While Banff, Jasper, and Gros Morne draw the crowds (and deservedly so), Canada’s national parks are filled with lesser-known gems that offer solitude, striking beauty, and unforgettable adventures. From arid prairie badlands to windswept Arctic tundra and remote island archipelagos, these parks prove that going off the beaten path often leads to the most rewarding experiences.
1. Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan
A vast, open expanse of mixed-grass prairie, Grasslands National Park offers one of the last untouched stretches of native prairie ecosystem in North America. Visitors will find wide horizons, eerie badlands, and a soundtrack of meadowlarks and whispering grasses. The park is home to reintroduced plains bison, black-tailed prairie dogs, and rare burrowing owls. It’s also Canada’s darkest Dark Sky Preserve, making it ideal for stargazing and astrophotography. Hike the 70 Mile Butte trail at sunset for sweeping views and a true sense of solitude.
2. Tuktut Nogait National Park, Northwest Territories
One of the most remote parks in Canada, Tuktut Nogait is a place of raw Arctic beauty. Located above the Arctic Circle, it protects the calving grounds of the Bluenose West caribou herd and features steep canyons, turquoise rivers, and ancient Inuit archaeological sites. The park sees fewer than 50 visitors a year, so those who make the journey are rewarded with unspoiled wilderness. Summer months offer a short window for backcountry hiking or rafting the Hornaday River beneath 100-metre cliffs.
3. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec
Off the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, this string of over 1,000 limestone islands and islets feels like an alien landscape. Towering sea stacks carved by centuries of wind and water dominate the shorelines. The park is a haven for seabirds, whales, and rare Arctic-alpine plants. Accessible by boat from Havre-Saint-Pierre or Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, the islands offer hiking trails, lighthouses, interpretive programs, and backcountry camping. Paddle through the maze of islands for an unforgettable kayaking experience.
4. Kouchibouguac National Park, New Brunswick
Tucked along the Acadian coast, Kouchibouguac offers a unique mix of sandy barrier islands, salt marshes, bogs, and mixed forests. It’s a paradise for paddlers and cyclists, with over 60 km of multi-use trails and access to warm lagoons for sea kayaking. The park is home to one of the largest tern colonies in North America and an Indigenous cultural centre where visitors can learn about the Mi’kmaq people. Less touristy than nearby Fundy, it’s a serene escape into coastal ecology.
5. Ukkusiksalik National Park, Nunavut
Surrounding the immense Wager Bay, a tidal fjord off Hudson Bay, Ukkusiksalik is rich in Inuit heritage and wildlife. You won’t find roads or services—visitors arrive by charter from Rankin Inlet or via expedition cruise. The landscape of rolling tundra, tidal flats, and rocky outcrops supports polar bears, caribou, wolves, and nesting peregrine falcons. Historic Hudson’s Bay Company buildings and hundreds of archaeological sites tell the story of Inuit who lived and hunted here for generations. It’s a land as ancient as it is wild.
6. Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve, Northwest Territories
Canada’s newest national park, Thaidene Nene protects nearly 27,000 square kilometres of boreal forest, tundra, and deep lakes at the eastern edge of Great Slave Lake. It’s sacred Dene land, co-managed with Indigenous governments, and its name means “Land of the Ancestors.” Paddle trips along the Lockhart River, hikes through rugged granite ridges, and fishing on remote lakes are just a few of the experiences here. With virtually no infrastructure, it’s true frontier adventuring—requiring experience, planning, and respect.
7. Torngat Mountains National Park, Newfoundland and Labrador
Canada’s only national park completely run by Inuit, the Torngat Mountains are a realm of jagged peaks, glacier-fed fjords, and ancient cultural landscapes. Home to some of the country’s oldest rocks and highest peaks east of the Rockies, the park is accessible only by charter flights or boat. Visitors stay at the Torngat Base Camp and Research Station, joining guided hikes to iceberg-filled coves or archeological sites dating back 5,000 years. Polar bears, caribou, and narwhals roam freely—this is a raw, spiritual place.
8. La Mauricie National Park, Quebec
Set in the Laurentians halfway between Montreal and Quebec City, La Mauricie is a forested, lake-dotted oasis perfect for canoe trips, hiking, and winter activities. Despite its accessibility, it’s often overshadowed by better-known parks. The 63-kilometre Parkway offers easy access to trailheads, waterfalls, and scenic lookouts. Canoe-camping routes span multiple lakes and portages, while snowshoers and cross-country skiers enjoy its quiet winter charm. It’s a perfect destination for all-season exploration.
9. Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, Nova Scotia
One of only two parks in Canada with both national park and historic site status, “Keji” blends Mi’kmaq heritage with old-growth forests and mirror-still lakes. Visitors can canoe ancient portage routes used for thousands of years, camp under the stars in one of Canada’s first Dark Sky Preserves, and explore petroglyphs carved into stone along the shores. The nearby Seaside adjunct features white sand beaches and coastal ecosystems, offering a totally different feel. It’s Nova Scotia at its most soulful.
10. Pukaskwa National Park, Ontario
Along Lake Superior’s rugged north shore, Pukaskwa is a backcountry lover’s dream. Towering cliffs, remote pebble beaches, boreal forest, and the spectacular Coastal Hiking Trail define this lesser-known gem. Visitors can tackle multi-day hikes along 60 kilometres of trail with dramatic lake vistas or paddle into secluded coves. The Anishinaabe presence is strong here, with the Hattie Cove visitor centre offering cultural programs. It’s wild, challenging, and deeply rewarding.
11. Glacier National Park, British Columbia
Not to be confused with its inferior U.S. namesake, Glacier National Park is a rugged paradise for mountaineers and backcountry lovers. Located along the Trans-Canada Highway near Rogers Pass, it’s a park defined by dramatic peaks, dense forests, and more than 400 glaciers. The area is steeped in mountaineering history and offers challenging hikes like the Asulkan Valley Trail and Hermit Trail, which reward with sweeping vistas and glacier views. It’s also home to one of the world’s snowiest regions, making it legendary for backcountry ski touring in winter.
12. Elk Island National Park, Alberta
Just 35 minutes from Edmonton, Elk Island is a small but important park dedicated to the conservation of bison. It played a key role in the global recovery of wood and plains bison, and visitors today can spot these massive animals roaming freely alongside elk, moose, and white-tailed deer. The park’s mix of aspen parkland, lakes, and wetlands is perfect for hiking, paddling, and picnicking. At night, its Dark Sky Preserve status makes it ideal for stargazing and aurora viewing. Though close to the city, it feels worlds away.
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