Alberta National Parks Canada
Alberta National Parks Canada


National Parks of Alberta, Canada




Truly Canadian


The origin of Canadian National Parks lies in Alberta, where in 1885, with creation of the Banff National Park the foundation for Canadian National Parks was laid.

Waterton, Elk Island (1913) and Wood Buffalo National Park (1922) were soon to follow. Nowadays there are five National Parks within the province of Alberta.

Alberta's National Parks also internationally play a major role. Wood Buffalo National Park is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mountain Biking, Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park (Photo Credit: Travel Alberta)

The complete area of Yoho, Jasper, Banff and Kootenay National Parks, with Mount Robson, Mount Assiniboine and the Hamber Provincial Parks together build the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site.



Banff National Park
Banff National Park is Canada’s first and most heavily visited National Park. The park is situated in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, 111 kilometres east of Calgary and adjacent to Jasper National Park in the north. The mix of towering mountains, glittering glaciers and icefields, lush alpine meadows, and natural mineral hot springs makes up one of Canada’s most exciting recreational areas.

Further information for Banff National Park

Elk Island National Park
Elk Island National Park is located 48 km east of Edmonton. The park has a size of 194 square kilometers and marks Canada’s only National Park completely surrounded by a fence. This wilderness paradise is home to some of Canada’s most endangered species such as plains bison and wood bison. At least 230 species of birds, including the trumpeter swan can be found within the park’s boundaries.

Further information for Elk Island National Park

Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park is located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and is with a size of 10 880 square kilometers the largest and most northerly of the four adjoining mountain parks. The wonderful park of glacial origin, with towering mountain peaks up to 3747 m, is home to an abundant wildlife, including moose, elk, mule deer, black bear, coyote and bighorn sheep.

Further information for Jasper National Park

Waterton Lakes National Park
Waterton Lakes National Park is situated 276 km southwest of Calgary on the Canada-US border and has a total size of 525 sq km. The park offers a spectacular setting with dry rolling prairie hills soaring to icy peaks nearly 3,000 metres high. You will find the 3 Waterton Lakes, nestled between two mountain ranges. Waterton Lake is with more than 150 metres depth the deepest in the Rocky Mountains. Spotting wildlife is common and you will find more than 800 species of wildflowers.

Further information for Waterton Lakes National Park

Wood Buffalo National Park
Wood Buffalo National Park is with a total size of 44,840 square kilometres Canada's largest national park and one of the largest in the world. It is home to a variety of wildlife, with even bisons finding a habitat to live in.

Further information for Wood Buffalo National Park

More National Parks of other provinces


Alberta   Alberta National Parks


British Columbia   British Columbia National Parks


Manitoba   Manitoba National Parks


New Brunswick   New Brunswick National Parks


Newfoundland & Labrador   Newfoundland & Labrador National Parks


Nova Scotia   Nova Scotia National Parks


Ontario   Ontario National Parks


Prince Edward Island   Prince Edward Island National Parks


Quebec   Quebec National Parks


Saskatchewan   Saskatchewan National Parks


Yukon Territory   Yukon Territory National Parks

 


Further information can also be obtained in our Provincial Travel Guides
Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland & Labrador
Nova Scotia Ontario Prince Edward Island Québec Saskatchewan
Yukon Territory        


All rights reserved Kanada News ©2000-2003