These Underrated National Parks Just Tied as the Best in Canada-With Quiet Beaches, Orca Sightings, and Scenic Spots

"Set in British Columbia and tied for the top national park in Canada, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is coastal paradise made up of more than 30 islands and islets complete with coves, beaches, and trails, according to the report from tour operator Journeyscape. The park was described by Canada's parks department as a "haven for wildlife, eagles, and seabirds" and as a year-round habitat for southern resident orcas."

"Also tied for first place was Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Highlands National Park, lauded for the Cabot Trail, which the company called "one of the most scenic drives in the world." The park also received high marks on AllTrails, which recognized the Skyline Trail, Middle Head Trail, and Acadian Trail as the highest-rated hikes there."

""Some national parks win you over with picture-perfect scenery. Others quietly charm you with their hidden coves, wildlife encounters, or trails that seem to have been designed with your camera roll in mind," Journeyscape wrote in the report. "Our top 10 includes a mix of places that offer that wow moment and spots where the magic sneaks up on you. So, pack your hiking boots, your binoculars, and maybe a little extra phone storage for the photos you're bound to take. These are the national parks worth planning a whole trip around.""

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve in British Columbia and Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia are tied as Canada's highest-ranked national parks with scores of 9.31. Gulf Islands comprises more than 30 islands and islets featuring coves, beaches, trails, and year-round habitat for eagles, seabirds, and southern resident orcas. Cape Breton Highlands is renowned for the Cabot Trail and highly rated hikes such as the Skyline, Middle Head, and Acadian trails. Kluane National Park and Reserve in the Yukon ranks third and contains Mount Logan. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve has the most Instagram mentions, exceeding 29,000 posts.

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