal forest, and there may be no better way to enjoy the park than by canoeing or kayaking the Coastal Paddling Route, or hiking the Coastal Hiking Trail.
Explore Quebec’s beautiful Atlantic Coast in Forillon National Park! Hike Les Crêtes or Les Lacs for a multi-day, backcountry adventure. Both trails promise spectacular views.
Explore Newfoundland’s boreal forest in Terra Nova National Park! You can experience the park’s backcountry by hiking (tramp the Outport Trail for some spectacular views!), kayaking or canoeing.
Gros Morne National Park in western Newfoundland offers a number of multi-day backpacking routes through the park’s remarkable wilderness. The Long Range Traverse is a challenging route; it can be combined with the Northern Traverse for an even more adventurous trek!
Cape Breton Highlands National Park offers some of the most spectacular hiking in Atlantic Canada. The park has a variety of front-country campgrounds and one backcountry site at Fishing Cove – at the end of an eight-kilometre hike to the foot of Mackenzie Mountain. Take on the 10-Trails-in-One-Day Challenge to check out a wide variety of views in the park.
Fundy National Park in New Brunswick is a great place to see the world’s highest tides (on the Bay of Fundy). For an overnight backcountry adventure, hike the Goose River Trail.
