You Must Be Trippin'

Parks Canada Celebrates 100th Anniversary

November 10 2011 by Bryson Forbes
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I was a very lucky child growing up with easy access to a number of national historic sites just outside of Ottawa, Canada's capital. I also spent most of my summers at my grandparents' cottage on the St. Lawrence River in the 1,000 Islands region, near one of Canada's oldest national parks: St. Lawrence National Park.

Yellowstone National Park in the U.S. was the first designated national park in the world, established in 1872. Almost 30 years later in 1911, Canada was the first country to create an agency specifically devoted to its national parks. This agency, Parks Canada, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and is responsible for assigning, managing and preserving these glorious landscapes. Its scope now includes 42 national parks as well as 167 of the nation's 950 national historic sites, and four national marine conservation areas.

To help celebrate the anniversary and also call attention to the Parks, the Royal Canadian Mint has launched a Collector's Edition Coin Set.

Parks Canada, affectionately called The Grandparents of Green, has generated a list of five Canadian national parks that are must-sees. Book at a nearby Best Western hotel to help make the visit even more enjoyable.

National Park
"The Bruce"

Why you should go
- Southwestern Ontario which includes beautiful Niagara escarpment
- Many outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and bird watching

When to go
- May to October
- Winter gets lots of snow

Nearby Best Western
- BEST WESTERN PLUS Governor's Inn

National Park
- Mount Revelstoke

Why you should go
- World's only temperate inland rain forest
- World-class skiing
- Chance to see grizzly bears, mountain goats and caribou

When to go
- Year-round

Nearby Best Western
- BEST WESTERN PLUS Revelstoke

National Park
- La Mauricie

Why you should go
- Diverse landscape of south eastern Quebec with mountains and Canadian Shield
- You will see lots of wildlife including black bears, beavers and moose.
- Fabulous skiing

When to go
- Year-round

Nearby Best Western
- BEST WESTERN PLUS Hotel Universel Drummondville

National Park
- The Grasslands

Why you should go
- Located in the prairies in the heart of Saskatchewan
- Unique landscape with many rare and endangered fauna

When to go
- May to September

Nearby Best Western
- BEST WESTERN PLUS Inn Swift Current

National Park
- Cape Breton Highlands

Why you should go
- One-third of the Nova Scotia's famous Cabot Trail passes through the park featuring spectacular ocean and mountain views
- Outstanding golf

When to go
- April to October

Nearby Best Western
- BEST WESTERN PLUS Glengarry Hotel
(Great spot on your way up to Cape Breton)

These are just five of our national treasures. Are there other gems that I've missed? We would love to hear from you.

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Categories : Are We There Yet?

Tags : best western, best western canada, canadian national parks, canadian tourism

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