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Welcome to the Mountain National Parks!
Parks Canada is proud to protect and present the national treasures that await you during your visit.
Canada’s national parks got their start in the Rockies over a century ago when the discovery of a hot spring led to the creation of Banff National Park. Today, that discovery is commemorated at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. Canada now boasts 42 national parks representing 39 natural regions of Canada and a national historic sites system that commemorates more than 1500 places, persons, and events that bear witness to many of Canada’s defining moments. The seven national parks and nineteen national historic sites that are located in the mountains of Alberta and British Columbia offer diverse wildlife, spectacular scenery, and a cultural legacy that reflects and enriches the story of our great nation.
Our natural treasures range from the majesty of Castle Mountain in Banff to the roaring of Takakkaw Falls in Yoho and the sparkle of the Rocky Mountains’ deepest lake in Waterton. And they are as diverse as the Icefields in Jasper, the traditional lands of the Ktunaxa and Shuswap First Nations in Kootenay, and the old growth forests of Mount Revelstoke and Glacier. The opportunities to create your own unique experiences here in the mountain parks are boundless. Regardless of your age or interests, and whether you prefer birding, skiing, cycling, camping, hiking, or simply relaxing, adventure and discovery await you.
Experience the thrill of the Bar-U Ranch National Historic Site, where cowboys work the land and tend to cattle, even in today’s fast paced world. Walk in the footsteps of explorers and visionaries, and experience all that the Rocky Mountain House, Rogers Pass, Yellowhead Pass, and the other national historic sites have to offer. You’ll be surprised at how much fun our mountain history can be.
Join us in 2007 as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, the 100th anniversary of Jasper National Park, and David Thompson Bicentennial events.
These are truly special places and we all have a role to play in ensuring they remain unimpaired for future generations. We invite you to respect the land and to tread softly during your visit. And we encourage you to take time to share the stories of those who came before us. In doing so, you too can play a part in passing our natural and cultural heritage on to those who will follow us.
Have a safe and memorable experience.
· Ron Hallman · Executive Director, Mountain Parks · Parks Canada |
