If you’re looking for some amazing adventures in Canada’s national parks, you might want to skip the usual suspects and head to some of the lesser-known gems. Here are 10 under-the-radar experiences that will make your trip unforgettable.

Walk on the ocean floor at Fundy National Park

Fundy National Park in New Brunswick is home to the world’s highest tides, which can reach up to 50 feet. This means that you can walk on the ocean floor at low tide, exploring the rock formations, tidal pools, and marine life. Then, you can return at high tide and kayak over the same spot, marveling at the dramatic change. Don’t miss the nearby Hopewell Rocks, where you can see the iconic flowerpot-shaped rocks that have been sculpted by the waves.

Visit the birthplace of Anne of Green Gables at Prince Edward Island National Park

Prince Edward Island National Park is a must-see for fans of Anne of Green Gables, the beloved novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. You can visit Green Gables Heritage Place, where you can see the farmhouse that inspired the book, stroll through the gardens, and learn about the author’s life. You can also explore the park’s stunning scenery, including red sand beaches, sand dunes, cliffs, and forests. Don’t forget to try some of the island’s famous seafood and potatoes.

Ski on pristine powder at Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park in Alberta is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, and a paradise for skiers and snowboarders. You can choose from four ski areas, each with its own character and terrain. Marmot Basin is the most popular, with 91 runs and 3,000 feet of vertical drop. Jasper SkyTram is a scenic ride that takes you to the summit of Whistlers Mountain, where you can enjoy panoramic views and access to backcountry trails. Pyramid Lake Resort is a cozy retreat with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating. And Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is a luxury resort with a golf course that turns into a ski trail in winter.

See ancient fossils at Yoho National Park

Yoho National Park in British Columbia is one of the oldest national parks in Canada, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s famous for its fossils, which date back to over 500 million years ago. You can visit the Burgess Shale, where you can see some of the best-preserved specimens of early life on Earth, including strange creatures like trilobites, worms, and sponges. You can also admire the park’s natural wonders, such as Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Lake O’Hara.

Experience Indigenous culture at Pukaskwa National Park

Pukaskwa National Park in Ontario is a remote wilderness park on the shores of Lake Superior. It’s a place where you can immerse yourself in Indigenous culture, history, and spirituality. You can join guided tours led by local Anishinaabe people, who will share their stories, traditions, and knowledge of the land. You can also visit cultural sites like petroglyphs, pictographs, and burial grounds. And you can explore the park’s diverse landscapes, from rocky coastlines and sandy beaches to boreal forests and wetlands.

Watch wildlife at Riding Mountain National Park

Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba is one of the best places to see wildlife in Canada. The park has a large population of bison, which roam freely in a fenced area called the Bison Enclosure. You can drive or bike along the Bison Loop Road, where you might spot these majestic animals grazing or resting. You can also look for other wildlife like moose, elk, deer, bears, wolves, lynx, and more than 250 species of birds. The park also has a variety of habitats, from grasslands and forests to lakes and marshes.

Hike among hoodoos at Grasslands National Park

Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan is a rare example of undisturbed mixed-grass prairie ecosystem. It’s home to some unique geological features called hoodoos, which are pillars of rock topped with harder stone that protect them from erosion. You can hike among these hoodoos, which have different shapes and sizes, and learn about their formation and significance. You can also enjoy the park’s wide-open spaces, rolling hills, and colorful wildflowers. And you can see some of the wildlife that live in the grasslands, such as pronghorn antelope, black-tailed prairie dogs, and burrowing owls.

Explore a volcanic landscape at Auyuittuq National Park

Auyuittuq National Park in Nunavut is a land of ice and rock, where you can experience the Arctic wilderness. The park is located on Baffin Island, and covers part of the Penny Ice Cap and the Cumberland Peninsula. It’s named after an Inuktitut word that means “the land that never melts”. You can explore the park’s volcanic landscape, which features glaciers, fjords, mountains, and valleys. You can also see some of the wildlife that adapt to the harsh conditions, such as polar bears, caribou, arctic foxes, and snowy owls.

Kayak among whales at Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park

Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park in Quebec is a marine protected area that encompasses the mouth of the Saguenay River and a part of the St. Lawrence Estuary. It’s one of the best places to see whales in Canada, as it’s a feeding ground for several species, including belugas, blue whales, humpback whales, and minke whales.

Camp under the stars at Kluane National Park

Kluane National Park in Yukon is a vast wilderness area that covers part of the St. Elias Mountains and the largest ice field outside of the polar regions. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Dark Sky Preserve, which means that it has minimal light pollution and optimal conditions for stargazing. You can camp under the stars at one of the park’s campgrounds or backcountry sites, and enjoy the spectacular night sky. You can also hike, bike, ski, or snowshoe on the park’s trails, or take a flightseeing tour over the glaciers and peaks.