Your Guide to Fun Summer Activities at Canada’s National Parks and Historic Sites

10 Things to Do in a Day

With summer holidays right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about how you can make the most of those long, hot summer days.

Here’s an idea: plan a trip to one of Canada’s 200 national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. Plus, if you have a Grade 8 student in your life they can flash their My Parks Pass for an instant family or group discount.

Whether you need a pit-stop where you can cool off, take a swim and have lunch, or you have always dreamed of a family vacation where you can tune into nature or immerse yourself in our nation’s history, there’s an adventure waiting for you at Parks Canada’s network of natural and historic areas.

1. Grab a bite – With benches, washroom facilities and food concession stands, national parks and historic sites can be great places to stop for a snack and some fresh air. Walk along a trail and find a quieter, shaded area for a perfect afternoon picnic.


2. Hike a trail – You don’t need to be an ambitious hiker to enjoy the trails at most national parks. Take a walk along the coast, hike to a viewpoint, or find an interpretive trail where you’ll learn more about the people and animals that call this park home. Heading through Banff this summer? Make a stop at the new Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail and experience Canada's oldest national park the way the first visitors did – on foot!

La Mauricie National Park

3. Get out on the water – A relaxing and peaceful way to explore the rivers, lakes and coasts of Canada’s national parks is by boat. Canoeing, kayaking and rowboating are the best ways to enjoy the lakes at La Mauricie National Park. You can glide quietly, closely observing the natural world on and around the water.

4. Get snap-happy – You never know when the perfect photo opportunity will come along when you’re exploring national parks. Teeming with wildlife and spectacular vistas, national parks are a great place for amateur and professional photographers alike to capture iconic species and landmarks on film. The unique landscape of Waterton Lakes National Park, where the prairies meet the mountains, is home to many deer, elk and black bears. Grab your camera and start snapping!

Waterton Lakes National Park

5. Bring home a souvenir – Don’t know what to get your friend for their birthday? Souvenir stores at national parks and historic sites sell one-of-a-kind pieces of Canadiana that make great presents.

6. Enjoy a performance – During the summer, you can watch re-enactments of famous battles, military drills and everyday Victorian life at many national historic sites. If you’re visiting Montreal, why not discover Old Montreal's little known heritage jewel the Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site in honour of our famous Father of Confederation?

Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site

7. Take a step back in time – Ever wonder what life was really like just a few hundred years ago? Step right into 19th century life by dressing up in period costumes, becoming a Mountie for a day and sampling heritage recipes at places like Fort Walsh.

8. Get to know our feathered friends – Try to identify as many birds species as you can as you stroll along a trail or drive through a national park. At the southernmost point in Canada, Point Pelee National Park is also one of the most spectacular nature hotspots in North America. New to birding? Check out our beginners guide to bird watching.

Fathom Five National Marine Park

9. Explore an underwater world – Discover a world of vibrant marine life at Canada’s four national marine conservation areas. . Check for sea stars in tidal pools. Spy whales off the coast. And don’t forget to look up – you don’t want to miss seabirds flying to their nesting colonies. Want to take an even closer look? Explore shipwrecks as you snorkel or take the glass bottom boat at Fathom Five National Marine Park.

10. Tour the past – Let Parks Canada interpreters guide you through key moments of Canada’s history. Their wealth of knowledge brings the stories to life as you walk in the footsteps of some of our most famous Canadians. If you’re in the Maritimes this summer, don’t miss the Halifax Citadel – this attraction is so popular that it was voted the top wonder of Halifax!
Got More Time?

If you plan on staying for more than just one day, there are plenty of activities that will bring you closer to nature. Extend your day-hike to a multi-day hike, add an overnight stay at a campground, or spend another day practicing your surfing skills.

This year, with Parks Canada celebrating its 100th birthday, there are even more opportunities to build your adventure in our national parks and historic sites. Get the inside scoop on upcoming special events and learning opportunities throughout the summer – each month has an exciting theme that celebrates Parks Canada’s past and future.

Remember: if you have a My Parks Pass, use it all summer long for great discounts on entrance fees to all of Parks Canada’s locations. Know the past. Enjoy the present. Protect the future.