Culture Travel Oh, Canada! 17 National Parks That Give This Nation Reason to Boast By Catie Leary Writer and Photographer Georgia State University Catie Leary writes and curates visual stories about science, animals, the arts, travel, and the natural world. our editorial process Catie Leary Updated July 01, 2019 Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. (Photo: Jack Nevitt/Shutterstock ) Share Twitter Pinterest Email Culture History Travel Sustainable Fashion Art & Media Holidays Community For many Americans, it's easy to gloss over their Canadian neighbors to the north. As one of the most powerful countries on Earth, the U.S. does a great job at squeezing itself into the spotlight and overshadowing everyone else. Although Canadians aren't ones to brag, ignoring the natural beauty of this country would be a grave mistake when considering the vast swath of land covered in rugged mountains, crystal clear lakes, massive glaciers, desolate tundra and lush, temperate rainforests. In fact, Canada made good on a promise to make all national parks admission free to children. What was originally trotted out as a test in 2017 as part of Canada's 150th birthday celebration has now been made permanent for those under the age of 17. Enjoy this breathtaking glimpse into the variation of landscape and geography found within 17 of the country's most amazing national parks. To kick things off, let's spotlight Canada's oldest and most visited national park. Banff National Park (above) Location: Alberta Park size: 2,564 square miles Established: 1885 Fun fact: Because the blue-green waters of Banff's Moraine Lake are fed by glacial melt, the water levels don't reach their peak crest until late June. (Photo: Christopher Kolaczan/Shutterstock) Kluane National Park and Reserve Location: Yukon Territory Park size: 8,499 square miles Established: 1976 Fun fact: Mount Logan, the highest mountain in Canada, is located in Kluane. (Photo: Ryan Tir/Flickr) Prince Edward Island National Park Location: Prince Edward Island Park size: 8.5 square miles Established: 1937 Fun fact: Due to human impact, this small stretch of shore is considered the most endangered park in Canada's system. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons) Vuntut National Park Location: Yukon Territory Park size: 1,678 square miles Established: 1995 Fun fact: Just across the border from Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, this park is so undeveloped that it doesn't even have roads or trails. (Photo: Ansgar Walk/Wikimedia Commons) Quttinirpaaq National Park Location: Nunavut Territory Park size: 14,585 square miles Established: 1988 Fun fact: Located within Canada's newest territory, Quttinirpaaq means "top of the world" in the Inuktitut language, which makes sense considering it is the second most northerly park on Earth after Northeast Greenland National Park. (Photo: Nelu Goia/Shutterstock) Yoho National Park Location: British Columbia Park size: 507 square miles Established: 1886 Fun fact: Yoho is a part of Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site — a contiguously protected area that also includes Banff, Jasper and Kootenay National Parks. (Photo: Patrick Poendl/Shutterstock) Auyuittuq National Park Location: Nunavut Territory Park size: 7,370 square miles Established: 1976 Fun fact: Situated on the fjords, glaciers and ice fields of Baffin Island's east coast, this park's name means "the land that never melts" in the Inuktitut language. (Photo: Richard Cavalleri/Shutterstock) Mount Revelstoke National Park Location: British Columbia Park size: 100 square miles Established: 1914 Fun fact: Flush with old-growth Western Redcedar and Western Hemlock, Mount Revelstoke is home to the only temperate inland rain forest in the world. (Photo: Christopher Gardiner/Shutterstock) Waterton Lakes National Park Location: Alberta Park size: 195 square miles Established: 1895 Fun fact: The park and its lakes are named after Victorian naturalist and conservationist Charles Watson. (Photo: Daniel Zuckerkandel/Shutterstock) Fundy National Park Location: New Brunswick Park size: 80 square miles Established: 1948 Fun fact: Although technically not inside the limits of the park, the Hopewell Rocks (seen above) are stunning 70-foot-tall rock formations sculpted by tidal erosion. (Photo: BGSmith/Shutterstock) Kootenay National Park Location: British Columbia Park size: 543 square miles Established:1920 Fun fact: For visitors looking for some rest and relaxation, Kootenay boasts a swimming-friendly hot springs pool that ranges in temperature from 95-117 degrees Fahrenheit. (Photo: Cosmin Nahaiciuc/Shutterstock) Point Pelee National Park Location: Ontario Park size: 5.8 square miles Established: 1918 Fun fact: Extending out into Lake Erie, this scenic marshy peninsula is the southernmost point of mainland Canada. (Photo: Paul Gierszewski/Wikimedia Commons) Sirmilik National Park Location: Nunavut Territory Park size: 8,570 square miles Established: 2001 Fun fact: Bylot Island (seen above) is one of the largest uninhabitated islands in the world, but it regularly receives local Inuit visitors embarking on seasonal hunting trips. (Photo: Pierre Leclerc/Shutterstock) La Mauricie National Park Location: Quebec Park size: 207 square miles Established: 1970 Fun fact: Featuring 150 lakes and countless smaller ponds, La Mauricie is a great place for canoeing and kayaking. (Photo: Meg Wallace Photography/Shutterstock) Bruce Peninsula National Park Location: Ontario Park size: 60 square miles Established: 1987 Fun fact: A major attraction within the park is the famous Grotto (seen above), which is located between the Georgian Bay trails and Marr Lake. (Photo: Wildnerdpix/Shutterstock) Gros Morne National Park Location: Newfoundland and Labrador Park size: 697 square miles Established: 1973 Fun fact: The park was designated a World Heritage Site for its breathtaking scenery and unique geology, which illustrates the obduction process of plate tectonics. (Photo: Hans Debruyne/Shutterstock) Pacific Rim National Park Preserve Location: British Columbia Park size: 197 square miles Established: 1970 Fun fact: Filled with lush temperate rainforests and rugged, undeveloped coasts, this park is best experienced with visits to Long Beach, the Broken Group Islands and the West Coast trail.