The Canadian Midwest is one of the most beautiful regions in North America. The area offers limitless opportunities for wilderness exploration, whether you are taking a vacation there, or looking to find a new home. Here are six of the most beautiful national parks in Mid-Western Canada that’ll have you packing your bags to move there.
1. Banff National Park, Alberta
Established in 1885, this park is Canada’s oldest. It covers over 2,500 square miles of mountain terrain in the Alberta region’s Rocky Mountains. There is a dense coniferous forest, as well as glaciers, ice fields, and alpine landscapes. The forests consist of mostly lodgepole pine trees at lower elevations and Engelmann Spruce at higher elevations. The diversity of fauna is extraordinary, though visitors should be aware that there are some dangerous animals in the area, including grizzly bears and cougars. Winter tourism is especially popular here, with skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing being the most common activities. The park is so immaculate that you’ll be tempted to research Banff Homes for sale.
2. Jasper National Park of Canada
While not the oldest National Park in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park has the privilege of being the largest, encompassing nearly 7,000 square miles of terrain including glaciers, lakes, peaks, and a vast forested wilderness. Activities include hiking, camping, and skiing. The park is an excellent and favored place for wildlife photographers, though like every park on this list, visitors are advised to read about wildlife safety on the park’s website before venturing forth into the area.
3. Waterton Lakes National Park
Bordering Montana’s Glacier National Park, this location is known for its chain of lakes where the prairies of Alberta meet the peaks of the Rocky Mountains. While smaller than the parks listed above, it has a myriad of wonderful features including waterfalls, iridescent streams, colorful vistas, diverse wildlife, and mountain vistas.
4. Elk Island National Park
This park’s mission is conservation, and they’re doing an excellent job of preserving the wildlife of the region so far. Located east of Edmonton, the Elk Island National Park has been an important regufe for plains bison, elk, and over 250 species of birds. There are hiking and biking trails, as well as camping areas. This park, along with several others on this list, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Dinosaur Provincial Park
When you take a two hour drive east of Calgary, you’ll find this park situated in the Red Deer River valley. The distinctive topography is home to one of the richest dinosaur fossil locations in the world. 500 specimens and 58 species have been recovered from the region so far. The park’s visitors center exhibits the unique history of the area.
No matter what your reason for visiting the midwestern area of Canada is, you will never be at a loss for natural wonders and access to an expansive wilderness. Tourists and locals alike have marvelled in the majesty of these beloved National Parks, and so can you.
