As the cosmos ’s secondly - biggest country , Canada ’s sprawl terrain isdeeply diverse– and there ’s emphatically much more to the north than just Toronto , cold weather , politeness , andpoutine . Bigger than the United States , and largely vacant , it has some deplorably underrated travel destinations you ’ve in all likelihood never even heard of – towns that stay relative secrets among traveller , and natural domain that offer solacement to equalise their splendor .

If you want a beautiful space to enjoy – and , in some cases , have all to yourself – here are 11 deserving travel across the border for .

Pemberton, British Columbia

Pemberton ’s claim to fame is its summer indie - rock festival ( Pearl Jam and The Killers were headliners this year ) but there ’s much more to get up to in this slew town year - rotund . Just north of Whistler , its wilderness holds natural hot springs , tramp trail , and , in moth-eaten months , the Pemberton Icefield – 650 square naut mi of meth caps tremendous for snowmobiling .

Churchill, Manitoba

Located on the Hudson Bay , this tundra - shroud Ithiel Town is dwelling house to one thousand of gaga icy bears . During the winter , you may see them ( and if you ’re lucky , also the northern light ) by dogsled or chopper . During the summer , you’re able to go snorkel the bay among the world ’s highest concentration of beluga heavyweight .

The Big Muddy, Saskatchewan

crazy Max : Fury Roadmay as well have been film on Sasky ’s Bad Lands – its reddish - grime terrain and never - end skyline are a phantasmagoric match . Besides sandstone drop and steep canon , the expanse is famous for the innumerable dinosaur osseous tissue that have been dig here . It also used to be part of a far-famed trail used by American outlaws ( the Sundance Kid ! ) seeking refuge in Canada .

Muskoka, Ontario

Often called the Canadian Hamptons , this breathtaking lake part is made up of more than 30,000 diminutive islands north of Toronto . Its pine forests and clear water system have played muse for various Canadian cougar over the years , and renown such as Bill Murray , Steven Spielberg , and Tom Hanks matter themselves as bungalow owners .

Dawson, Yukon

Dawson form from the Klondike Gold Rush , and it ’s still covered in colourful inheritance house and old - fashioned general storage today . Hang out at the soppy and legendary Diamond Tooth Gertie ’s Gambling Hall or take a boat paddle bicyclist ( an quondam - fashioned steamboat ) up the Yukon River .

Tofino, British Columbia

Behold Tofino , a former logging village and present - day mecca for surfers , hippy , and anyone who likes ogle starfish in tide pool . You ’ll get hold lots of cool little boutiques and eating place here , and nary a Starbucks in visual sense – local constabulary strictly ban franchise . Set within a UNESCO biosphere reserve , the surround arena ’s known for its dramatic waves , craggy and smooth beaches , and whale - watching daub .

Mount Thor, Nunavut

Welcome to the world ’s highest erect drop , suffer 4,101 ft in the atmosphere ( rough the Burj Khalifa and Empire State Building combine , looming at a natural 105 - grade angle ) . Deep inside Auyuittuq National Park , Thor definitely lives up to its imposing namesake as a challenge for climbers and pedestal jumpers .

St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

For a metropolis of few than 200,000 , St. John ’s packs lots of action onto George St , a nightlife strip that brag more bars per square foot than anywhere else in North America . Loud , bustle about taphouse by , the urban center is incredibly put down - back , and a short hop to nature address such as Cape Spear and the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve . No wonderment it ’s often compared to San Fran – just far more Irish .

Virginia Falls, Northwest Territories

This gargantuan , sprawling falls on the South Nahanni River dwarfs Canada ’s favorite postal card attractiveness : it ’s more than twice as high as Niagara Falls . carve out of limestone over centuries , it ’s turn up inside of Nahanni National Park , which is so impressive UNESCO prefer it as one of its early World Heritage Sites .

Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

know how to utilize a lobster redneck is essential in Cape Breton . Here you ’ll find a unique blending of Scottish and Acadian inheritance running deep through the local culinary art , traditional step dancing , and fiddle euphony . For a miscellany of it all , check out the annual Celtic Colours fete .

Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

Often overshadowed by Banff , Waterton – about a four - minute drive south of it – is an equally beautiful interior commons . Strapped between the prairie and the Rocky Mountains , it shares an unguarded border with Montana ’s Glacier National Park , meaning it ’s literally potential to rip a paddleboat and traverse the border ( do n’t tell Trump ) .

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waterton lakes national-park, alberta|Pierdelune/shutterstock

Pemberton, British Columbia

Pierre Leclerc/shutterstock

polar bears

Lamuka/shutterstock

big muddy

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ontario

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denali

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Tofino, British Columbia

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mount thor

Flickr/Peter Morgan

st johns

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virginia hills

Flickr/ viaje a canada

cape breton

Mike Clime/shutterstock

Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

Scott Prokop/Shutterstock