{"id":20164,"date":"2017-07-25T08:21:03","date_gmt":"2017-07-25T12:21:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/?p=20164"},"modified":"2020-06-22T16:20:13","modified_gmt":"2020-06-22T20:20:13","slug":"activities-canada-national-parks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/activities-canada-national-parks\/","title":{"rendered":"6 unique activities at Canada&#8217;s National Parks"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s nothing quite like a 150th birthday party. Parks Canada has been waiving admission fees to all of Canada\u2019s National Parks and National Historic Sites for 2017 with their Discovery Pass. Get your free pass, and then add these 6 unique things you can do at Canada&#8217;s National Parks to your travel list:<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Sleep in the trees<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Parks Canada is trying out several new accommodation options, to offer parks-goers a new experience. Try the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pc.gc.ca\/en\/pn-np\/ns\/cbreton\/activ\/camping#Cocoon\">Cocoon Tree Bed<\/a> in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/canada-road-trip-attractions-nova-scotia-pei\/\">Nova Scotia<\/a>. Suspended in the trees, you\u2019ll access your new home by stairs, and sleep on a 2.5m mattress, looking out at the sea.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-20164 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/activities-canada-national-parks\/tripcentral-canadanationalpark-cocoon\/'><img width=\"240\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Cocoon-240x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Cocoon Tree Bed, Cape Breton Highlands National Park\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-20176\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Cocoon-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Cocoon-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Cocoon-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Cocoon-300x375.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Cocoon.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-20176'>\n\t\t\t\tCocoon Tree Bed, Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Photo credit: Parks Canada\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/activities-canada-national-parks\/tripcentral-canadanationalpark-goutte\/'><img width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Goutte-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-20177\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Goutte-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Goutte-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Goutte.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-20177'>\n\t\t\t\tGoutte d&#8217;O in Fundy National Park. Photo credit: Parks Canada\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>Other new accommodations include the Goutte d\u2019O in Fundy National Park, and the oTENTik found at parks across the country. The Goutte d\u2019O is a rain-drop shaped accommodation includes a sofa bed and a second level hammock loft. Currently, it\u2019s installed on a wooden platform, with plants to suspend it or mount it on stilts. The oTENTik is a cross between a tent and rustic cabin, including wooden beds, table and chairs, and patio chairs for enjoying.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Experience First Nation\u2019s life<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_20179\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Kouchibouguac.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20179\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20179\" src=\"http:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Kouchibouguac.jpg\" alt=\"Kouchibouguac National Park\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Kouchibouguac.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Kouchibouguac-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Kouchibouguac-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Kouchibouguac-140x94.jpg 140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20179\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wigwam at Callander&#8217;s Beach, Kouchibouguac. Photo credit: Parks Canada<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Dance into New Brunswick\u2019s history at Kouchibouguac National Park with traditional Mi\u2019kmaw ceremonial dances and music. Learn traditional dances, their significance, and visit a wigwam \u2013 a domed dwelling used for ceremonies. Visit Callanders Beach and see traditional dress, artefacts, and hear history from locals. Kouchibouguac also offers a Voyageur Canoe Experience with a replica Voyageur Canoe, like those used by First Nations and early settlers in the area.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Look up\u2026way up<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_20180\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Yukon.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20180\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20180\" src=\"http:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Yukon.jpg\" alt=\"Ivvavik National Park\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Yukon.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Yukon-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Yukon-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Yukon-140x94.jpg 140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20180\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Camping in Ivvavik National Park. Photo credit: Parks Canada<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Camp at the most northerly tip of the Yukon. And we truly mean north: you have to fly-in to access Ivvavik National Park. You\u2019ll be hosted by the Iunvialuit people on a guided hike through mountain ranges, seeing the Yukon Arctic coast, and northern history. This trip isn\u2019t for everyone \u2013 you\u2019ll be hiking on uneven, strenuous terrain. From base camp (a former gold mine), explore along rivers and fish for char, and watch for wildlife like the horned Dall sheep. Explore all the north has to offer with the stunning views and wildlife here. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pc.gc.ca\/en\/pn-np\/yt\/ivvavik\/activ\/activ1\">Rafting the 130k Firth River<\/a> to the Arctic Ocean is also a possibility, here.