Canada's First National Park: Banff

In 1885, Banff National Park was named Canada’s first national park, and the world’s third. As the second largest national park in Canada behind Japer National Park, Banff’s rugged terrain consisting of 2,564 square miles (6,641 square kilometers) is a prime backdrop to an adventurous holiday. From snow-capped peaks to flowing rivers, visitors can go rafting, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, or just simply take in the scenery.

Photo Credit: Alberta, Canada (Travel Alberta)

Protecting Wildlife from Bow Valley's Cross-Cutting Highway

Banff National Park's Bow Valley holds some of the continent's most spectacular scenery and treasured wildlife. It's also one of North America's few parks with a major freeway running through it. In the past decade, however, an innovative combo of highway fences and ecopassages have been put in place to help wildlife stay away from the highway and find food, mates, and safe haven through a series of tunnels and overpasses.

Photo Credit: Bow Valley, Banff National Park (courtesy, Travel Alberta)