Canada's national parks areprotected areas under theCanada National Parks Act, owned by theGovernment of Canada and administered for the benefit, education, and enjoyment of the people ofCanada and itsfuture generations.[1] National parks are administered byParks Canada, aCrown agency operating under the jurisdiction of theMinistry of Environment and Climate Change. The goal of the national parks system is to set aside lands representing the country's 39 distinct natural regions described in theNational Parks System Plan, primarily to protect the ecological integrity of the land, and secondarily to allow the public to explore, learn about and enjoy Canada's natural spaces.[2]
Canada's firstnational park was created in 1885 through anOrder-in-Council[3] to reserve 26 km2 (10 sq mi) over theCave and Basin Hot Springs to prevent the land from being sold for private development despite claims being made for it. Modelled after the American experience withYellowstone National Park, theRocky Mountains Park Act, adopted in 1887, established the Rocky Mountains Park (nowBanff National Park).[4] The idea of a national park was popular and led to numerous proposals for theMinistry of the Interior to consider, including additional sites along theCanadian Pacific Railway (e.g. Yoho and Glacier and an expansion of Banff) and theGrand Trunk Pacific Railway (e.g. Jasper). In 1911 theRocky Mountains Park Act was replaced by theDominion Forest Reserves and Parks Act which created the world's first National Park Service, the Dominion Parks Branch, to administer national parks in Canada.[5] These early national parks, including those established under the leadership ofJB Harkin who was the first commissioner of the Dominion Parks Branch, were set aside to reserve lands principally for tourism and conservation but also had an exclusionary policy prohibitingFirst Nations peoples from using their traditional lands within the new parks.[6] In 1922,Wood Buffalo National Park was the first to allow traditional indigenous activities to continue. In 1972, Parks Canada defined national park reserves as lands administered by the agency intended to become national parks pending settlement ofindigenous land rights and agreements for continued traditional use of the lands.[7][8]
As of July 2024[update], there are 37 national parks and 11 national park reserves, covering an area of approximately 343,377 km2 (132,579 sq mi),[9] or about 3.3% of the total land area of Canada, and representing 31 of its 39 natural regions. There is at least one park located in every one of the nation's13 provinces and territories. Parks Canada reported attendance of 15,449,249 at all national parks and reserves in 2016–17, including over four million visits to the busiest park (Banff) and only two persons at the least-visited park (Tuktut Nogait).[10] Parks Canada additionally manages threeNational Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs), a single NMCA Reserve, and the country's loneNational Landmark. TheCanada National Parks Act also allows for recognition ofNational Historic Sites that commemorate events, landmarks, or objects of national importance, and which may include similar levels of protection and administration as national parks.[1] Feasibility studies are underway to establish further national parks in unrepresented regions.[11]
National park reserves are indicated by "(Reserve)" after the park name. The national urban park is indicated by "(Urban)" after the park name.
| Name | Photo | Location | Established[12] | Area (2017)[12] | Annual visitors (2022–23)[13] | Natural region[14] | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akami−Uapishkᵘ− KakKasuak−Mealy Mountains (Reserve) |  | Newfoundland and Labrador 53°24′N59°22′W / 53.400°N 59.367°W /53.400; -59.367 (Akami-Uapishkᵘ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park) | 31 July 2015 | 10,700 km2 (4,131 sq mi) | East coast boreal | The park includes a portion of the glacially-roundedMealy Mountains onLabrador fromLake Melville toSandwich Bay and includes some sandy beaches along the coast of theLabrador Sea. | |
