Top 10 Hidden Gemstones of Canada
The Land of the Maple Leaf has many delightful attractions but with these attractions come thousands of tourists. If you are searching for less-frequented quiet but serene locations to visit in Canada, look no further. In this guided post we cover the ten secluded locations.
The Grotto, Ontario
The Grotto inside the Bruce Peninsula National Park in Tobermory is nature’s beauty at its best. The breathtaking sea cave formed over thousands of years by erosion and has the most striking turquois colour. The sea cave can be reached by a 30 minute downward hike through the Bruce trails. Swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving are just some of the many activities you can enjoy aside from soaking up the scenery.
Diefenbunker, Ontario
Built during the height of the Cold War, the Diefenbunker was built to shield the top Canadian government officials in the event of a nuclear attack. The four storey bunker was given the status of a national historic site and the Diefenbunker museum was established in 1997. Diefenbunker houses the largest escape room in the entire world. The award winning escape room runs through an entire floor of the bunker. The Diefenbunker museum offers a peak into the treacherous period of the cold war.
Singing Sands Beach, Ontario
The Singing Sands beach of the Bruce Peninsula National Park is located on the shore of the Lake Huron in Ontario. The sand can be heard producing booming or roaring sounds as the wind flows over the sand dunes giving the illusion that the sands are singing. The beach is a great spot for a peaceful outdoor lunch with your family and to watch the sunset. The beach is easily accessible by a small walk and also by car.
Horne Lake Caves, British Columbia
The Horne Lake Cave Provincial Park on Vancouver Island in British Columbia is home to over 1,000 stunning caves. The park was built in 1971 to protect and preserve the caves and now functions as a tourist site to let people learn about the historically great caves. The park offers many tours featuring a fun slide through the caves, two underground waterfalls and spelunking which is the art of cave exploration. Above the ground, the cave education center houses many exhibits of minerals found inside the caves. Across from the caves is the Horne Lake Regional Park which has access to many campsites, beautiful trails and the Horne Lake is perfect destination for canoeing and boating.
Athabasca Sand Dunes, Saskatchewan
Atop the southern shore of Lake Athabasca sit the magnificent Athabasca Sand Dunes. The largest of Canada’s ecosystem, the dunes are the most active sand dunes in the entire world. Stretching over a 100 kilometers, the dunes are only accessible by a float plane or a boat. The Athabasca Sand Dune Provincial Park was created to protect the dunes that scientists refer to as an evolutionary puzzle. Being situated next to a lake, the park offers fishing, canoeing and boating to tourists along with the tour of the majestic dunes.
Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta
The Dinosaur Provincial Park in South Alberta is situated in the Red Deer River Velley. In the Mesozoic Era the region was home to many dinosaurs and large lizards, bones of which still continue to be excavated from the park resulting in making the Dinosaur Provincial Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Dinosaur Provincial Interpretive Centre and Museum holds many of the bones discovered by archeologists and allows tourists to explore and dig for the bones themselves. The park has many campsites perfect for evening bonfires and a restaurant. The park also features the largest of Canada’s badland landscapes that are absolutely breathtaking. The natural history park is quite easily accessible by road.
Alexandra Falls, Northwest Territories
The Alexandra Falls the third largest waterfall of NWT is a splendid 32 meter waterfall and is the major attraction of the Twin Fall Gorge Territorial Park. A product of the Hay River that eventually empties in the Great Slave Lake, the Alexandra falls is among the top 30 waterfalls in the world for water volume. A 30 minute hike will lead you to the top of the waterfall from where you will get a panoramic view of the basin. The Louise Falls, another scenic waterfall is a mere 3 kilometer trek away from the Alexander Falls. Both these falls are perfect for a family picnic.
Fairview Lawn Cemetery, Nova Scotia
The Fairview Cemetery is known to be the resting place of the victims of the RMS Titanic. The cemetery holds 121 graves of the victims that were onboard the Titanic, 41 of which remain unidentified like the grave of The Unknown Child. The solemn place can be visited to pay your respect to the departed voyagers.
Sambro Island, Nova Scotia
Sambro Island lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in North America
Home to the oldest lighthouse in North America, the Sambro Island Lighthouse is known as the Canadian Statue of Liberty by many. The lighthouse was built in 1758 making it 109 years older than Canada itself. Once a year the Nova Scotia Light House Preservation Society offers a tour to the light-house and it’s surrounding Devil’s Staircase rock formation. This year’s tour is to be held on the 5th of September so make sure you book your tickets from the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society’s Facebook page. The Island cannot be accessed by road but only by boat that takes you directly to the Halifax Harbor on which the lighthouse is located. The island also has the beautiful Crustal Crescent Beach Provincial Park with 3 white sand beaches and many scenic hiking trails along the ocean.
Iceberg Valley, Newfoundland and Labrador
If you want to see melting glaciers up-close Newfoundland is the place to be. During the spring months the northeastern coast of Newfoundland and Labrador witnesses hundreds of rogue icebergs that broke-off from their parent glaciers just floating by. The icebergs can be seen by a boat, a kayak and often even by land. To get the best experience of the glacial bodies you would want to paddle out to the blue waters.
Other Hidden Gemstones to Explore In Canada 2024
Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
When in British Columbia, one of the most unmissable hidden gemstones to explore is Haida Gwaii. Haida Gwaii is an ideal destination to explore the wilderness of Canada and make the most of the Canadian adventures by taking part in various activities such as: Hiking, Biking, Caving and Zip-lining etc.
Parkland Region, Manitoba
A unique and stunning destination in Manitoba, which has not been discovered by many people yet, is the Parkland Region. This region is a special place in Manitoba as it houses many beautiful lakes, rivers and woodlands. Additionally, the Parkland Region serves as the best spot to explore the highest mountain in Manitoba. So, if you and your loved ones are into learning Canada's history, thrilling outdoor activities and yummy food, then the Parkland Region in Manitoba is a must-visit for you!
Sable Island National Park Reserve, Nova Scotia
A total of 5 people live permanently in The Sable Island National Park Reserve in Nova Scotia. This place is also the home to around four hundred wild horses. Here, visitors will be able to spot numerous seals, massive bird colonies and approximately three hundred and fifty shipwrecks. These elements of the Sable Island National Park Reserve truly makes it a hidden gem in not only Nova Scotia, but the entire Canada. To take amazing pictures of Canada and its beautiful wildlife, this national park reserve is the ideal spot!
Thunder Cove, Prince Edward Island
Are you looking for the best place to hike in Canada? Thunder Cove in Prince Edward Island is one of the best hidden places to hike in Canada. Additionally, if you want to make the most of the trip to this destination, then you are recommended to visit the Thunder Cove beach where you will be able to view stunning red sand, massive rock formations, sea caves and much more!
Shediac, New Brunswick
Shediac is an awe-striking town in New Brunswick, Canada which is popular among locals for its beautiful swimming beaches, historical landmarks, fantastic dining places and a great location to indulge in some of the most massive lobsters in the entire world. Each July of every year, Shediac in New Brunswick holds a famous lobster festival that you should not miss out on!
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Easternmost provinces of the country which includes Nova Scotia, New Brunswick along with the province of Newfoundland and Labrador make up the region called Atlantic Canada. Learn about them in A Tourist Guide To Atlantic Canada.
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