Wanting to travel Canada this year but the crowds are putting you off? Fear not, there are plenty of places to explore that are just as beautiful as the popular tourist attractions, but without the same level of overcrowding. Here are some alternative hidden gems that you might want to consider for your next Canadian adventure.
Instead of Banff National Park, consider the Kananaskis
Banff National Park is the most famous Canadian national park but, as a result, it’s the park that suffers from the worst overtourism. If you want panoramic mountain views and outdoor adventures, consider the Kananaskis instead. Kananaskis Country borders Calgary and Banff, yet many tourists don’t venture outside of Banff National Park.
Staying in the Kananaskis gives you the best of both worlds: access to the Canadian Rockies, but also the chance to explore Kananaskis Country’s multiple provincial parks that only the locals know about. There are ample opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking, mountain biking… everything you could do in Banff, and more! In the winter, you can ski at the world-class skiing facilities built for the Calgary Winter Olympics, or go dog sledding and snowshoeing.
Instead of Jasper National Park, consider Wells Gray Provincial Park
Jasper National Park is slightly less crowded than Banff, but it’s still the second most visited national park in the Rockies. As the town of Jasper is smaller than Banff, it gets congested quickly. Plus, some areas are still closed following the 2024 wildfires, so you might want to give Jasper a miss this year. Instead, consider the well-kept secret provincial park, Wells Gray.
Located around 3 hours away from Jasper, in the Cariboo mountains, Wells Gray Provincial Park is made up of 5000 km² of nature and wilderness. Visitors will be spoiled for choice with the activities on offer: hiking, horse riding, river rafting, boating, and more. Expect to see powerful waterfalls, old-growth rainforest, and alpine meadows. It is nicknamed the “Waterfall Park” because of its 39 waterfalls. Wells Gray is also known for having the largest canoe-only lake in North America. And you might just be the only people there!
Instead of Bruce Peninsula, consider Thunder Bay
Bruce Peninsula is a favourite with tourists and Ontarians alike, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to visit (especially during summer). You have to book campsites and parking for the main hikes well in advance, and spots are snapped up in seconds. If you want to escape the city for some outdoor adventures, try the Thunder Bay area. Its more remote location means not many travellers make it to Northern Ontario.
The Thunder Bay area is home to 150,000 lakes and rivers, including the world’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Superior. For a taste of history, check out Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site, which was once the most westerly fort in Upper Canada. Drive out to Pukaskwa National Park, Ontario’s largest national park, for scenery which has been described as the more remote version of Bruce Peninsula. If these activities weren’t enough, there are also multiple provincial parks nearby (find the full list here).
Instead of the Cabot Trail, consider the Fundy Trail Parkway
One of the most scenic drives in Canada, the Cabot Trail has become a victim of its own success. In the summertime, it is peak season, and you’ll easily become stuck in traffic or find the parking lots close early due to overcapacity. In the fall, people flock to Cape Breton to watch the leaves change colour. In winter, the roads become snowy and may even close. If you want a scenic coastal drive but without these issues on the Cabot Trail, why not head to the neighbouring province of New Brunswick and drive the Fundy Trail Parkway?
The Bay of Fundy is a must-see in Canada, with the highest tides in the world. The Fundy Trail Parkway is a scenic route that travels along the Bay of Fundy, with opportunities to stop at viewpoints, hiking trails, beaches, waterfalls, and suspension bridges along the way. Its breathtaking views are made all the more better because you’ll have them mostly to yourself. It’s an easy journey to reach the Fundy Trail Parkway, as it’s located around an hour’s drive from the big cities of Saint John and Moncton.
Instead of Waterton Lakes National Park, consider Gros Morne National Park
Waterton Lakes shares a border with Montana’s Glacier National Park and becomes overrun with Albertans, Americans, and international tourists during the summer months. The village of Waterton and the main attractions like the Waterton Lakes boat tour get booked out months in advance. If your ideal vacation is climbing mountains, boat cruises, and pretty waterfront villages, Waterton is not your only option. Instead, travel east to Newfoundland and the much quieter, yet equally (or even more) jawdropping Gros Morne National Park.
Gros Morne is easily one of the biggest and best national parks in Canada, yet never receives as many visitors as the parks on the mainland. Be one of the few to make the journey to Newfoundland and enjoy untouched nature, hiking trails with room to breathe, and scenic driving without back-to-back cars!
Instead of Algonquin Provincial Park, consider Thousand Islands National Park
If you’re searching for a fall getaway to witness the changing colours of the leaves, you’re bound to come across Algonquin. While this provincial park does have amazing views of the autumn leaves, it’s yet another place that suffers from overtourism during the months of September and October. For equally bright fall colours, look no further than another Ontario park, Thousand Islands.
While Thousand Islands National Park does get busy in the fall months, it has yet to experience the same level of crowds, and you don’t have to prebook to guarantee entry to see the leaves. You will have multiple ways of enjoying the fall colours; as well as the usual hiking and scenic driving, you can kayak, take a helicopter tour, or a boat cruise. Sitting on the Canadian-US border, there’s no shortage of things to do in the area; you can even cross the border to explore New York State if you want to keep the adventure going.
Instead of Quebec City, consider Saint Pierre and Micquelon
Quebec City is a popular choice for anyone wanting to experience the French side of Canadian culture. This city is no doubt picturesque, but it can be overrun with visitors throughout the year; it is just as popular in winter, when the Christmas events are on, as it is in summer. For a one-of-a-kind trip, you might prefer a visit to a French island. If you’re wondering what we mean, let us introduce you to the territory of Saint Pierre and Micquelon.
Saint Pierre and Micquelon is an authentic piece of Europe off the south coast of the island of Newfoundland. You will need your euros and your basic French language skills because Saint Pierre and Micquelon operates as its own territory; it has its own time zone and way of life, separate from the Canadian provinces. You’ll get to experience real French food, architecture, wine, and cultural norms, all while being just 20 km from Newfoundland.
Instead of Toronto, consider Halifax
Toronto is Canada’s most populous city and the first place people might think of for a Canadian city break. But if you want an urban vacation with more affordable accommodation, less queueing to get into popular restaurants, and generally quieter and cleaner streets, then Halifax is a great option. This city in Nova Scotia is often forgotten about when competing with the heavy-hitters like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, but it’s got everything you need for a city break.
There’s a strong foodie scene, with a focus on local ingredients and farm to table. There are nearby vineyards so you can spend your days wine tasting (without having to slog all the way to Niagara!). There’s a waterfront to rival Lake Ontario, boat trips to nearby islands, and numerous museums. Be sure to head up to the Citadel for a history lesson and for the best panoramic views of Halifax (although don’t expect it to compare to the dizzying heights of the CN Tower…).
Instead of Calgary, consider dude ranches in Saskatchewan
If you dream of Canadian cowboy culture but want to avoid the tourist trap that is the Calgary stampede, there are other options! Tourists can stay on a real-life working ranch (called dude ranches) in multiple provinces, including B.C. and Alberta, but for the most off-the-beaten-track experience, head to Saskatchewan.
There are more than 700 ranches in Saskatchewan, many of which are family-run businesses. At the Historic Reesor Ranch, for example, you can learn how to wrangle cattle. At the La Reata ranch, you can learn how to ride horses through the Saskatchewan River Valley. You can also take a guided horse riding tour through Grasslands National Park. Live the authentic western lifestyle while enjoying the peace and quiet of a province yet to be discovered by the masses.
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