| Aulavik |  | Northwest Territories 73°42′N119°55′W / 73.700°N 119.917°W /73.700; -119.917 (Aulavik National Park) | 1992 | 12,200 km2 (4,710 sq mi) | 34 | Western arctic lowlands | Located on the northern part ofBanks Island, the completely treelesspolar desert of Aulavik is home to the world's largest concentration ofmuskoxen, as well as the endangeredPeary caribou.[15] |
| Auyuittuq |  | Nunavut 67°53′N65°01′W / 67.883°N 65.017°W /67.883; -65.017 (Auyuittuq National Park) | 2001 | 19,089 km2 (7,370 sq mi) | 256 | Northern Davis region | One of Canada's largest parks and located almost entirely within theArctic Circle, Auyuittuq onBaffin Island preserves a rugged arctic wilderness featuring some of the highest peaks of theCanadian Shield.[16] |
| Banff * |  | Alberta 51°30′N116°0′W / 51.500°N 116.000°W /51.500; -116.000 (Banff National Park) | 25 November 1885 | 6,641 km2 (2,564 sq mi) | 4,130,081 | Rocky Mountains | The first park established by the federal government of Canada, Banff includes theValley of the Ten Peaks, theWapta andWaputik Icefields, several ski resorts, and the communities ofLake Louise andBanff. It is part of theCanadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site and adjacent to Kootenay, Yoho, and Jasper National Parks. |
| Bruce Peninsula † |  | Ontario 45°14′N81°37′W / 45.233°N 81.617°W /45.233; -81.617 (Bruce Peninsula National Park) | 1987 | 125 km2 (48 sq mi) | 460,435 | St. Lawrence lowlands | Formed from lands previously designated Ontario's Cyprus Lake Provincial Park, Bruce preserves a unique shoreline formation of theNiagara Escarpment and forms part of the larger UNESCONiagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. TheBruce Trail, one of Canada's longest hiking trails, passes through the park. The locally threatenedmassasauga rattlesnake is found within the park, as well as Canada's southernmost population ofblack bears.[12]: 142–143 |
| Cape Breton Highlands | .jpg) | Nova Scotia 46°43′N60°40′W / 46.717°N 60.667°W /46.717; -60.667 (Cape Breton Highlands National Park) | 1936 | 948 km2 (366 sq mi) | 277,203 | Maritime Acadian highlands | Atlantic Canada's oldest national park featuresAcadian andboreal forest environments in theCape Breton Highlands. One-third of theCabot Trail passes through the central portion of the park. Most of Nova Scotia's population ofCanada lynx are found in this park, and the endangeredNorth Atlantic right whale is found in waters off the park's coast.[12]: 42–43 [17]Western moose were introduced to this park from Alberta's Elk Island National Park between 1947 and 1948, the nativeeastern moose having been hunted to near-extinction.[18][19]Parks Canada started a four-year project with the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources and other partners to begin to restore boreal forest regions within this park in 2014. |
| Elk Island † |  | Alberta 53°37′N112°52′W / 53.617°N 112.867°W /53.617; -112.867 (Elk Island National Park) | 1913 | 194 km2 (75 sq mi) | 409,891 | Southern boreal plains & plateaux | Created as a wildlife sanctuary for elk, the park has become a part of bison conservation, theBeaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, and theBeaver Hills Biosphere Reserve.[20] Eighteen moose (nine males and nine females) from Elk Island were introduced to Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Highlands National Park between 1947 and 1948.[19] |
| Forillon |  | Quebec 48°54′N64°21′W / 48.900°N 64.350°W /48.900; -64.350 (Forillon National Park) | 8 June 1970 (federal-provincial agreement) | 240 km2 (93 sq mi) | 164,130 | Notre Dame & Megantic Mountains | The lands of the first park in Quebec were traditional hunting and fishing grounds for theMi'kmaq andIroquois, and were exploited for their rich supplies of lumber.[12]: 98–99 Two hundred twenty-five families were controversiallyexpropriated from the park lands prior to creation of the park in 1970. In 2011, the Government of Canada issued a formal apology to these families for their mistreatment.[21] |
| Fundy † |  | New Brunswick 45°36′N64°57′W / 45.600°N 64.950°W /45.600; -64.950 (Fundy National Park) | 1948 | 206 km2 (80 sq mi) | 303,575 | Maritime Acadian highlands | Featuring the highesttides in the world, theBay of Fundy exposes ocean floor at low tide which is covered by up to 16 m (52 ft) of salt water at high tide.[22] The park forms the core portion of the UNESCOFundy Biosphere Reserve. |
