Taking advantage of free admission to Canadian national parks in 2017

After hearing about the announcement that admission to Canadian national parks will be free in 2017, travelers will want to start planning any trip to the Great White North now, especially with the Canadian dollar being at a 13 year low as of this writing of this article.

Wondering where pitch your tent a year from now? Check out some of our suggestions below…

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Love the west coast vibe? A great place to make your first free admission to Canadian national parks in 2017 is the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Encompassing some of the wildest terrain along the western coast of Vancouver Island, it is a destination that hikers, surfers, and sightseers that aren’t afraid of a little rain will enjoy immensely.

Retire to one of several campsites at the end of the day, or head into Tofino or Ucluelet for a wide selection of B&B’s, resorts and hotels that maintain the down to earth feel that these two outposts on the western edge of Canada have held for generations.

Jasper National Park

One of Canada’s most popular national parks, yet seeming to always languish in the shadow of its more popular cousin to the south (Banff National Park), Jasper National Park is a place where you should move quickly to secure accommodations if you get shut out of the former.

If this is your situation, it will be a blessing in disguise, as this less trafficked park contains day use and wilderness trails that are less congested, while offering views as great as or better than what can be found in Banff.

Additionally, its attractions, ranging from glacier walks to quiet ski resorts to boat cruises, will make you quickly forget about your earlier disappointment.

Pukaskwa National Park

Flying under the radar despite the beauty that this segment of the Canadian Shield has to offer visitors, Pukaskwa National Park is an excellent pick for those looking to get off the beaten track.

Families and casual tourists can introduce themselves to geocaching along its day use trails, while those with a bit more adventure in their bones can push a canoes into the waters of Lake Superior and follow the granite-studded shorelines to numerous backcountry campsites.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Consisting of numerous promontories and low mountains draped with trees that turn ablaze with a palate of reds, oranges and yellows come Autumn, Cape Breton Highlands National Park is a classic destination for visitors exploring Canada’s Atlantic Provinces.

The Celtic Colours Festival adds traditional folk music to the mix during this time, but those dropping in the summer won’t be any less impressed, as the beaches, scenic viewpoints and cycling opportunities will keep travelers happy.