13 Of The Best Nature-Watching Spots In Canada

Jasper National Park

With vibrant lakes, glaciers, and mountains in the backdrop, Alberta’s Jasper National Park is already a gem for nature lovers. In addition to checking out the gorgeous scenery, visitors will want to go wildlife watching. Keep an eye out for the bighorn sheep, as well as the bears, coyotes, and mountain goats. That being said, be sure to respect the animals and adhere to Parks Canada’s wildlife photography rules and regulations when you’re there.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

With a rainforest set by the seashore, the Pacific Rim shoreline is a Canadian treasure. The British Columbia park is actively working to restore salmon streams and sand dune ecosystems, and also houses an active intertidal zone. Observe the tide pool organisms (gently!) during two low tides or watch for the creature of the month — the Pacific Rim team offers a handy guide on which animals are the most active each month.

Riding Mountain National Park

An island of wilderness amongst a sea of farmland, Manitoba’s Riding Mountain National Park is a good spot for camping (or glamping!), hiking, and even horseback riding. Keep your eye out for wildlife (bison, elk, moose, wolves) in this diverse park of grasslands, boreal forest, and beaches. 

Fundy National Park

Famed for having both the highest tides in the world and over 25 waterfalls, there is already plenty to see and do in New Brunswick’s Fundy National Park. But there’s more: At low tide, visitors can check out the intertidal zones left behind by the massive tides — explore the mudflats and tide pools that tiny ocean animals call home. This family-friendly activity boasts a variety of crustaceans and creatures, including the sandpipers and shorebirds that feed on them. In September, the Upper Salmon River offers snorkelling expeditions that allow people to swim with salmon.

Bonavista Peninsula

Like most coastline spots, Bonavista Bay in Newfoundland and Labrador boasts breathtaking views and marine wildlife, but Canada’s east coast is truly unique. On the Bonavista peninsula, not only can you go whale watching along Bonavista Bay and Trinity Bay, you can also go iceberg viewing and puffin watching. The puffins are usually in the area from May to September, and there’s even an annual Puffin Festival. Plan accordingly so you don’t miss seeing these quirky birds. (Their Latin name is Fratercula arctica, which translates to “little brother of the north” — how cute is that?)

Cape Breton Highlands National Park

This Nova Scotia park is the only place in Canada that has a mix of both northern and southern species due to its combination of maritime climate and Boreal forest. Go sightseeing along the Cabot Trail and keep an eye out for the wildlife. The Cape Breton Highlands are rich in animal diversity, including the at-risk Canadian lynx, rock vole, and Gaspé shrew. Additionally, for those who like creepy crawlies, there are thousands of species of invertebrates here, from dragonflies and periwinkles to crabs and slugs. 

The city of Yellowknife

With 20 hours of sunlight during the summer, this city in the Northwest Territories has plenty to do during the day, from sailing Great Slave Lake to flightseeing on a float plane. But the most spectacular nature-watching event in the summer comes in mid-August, when you can watch the northern lights at night. There are two seasons for Aurora Borealis viewing: fall and winter, and during the winter visitors can expect to see the lights 90 percent of the time.  

Baffin Island

While Churchill, Man., is the most famous spot for polar bear viewing, peak viewing time there is October to November. For summer viewing, hit Nunavat’s Baffin Island, which is also home to Auyuittuq National Park. If you’re going to look for polar bears, Nunavut Tourism emphasizes finding an experienced guide (polar bears are still bears after all). As an added bonus, guided tours usually include the opportunity to see other major marine mammals, such as the bowhead whale and famed unicorn whale, the narwhal. 

(Photo licence: Creative Commons)

Algonquin Provincial Park

Caught in a transition zone between coniferous and deciduous forests, the Algonquin is rich with natural diversity. The Ontario park is home to over 55 mammal species, 140 breeding bird species, and 32 species of reptiles and amphibians. Notably, the park inspired many of Tom Thomson’s iconic paintings. There are several trails in the park ideal for wildlife watching — just make sure to bring binoculars for a safe, close-up view.  

Prince Edward Island National Park

Prince Edward Island National Park is crucial as a sanctuary for endangered and at-risk wildlife species, especially since it is the only national park in PEI. While peak shorebird watching time is during the spring and fall, the park has over 300 bird species (such as the piping plover) and smaller mammals, such as beavers, red foxes, minks, and weasels. The park also hosts family-friendly interpretive programs that include nature demonstrations and hands-on activities.

Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park

Located in a national Marine Conservation Area, this Quebec park is at the intersection of the Saguenay and Saint Lawrence Rivers. The Saint Lawrence estuary is home to stunning marine organisms, making it a prime location for diving and snorkelling. Up on the surface, the marine park is one of the world’s best whale-watching locations during the summer, while belugas and harbour seals hang around all year.  

Elk Island National Park

Back in 1906, conservation efforts led to the creation of an elk reserve. Today, Elk Island is the only national park in Canada that is completely fenced in, which allows it to serve as a sanctuary for various hoofed animals: bison, elk, moose, and deer. There are also an additional 250 bird species. Where else will you have the chance to get stuck in a bison traffic jam?

The Town of Faro

This hidden gem of a Yukon town boats “clear blue lakes, mountain ranges, winding rivers and lush green valleys,” but its main attractions are its cranes and Fannin sheep. Every year in early May, it hosts the Faro Crane and Sheep Viewing Festival. You can also visit the Mount Mye Sheep Centre for its sheep-viewing station. Unlike some other Yukon wildlife hotspots, Faro is accessible by car and only a four-hour drive from Whitehorse.