| Georgian Bay Islands † |  | Ontario 44°53′N79°52′W / 44.883°N 79.867°W /44.883; -79.867 (Georgian Bay Islands National Park) | 1930 | 14 km2 (5 sq mi) | 27,482 | Great Lakes—St. Lawrence precambrian region | Beausoleil Island is the largest of the small islands which make up the park, which originally includedFlowerpot Island. The islands form part of the UNESCOGeorgian Bay Littoral Biosphere Reserve. |
| Glacier |  | British Columbia 51°18′N117°31′W / 51.300°N 117.517°W /51.300; -117.517 (Glacier National Park) | 10 October 1886 | 1,349 km2 (521 sq mi) | 775,190[23] | Columbia Mountains | Representative of the Columbia Mountains natural region, this park includesIllecillewaet Glacier,Rogers Pass,Nakimu Caves,Mount Sir Donald, andMount Dawson.[24] |
| Grasslands |  | Saskatchewan 49°12′N107°43′W / 49.200°N 107.717°W /49.200; -107.717 (Grasslands National Park) | 1981 | 730 km2 (282 sq mi) (905 km2 (349 sq mi) proposed) | 19,656 | Prairie grasslands | Located along the borders with the American state ofMontana, the park features an undisturbedmixed-grass prairie ecosystem andbadlands where fossils from both theFrenchman andBearpaw Formations were discovered including those of aTriceratops and aTyrannosaurus.[25] |
| Gros Morne * |  | Newfoundland and Labrador 49°41′N57°44′W / 49.683°N 57.733°W /49.683; -57.733 (Gros Morne National Park) | 1 October 2005 (national park) August 1973 (national park reserve) | 1,805 km2 (697 sq mi) | - | Western Newfoundland highlands | A World Heritage Site due to its exposedmantle andcrust as an example ofplate tectonics, the park also includesWestern Brook Pond,Lobster Cove, andGros Morne mountain in theLong Range Mountains chain.[26] |
| Gulf Islands (Reserve) |  | British Columbia 48°51′N123°27′W / 48.850°N 123.450°W /48.850; -123.450 (Gulf Islands National Park Reserve) | 9 May 2003 | 37 km2 (14 sq mi) | 28,434 | Strait of Georgia lowlands | Representative of the Strait of Georgia Lowlands, the park includes 6 km2 of marine environment and land on 15 islands.[27] |
| Gwaii Haanas *[a] (Reserve) |  | British Columbia 52°23′N131°28′W / 52.383°N 131.467°W /52.383; -131.467 (Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve) | 1988 | 1,474 km2 (569 sq mi) | 2,651[29] | Pacific coast mountains | Forming the southern end of theHaida Gwaii archipelago, the park is on the far western end of Canada and includes 138 islands, inclusive ofNinstints World Heritage Site,Hotspring Island, and the southern tip ofMoresby Island. |
| Ivvavik[b] |  | Yukon 69°31′N139°31′W / 69.517°N 139.517°W /69.517; -139.517 (Ivvavik National Park) | 1984 | 9,750 km2 (3,764 sq mi) | 179 | Northern Yukon | Adjacent to Vuntut National Park and the AmericanArctic National Wildlife Refuge, the park has arctic tundra that was not glaciated during the last ice age and consequently contains the oldest river in Canada, the Firth River. Ivvavik is the first national park created as a result of an aboriginal land claim agreement, theInuvialuit Final Agreement.[31] |
| Jasper * |  | Alberta 52°48′N117°54′W / 52.800°N 117.900°W /52.800; -117.900 (Jasper National Park) | 14 September 1907 | 11,228 km2 (4,335 sq mi) | 2,415,463 | Rocky Mountains | Part of theCanadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site and adjacent to the Banff National Parks, as well asMount Robson andHamber Provincial Parks in British Columbia, this park includes the community ofJasper,Columbia Icefield,Athabasca Falls,Sunwapta Falls,Maligne Lake, andcanyon, and theSnow Dome, a hydrological apex of North America, at its boundary with the Banff National Park. |
| Kejimkujik † | .jpg) | Nova Scotia 44°24′N65°13′W / 44.400°N 65.217°W /44.400; -65.217 (Kejimkujik National Park) | 1967 | 404 km2 (156 sq mi) | 75,284 | Atlantic coast plain | The area aroundKejimikujik Lake was acquired by the federal government for park purposes in 1967 and added a 22 km2 seaside component in 1985. The inland portion was designated a National Historic Site in 1995 recognizing itsMi'kmaw cultural landscape and is adjacent to theTobeatic Wilderness Area. The park is part of theSouthwest Nova Biosphere Reserve and adark-sky preserve.[32] |
