Pack the cooler. Buckle in the kids. Get on the road this summer.
Whether you’re a camper or a glamper (glamorous camper), Western Canada has a national park for you! Experience nostalgia by staying at a campground that’s been around since before your grandmother was born. Or absorb every passing moment with the relaxed and peaceful setting of calm, turquoise waters.
Celebrate Canada and head out on your summer adventure to one of the 28 nationals parks in Western Canada and the North.
If you are staring in awe at Yoho National Park’s waterfalls or hiking along the 400 kilometres of trails in Riding Mountain National Park, there is a Co-op Gas Bar nearby to get you from point A to B. If you have screaming children in the car asking, “Are we there yet?” the last thing you want to worry about is running out of gas.
Yoho National Park (British Columbia)
Breathe in the beauty of Yoho National Park’s waterfalls, glacier lakes, jaw-dropping mountains and endless hiking trails. Highlights of Yoho (meaning “awe” in Cree) National Park include:
- Takkakaw Falls, one of Canada’s highest free-falling waterfalls
- Emerald Lake, known for its deep turquoise colour
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Wide range of wildlife, such as grizzly bears, mountain goats and lynxes - Burgess Shale, one of the world’s most important fossil sites
- The Natural Bridge, known for its creation due to strong torrents of the Kicking Horse River that eventually cuts through the middle of the massive rock
Banff National Park (Alberta)
Did you know that the Banff Springs Hotel was the biggest hotel in the world when it was built in 1888? That is just one of many cool attractions the Banff National Park has to offer. Banff National Park was also the first national park in Canada. Other interesting tidbits include:
- Castleguard Caves, northwest of Banff, is Canada’s longest and second deepest cave system.
- The Banff Upper Hot Springs was discovered in 1884 and is one of the park’s most famous attractions.
- Although it is known for its beautiful turquoise hues, Lake Louise was once a wild outpost at the end of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Prince Albert National Park (Saskatchewan)
If you like fishing, camping, swimming, golfing, hiking or cycling (in other words, 99 per cent of you), you will love Prince Albert National Park. Stroll into town at Waskesiu and enjoy:
- A movie at the theatre
- Eat the best pizza you will ever taste at Pete’s Terrace
- Escape to the great outdoors
- Hop in a boat and cast your fishing line out for walleye or lake trout in Waskesiu Lake.
Riding Mountain National Park (Manitoba)
Enjoy a night under the stars with the comfort of a wood stove for heat and a kitchen table. Parks Canada oTENTiks is where tenting meets the comfort of cabin life.
The Wasagaming town-site has everything you need to make enjoyable memories on a summer getaway.
- Indulge in a facial or massage at the Elkhorn Resort Spa and Conference Centre.
- Savour every bite of the best cinnamon bun you will ever taste at the White House Bakery & Restaurant.
- Find your inner child while building sandcastles and swimming in Clear Lake.
- Visit in the off-season and take in a fall festival or cross-country skiing event.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (British Columbia)
Rainforests, sand dunes and trails, oh my! This national park has everything you need to escape your busy life and clear your mind. Serenity and
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is made up of three areas:
- Long Beach – Known for its stunning scenery and rainforest trails. Take full advantage of your time here with whale watching, hot springs and nature tours near Tofino and Ucluelet.
- West Coast Trail – Remembered for its overnight backpacking hikes
.Take in a two-to-three day hike or be adventurous and take in a five-to-seven-day hike. - Broken Group Islands – Recognized for its kayaking trip offerings of anywhere from three-to-eight-day kayaking tours along the west coast.
What are you waiting for? Get out and enjoy Western Canada! Let’s celebrate this nation’s 150th anniversary by relishing in Canada’s beautiful scenery and endless festivals and activities. So, if the cooler is packed and the kids are buckled in, hop in the driver’s seat and step on the gas pedal to take you to your next Western Canadian adventure.
And remember that a Co-op Gas Bar and Convenience Store is there to fill your tank or your belly every step of the way.
For a list of Co-op Gas