Canadian summer awaits

Tourism is on the rise here in Canada, as more and more international tourists — and Canadians alike — who used to travel to the United States are now seeking different destinations. And our country is rising to the challenge, with a 450,000 square kilometer collection of landscapes, environments, and experiences, taking you from coast to coast to coast.

This summer, from June 19 to Sept. 7, Parks Canada is offering free admission as part of the Canada Strong Pass. The initiative was first launched in 2025 to encourage people to explore our vast network of national parks, historic sites, and conservation areas. And you don’t need to sign-up, or register, or anything, either. All you have to do is show up with your favourites, enjoy the views, and take part in all the things to do.

Another benefit is free lockage on historic canals operated by Parks Canada, including the world-famous Rideau Canal in our nation’s capital region. Stretching from Kingston to Ottawa, Ont., and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America. Remarkable for its engineering and preservation of 19th-century technology, the 202-kilometer waterway consists of manually controlled locks, dams and channels, and a variety of historic structures.

Participating museums and galleries across the country this summer will have free admission for ages 17 and under, and 50 per cent off for young adults 18 to 24. Via Rail will welcome youth and children on board with free rail passes for 17 and under when accompanied by an adult, and a 25 per cent discount for ages 18 to 24. Other savings to make traveling a little more affordable include 25 per cent discounts on camping and accommodations operated by Parks Canada.

Every region of our country is rife with unique natural and cultural heritage, and iconic parks. Like Gros Morne National Park on the western coast of Newfoundland. One of Canada’s most extraordinary landscapes, it’s known for dramatic fjords, towering cliffs, and charming coastal communities. It also features the astonishing ‘Tablelands” – where the earth’s mantle can be seen at the surface, and geologists who study plate tectonics are surely in their happiest of places.

New Brunswick’s Fundy National Park is home to the highest tides in the world. Dramatic tidal changes transform the coastline twice daily, as seawaters gradually roll out to reveal the sprawling ocean floor, before slowly rolling back in to submerge it all again. Come at the right time to witness stunning formations of sandstone and shale, in a region framed by lush forests, waterfalls, rivers, and valleys.

In Ontario, Bruce Peninsula National Park lies between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. Famous for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, limestone cliffs, and ancient cedar forests, the park protects part of the Niagara Escarpment. This UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve has some of the most scenic hiking in the province, complete with numerous natural outlook points, and fascinating attractions like ‘the Grotto’ — a sea cave carved into the freshwater shoreline.

Part 1 of 2: My next Travelations will share more about some of the greatest Parks Canada places to visit and experience.