12 Best Natural Wonders of Canada
Made up of majestic mountain peaks, sprawling prairie lands, wild boreal forests, arctic tundras, and the longest coastline in the world, Canada’s natural wonders make the world’s second-largest country a top destination for outdoor adventure.
Canada is comprised of 20 designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 48 protected national parks, all with protocols in place to ensure that some of the country’s most magnificent natural wonders are preserved while keeping the wildlife and ecosystems protected. From Canada’s answer to the Swiss Alps to The Amazon of the North, these are the 12 best natural wonders found around Canada.
1. The Canadian Rockies, British Columbia and Alberta
Best for mountain scenery
The saw-tooth, white-topped mountains straddling the British Columbia and Alberta border inspire both awe and action. Four national parks can be found in this region: Banff – Canada’s oldest and most-visited national park, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay – all offering countless opportunities to delve into the lush wilderness, with ribbons of hiking trails, rushing white water, and powdery ski slopes often referred to as the Swiss Alps of Canada.
The Rockies Rail Route provides another popular way to experience the grandeur: luminous lakes, wildflower jumbles, and glistening glaciers glide by as the steel cars chug up mountain passes and down river valleys.
2. Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
Best remote islands
Experience the rugged and remote wilderness of British Columbia with a visit to Haida Gwaii, a cluster of islands found 100 km (62 miles) west off the northern coast of British Columbia. This dagger-shaped archipelago is best experienced through Indigenous tours and operators, providing immersion in the unique culture and landscape of the area.
Colossal spruce and cedars cloak the wild, rain-sodden landscape. Bald eagles and bears roam the ancient forest, and sea lions and orcas cruise the waters. The islands’ real soul is the resurgent Haida people, best known for their war-canoe and totem-pole carvings. See these creations at Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, which combines lost villages, burial caves, and hot springs with some of the continent’s best kayaking.
3. The Northern Lights
Best nighttime wonder
Most of Canada’s northern region lies beneath the Northern Hemisphere’s Aurora Oval, creating several hot spots for night-sky activity. High-latitude places, from the Labrador coast to arctic villages, may not seem like much during the day, but at night, drapes of green, yellow, aqua, violet, and other polychromatic hues flicker across the sky.
This natural phenomenon can be seen during all four seasons, depending on your province of choice. In summer (July to September), head to Torngat National Park, where a guided tour connects you with Inuit Elders to learn about the dramatic geology and traditional practices found in this unique region. February and March are high-season aurora months in Churchill, Manitoba, which is well-known for its extensive winter storm action.
4. Niagara Falls, Ontario
Best iconic wonder
As the world’s second-largest waterfall by volume and Canada’s most famous natural attraction, Niagara Falls is stunning. The breathtaking site is located in a city of the same name in Ontario and linked to the US by several bridges and a trio of falls – The American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls (the Canadian falls, and the largest of the three).
When those great muscular bands of water arc over the precipice like liquid glass and roar into the void below, Niagara Falls impresses. In terms of sheer volume, nowhere in North America beats its thundering cascade, with over one million bathtubs of water plummeting over the edge every second.
5. Baffin Island, Nunavut
Best Ice Age landscapes
Baffin Island has a human history that dates back 3000 years; to this day, Inuit people still inhabit the land, making up 70% of the area’s population. Believed to be the birthplace of the last Ice Age due to its unique landscape, Baffin Island is part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, almost reaching the center of the Arctic Circle.
This island, Canada’s largest and the fifth largest globally, is home to cloud-scraping mountains and one-third of Nunavut’s population. The crown jewel here is Auyuittuq National Park – or “the land that never melts” – featuring deep fjords, glacial valleys, and vertiginous cliffs that appeal to hardcore hikers and climbers alike.
6. Nahanni National Park Reserve, Northwest Territories
Best for river experiences
Gorgeous hot springs, haunted gorges, and grizzlies fill this remote park near the Yukon border. To reach this park, flying in is necessary, with only about 1000 visitors per year adventurous enough to make the trek, half of whom are paddlers attempting to conquer the South Nahanni River.
Untamed and spectacular, this river churns along 500 km (310 miles) through the Mackenzie Mountains. Cascading waterfalls and magnificent canyons tell the tales of giants and lost gold on the journey north, inviting visitors for fly-in day trips or extended paddling adventures on the Mackenzie River.
7. Moraine Lake, Alberta
Best remote lake
The spectacular, deep teal water of Moraine Lake is one of Banff’s most iconic sights. The lake’s rugged and remote setting in the Valley of the Ten Peaks enhances its allure and creates stunning scenery that seems surreal. Many visitors prefer Moraine Lake to Lake Louise; however, parking availability often requires either luck or the determination to wake up early, as the lot can fill up by 5:30 am during peak season.
8. Tablelands, Newfoundland
Best rocky landscapes
Located in Gros Morne National Park on the west coast of Newfoundland, the Tablelands is a site of geological significance. Erosion processes spanning 400 million years have revealed the exposed core of the Earth, forming a striking orange landscape that defies botanical growth.
View this extraordinary phenomenon up close on Rte 431 or from a distance at the stunning photography lookout above Norris Point.
9. Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick
Best for unusual coastal scenery
A nature-sculpted masterpiece found in the Bay of Fundy, The Hopewell Rocks are bizarre sandstone erosion formations, also known as “flowerpots.” Resembling giant arches and stone mushrooms, these formations are New Brunswick’s top attraction and often crowded with visitors.
Visitors can only walk amidst the rocks at low tide; however, the towering rock formations remain visible from trails above during high tide, or you can join a kayaking tour to view from the water.
10. Torngat Mountains National Park, Newfoundland / Labrador
Best for beautiful landscapes
This park, an Inuit homeland and the northernmost tip of continental Canada, is accessible only by boat, charter plane, or helicopter. A landing permit is required for site access. Home to some of Earth’s oldest rocks, the area is teeming with polar bears and caribou roaming freely alongside ancient Inuit traditions that enhance the dramatic landscapes.
11. The Prairies, Saskatchewan / Manitoba
Best for big skies and solitude
Solitude reigns in Canada’s middle ground. Driving through the flatlands of Manitoba and Saskatchewan reveals uninterrupted fields of golden wheat stretching toward the horizon. As the wind blows, the wheat sways like ocean waves, punctuated by the occasional grain elevator on the skyline
12. Manitoulin Island, Ontario
Best shimmering views
As the largest freshwater island globally, Manitoulin Island is Ontario’s best-kept secret, floating serenely amidst Lake Huron’s waters. This idyllic island features beautiful beaches and cottages, with outcroppings leading to mesmerizing vistas. First Nations culture influences the island, with local communities offering a variety of eco-adventures and culturally immersive activities.
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This article was first published Sep 3, 2020, and updated Sep 1, 2022.