| Kluane * (Park and Reserve)[c] |  | Yukon 60°37′N138°20′W / 60.617°N 138.333°W /60.617; -138.333 (Kluane National Park and Reserve) | 29 May 1993 (Park) 1972 (Reserve) | 5,900 km2 (2,278 sq mi) (Park) 16,080 km2 (6,209 sq mi) (Reserve) | 47,098 | Northern coast mountains | Part of aWorld Heritage Site and adjacent to the U.S.Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and British ColumbianTatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park, Kluane features thehighest mountain peaks in Canada, includingMount Logan, and the largest non-polar ice field in the world.[33] |
| Kootenay * |  | British Columbia 50°53′N116°03′W / 50.883°N 116.050°W /50.883; -116.050 (Kootenay National Park) | 21 April 1920 | 1,406 km2 (543 sq mi) | 574,126 | Rocky Mountains | Part of theCanadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site and adjacent to the Banff and Yoho National Parks, as well as theMount Assiniboine Provincial Park, the park is representative of the Rocky Mountains natural region and includes theRadium Hot Springs pools, an outcrop of theBurgess Shale fossil deposit,Numa Falls, andFloe Lake. |
| Kouchibouguac | .jpg) | New Brunswick 46°51′N64°58′W / 46.850°N 64.967°W /46.850; -64.967 (Kouchibouguac National Park) | 1969 | 239 km2 (92 sq mi) | 243,489 | Maritime plain | Located on the coast where theKouchibouguac River enters theNorthumberland Strait, across from the north end of Prince Edward Island, the park illustratescoastal dynamics, includingtidal rivers,coastal dunes,salt marshes,bogs, andbarrier islands.[34] |
| La Mauricie |  | Quebec 46°48′N72°58′W / 46.800°N 72.967°W /46.800; -72.967 (La Mauricie National Park) | 22 August 1970 | 536 km2 (207 sq mi) | 278,923 | Great Lakes—St. Lawrence precambrian region | Located north ofShawinigan, and betweenSaint-Maurice River,Matawin River, andMastigouche Wildlife Reserve, the park features acanoe camping circuit and habitat for thewood turtle.[35] |
| Mingan Archipelago (Reserve) |  | Quebec 50°13′N63°10′W / 50.217°N 63.167°W /50.217; -63.167 (Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve) | 1984 | 151 km2 (58 sq mi) | 44,017 | St. Lawrence lowlands | Located along theGulf of St. Lawrence, the park consists of theMingan Archipelago with itslimestoneoutcrops andAtlantic puffin habitat. |
| Mount Revelstoke |  | British Columbia 51°05′N118°04′W / 51.083°N 118.067°W /51.083; -118.067 (Mount Revelstoke National Park) | 1914 | 262 km2 (101 sq mi) | 775,190[23] | Columbia Mountains | Accessible by a trail from theCity of Revelstoke, the park is representative of the Columbia Mountains natural region.[24] |
| Nááts'ihch'oh (Reserve) |  | Northwest Territories 62°22′N127°58′W / 62.367°N 127.967°W /62.367; -127.967 (Nááts'ihch'oh National Park Reserve) | 18 December 2014 | 4,850 km2 (1,873 sq mi) | 109 | Mackenzie Mountains | Adjacent to the Nahanni National Park, Nááts'įhch'oh extends the protected area into the Sahtu Settlement Area to include additional land with theSouth Nahanni River watershed to Mount Nááts'įhch'oh and theMoose Ponds.[36] |
| Nahanni * (Reserve) |  | Northwest Territories 61°33′N125°35′W / 61.550°N 125.583°W /61.550; -125.583 (Nahanni National Park Reserve) | 1974 | 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi)[d] | 1,104 | Mackenzie Mountains | Containing the first naturalWorld Heritage Site in Canada, the park includes theSouth Nahanni River,Virginia Falls, theCirque of the Unclimbables, and a limestone cave system.[38] |
| Pacific Rim[e] (Reserve) |  | British Columbia 48°38′N124°46′W / 48.633°N 124.767°W /48.633; -124.767 (Pacific Rim National Park Reserve) | 1970 | 510 km2 (197 sq mi) | 1,163,362 | Pacific coast mountains | Representative of the coastal plain portion of the Pacific Coast Mountains natural region, the park is divided into three separated parts:Long Beach, theBroken Group islands, and theWest Coast Trail.[39] |
