Explore Canada this summer

There has never been a better time to travel Canada than now. Thanks to the ‘Canada Strong Pass,’ from June 20 until Sept. 2, visitors can enjoy free admission to national parks and historic sites, free lockage at seven canals, and 25 per cent off national park camping fees.

It’s an invitation to reconnect with nature, with history, and with each other, while exploring some of Canada’s most cherished spaces. From jagged coastal cliffs and giant inland lakes, to sweeping grassy plains and ruggedly forested frontiers, there is something for everyone. “This land was made for you and me,” goes the folk song. On that note, here are a few unforgettable destinations to check out with the Canada Strong Pass.

Pacific Rim National Park on the west coast of Vancouver Island is a spectacular stretch of protected coastline. The area has deep First Nation roots among the Nuu-chah-nulth Peoples, and is known for its wild beauty and biodiversity. The park is divided into three regions where visitors can surf rolling waves, hike ancient temperate rainforests, and paddle among hidden coves and scattered islands. From storm watching in winter to beachcombing in spring, there are unforgettable experiences here in every season.

Banff National Park, with alpine-crisp air and lakes that shimmer like glass, is a must-stop on summer road trips. Established in 1885, Canada’s oldest national park is nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta and spans 6,600 square kilometres of wilderness. The scenic hiking trail on the north side of turquoise-coloured Lake Louise takes you up the mountain slope to Mirror Lake. Then onward to the charming Lake Agnes Tea House that has origins dating back to 1901. It’s here that stories shared over cups of tea are as frequent as the pine-scented breeze.

In central Saskatchewan, Prince Albert National Park is a beautiful blend of boreal forests, lakes, and wide-open prairies. It’s a gem of a park that is rich in recreational opportunity, natural beauty, and peaceful escapes into nature. Established in 1927, it spans nearly 3,900 square kilometres of peaceful wilderness and biodiversity. Making it an ideal locale for hiking, canoeing, fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing of elk, black bears, foxes, and plains bison. Waskesiu Lake with its quaint resort town atmosphere is home to sandy beaches, and a pristine golf course with classic fairways and natural sand bunkers.

On the west coast of the island of Newfoundland, Gros Morne National Park is known for striking landscapes and dramatic geology. It’s where ancient forces shaped the land, offering natural wonder and insight into earth’s geological history. The park showcases towering fjords, glacier-carved valleys, and exposed inner-earth mantle — one of the few places on the planet where you can walk on the earth’s interior. You can also hike scenic trails, kayak coastlines, and experience the downhome culture of nearby fishing communities.

Rideau Canal is one of the seven historic canals offering free lockage this summer. Constructed between 1826 and 1832, the canal was designed for military and strategic reasons as a secure route between Ottawa (called Bytown) and Kingston on Lake Ontario. It was important after the War of 1812 to find ways to bypass the St. Lawrence River along the United States border. Today boaters from all walks of life can glide down this historic waterway, seeing firsthand why the route was important to Canada’s sovereignty.

To learn more about the Canada Strong Pass, visit www.parks.canada.ca for information and program updates. If you’ve already purchased a Discovery Pass for this summer, your validity period will automatically be extended for three months to make up for the free admission period.

Canada is ours to explore this summer — all we have to do is show up and discover it for ourselves.

On this unforgettable land, made for you and me.