Northern Explorers Magazine shares stories, tips and practical guides for active travellers and outdoor adventurers of all ages and abilities. Our team consists of adventurers, active travellers and local explorers with a knack for writing and sharing experiences. If you want to explore Canada, start planning your adventure here.
Every fall, an influx of polar bears come to the area near Churchill, Manitoba, to wait for the sea ice to form on Hudson’s Bay. Polar bears are known as the “Lords of the Arctic,” a regal description of these mighty creatures that roam this remote area of Canada. Though Churchill isn’t quite in the Arctic geographically, its popularity...
Looking for an affordable, fun, and accessible cold-weather activity to stave off the winter blues? Try snowshoeing! Unlike cross-country skiing and snowboarding, which require expensive gear just to get started (not to mention the cost of a ski hill pass!), you can use most of your cold-weather hiking gear for snowshoeing. You’ll need a pair of snowshoes...
Edmonton, Alberta, is known for its cold winters, but that doesn’t deter locals from celebrating and making the most of the chilly season. This northern city embraces winter, and there are plenty of things to experience and do in the snow, including skiing in Edmonton. The North Saskatchewan River valley is the largest urban parkland in North America and home to four...
The Cave and Basin National Historic Site should be on your list of places to visit at Banff National Park. It offers natural wonder, history, and Indigenous significance and is vital to Canada’s national park history. This site was the first ever federally protected reserve in Canada and the birthplace of the country’s national park system. Plus, admission to the...
Pukaskwa National Park is located on the northeast shore of Lake Superior in northern Ontario. This smaller national park is packed with backcountry adventures, family-friendly hikes, breathtakingly beautiful beaches, rugged and wild shorelines and the legendary history and culture of the Anishinaabe people. Pukaskwa National Park is in the Robinson-Superior Treaty...
Riding Mountain National Park is an island of wilderness in Manitoba’s southwest corner and part of the Manitoba Escarpment. Surrounded by agriculture, this hill in the prairies was created by glacial scouring. It features grasslands, rolling hills, boreal forests, and wild wetlands. The park is full of lakes, the most visited being Clear Lake and its vibrant summer...
Alberta has one of the most diverse landscapes in the country. You’ll find majestic mountain ranges of the Canadian Rockies, ranchlands on the eastern slopes, open prairie and grasslands, wind-sculpted badlands and vast boreal forest in the north. While it’s full of natural wonders, Alberta has bustling cities vibrant with art, culture, festivals, world-renowned...
Shuswap Lake is nestled in the heart of British Columbia’s southern interior. Warm, clear water, beaches, lush forests, parks, vibrant communities and a laid-back vibe make it the perfect destination for a family holiday. Shuswap Lake is in the traditional territories of the Secwepemc people. It is called “the meeting of the waters” and is made up of four arms:...
The west coast of Vancouver Island offers rugged coastlines, sweeping beaches, sand dunes and thick temperate rainforests. All these natural wonders can be seen and experienced at the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, located between Ucluelet and Tofino, BC. While this now tourist destination draws millions of visitors every year, the coastal landscapes of this...