| Pituamkek (Reserve) |  | Prince Edward Island 46°36′39″N63°47′6″W / 46.61083°N 63.78500°W /46.61083; -63.78500 (Pituamkek National Park Reserve) | 4 July 2024 | 30 km2 (12 sq mi) | Maritime plain | The park reserve encompasses a 50 km (31 mi) chain ofbarrier islands, includingHog Island, shielding northwestern Prince Edward Island from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The islands contain many sites of archaeological and cultural significance to theMi'kmaq, and the sand dunes of the chain provide habitat to endangered species including thepiping plover andnorthern long-eared bat. The reserve includes Iron Rock, the province's onlyigneous rock formation.[40] | |
| Point Pelee |  | Ontario 41°58′N82°31′W / 41.967°N 82.517°W /41.967; -82.517 (Point Pelee National Park) | 29 May 1918 | 15 km2 (6 sq mi) | 492,122 | St. Lawrence lowlands | The first national park established for conservation, Point Pelee is the southernmost point of the Canadian mainland, and also includes the southernmost point overall onMiddle Island. The marshy wetland environment is a known stop for migratory birds andmonarch butterflies,[41] and since 1987 is aRamsar Convention Wetland of International Importance.[42] |
| Prince Albert |  | Saskatchewan 53°58′N106°22′W / 53.967°N 106.367°W /53.967; -106.367 (Prince Albert National Park) | 24 March 1927 | 3,875 km2 (1,496 sq mi) | 287,372 | Southern boreal plains & plateaux | Established with arecreation focus, the park includes a small community on the east end ofWaskesiu Lake and featuresfescuegrasslands withplains bison,boreal forest, andAjawaan,Lavallée Lake, and other lakes.[43] |
| Prince Edward Island |  | Prince Edward Island 46°25′N63°05′W / 46.417°N 63.083°W /46.417; -63.083 (Prince Edward Island National Park) | 1937 | 27 km2 (10 sq mi) | - | Maritime plain | Sensitive sand beaches and dunes on the island's north shore provide nesting habitat for the endangeredpiping plover and are designated anImportant Bird Area. An extension added in 1998 protectsparabolic sand dunes and an area with archaeological evidence ofPaleo-Indian occupation up to 10,000 years ago.[44] The park also encompassesGreen Gables, the inspiration for the popularAnne of Green Gables novels.[12]: 62–63 |
| Pukaskwa |  | Ontario 48°15′N85°53′W / 48.250°N 85.883°W /48.250; -85.883 (Pukaskwa National Park) | 1971 | 1,878 km2 (725 sq mi) | 17,285 | Central boreal uplands | Located on theVoyageur Hiking Trail and the longest stretch of undeveloped shoreline in theGreat Lakes,[45] Pukaskwa protects an area of boreal forest largely untouched by logging and mining industries, owing to the terrain's remarkable ruggedness.[12] A large cluster of thePukaskwa Pits are located within the park. |
| Qausuittuq |  | Nunavut 76°00′N100°00′W / 76.000°N 100.000°W /76.000; -100.000 (Qausuittuq National Park) | 1 September 2015 | 11,008 km2 (4,250 sq mi) | Western high Arctic | Located onBathurst Island, the park is adjacent to thePolar Bear Pass National Wildlife Area and protectsPeary caribou andmuskox habitat. | |
| Quttinirpaaq[f] |  | Nunavut 82°13′N72°13′W / 82.217°N 72.217°W /82.217; -72.217 (Quttinirpaaq National Park) | 1988 | 37,775 km2 (14,585 sq mi) | 7 | Eastern high Arctic | Located on thepolar desert ofEllesmere Island at the northern tip of Canada, the park includesTanquary Fiord,Barbeau Peak,Lake Hazen, andFort Conger. |
| Riding Mountain † |  | Manitoba 50°52′N100°02′W / 50.867°N 100.033°W /50.867; -100.033 (Riding Mountain National Park) | 30 May 1933 | 2,968 km2 (1,146 sq mi) | 336,560 | Southern boreal plains & plateaux | Part of theRiding Mountain Biosphere Reserve,[47] the park features both boreal and aspen forests among the larger grassland prairie landscape, interspersed withpothole lakes and marshes. The park has anoutdoor recreation focus and includes the community ofWasagaming, theEast Gate National Historic Site, and formerly theWhitewater prisoners-of-war camp.[48] |
| Rouge (Urban) |  | Ontario 43°56′N79°14′W / 43.933°N 79.233°W /43.933; -79.233 (Rouge National Urban Park) | 15 May 2015 | 79.1 km2 (31 sq mi) | St. Lawrence lowlands | Located in theGreater Toronto Area beginning at the mouth of theRouge River and through the east end ofToronto andMarkham, the park includes riparian corridors and wetlands with habitat for theBlanding's turtle, as well asBead Hill National Historic Site. | |
