Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks

Given that the Rocky Mountains possess breathtaking, large-scale scenery, bear a variety of drastically different geological features, and enjoy famously incredible biodiversity, it’s hardly surprising that they encompass seven designated protected areas. Clustered together in a line running northwest from Calgary, they are Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho national parks, and Mount Robson, Mount Assiniboine and Hamber provincial parks. Together they incorporate both terrifying ruggedness and heartbreaking beauty. Soaring mountains, vast glaciers, perfect looking-glass lakes, immense rivers, rushing waterfalls, bleak ice fields, plunging canyons, mysterious limestone caves and intriguing fossil sites (particularly UNESCO site Burgess Shale) are just a few of the treasures waiting to be explored. Come here for winter sports (visit Banff for their Winter Carnival), wildlife watching (spot bears, wolves, elks, eagles and many more), kayaking, rafting, hiking, climbing, caving and other outdoor pursuits at their best.