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Driving tour<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes the safest place to see nature is from your car: enjoy an 80km drive through Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan and enjoy stunning landscapes, prairie dog colonies, and Bison sightings. This park shares a border with Montana, so there\u2019s plenty of bison throughout \u2013 and an active conservation program. The self-guided tour takes about 2.5hours, and has archaeological sites, and hiking trails along the route. Opt to take a \u201cBackstage tour\u201d to the bison program and learn from guides how the plains bison was brought back from near-extinction, here, and see these 2,000 pound beasts in their natural habitat.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20181\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Grasslands.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20181\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20181\" src=\"http:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Grasslands.jpg\" alt=\"Grasslands Canada National Park bison tour\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Grasslands.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Grasslands-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Grasslands-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNationalPark-Grasslands-140x94.jpg 140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20181\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Grasslands National Park bison tour. Photo credit: Parks Canada<\/p><\/div>\n<p>*Looking for something to really jump into history? Take a 48-hour horseback adventure through Grasslands National Park and the badlands with a local rancher. You\u2019ll eat your meals from a chuck wagon, and get in touch with your inner cowboy. There is truly something for every interest in the 47 Canada National Parks!<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Scuba dive to shipwrecks<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Did you know that Canada also has 4 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pc.gc.ca\/en\/amnc-nmca\">National Marine Conversation Areas<\/a>, in addition to the over 40 national parks and park reserves? Find ancient rock formations in Fathom Five National Marine Park in Lake Huron. Here, you can explore the underbelly of Canada: dive in some of the best freshwater diving in the world. Cliffs, caves, and over 20 historic shipwrecks offer lots to explore and at a variety of levels \u2013 from beginner to expert. This park has plenty to do out of the water, too: enjoy hikes and backcountry camping at Fathom Five\u2019s Flowerpot Island, explore caves, and get Instagram-worthy photos of the crystal-clear turquoise waters that look like they belong in the Caribbean!<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Flock to the Warbler Capital of Canada<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_20183\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNatioanlPark-PointPelee.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20183\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20183\" src=\"http:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNatioanlPark-PointPelee.jpg\" alt=\"Point Pelee National Park bird watching\" width=\"1000\" height=\"665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNatioanlPark-PointPelee.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNatioanlPark-PointPelee-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNatioanlPark-PointPelee-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/tripcentral-CanadaNatioanlPark-PointPelee-140x94.jpg 140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20183\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Birdwatching at Point Pelee National Park. Photo credit: Parks Canada<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Point Pelee National Park is the Warbler Capital of Canada, and a mecca for birdwatchers who gather each year for the <a href=\"http:\/\/friendsofpointpelee.com\/festivalofbirds-home\">Festival of Birds<\/a>. Don\u2019t forget your camera when you visit here: from forests to marsh, Point Pelee is home to almost 400 species of birds, so keep your eyes peeled. The area has been recognized as a world-class birding site, and the area\u2019s bird migration in the spring is the reason Point Pelee was designated a national park. With your camera and binoculars handy, opt to explore by trail, canoe, or kayak.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is free with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pc.gc.ca\/en\/voyage-travel\/admission\">Parks Canada Discovery Pass<\/a>?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>47 Canada National Parks<\/li>\n<li>171 National Historic Sites<\/li>\n<li>4 National Marine Conservation Areas<\/li>\n<li>8 Historic Canals<\/li>\n<li>Hiking<\/li>\n<li>Kayaking: access to day paddling is included with your own kayak<\/li>\n<li>Interpretive Programs<\/li>\n<li>Canals: boaters won\u2019t be charged lockage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Pick up your free Parks Canada Discovery Pass at any CIBC or MEC in Canada, specific visitor information centers in each province, at the entrance to any Parks Canada park or site, or by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.commandesparcs-parksorders.ca\/webapp\/wcs\/stores\/servlet\/ProductDisplay?storeId=22953&amp;urlLangId=-1&amp;productId=524528\">ordering online<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Happy exploring!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s nothing quite like a 150th birthday party. Parks Canada has been waiving admission fees to all of Canada\u2019s National Parks and National Historic Sites for 2017 with their Discovery Pass. Get your free pass, and then add these 6 unique things you can do at Canada&#8217;s National Parks to your travel list: Sleep in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":279,"featured_media":20184,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":""},"categories":[3553,3617],"tags":[],"modified_by":"Laura Cooper","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20164"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/279"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20164"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20164\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20189,"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20164\/revisions\/20189"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20184"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}