| Sable Island (Reserve) |  | Nova Scotia 43°57′N59°55′W / 43.950°N 59.917°W /43.950; -59.917 (Sable Island National Park Reserve) | 20 June 2013 | 30 km2 (12 sq mi) | 806 | Atlantic coast plain | Consisting ofSable Island at the edge of thecontinental shelf off the coast ofNova Scotia, the island of sand is home to theSable Island horse and provides habitat forgrey seals andbeach grass. |
| Sirmilik |  | Nunavut 72°59′N81°8′W / 72.983°N 81.133°W /72.983; -81.133 (Sirmilik National Park) | 2001 | 22,200 km2 (8,571 sq mi) | 6 | Eastern Arctic lowlands[49] | Located on the eastern end of Nunavut, Sirmilik consists of theByam Martin Mountains ofBylot Island andBaffin Island'sBorden Peninsula andOliver Sound. |
| Terra Nova |  | Newfoundland and Labrador 48°32′N53°56′W / 48.533°N 53.933°W /48.533; -53.933 (Terra Nova National Park) | 1957 | 399 km2 (154 sq mi) | 45,191 | Eastern Newfoundland Atlantic region | The easternmost national park, Terra Nova is located on the east coast ofNewfoundland along theTrans-Canada Highway. The park is characteristic of the Newfoundland landscape of low relief and rounded hills, and a rocky coastline ofarms,sounds,coves,inlets,sea arches, and caves, as well as habitat for theNewfoundland pine marten.[50] |
| Thaidene Nëné (Reserve) |  | Northwest Territories 62°30′N111°00′W / 62.500°N 111.000°W /62.500; -111.000 (Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve) | 21 August 2019 | 14,305 km2 (5,523 sq mi)[51] | Northwestern boreal uplands[52] | Thaidene Nëné, which translates in Canadian English as "Land of the Ancestors", is a protected area that spans 6.5 million acres (26,000 km2) at the transition between boreal forest and tundra. It includes the East Arm ofGreat Slave Lake, the deepest freshwater source in North America, and provides habitat for red fox, black bear, wolf packs, grizzly bear, lynx, wolverine,marten,Arctic fox, moose, beaver, muskoxen, and critical wintry weather for the last herds ofbarren-ground caribou. | |
| Thousand Islands † |  | Ontario 44°21′N75°57′W / 44.350°N 75.950°W /44.350; -75.950 (Thousand Islands National Park) | 1904 | 24 km2 (9 sq mi) | 109,284 | St. Lawrence lowlands | Oldest national park east of thePrairies, it is scattered over all or portions of 26 islands and 80islets andshoals in theSt. Lawrence River, as well as several mainland properties inLeeds and Grenville, east ofKingston, and within theFrontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve. |
| Torngat Mountains |  | Newfoundland and Labrador 59°26′N63°52′W / 59.433°N 63.867°W /59.433; -63.867 (Torngat Mountains National Park) | 10 July 2008 | 9,700 km2 (3,745 sq mi) | Northern Labrador mountains | Located on the northernmost tip ofLabrador, adjacent to Quebec'sKuururjuaq Park, and established as part of Inuit Land Claims Agreements, the park includes theTorngat Mountains,Labrador Sea coastline, andPre-Dorset,Dorset, andThule archaeological finds.[53] | |
| Tuktut Nogait |  | Northwest Territories 68°49′N121°45′W / 68.817°N 121.750°W /68.817; -121.750 (Tuktut Nogait National Park) | 1998 | 18,181 km2 (7,020 sq mi) | 12 | Tundra hills | Within theInuvialuit Settlement Region, the park was created to protect the Bluenose-West caribou herd and harvesting rights for theInuvialuit people. It was expanded in 2005 to include a portion of theSahtu Settlement Area.[54] |
| Ukkusiksalik |  | Nunavut 65°21′N87°18′W / 65.350°N 87.300°W /65.350; -87.300 (Ukkusiksalik National Park) | 23 August 2003 | 20,880 km2 (8,062 sq mi) | Central tundra[55] | Named after theInuit word forsoapstone, the park surroundsWager Bay which ismaternity denning areas forpolar bears and includes cultural relics of theDorset andThule andAivilingmiut people.[55] | |
| Vuntut |  | Yukon 68°22′N139°51′W / 68.367°N 139.850°W /68.367; -139.850 (Vuntut National Park) | 1993 | 4,345 km2 (1,678 sq mi) | Northern Yukon | Adjacent to the Ivvavik National Park and the AmericanArctic National Wildlife Refuge, the park area was not glaciated during the last ice age and now hostsPleistocene fossil sites. Remote and inaccessible by road, the park was established, and is operated, in collaboration with theVuntut Gwitchin First Nation as part of that nation's Final Agreement with Canada.[56] | |
