Canada:
Canada, with a population of only 30 million people and a vast wilderness, is the best country in the world for an outdoor adventure vacation. From the Rocky Mountains and forests of the west coast to the tundra of the far north, to the isolated interior and picturesque coastline of Newfoundland, Canada has an immensity of space. If you are coming here from Europe, don't expect to travel large distances overland in short periods of time. And half the country has no roads, since most Canadians live within 100 miles of the U.S. border.
Unfortunately, at the international climate summit in the Hague in November, 2000, Canada was lambasted for being one of the three least "green" countries of the 160 represented at the summit. Why? The strong criticism from environmental groups has arisen because Canada is trying to create ways to avoid having to cut down on emissions.
In fact, there seems to be a huge philosophical gap here in Canada between the environmentalist groups and the governmental organizations. Canada is one of the last true wilderness countries in the world, but most politicians don't seem to understand the importance of preserving this wildnerness. Instead, economic gain usually seems to be the main motivation behind all the laws and policies. It's a matter of being short-sighted and thinking only about growing the economy. (I could go on and on, as I am a dedicated tree-hugger, but if you are interested in these issues, please visit the environmental organizations whose website links I list on my Links page.
People visiting from countries where there are no more wild predators left should also be aware that those huge bears with big fangs and claws are dangerous and will attack you, so don't try to take pictures of your children feeding them ice cream cones. Grizzlies are more dangerous than black or brown bears, and are only found in the west.
The cities and towns all have decent hotels and motels, and there are inns and bed and breakfasts in the countryside, which make for a more intimate vacation. Prices are about the same or a bit lower than in northern Europe and more expensive than in the U.S. Flights within Canada are expensive (for example, Toronto to Iqualuit on Baffin Island, is a $1450 flight!), and so is car rental. Hitch hiking is possible, but expect Canadians to be leery of picking you up. Buses travel to most places, and trains travel between major cities. Adventurers will have to plan ahead. There are a few touring companies to take you into the wilderness, and these trips cost a lot of money. You can always go out on your own, but you'll have to do a lot of planning.
Canada is freezing cold and covered in snow for the winter months. In the summer, the southern parts can get steamy and humid like the tropics. The north is always colder, but because the sun doesn't go down much in the summer, camping is not as cold as you may expect.
To get more information on adventure or other travel in Canada, check out some of the websites listed below.
You can also email me at lynnes@interlog.com because I live in Canada, eh? And I've done a lot of travelling here. I am a wilderness canoeist, and have canoed extensively in Ontario in Algonquin Park, Temagami, and the Massassauga. I have also gone whitewater canoeing on the Missinaibi River and the White River. As for hiking, the major trips in Canada I've done are in Aiutuuq National Park on Baffin Island, Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland, Killarney Provincial Park in Ontario, and the Bruce Trail in Ontario.
Tips for a Great Canadian Canoe Trip:
Tips for a Great Canadian Hiking Trip:
Canadians, please note that if you are flying within Canada, you still need to show photo ID such as a driver's license or passport to get on the flight. Your birth certificate is not considered to be good enough, because it doesn't include a photo. Even for the smallest flight, such as from Toronto to Cochrane, you will still be asked for photo ID!
Books: Maple Leaf Rag: Travels across Canada, by Stephen Brook
Links:
The official site of the Canadian Tourism Commission
Parks Canada: The national parks of Canada are in trouble, according to a 1999 report. You can choose to visit them in a low-impact fashion, or leave them in peace to regenerate....
Ontario Provincial Parks: find out about all the parks, and make bookings online for the campgrounds. To reserve in the backcountry, you have to phone 1-888-668-7275
Bed and Breakfast Online: Gives details on 3,100 bed and breakfast establishments across Canada.
Photos from summer 1999 trips to Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland; Gaspé Penninsula, Quebec; and Massassauga Provincial Park, Ontario
Email me at lynnes@interlog.com
This page last updated October 31, 2003.