National Geographic just dropped a list of Canada’s top national parks and historic sites to visit, and Alberta’s pick might catch you off guard.
Instead of highlighting Banff or Jasper, the prestigious magazine chose Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site, a former fur-trading outpost that has been transformed into an immersive cultural experience.
The feature spotlights some of the country’s best natural and historic destinations. Canada’s protected spaces include 37 national parks, 11 park reserves, and 168 national historic sites, giving travellers no shortage of options.
However, while Rocky Mountain House isn’t technically a national park, it’s managed by Parks Canada and boasts a rich history.
Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site (Parks Canada/Facebook)
“It traces the history of the Canadian fur trade, which started with the First Nations who lived in the area long before settler companies united under the Hudson’s Bay Company moniker in 1821,” National Geographic writes.
“For 76 years after the trading post’s establishment, fur trappers exchanged their work for goods from abroad.”
Today, the site offers plenty of hands-on experiences. Visitors can wander through interpretive trails, stay overnight in trapper cabins or tipis, bake bannock, try on 19th-century clothing, explore interactive exhibits, attend Indigenous-led programming featuring drumming and song, and learn about David Thompson, the cartographer dubbed “Canada’s Greatest Map Maker.”
Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site (Parks Canada/Facebook)
This spot often flies under the radar, but it’s just as picturesque as Alberta’s famous mountain parks, with plenty of history to boot! While you’re in the area, check out the adorable Rocky Mountain House townsite. If you’re looking to make a weekend trip out of it, be sure to explore nearby Nordegg and some great camping sites along Abraham Lake.
Other national parks named by National Geographic include Cape Breton Highlands (Nova Scotia), Gros Morne (Newfoundland), Mingan Archipelago (Quebec), Pukaskwa (Ontario), Rouge National Urban Park (Ontario), Grasslands (Saskatchewan), Gulf Islands (B.C.), Gwaii Haanas (B.C.), and Kluane (Yukon).
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