| Wapusk |  | Manitoba 57°46′N93°22′W / 57.767°N 93.367°W /57.767; -93.367 (Wapusk National Park) | 1996 | 11,475 km2 (4,431 sq mi) | 82 | Hudson—James lowlands | Created from a portion of the provincial Churchill Wildlife Management Area, Wapusk helps protect the land base that act asmaternity denning areas forpolar bears.[57] |
| Waterton Lakes ‡[g] |  | Alberta 49°03′N113°55′W / 49.050°N 113.917°W /49.050; -113.917 (Waterton Lakes National Park) | 30 May 1895 | 505 km2 (195 sq mi) | 475,842 | Rocky Mountains | Coupled with American neighbourGlacier National Park inMontana, theWaterton-Glacier International Peace Park is both a World Heritage Site and the oldesttransboundary protected area in the world. Anchored byWaterton Lake, home of the historicPrince of Wales Hotel, the park is famous for hiking attractions such as theCrypt Lake Trail. |
| Wood Buffalo * |  | Alberta /Northwest Territories 59°23′N112°59′W / 59.383°N 112.983°W /59.383; -112.983 (Wood Buffalo National Park) | 1922 | 44,972 km2 (17,364 sq mi) | 2,399 | Northern boreal plains | The largest park in Canada, the park protects the habitat of thewood bison and the breeding grounds of thewhooping crane and much of thePeace–Athabasca Delta. It is also a World Heritage Site and the world's largestdark-sky preserve. |
| Yoho * | .jpg) | British Columbia 51°24′N116°29′W / 51.400°N 116.483°W /51.400; -116.483 (Yoho National Park) | 10 October 1886 | 1,313 km2 (507 sq mi) | 663,878 | Rocky Mountains | Part of theCanadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site and adjacent to the Banff and Kootenay National Parks, Yoho includes the community ofField,Burgess Shale fossil deposit,Emerald Lake,Takakkaw Falls, andKicking Horse River. |
The following are areas which Parks Canada is in the process of evaluating as potential parks. While they may be reserved from alienation or have federal-provincial/territorial agreements, they have not been formally established through legislation as parks.
There remain six Natural Regions unrepresented by either current or proposed parks.[70] As Parks Canada has a long-term goal of preserving representative areas of all Natural Regions, future parks will likely be established in these areas.[70] These regions are:
| Name | Location | Established | Abolished |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brereton Lake Dominion Park[71] | Manitoba | 1922 | 1930 |
| Buffalo National Park[72] | Alberta | 7 March 1908 | 17 July 1947 |
| Menissawok National Park[1] | Saskatchewan | 31 May 1922 | 30 May 1930 |
| Nemiskam National Park[72] | Alberta | 1914 | 17 July 1947 |
| Vidal Point Dominion Park[73] | Saskatchewan | 31 October 1921 | 30 May 1930 |
| Wawaskesy National Park[74] | Alberta | 31 May 1922 | 24 June 1938 |
National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs) is a program established in 2002 with the goal of preserving marine ecosystems representing the 29 marine regions of Canada.[75] They are designed for sustainable use, although they usually also contain areas designed to protectecological integrity. National Marine Conservation Area Reserves are protected areas proposed to be added to the NMCA system pending settlement of indigenous land and water rights. In the interim, they are administered under park rules.[76]
As of 2020[update], established NMCAs and NMCA Reserves protect 14,846 km2 (5,732 sq mi) of waters, wetlands, and coastlines, representing five of the 29 identified marine regions with studies underway for protected areas in three additional regions.[75]
| Name | Photo | Location | Established[12] | Area (2017)[12] | Annual visitors (2022–23)[13] | Marine region[75] | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fathom Five † |  | Ontario 45°19′N81°38′W / 45.317°N 81.633°W /45.317; -81.633 (Fathom Five National Marine Park) | 20 July 1987 | 114 km2 (44 sq mi) | 227,828 | Georgian Bay | The marine counterpart to Bruce National Park, Fathom Five is named for a line inShakespeare'sThe Tempest. The first marine unit in the national parks system preserves a unique aquatic environment and several small islands includingFlowerpot Island. The unusually clear waters and numerous shipwrecks on theshoals ofGeorgian Bay make the park a popular destination forscuba divers.[12]: 189 |
