Winston Ross

Canada's 48 national parks just don't get the respect they deserve. Where Yellowstone, Yosemite and other national parks in the US might be household names, Banff might conjure visions of the unknown. But it's time these gorgeous landscapes moved into the spotlight. The Canadian border reopened to international travelers last year, after a nearly two-year closure, so this is the first summer since 2019 when the best national parks in Canada can even be accessed. We’ve curated a list of 10 incredible options, most of which could be explored on a single (albeit lengthy) road trip, via a loop through the rugged Canadian Rockies. Some of these parks, like Banff, are thronged with visitors in the high seasons, and the townships either within or just outside the park boundaries can be crowded but rich with luxury amenities. Other places remain wild and sparse, calling to the Sir Edmund Hillarys among us. Whichever location you choose, emerald lakes, towering mountains and marauding grizzlies and acrobatic mountain goats are only a trip away.