With plenty of tourist hotspots, Canada is a great destination for a vacation or a minibreak. However, you needn’t stick to the most well-known tourist hubs when visiting this spectacular country. Covering more than 2.4 billion acres, there is an array of hidden gems and undiscovered beauty spots to explore. To plan your trip, take a look at these four places to visit if you want to get off the beaten track in Canada:
Tweedsmuir Provincial Park
Surrounded by the Ootsa-Whitesail Lakes reservoir, the Coast Mountains, and the Interior Plateau, Tweedsmuir Provincial Park – South is the largest park in British Columbia. Here, you’ll find spectacular scenery, hiking routes, accessible camping spots, and much, much more. With the opportunity to canoe on the Turner Lake Chain or go horseback riding, it’s a great place to experience the great outdoors. Do be aware, however, that the Atnarko and Bella Coola Valleys are natural habitats for bears, so make sure you’re confident in the wilderness before you explore this stunning location.
Stanley Park
Situated in Vancouver, you don’t have to go far to get off the beaten track when you take a trip to Stanley Park. Despite its close proximity to the city, you’ll feel immersed in the outdoor environment from the moment you arrive. Stretching over 400 hectares, Stanley Park is filled with family-friendly activities and mesmerizing scenery. The 10km loop, known as The Seawall, is a great way to make the most of the stunning views from the Park and, as it’s paved, it’s completely accessible and ideal for walking, running, or cycling.
From challenging hikes, pitch and putt and train rides through the forest to beaches, waterparks, and a restaurant with an on-site brewery, there are endless attractions to explore and something for everyone to enjoy.
Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park
Nestled away in Saskatchewan, the Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park is one of the most northern major dune fields in, not only Canada, but the world. You’ll need to hop on board a floatplane to get here, but it’s well worth the trip. There are no visitor facilities at the Park, so you’ll need to be ready for self-contained wilderness travel. However, you can arrange guided tours with licensed outfitters. Considered to be an ‘evolutionary puzzle’, the Park is home to sand dunes stretching 30m high and 100km in length, as well as unique flora and fauna that aren’t found anywhere else in the world.
Fogo Island
Located off the northeast coast of Newfoundland, Fogo Island is just 237.71 km2 and has a population of approximately 2,244 people. With seven hiking trails, ten museums and heritage properties, and a thriving arts scene, you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied on this remote island. From snowmobiling to pottery classes and marine encounters to iceberg watching and boat building, you can be as active or as relaxed as you like when you spend time in this magical place.
Discover Canada’s Hidden Gems
With so many outstanding locations to visit, deciding where to go can be the trickiest part of planning your trip to Canada. By getting off the beaten track, however, you can discover some of Canada’s best-kept secrets and enjoy an unforgettable adventure.
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