Guide to Parks Canada: Atlantic Provinces, Quebec & Ontario
July 06, 2011
3 min readNational Geographic’s Guide to the National Parks of Canada is the official guide to Canada’s 42 national parks. Here’s a peek inside two of the parks profiled in the book.
Atlantic Provinces
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Established in 1936, Cape Breton Highlands National Park was the first national park dedicated in Atlantic Canada. In the park, known as the “Hiking Capital of Canada,” you’ll find 26 trails including the popular and scenic John Cabot Trail.
When to Go: The park is open year-round and the best time to visit will depend on your interests. Hiking is great from May to November when the ground is free of snow.
How to Visit: Cape Breton is a hiker’s delight offering trails of varying degrees of length and difficulty. Geocaching adds another dimension to hikes, especially for curious kids. 14 caches are strategically placed throughout the park with more information at the visitor centers. In addition to hiking, visitors may enjoy biking, kayaking, golfing, fishing and more.
Quebec & Ontario
Georgian Bay Islands National Parks
Gorgeous inland waters greet visitors to the parks set within Quebec and Ontario’s boundaries. At Ontario’s Georgian Bay Islands National Park, 63 islands dot the shore providing wonderful venues for boating, sailing, fishing, and seashore hikes.
When to Go: August means less crowds, fewer powerboats, and more peaceful waters for paddlers. September and October is best for fall foliage which can be experienced along quiet trails.
How to Visit: The world’s largest freshwater archipelago can be found on the eastern shore of Georgian Bay and is a terrific spot for canoes and kayaks.
Leave a comment and win a free copy of the book! We’re giving away a copy of the guide to another lucky commenter who tells us about their favorite Canadian park or describes a memorable Parks Canada experience.
Leave us a comment by 11:59 p.m. EST tonight (July 6) to be eligible. Plus, stay tuned to Intelligent Travel all this week for more opportunities to win.
Congrats to yesterday’s winner, Janet from New Jersey. Read about her favorite park memory here.
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