How do I find a Parks Canada location on parks.canada.ca?

Updated

Use the Find a Parks Canada location section on the Parks Canada homepage. It provides a searchable map and a filterable list of places across Canada. You can search by name, narrow results by province or territory, and filter by location type. The results show each place's name and map coordinates, which helps you confirm you've found the right site before planning a visit.

Step-by-step: locating a place

  1. Open the homepage. Go to parks.canada.ca. The location finder appears as a dedicated section on the page.
  2. Use the search field. Type the name of the park, site, or reserve you're looking for (for example, "Banff" or "Gros Morne"). The list and map narrow as you type.
  3. Filter by province or territory. Select from the available regions: Canada (all), Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut Territory, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon Territory.
  4. Filter by type. Use the type filter to limit results to a specific designation if you know what you want.
  5. Read the results. Each entry shows the location name and its coordinates (latitude and longitude). Selecting an entry takes you to that location's page.
  6. Reset if needed. Use Reset to defaults to clear filters and start over.

Expected result: a short list of matching locations plus map pins, each labeled with the official name and coordinates.

What the results tell you

Element What it means
Location name The official Parks Canada name, which may include the designation (e.g., "National Park," "National Park Reserve")
Coordinates Latitude and longitude used to place the pin on the map
Type filter Lets you separate parks from reserves and other designations
Province/territory filter Limits results to one region

Reading the designations correctly

Names in the results are not interchangeable. A national park and a national park reserve are distinct designations, and some entries combine several: for example, Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site carries three designations in one name. Others, such as Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve or Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, are reserves rather than full national parks. If your trip depends on a specific designation, confirm it from the location name rather than assuming.

The finder also covers national marine conservation areas and national historic sites, not just parks, so a search may return places you didn't expect.

Once you've found the location

The homepage groups the next steps into clear paths:

  • Reservations — reserve campsites, accommodations, and activities.
  • Camping and overnight accommodations — accommodation types, camping basics, and recommendations.
  • Plan your visit — things to do, travel tips, vacation ideas, activities, and experiences.
  • Passes, permits and fees — daily fees, seasonal and annual passes, and boating permits.
  • Safety and guidelines — prepare for a safe and enjoyable trip.

Common snags

  • No results: check spelling, or clear the province/territory filter, which may be excluding the place you want.
  • Too many results: add a province/territory or type filter rather than scrolling the full list.
  • Wrong place selected: compare the coordinates in the result with the map pin before continuing.
  • Name confusion: long official names often include the designation; read the full entry, not just the first words.