Canadian Rockies: British Columbia and Alberta

Yoho National Park provides a good place to start your vacation, claiming one of western Canada’s most jewel-like bodies of water, Emerald Lake. This translucent turquoise lake lies only nineteen miles from the more renowned Lake Louise in Banff, Alberta, but receives far fewer visitors. Take advantage of the solitude to fish, hike, or picnic in a lovely setting undisturbed by throngs of tourists. Think twice before taking a dip in any lakes in this region, however; the glaciers that feed them make the water icy.

In addition to enthralling outdoors enthusiasts, Emerald Lake also beckons to fossil hunters. Over one hundred different species of marine life have left their remains embedded in the Yoho National Park region, some of them dating from 530 million years ago. The Burgess Shale Quarry on Wapta Mountain has actually been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another key destination in the park is Takakkaw Falls, dropping 1,246 feet from a cliff to the Yoho River.

Your best bet for simultaneously losing crowds and viewing majestic scenery is to take a hike, literally. The Angel Glacier-Cavell Meadow trail up Mt. Edith Cavell in Jasper National Park (Jasper, Alberta) leads to a meadow vantage point overlooking snow-capped mountains. More secluded spots abound in Banff National Park, such as Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake. With such a wealth of natural attractions, the Canadian Rocky Mountains will inspire even the most jaded park visitor.