For many of us, our first camping experience away from the family was as a Beaver or Cub Scout.
Patrick McCaully/Scouts Canada
Scouts Canada, the 100-plus-year-old organization which runs fantastic programs for children and young adults surveyed its 46,704 members to find out the most epic campsites and hidden gems across the country.
The youth program organization says 39.5% of surveyed volunteer Scouters, Scouting youth and their parents voted Jasper National Park in Alberta as Canada’s ‘most epic’ camp destination followed by Pacific Rim National Park Reserve in British Columbia. Algonquin Provincial Park, Gros Morne National Park and Fundy National Park rounded out the top five list.
When asked to share their opinion on the top ‘hidden gem’ camp destinations across Canada, Scouters chose Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park, Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, Spruce Woods Provincial Park, Pollett’s Cove, Virginia Falls, Nahanni National Park Reserve, Bon Echo Provincial Park, and Grassland National Park.
Panoramic views, proximity to water, availability of activities like fishing, paddling, hiking, biking, wildlife, the proximity of washrooms, and quietness were the reasons cited for choosing a dream camp site.
Scouts Canada members and families were also asked about the ‘must-see’ Canadian parks or sites they have camped at and Algonquin Provincial Park, Jasper National Park, Pinery Provincial Park, Fundy National Park, Cavendish Campground, and Prince Edward Island topped the list.
As per the news release, nearly 42.9% of respondents have camped at Algonquin Provincial Park. The two least visited campsites were Prince Albert National Park‘s Beaver Glen Campground and Kluane National Park and Reserve.
Most epic camping destinations in all of Canada
- Jasper National Park, Alberta
- Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia
- Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario
- Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Fundy National Park, New Brunswick
Hidden Gem Campsites You’ve (probably) Never Heard of:
| Campsite name | Province | Why is it a ‘Gem?’ |
| Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park | Alberta | Straddles the milk river, nestled in hoodoos (incredible rock structures), rich history. |
| Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve | British Columbia | Lush rainforest islands, rich in Haida culture (learning opportunities) and wildlife sightings. |
| Spruce Woods Provincial Park | Manitoba | Sand dunes to explore where the Assiniboine River used to flow. |
| Pollett’s Cove | Nova Scotia | Challenging coastal hikes overlooking stellar bay views |
| Virginia Falls, Nahanni National Park Reserve | Northern Territories | Mind-blowing waterfalls in the remote wilderness |
| Bon Echo Provincial Park | Ontario | Paddle beneath soaring cliffs or hike through forest. |
| Grassland National Park | Saskatchewan | Experience the Badlands with expansive skies and endangered prairie wildlife |