The Jacques Lake Trail in Jasper National Park is a straightforward in-and-out trail that follows a series of small lakes and streams to picturesque Jacques Lake. The trail is relatively flat, runs through a beautiful, spruce forest, and leads to the Jacques Lake backcountry campground and the Jacques Lake Cabin, operated by the Alpine Club of Canada. The Jacques...
Having visited Banff several times a year for most of my life, I had never ridden the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain. While standing on a mountain top can be pretty chilly in the winter, we decided to take the ride up and enjoy the views. Is the Banff Gondola worth it in the winter? Tickets for the Banff Gondola are expensive, so you might be wondering whether...
Kouchibouguac National Park has always been the first “welcome to the Atlantic Ocean” stop on our trips across Canada from the west. It has shady and peaceful campgrounds, sheltered lagoons and stunning white sand beaches. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty on hiking trails, coastal biking paths and by canoe or kayak. It’s the perfect destination to take an active...
St. John’s, Newfoundland, is one of the most interesting Canadian cities we’ve explored. Canada’s oldest city is known for its lively Maritime culture, colourful row houses and dramatic coastal scenery, and it’s a great landing point for your Newfoundland adventure. We recently travelled to St. John’s, and it exceeded our already high expectations. We were...
Maligne Lake is one of the most scenic lakes in Jasper National Park, and most picturesque in my opinion! Some would argue that it’s also one of the most popular backcountry paddling destinations in the Canadian Rockies, for good reason. It’s gorgeous, the campsites offer exceptionally beautiful lake and mountain views, and you can paddle Maligne Lake with kids. I’ll...
The diversity of activities and experiences in Prince Albert National Park makes outdoor adventure possible for every kind of explorer. Beautiful, clear lakes, front and backcountry camping, recreational, natural and cultural learning activities and the vibrant summer village of Waskesiu offer a little something for everyone. Our favourite thing about this national...
Exploring the backcountry with kids opens up a new world of outdoor adventure opportunities. Whether you’re hiking, biking or paddling, you can access beautiful wilderness while building lasting memories with your family. Backcountry trips with kids take extra planning and packing, but it is more than doable, and the rewards are worth the effort. Still, kids...
A 35-minute drive east of Edmonton takes you to the rolling hills, aspen forests, rich wetlands, pretty lakes and starry skies of Elk Island National Park. It is an ‘island’ of natural wonders and a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve, surrounded by agriculture. This wild inland island is home to free-roaming bison herds, elk, deer, coyotes, beavers and over 250 bird...
Waterton Lakes National Park is one of Alberta’s five national parks, located in the southwest corner of the province. It offers pristine lakes, sweeping mountain vistas, waterfalls, hiking trails, campgrounds, the famous Red Rock Canyon, the historic Prince of Wales Hotel, and the quaint Waterton Village. The park’s land area is relatively small compared to...
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...