10 fascinating facts about Canada’s national parks

From the quaint maritime islands of Nova Scotia to the soaring mountains of Alberta, Canada’s national parks showcase the best of our natural landscapes.

And behind their beautiful scenery, these parks are full of remarkable facts. Here are 10 fascinating things you should know about our national parks.

Warning: It might lead you to jump into your car and get to a park, ASAP.

1. There are 48 national parks in Canada

Well, technically, there are 37 national parks and 11 national park reserves—areas with Indigenous land claims that are in negotiations between the federal and Indigenous governments. They’re currently managed like national parks, and once the land claims are finalized, can officially become national parks.

2. The smallest one is under 14 sq. km.

Located in Honey Harbour, Ont., Georgian Bay Islands National Park, is a part of the world’s largest freshwater archipelago. The park’s beautiful landscape, made up of a broad expanse of water dotted with tiny islands, was an inspiration to the Group of Seven.

3. The largest is 45,000 sq. km.

At nearly 45,000 sq. km., Wood Buffalo Park in the Northwest Territories is the largest national park in Canada. Established in 1922, the park’s goal was to preserve the largest free-roaming bison herd in the world. It’s also home to the only remaining endangered whooping cranes in the world.

4. More urban national parks are on the way

By 2025, Canada could see an additional six national parks located within urban settings. Currently, Rouge National Urban Park in the Greater Toronto Area is the sole urban national park in the country. Parks Canada is considering developing parks from Victoria, B.C., to Halifax, N.S.

5. Banff National Park reintroduced wild bison after a century of their absence

Millions of wild bison used to live and roam in the area that is now Banff National Park, but they disappeared from the region when they were hunted nearly to extinction in the 1800s. In 2018, a small group of wild bison were introduced to Panther Valley. Now, they roam over 1,200 sq. km. of the national park.

6. There’s a bison livestream in Grasslands National Park

Can’t make it out to Saskatchewan to see the bison and their calves roaming the vast plains or relaxing at the watering hole? You can always check in with their live cam online. In the spring, take a peek at the bison cows with their little ones.

7. The highest tides in the world are at Fundy National Park

The waters rise up to 16 metres during high tide at Fundy National Park in the Bay of Fundy, and when they fall again, they reveal an inter-tidal zone teeming with life. The tides rise and fall twice a day, so there’s plenty of time for a stroll on the beach.

8. Sable Island National Park is a haven for wild horses

This tiny island off the coast of Nova Scotia is populated by about 450 wild horses. It’s a wild space that Parks Canada is dedicated to preserving, so all visitors must register in advance. It can also only be accessed by plane or boat. Can’t manage the trip? You can take a virtual stroll on Sable Island using Google Street View.

9. Canada’s National Parks Service was the first in the world

Canada’s first national park (Banff National Park) opened in 1885—but it wasn’t until 1911 that Dominion Parks Branch, now known as Parks Canada, was created. Canada was also the first country in the world to create a national parks service.

10. There’s a short film about one national park from each province or territory

The National Parks Project was a film and music series that paired directors and musicians and asked them to create a scored short film about one of Canada’s national parks. Zacharias Kunuk’s segment about Nunavut’s Sirmilik National Park won a Genie Award in 2012.

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