| Gwaii Haanas (Reserve) | .jpg) | British Columbia 52°0′N131°12′W / 52.000°N 131.200°W /52.000; -131.200 (Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve) | 11 June 2010 | 1,500 km2 (579 sq mi)[77] | 2,651[29] | Hecate Strait,Queen Charlotte Shelf | Along with the national park reserve of the same name, Gwaii Haanas protects an area extending from the ocean floor of theHecate Strait andQueen Charlotte Basin to the mountains of theHaida Gwaii. The marine reserve preserves theHaida people's traditional use of the waters while protecting the area fromoil exploration and commercial fishing.[12]: 299 |
| Lake Superior |  | Ontario 48°26′N89°13′W / 48.433°N 89.217°W /48.433; -89.217 (Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area) | 1 September 2015 | 10,880 km2 (4,201 sq mi) | Lake Superior | Adjacent to the United States'Isle Royale National Park and severalOntario provincial parks, Lake Superior NMCA forms part of the world's largestfreshwater reserve.[78] | |
| Saguenay–St. Lawrence † | .JPG) | Quebec 48°4′N69°40′W / 48.067°N 69.667°W /48.067; -69.667 (Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park) | 8 June 1998 | 1,245 km2 (481 sq mi)[79] | 1,070,634 | St. Lawrence Estuary | Located at theconfluence of theSaguenay andSt. Lawrence rivers and adjacent to Quebec'sSaguenay Fjord National Park, Saguenay–St. Lawrence protects a portion of theSt. Lawrence estuary, a common feeding ground for marine mammals such as the endangered St. Lawrencebeluga whale. |
| Study area | Location | Area | Marine region[75] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magdalen Islands[80][81] | Quebec 47°35′N61°32′W / 47.583°N 61.533°W /47.583; -61.533 (Magdalen Islands) | 16,500 km2 (6,371 sq mi) | Magdalen shallows |
| Southern Strait of Georgia[82] (Reserve) | British Columbia 49°18′N123°48′W / 49.300°N 123.800°W /49.300; -123.800 (Strait of Georgia) | 1,400 km2 (541 sq mi) | Strait of Georgia |
| Tallurutiup Imanga[83] | Nunavut 74°13′N84°0′W / 74.217°N 84.000°W /74.217; -84.000 (Tallurutiup Imanga) | 109,000 km2 (42,085 sq mi) | Lancaster Sound |
TheNational Landmarks program was established in 1978 to protect specific natural features considered "outstanding, exceptional, unique, or rare to this country. These natural features would typically be isolated entities and of scientific interest."[84] The enabling legislation expired 10 years later, and was not renewed.Pingo National Landmark was the only such unit established in that time.
| Name | Photo | Location | Established[12] | Area (2017)[12] | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pingo |  | Northwest Territories 69°24′N133°05′W / 69.400°N 133.083°W /69.400; -133.083 (Aulavik National Park) | 25 July 1984 | 16 km2 (6 sq mi) | Located on the shore of theArctic Ocean, Canada's only National Landmark preserves eight ice-cored mounds known aspingos including Canada's largest, Ibyuk Pingo, along with other land and ice formations unique to thepermafrost environment. |
Provincial and territorial parks are administered and funded by their respective governments. The province of Quebec'sSociété des établissements de plein air du Québec (Sépaq) namesits protected areas "national parks" (French:parc national). These are not part of the National Parks System administered by Parks Canada, other than Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park which is co-managed by both agencies.[85]
Some sub-national parks are categorized by theIUCN under the umbrella termnational parks (Category II) in its global Protected Area Management Categories. As of 2011, there were more than 1500 Category II-listed areas across the country, including nearly 700 in B.C., and at least 500 in Ontario. Only Quebec uses the term “national park” for such provincial areas, using the IUCN's category name as justification.
In addition to the national park system, several federal agencies manage natural, scientific, and recreational areas. In theNational Capital Region, a number of parklands come under the jurisdiction of theNational Capital Commission, includingGatineau Park inQuebec. None of these are part of the national park system.
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